"I a.s.sume you know why I'm here?" Elizabeth asked. "The question is whether you're willing to answer my questions."

"It's not impossible for me to do so." Ci-ci nodded. "But, whether I'll answer them fully and honestly is a different matter entirely."

Elizabeth gave Ci-ci a deep look, as though she was trying to see through him. But, all she saw was an endless depth in his eyes that was impossible to read.

In her line of work, she had gotten very much used to learning how to read people. Although she hadn't had her breakout story yet, she was quite proud of her abilities. Yet, she felt like the young man in front of her was out of her depth.

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Somehow, without putting on airs or an overly arrogant att.i.tude, Ci-ci gave off an unfathomable presence, as though everything was in control… as though everything would always be in his control.

Elizabeth couldn't understand how such a smart man would make such a dumb mistake. The only explanation was that he knew what would happen, yet did it anyway…

Thinking to this point, her breath couldn't help but quicken. This sort of story, wasn't it what a reporter lived for?

"Hm…" Elizabeth flipped to a recording application on her phone and placed it where Ci-ci could see.

"I don't suppose you'll tell me why you did what you did?"

Ci-ci shrugged. "Maybe life was too easy for me. Wouldn't things be too boring if I didn't give everyone a handicap?"

Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle. Yet, she somehow felt that Ci-ci wasn't lying. Was he just a really good liar? Or could that really be his reason?

In the end, Elizabeth settled on this being a half truth. She trusted her gut too much to ignore it, but also didn't believe things were so simple.

It wasn't as though Ci-ci was wrong either. In as little as ten years, he could very well have become the most powerful man on the planet. Although there were various s.p.a.ce projects that settled civilizations on the Moon and Mars, Earth was still, by far, the strongest settlement of the human species.

To be 30 years old yet already unmatched… That really would be too boring.

The most irritating part about that was the fact Ci-ci's back story could be considered the ultimate handicap.

According to public knowledge, Ci-ci was an orphan who ran away from his foster home to take the college entrance exams. His score was so good that he was directly admitted into Grandbell University on full scholars.h.i.+p, with his room and board paid.

If being an orphan wasn't a handicap, what was?

"Alright. Let's take a different approach then. Now that you've added your handicap, what's your next step? What is the great Ci-ci Bell searching for?"

"Well, in the short term, I plan on winning the Newcomer Award of the Gaming Expo in a year's time."

Elizabeth's eyes contracted. 'Arrogant!'

Ci-ci Bell, from beginning until now, had never invented anything game related. In fact, the invention that won him the Grandbell Award that he so unceremoniously rejected was so far from the world of gaming that it was difficult to put into words.

The award-winning invention was a renewable source of energy that relied on the 80% nitrogen content in the air. For a normal inventor, they could spend their entire lives and never solve such an issue. Yet, Ci-ci not only solved it, he pivoted to something completely new.

"I won't insult you by explaining just how impossible such a task is. Even if you weren't hated it would be impossible. But, I guess that's what you wanted, hm?"

Ci-ci laughed. "I wonder. How does one win an award based on fan and judge votes if you're hated by everyone? I have a few ideas. But, spoilers ruin everything, no?"

Elizabeth sighed. "Then what company are you working under? It can't be that you're doing this alone, can it?"

"Now isn't the time for me to reveal that. I'll be sure to find you in about three months." Ci-ci replied with a smile.

Elizabeth found all of this very strange. In an information and technology age like this one, no one knew a single thing about Ci-ci's private life. Even the most high-profile government officials and popstars had their addresses published in the public domain, yet no one knew where Ci-ci Bell lived. On top of all that, Ci-ci was seemingly arrogant without bounds at some times, yet reserved enough to not tell her which company he chose to work for?

Plus, considering how flirty Ci-ci was, could he really not have a single woman? Why didn't they know a thing about her or them? Could he really be so far and above everyone else that they couldn't do anything he didn't want them to?

"Wait. You'll find me?" Elizabeth fell out of her own thoughts when Ci-ci's words finally resonated with her.

"Of course. Publicity is among the most important things for a flouris.h.i.+ng business. I'm not really a fan of social media and neglect my accounts more often than not. I think it would be a hilarious middle finger to the world if they had to wait patiently for your news articles to come out."

Elizabeth was stunned. Was Ci-ci becoming exclusive with her? Something like this… It was too big!

"Do you understand what you're asking me?" Elizabeth probed with a frown.

"Obviously." Ci-ci replied nonchalantly.

"Do you understand that I won't say good words about you? Defending you would be career suicide."

"The fact you've said that already makes me clear on the fact I've made the right decision." Ci-ci smiled, walking by Elizabeth and toward his car door.

Elizabeth was stunned. Of all the scenarios she played in her mind, she never expected that her interaction with Ci-ci would end like this.

"Wait!"

Ci-ci turned back, raising an eyebrow.

"Your phone number. I need it."

"Ah, check your phone." Ci-ci waved his hand, entering the car.

"This…" Elizabeth thought that Ci-ci was just trying to get rid of her, but when she looked at her phone, there really was a new contact under the name 'Handsome Boy Toy'.

"Puh –" Elizabeth involuntarily laughed. She thought about changing the name, but in the end, she left it alone and watched Ci-ci drive off.