The Confession & The War

The Grand Launch & Titan's Final Move

LimTech Tower was alive with energy.

Hundreds of journalists, industry leaders, and high-profile investors had gathered in the massive launch hall, eagerly awaiting the official debut of Alpha AI. The stage was set. This was the moment that would cement Joshua's dominance in the AI industry.

Su Yan stood at his side, her red hair cascading over her shoulders, her usual lab coat exchanged for a sleek black business dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her face was composed, but inside, her heart was a storm.

After last night's emotional spiral, she had convinced herself she would bury her feelings. She would smile, focus on the launch, and pretend that nothing had changed.

But then, Joshua turned and met her gaze.

And just like that, her resolve crumbled.

His eyes held the same unshakable confidence, the same warmth, but now she could see something else—something she had been too afraid to recognize before.

He cared for her.

And that terrified her more than anything.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The event host's voice boomed through the hall. "Please welcome the CEO of LimTech, the visionary behind Alpha AI—Chairman Joshua Lim!"

The crowd erupted into applause.

Joshua stepped onto the stage, dressed in a sharp, tailored suit that made every high-society woman in the audience steal lingering glances at him.

Su Yan's chest tightened.

He's really incredible.

No, he's more than that.

He's everything.

And she was losing him.

Titan's Last, Desperate Attempt

As Joshua confidently presented Alpha AI's groundbreaking capabilities, the massive LED screen behind him suddenly glitched.

The air crackled with tension.

Then, a new feed hijacked the broadcast—a press conference held by Titan Dynamics.

At the podium stood Robert Grayson, the ruthless CEO of Titan Dynamics. His smug expression sent a wave of fury through Su Yan's veins.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Grayson began, his voice oozing with arrogance. "Before LimTech continues their little show, we have an announcement of our own."

The screen cut to a leaked document—a forged report claiming that LimTech had stolen Titan's AI technology.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Investors exchanged nervous glances.

Su Yan's blood ran cold.

They're trying to flip the narrative?

Grayson smirked. "It appears that LimTech has been engaging in corporate espionage. We are formally filing a lawsuit."

Silence.

Then, a quiet chuckle.

Joshua.

He stood there, utterly unfazed.

Then, he spoke into the mic.

"Robert, I expected better from you."

Grayson's smirk faltered.

Joshua's calm smile turned razor-sharp. "If you want to lie, at least try harder."

He snapped his fingers.

Behind him, Alpha AI's system lit up, displaying the original development logs and encryption timestamps—indisputable proof that Alpha had been in development long before Titan's so-called "breakthrough."

The evidence was undeniable.

Then, Joshua delivered the final blow:

"Oh, and by the way," he said casually, "I also had a little chat with your lead engineer last night. It seems he had some… interesting things to say about how Titan stole our code."

He tapped his tablet.

A pre-recorded video played on the big screen—a confession from Titan's own engineer, admitting that Grayson had ordered the theft of Alpha's technology.

The entire hall erupted.

The media went into a frenzy. Investors immediately began withdrawing from Titan Dynamics.

Robert Grayson's face drained of color.

Joshua's voice was cold as ice. "You lost the moment you tried to steal from me. Get off my stage."

Grayson stumbled away, surrounded by shouting reporters.

Titan Dynamics was finished.

The Aftermath & The Confession

The launch ended in resounding victory.

As the journalists and investors flooded out, Su Yan stood frozen in the now-empty hall, staring at Joshua's back as he spoke with the LimTech executives.

She couldn't breathe.

She couldn't think.

It was over.

And yet… her heart still ached.

She clenched her fists.

No. I can't run anymore.

She had to tell him.

Before she lost her courage.

Alone in the Moonlight

Later that night, Joshua stood on the rooftop of LimTech Tower, staring at the city lights. The air was cool and crisp, the adrenaline from his victory finally fading.

Then, he heard soft footsteps.

He turned—and saw Su Yan.

Her usual fiery arrogance was gone.

Instead, her red eyes shimmered, her lips trembling as she stepped toward him.

"…Joshua," she whispered.

Joshua frowned. "Su Yan? What's wrong?"

She tried to keep her voice steady. She failed.

"I need to tell you something," she said. "…before it's too late."

Joshua's eyes darkened. "Too late?"

Then, to his shock, tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I love you."

Joshua felt his chest tighten.

Su Yan laughed bitterly, wiping her tears, but they kept falling.

"I know you have Jia Yi," she whispered. "And I know I have no chance. But… I can't hold on to these feelings anymore."

Joshua stared at her.

Then, without hesitation—he pulled her into his arms.

Su Yan gasped, eyes wide.

His voice was low and firm. "You idiot."

Su Yan's breath hitched. "W-What—"

"Who told you you had no chance?" Joshua whispered.

Su Yan's heart stopped.

Joshua slowly tilted her chin up, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"I love you, Su Yan."

Her vision blurred. "You… What?"

He leaned closer, voice dangerously soft. "Just admit it, Su Yan."

His arms tightened around her waist.

"…You're mine now."

Then, he kissed her.

It wasn't a soft, hesitant kiss.

It was deep, full of heat and emotion—as if he was erasing all her doubts in a single breath.

Su Yan's mind went blank.

Then, she melted into him, gripping his shirt tightly, her lips parting as she finally gave in to everything she had been denying.

When they finally pulled away, Su Yan's voice was barely a whisper.

"…I love you."

[System Notification: Su Yan Favorability +7 → (Total: 90)]

[System Notification: Su Yan is now in love with you.]

[System Reward: 10 Billion Yen Investment into LimTech, Legendary-Level Cyber Security Skill Unlocked.]

Joshua chuckled, brushing a strand of red hair from her flushed face. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Su Yan hid her face against his chest, groaning. "I hate you."

Joshua smirked. "No, you don't."

She sighed. "…No. I really don't."

For the first time, Su Yan felt free.

And she never wanted to let go.

To Be Continued…