175 Chapter 2: The Truth Beneath the Surface

The chip sat in the boy’s palm like a piece of evidence in a courtroom.

“This is a limiter,” he explained. “It overrides neural feedback and cuts off response signals. Whoever installed it didn’t want her to regain mobility.”

Lila’s face drained of color. “But… why?”

Carter stepped back, his composure cracking. “This is ridiculous. That kid doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“I know enough,” the boy shot back. “And I know this model inside out.”

One of the mechanics stepped forward. “Wait… this is a NeuroMotion X7 system, right? Only a handful exist in the country.”

The boy nodded. “I helped design the prototype.”

Gasps rippled through the room.

Carter let out a forced laugh. “That’s absurd. You? Look at you.”

The boy met his gaze, unshaken. “Name’s Ethan Blake.”

The name hit like thunder.

One of the older engineers whispered, “Blake… as in Dr. Harold Blake? The founder of NeuroMotion?”

Ethan didn’t answer directly. He just looked back at Lila.

“My father built this company to help people walk again,” he said quietly. “Not to trap them.”

Lila’s hands trembled. “So this… this was done on purpose?”

Ethan nodded. “Someone wanted you dependent.”

All eyes turned back to Carter.

Cornered, his expression twisted. “Fine!” he snapped. “You want the truth? Investors were pulling out. Her ‘miracle recovery’ would’ve exposed flaws in earlier models. I needed more time—more funding!”

“You paralyzed her for profit?” someone shouted.