Chapter 22: The Crash Landing Part-1
"Mommy!! Wake up! Daddy, why is she looking so blue?"
"Sweetie, Mom is resting, come back here."
"We have to say goodbye to her, you see sweetie, you remember how I explained that your mom was suffering from a disorder?"
"Yeah? But she took all her medicines."
"Cassie, you are so intelligent, try to understand that medicine cannot cure everything, and your mom suffered from a complicated disorder and took all her medicines altogether. "
"No Mom is supposed to take 3 medicines every day. That was the rule doctor had said. She is dying!!!!!!"
"Cassie, your mom is on the ventilator now, but doctors said we need to let her go so that she can rest. Finally, peacefully rest."
"I don't want to! I know she beat me up sometimes, but she always meant well, she gets all confused, the doctor can save her right, they said she was fine!"
"Doctors are humans, and they cannot save everyone, Cassie, I'm sorry. I know it hurts, but it will pass someday, and it's just you and your dad now, we can be strong together right?"
"I love you, dad!"
"I love you too sluggers! Don't cry in front of her okay, let's give her a pretty farewell okay? You can recite that poem you wrote tomorrow at the funeral for your grandparents, you have to console them right?"
"Yes, daddy. Don't ever leave me okay"
"I promise sweetheart."
My eyes fluttered open. The lights are too much. I can see someone at the bedrest next to mine.
"Ashley?"
"Cassie! Oh! Thank god! Nurse!! She is awake, can you call Dr. Lee?"
"Ash, what happened?"
My body aches everywhere. My head hurts, my line of vision seems blurry. My right leg is aching too.
"Sweetie, you were in a car crash, you injured your right leg and head. They had to reattach your bones in your right leg. You have been unconscious for the past 2 days!"
"What day is it?"
"It's Wednesday noon, you crashed on Sunday evening."
I rest my eyes, the blinding lights are too much.
After three hours of a routine check-up, tests, scans, and rehabilitation described to me, I could not comprehend a single detail.
They let me take a bath, and a nurse brings me some food. Chicken soup and toasts.
"Ash tell me everything. Please. Where is Vincent?"
"Cassie, I am so sorry. I don't think he is coming. I tried to call him, but he is unreachable. I talked to your dad to permit your surgery. I just told him that you woke up and you are fine."
"Thank you, I don't know what to say Ash. I'll call dad later. Just tell me what happened."
"Okay, so when you were delayed from Boston, your project confidential files were leaked to InfinteTech Ltd, and they released the software one day earlier, which also resulted in GreyX market value drop fast, and the GreyX team was accused of plagiarism, but the swift private investigation revealed that someone from your company leaked them to Infinite tech ltd. Using Vincent's computer, and sold it for a deal of 15 million dollars in venture capital. Since you are the head of the project and also his fiance, they think it's you."
"I see. Can you read me the lawsuit? I need reading glasses and my backpack?"
"Your backpack is safe, and I have your laptop with me, and I'll go talk to your doctor about your prescription. Here's your cellphone, it's a little cracked."
"Thanks." I finish my soup.
Leave the hospital
I try to make a list.
Call a lawyer.
Build my defense case.
Find the actual culprit
Go back home to Boston.
Forget him...
I open my contacts and think of my lawyer cousin Dalton, but he's in Germany... Who else?
I scroll down the contact list. I don't want to trouble dad.
Auntie Helen? The cat enthusiast/marine biologist? She was from Cornell, maybe she knows someone?
I text her.
"Hi! It's me, Cassiopeia Bennett, we met on the plane, I had my cat with me?"
"Cassie! How are you? Of course, I remember."
"I am doing better, I need your help." Do you know any good, trustworthy, non-expensive lawyers? I am in a bit of a situation."
"Oh no! I hope everything's okay. Craig, my husband, can help you out before he became an editor. He used to practice law in California, so I will ask him to fly to you immediately."
"Really? Thanks a lot!! I am in Seattle and I will cover all the travel expenses and everything I just needed a trustful lawyer."
Before I forget anything, I try to jot down evidence/details in my favor. I have never even met anyone from InfinteTech.
"Here's your ring, we removed it during the surgery. Congratulations, by the way, that's a pretty ring."
I smiled weakly at the nurse.
I check my phone and try to read the news
"ATLAS PROJECT: a colossal failure pet project masqueraded as the next great invention. Reported by the Wall Street Journal."
"After a tumultuous downfall from the highs, Grey Enterprises is barely managing damage control after allegations of plagiarism creating a ripple effect in the new GreyX tech market value drop to the record low.
Investors are lining up to pull out their funding.
The project head, Cassiopeia Bennett, fresh out of MIT, is under investigation by the FBI.
