The school bell rang.
Students poured out of classrooms.
But Elara and Maya remained on the bench.
Maya stared at the notebook.
"You built this alone?"
Elara nodded.
Maya shook her head in disbelief.
"Do you realize what this means?"
"Yes."
"Financial institutions would kill for this algorithm."
"I know."
"Governments would fight over it."
"I know."
Maya leaned back.
"And you're just… sitting here with it?"
Elara closed the notebook carefully.
"I don't plan to sell it."
Maya blinked.
"Then what do you plan to do?"
Elara looked toward the distant skyline.
The city stretched endlessly.
Full of opportunity.
Full of danger.
"I plan to use it to leave."
Maya tilted her head.
"Leave what?"
Elara's voice was quiet.
"My family."
For the first time, Maya noticed the faint bruise on Elara's wrist.
Her expression changed.
"Your family did that?"
Elara didn't answer.
But she didn't need to.
Maya stood suddenly.
"Well then."
She held out her hand.
"Looks like you're going to need help."
Elara stared at the offered hand.
Trust had never been easy for her.
But something told her this moment mattered.
She slowly took Maya's hand.
And with that simple gesture…
Everything began to change.
Because somewhere across the city…
A powerful man sat in a dark office watching surveillance screens.
One of the screens showed Elara Valen.
He leaned forward.
A faint smile appeared.
"So," he murmured.
"You've finally found your first ally."
The man's name was Lucian Vale.
And he had been watching Elara for years.