Chapter 24: Watch Me
December 2nd, 2023. It was Michael's anticipated day as he was about to hear from Catherine about the technology Engineer Benico was testing.
He looked at his phone and saw her message.
[Meet me in my condo at five o'clock in the afternoon. I have important things to say.]
Reading that, Michael frowned slightly. Even though it was just a message, he could hear her talking in a nonchalant, ice-cold princess manner. Did something happen? Well, nevertheless, he'll find out soon.
As usual, Michael left the school at three o'clock in the afternoon and booked a Grab service to Catherine's condo at Rockwell.
Upon arriving, Michael greeted the security and made his way up to Catherine's condo. The familiar luxury of the place didn't ease the tight knot of tension in his stomach. He knocked on the door, his heart rate picking up.
Catherine opened the door, her expression unreadable. "Come in, Michael," she said, stepping aside to let him enter. Her tone was formal, lacking the warmth he had grown accustomed to in their previous interactions.
As Michael walked in, he scanned the room. It was just Catherine. He sat down on the plush sofa, waiting for Catherine to speak.
Catherine took a deep breath before beginning, "Michael, I spoke with my mother regarding your solar panel technology. Unfortunately, we received a report from Engineer Benico and Solar Dynamics Corporation."
She paused, choosing her words carefully. "They claim that the initial tests were incorrect. According to their report, your solar panel doesn't achieve the efficiency levels you claimed. They're suggesting it's a prototype with errors, not the revolutionary product we thought."
Michael's heart sank. This wasn't the news he was expecting. He knew his technology worked; the tests he conducted himself were conclusive. Suspicion crept into his mind. Was this a deliberate attempt by Solar Dynamics to discredit his invention?
"What do you mean? We tested it in front of him and he said the technology was impressive. You heard him say that right?"
"Yeah I did, but a mistake is a mistake, and they wrote a technical report where you can read all the errors. Check it yourself," Catherine said, handing him the document.
Michael, frowning, took the technical report from Catherine. He unfolded the papers, his eyes quickly scanning through the contents. The report was filled with technical jargon, graphs, and data that would overwhelm anyone not well-versed in solar panel technology.
"Okay...if my solar panel is so useless and unfeasible, then where is it? Did they bring it back?" Michael said, his tone starting to get
irate.
Catherine hesitated for a moment before replying, "No, they didn't bring it back. I didn't receive anything from Solar Dynamics aside from the technical report. I assume they might have discarded it, considering it worthless based on their findings."
Michael's frustration grew. "Discarded it? Just like that? Without even giving me a chance to examine their claims or retrieve my own work? This doesn't add up, Catherine."
"I don't control what Solar Dynamics does with the prototypes they test," Catherine said defensively. "I'm sorry, Michael, but there's nothing more I can do."
Michael stood up, his disappointment evident. "I see. Well, thank you for your time, Catherine.
"Wait..." Catherine stopped him in his tracks. "You are forgetting something."
"What?"
"We have a session for today, right? Don't tell me you are going to walk out from here and forget about the responsibilities that you have agreed to."
Michael took a deep breath, calming himself before turning back to face Catherine. "Right, the tutoring session. I almost forgot. Let's do it,"
They moved to the table where Catherine had set up her study materials. As they settled down, Michael couldn't help but notice the change in the atmosphere. The warmth and camaraderie that had previously marked their sessions seemed to have evaporated.
He looked at Catherine and said softly, "You've changed, Catherine. This isn't the collaboration I thought we were building."
"Like I said, it's not personal..." Catherine reiterated.
"Well...if I'm not going to get the money I need to start my own company, then I'll get it by myself."
"Are you starting a company even with the technical report saying it won't be commercially viable?"
Michael scoffed softly. "Watch me."