No comments by InfiniteTech ltd. Who released their software is also under scrutiny by the Holistic community of the American Association of People with Disabilities, who were promised the best user-friendly program for their laptops and mobiles. InfiniteTech's profits rose to 30%, and charting higher still."
I slam my phone down.
"Ash I need to leave, please get me out of here."
"No, Cassie, you need to rest. Please calm down and don't read the news. I have talked to my friends at Boston Globe finance they are going to find how Infinite tech got hands-on your work?"
"Okay fine, I need my pain medication, and I have called a lawyer from Boston, his name is Craig? He used to practice law and now he is an editor at the Boston Globe."
"Whoa, Craig Jones? He is very cool, I will go pick him up tomorrow. Listen, I called my dad to send his private jet to fly us out, it will be more convenient okay?'
"Thanks, I appreciate what you are doing for me."
"Shh, now just take your pills and just focus on your recovery."
"Ash! Can you give me my laptop please?"
"Cassie rest. You will get them tomorrow morning, you need glasses, otherwise, you will get more headache, I will go get you some fresh set of clothes."
"No, don't buy anything. Can you please get all my stuff out of his apartment? I am sure Grace will help you out. Her number is there on my phone."
"Okay, Don't worry Now do you feel like eating something nice?"
"Hmm, maybe some pancakes or ice cream?" I said.
"You got it! I'll be back soon."
I lean back down and look around the hospital suite. The vase is filled with white roses, most likely Ashley brought them.
I stretch my hand and read. "Get well soon Dufus. Hate to see you like this."
Tears stream down my face. I wipe it away with the back of my hand and sleep.
Later we ate a little bit of Belgian chocolate Baskin Robbin's ice cream after eating those blueberry pancakes. Then I video called dad and kept assuring him I am totally fine, but I just could not tell him about the lawsuit and the whole situation just yet.
"Cassie?"
I opened my eyes. I try to get up.
It's morning already? My vision feels disorientated.
"Xavier?"
"So you do remember me huh? Dufus!" He hugs me right away.
"It seems like that I am the biggest idiot. Hey, what time is it?"
"It's 8 am Thursday. Here drink this."
He hands me a glass of orange juice and pain med. The right leg pains badly sometimes in the night.
The medication makes me nauseous sometimes too.
"How are you feeling?" He holds my hand, he is super warm, and I am all cold. "Headaches are a bitch."
The nurse brought me some oatmeal. I try to eat it. She checks my vitals and asked about my pain rating. It's a hard 7 out of a 10.
"Hey, I got your glasses, here."
I put on the reading-glasses and glance at the mirror.
I look like a pale ghost, but indeed a smart one with round-rimmed glasses. I try to read the newspaper.
"Hey, they suit you, look smarter in those."
"Jeez thanks, can you pass me my laptop. Where's Ashley?"
"She's gone to the airport to pick up Craig."
"Hey, can you take drive me later in the afternoon?"
"Sure. Where do you need to go?"
"They asked me to visit for the interrogation."
"Cassie, you need to discuss it with your lawyer first."
"Yeah, I know. Can you talk to my insurance company? I am sure that I had travel insurance. Could you get my laptop?"
"There you go. I'll go talk to your insurance company. You don't worry okay?"
"Thanks, Xavier."
I go to the sink and puke out the oatmeal.
I want to check with my own eyes the counterfeit software.
I try to compare and write down observations and analysis and simulations, prototypes, etc. The iOS version has several glitches and lagging, and many gaps and missing key features from my version. Xavier helps me in arranging all the information into Word Docx.
The thief who tried to steal the program and managed to steal only 30% of the whole program I created.
The coding system looks messed up and inconsistent.
We both read my contract because the lawsuit suggests a breach of contract along with the old Corporate Espionage, so technically since I own the patent, I reserve the right and all my intellectual property, including the contents of my work laptop and computer.
Mr. Jones came by later, and we discussed the details.
"Infinite tech bought it secretly for 30 million dollars right?"
"Yes, that is right."
"And you had received venture capital funds of 20 million dollars by GreyX after they won a bidding war at your auction, right?"
"Yes, I chose GreyX, not the other way around. I almost signed a deal with Aydan Ltd from Saudi Arabian Sheikh. They were prepared to fund this project in most Middle Eastern countries for 150 million dollars as a start. Here is the paperwork."
"Wow! Is it because of the profit margins and projections? Social cause plus a money maker. Neat and clean for a business."
"Sadly that is true, however, it is more of a long-term goal of increasing the political and economic power of disabled people."
"Maybe you can still do it. Your defense is still strong. Is there anything else I need to know?"
"Yes, Vincent Grey and I were in a relationship together. Engaged recently."
I stretch my arms again and feel anger sweep through my body. I was such a stupid girl. My phone rings. It's an unknown number. That's weird. "Hello?"
"Marhabban, Miss Bennett? Remember me?"
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