Chapter 4

I hung up, started the car, and drove onto the overpass.

The city lights came on, row after row.

1.6 billion dollars. Eight years. The box felt so light compared to them.

I didn't go home. I sat in the riverside parking lot for a long time, staring at the billboard on the construction site across the river.

Spotlights lit it up, and the words were glowing bright: Rivergate Seris River Complex.

That was my design.

Early the next morning, Frank called again. This time, I picked up.

"Ryan, did you go to Rivergate yesterday?" he asked right away.

"Yeah, they called me in," I replied.

"What did they want?" he pressed.

"It was about the design. They needed the lead designer to confirm some technical details," I said.

"You're not with Innovatech anymore. The company handles all the project negotiations now. You have no authority to represent anyone," Frank said.

"I wasn't representing Innovatech," I replied.

"Then who were you representing?" he pressed.

"Myself. The core patent for the design is mine," I said.

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Ryan, don't make things complicated. We can discuss the patent. Come back, renew your contract, and set your own terms," Frank said.

"Why didn't we talk about this when you let me go yesterday?" I shot back.

"That's a separate issue. The company has its own plans," he replied.

"Frank, you had the group announcement wiped, and my name's gone from the new version. At the celebration, you took credit for leading the whole thing. I know exactly what game you're playing," I said.

He went silent for a few seconds. "So, what do you want?" he finally asked.

"Rivergate needs an answer before the day after tomorrow. Whether I give them the green light or not, that's up to me," I replied.

"Are you threatening me?" he asked.

"I'm stating the facts, Frank," I said.

"Ryan, you've been in this game for eight years. Everyone knows everyone. Word gets around fast. Better think twice," he warned.

"I know exactly what I'm doing," I replied.

I hung up.

Ten minutes later, Howard messaged me on WhatsApp. [Ryan, I heard things got a bit tense between you and Frank. If there's something on your mind, talk it out. Don't do anything rash. How about dinner tonight?]

I didn't reply.

Another message popped up. [Frank's looking out for the company. If you're willing to renew the patent, he said the terms can be renegotiated. He's even willing to up the offer. That way, everyone saves face.]

I closed the chat.

That afternoon, Frank's secretary called. "Mr. Lewis, Frank wants to meet with you tomorrow morning at the office to talk about renewing the patent. He said you can discuss it in his office."

"No, I'm not going back to Innovatech," I said.

"Would somewhere else work better for you?" she asked.

"No need. I'll talk directly with Rivergate," I replied.

She paused for a moment. "Alright, I'll let him know," she said.

Ten minutes after I hung up, another call came in from an unknown number.

"Ryan? This is Cohen from Innovatech's legal department. We need to formally discuss a few legal issues about the IP rights between you and the company. Would you be able to come in for a meeting?"

If there's anything, send a legal notice," I said.

"Ryan, we'd really prefer to settle this through negotiation," he said.

"Send a legal notice." I cut him off and hung up.

The next morning, I got two calls.

The first was from Erick at Atkinson Design Institute. We'd talked before. He mentioned they were planning to expand this year and were interested in bringing me on board.

"Ryan, we had another internal discussion about the position. Looks like we're not adding anyone to the team this year. Hope you understand," he said.

"No worries," I replied.

"Let's catch up another time," he said.

I hung up.

The second call was from HR at Eastwood Architecture. They'd sent me an interview invite last week.

"Sorry, Mr. Lewis, we've already hired someone for the position. Thanks for reaching out," they said.

"Alright," I replied.

Two rejections in one day.

I sat by the window, staring at the old tree.

Then Gordon messaged me on WhatsApp. [Frank reached out to several design firms yesterday. He's got people in the industry association. Finding a job might not be so easy for you.]

I stared at the message.

A few minutes later, another message popped up. [He's afraid you'll hand the patent to someone else, so he's trying to shut down your options. If you can't find anywhere else to go, you'll have to come back and sign with him. That's his plan.]

I put my phone down and walked into the living room.

My dad was watching TV.

"Dad, I'm heading out for a bit," I said.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Meeting someone," I replied.

I headed downstairs, got in my car, and drove to the patent office. I checked all the patents registered in my name.

Three patents in total. The key one was the structural calculation model.

The exclusive license to Innovatech had already been terminated. The other two had never been authorized to anyone.

I made three copies of the entire set of documents.

Back in the car, I sent John a message. [Tomorrow works.]

He replied instantly: [10 AM, Rivergate Tower, 26th floor. Mr. Grant will be there too.]

Henry Grant, chairman of Rivergate Group. He's personally keeping an eye on the Seris River project.

I set my phone down.

At eight that evening, I was eating dinner at home.

Frank called again. This time, his tone had changed. "Ryan, I've been thinking. I didn't handle things well before. So, if you come back, your salary will be doubled.

"We'll re-establish Design Division Three, and you'll be the director. Plus, for renewing the patent, the company will pay you 300 thousand dollars upfront."

300 thousand. On a 1.6 billion project, all I got was 300 thousand.

"Wow, that's really generous of you, Frank," I said.

"You worked for Innovatech, and if the project goes through, it benefits everyone," he said, his tone much softer. "The Legal Department's already drawn up the contract. Come by tomorrow and take a look. You can change any terms you like."

I really did consider it. 300 thousand wasn't pocket change. Going back as director, with double the salary and job security... Maybe it wasn't such a bad deal after all.

My phone buzzed again. Gordon sent a new message. A screenshot. It was a WhatsApp conversation between Frank and Howard.

Frank: [Keep him steady for now. Once he signs the renewal, we'll have a three-month probation period, and we can sack him whenever we want.]

Howard: [Understood. Should we add a non-compete clause to the contract?]

Frank: [Yes. Make the scope as wide as possible. Once he signs, he'll be stuck here.]

I stared at those words for a while.

I stood up and headed to the balcony.

Parked under the streetlight downstairs was a moving van, its company number splashed across the door.

I remembered carrying that box out of Innovatech Design Group this morning. No one glanced at me on the seventeenth floor. That was what I got after eight years.

I turned back, picked up my phone, and said to Frank, "No, thanks."

"Think it over. 300 thousand dollars isn't the end. We can discuss profit sharing on future projects," said Frank.

"There's nothing to think about," I said.

"Ryan!" His voice rose. "You really think you can do this alone? You don't have the qualifications, no team, no resources.

"You know how this industry works. If you offend Innovatech Design Group, no one in this city will touch you in the design business."

"Thanks for the warning, Frank," I said.

I hung up and blocked his number.

The next morning at ten, I arrived at the twenty-sixth floor of Rivergate Tower. The conference room was twice as big as last time, dominated by a large oval conference table.

John sat on the left, with Elina, the legal counsel, next to him. On the right was a man, probably in his fifties, with graying hair and a charcoal suit.

He stood as I entered. "Ryan, I'm Henry Grant."

We shook hands. His grip was dry and soft.

"Take a seat," he said.

I sat down and slid the folder across the table. "These are the original documents for all three patents, along with the filing records and approval status reports."

John took the folder, flipped through it, and handed it to Elina.

Henry didn't look at the documents. He looked at me.

"Ryan, you were at Innovatech Design Group for eight years. How many projects did you lead?" he asked.

"Fourteen. Nine of them were completed," I said.

"Did you do the Seris River project all by yourself, from start to finish?" he asked.