Mr. Moore leaned in, curiosity written all over his face. "So, you''re telling me Stewart Enterprises has something even more cutting-edge than this?"

Nathalie picked up Vincent Corporation''s shiny new gadget and gave it a dismissive shake. "This? Please. At ourpany, we wouldn''t even call it smart tech. Honestly, it''s just a toy-something you''d hand to a toddler."

That stung. Hard.fn2525 ?????? ???? ?ovelFind/fn2525

Arthur shot up from his seat, defensiveness ring. “Vivian, talk is cheap. If you really have something better, let''s see it."

Nathalie stood too, giving Arthur a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Rx, kid. No shame in being outssed."

Arthur''s face turned beet red, bristling at her tone. "If you can''t show us anything better, then Vincent Corporation is going to wipe Stewart Enterprises off the map. Don''t me me when it happens."

Nathalie just grinned, totally unfazed. "Alright, Mike, I like your spirit. But here''s the deal: at Stewart Enterprises, we believe in fair y. If our product''s better, Vincent Corporation has to step aside anytime we''repeting for the same project. Sound fair?"

Arthur let out a coldugh. "Still afraid of the Sharp family, huh? If you aren''t, then why all this bravado?"

Nathalie softened, ying the friendship card. "Afraid? Not at all. Our dads are good friends, you know. If we agree to some ground rules now, nobody gets their feelings hurtter."

Mike nodded, all business. "A gentleman''s word is his bond."

Nathalie nodded right back, sealing the deal.

Arthur couldn''t wait any longer. "Alright, let''s see what you''ve got."

Nathalie nced at Ford, then at Dominick, then pointed right at Ford. "He''s ourpany''s so-called reject."

Mr. Moore''s mug hit the floor with a loud tter.

Arthur''s jaw all but hit the table. "No way. He''s clearly a real person!"

"That''s right," Nathalie replied, totally calm. "He''s an android. Built to look and act exactly like a real human."

Mr. Moore shot to his feet, eyes wide. "He''s a robot?"

Ford nodded. "Yes. I am a robot."

Arthur suddenly burst outughing,

trying to brush off his nerves. "Met

Moore, she''s totally messing with

has got to be a joke.

belongs to s

Nathalie just sighed. "Who''s joking? Our androids are already indistinguishable from real people."

"How do you prove he''s a robot?"

"That''s easy." Nathalie turned to Ford. "Go on, show them."

Ford looked around, suddenly shy, his ears turning pink. "Here? With everyone watching, boss?"

Nathalie rolled her eyes. "It''s just your shirt. Don''t be so bashful."

Reluctantly, Ford unbuttoned his cor, revealing wless bronze skin, a chiseled chest, and a face that could''ve been carved by an artist. The man was se absurdly perfect, the rest of the guys the room suddenly felt a little less confident.  s

"He''s really a robot?" someone whispered.

Arthur, still not convinced, reached out and poked Ford.

Ford immediately stepped back, shooting him a re. "Try that again and I''ll sue you for harassment."

Arthur looked at Nathalie for confirmation. "You''re really saying he''s not human?"

Without a word, Nathalie pulled a sleek remote from her bag and held it up. "Robot mode. Now."

Right before their eyes, Ford''s body seemed to lose its warmth and

I.ne

color is skin and veins taking on a

distinctly artificial look. He froze, absolutely motionless.

belongs to s

Mr. Moore could only stare,pletely floored. "My God. He really is a robot."

Arthur was speechless, trying to wrap his head around what he''d just seen.

Nathalie pressed another button. “Back to human mode."

And just like that, Ford was back-alive, breathing, and looking as human as ever.