Chapter 7: Shadows in the Deal
Adam leaned against the booth's counter, watching Mr. Chambers disappear into the crowd. His legs felt like jelly, and his heart was still pounding. The man was a force of nature—calm, calculating, and undeniably intimidating.
His phone buzzed on the table. Adam picked it up, half-expecting another cryptic message.
Adam smirked faintly. "Not even a 'good job' first?"
Adam frowned, staring at the screen. "An asset for what?"
Adam closed his eyes, letting the AI's words sink in. Chambers wasn't just a venture capitalist. Sophie had hinted at his "connections," but what kind of connections required this level of scrutiny?
The bustling energy of the convention center buzzed around him, but Adam felt like he was standing in the eye of a storm. He needed to dig deeper into who Chambers really was—and why he was interested in Adam's game.
Sophie returned, her expression a mix of relief and curiosity. "Well?"
"He's... intense," Adam said.
"That's Chambers for you," she replied. "He doesn't waste time on pleasantries. But if he's interested, that's a good sign."
Adam nodded, though he wasn't entirely convinced.
As the day wound down, Adam decided to take a walk through the convention. The rows of booths and displays offered a glimpse into the cutting edge of 1990 technology: sleek computers, early mobile devices, and software that promised to revolutionize industries.
He stopped at a booth showcasing a new kind of database software. The presenter, a lanky man with thick glasses, was passionately explaining its potential to a small crowd. Adam lingered, intrigued.
"This software can handle unprecedented amounts of data," the man said. "Imagine a world where businesses can process information in real-time."
Adam's mind raced. This kind of technology could be pivotal for his game's backend, especially if it scaled as promised. He made a mental note to follow up later.
Back at his booth, Adam opened his laptop and began jotting down notes. He needed to refine his pitch, troubleshoot potential weaknesses, and prepare for whatever Chambers threw at him next.
His phone buzzed again.
Adam sighed. "How can I not? The guy is practically a Bond villain in a power suit."
Adam leaned back, tapping his pen against the table. "The narrative is solid, the mechanics are unique... maybe I need a feature that connects players in a way they haven't seen before."
Adam's eyes lit up. "That's... actually brilliant. It would make the game feel alive, like every player is part of something bigger."
As Adam sketched out the idea, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The game wasn't just a product—it was a platform for connection, creativity, and collaboration.
The next day, Adam arrived early at the convention center, armed with his updated pitch. The air was electric, filled with the hum of conversations, the clatter of keyboards, and the occasional burst of applause from nearby booths.
Sophie appeared, her expression tense. "Chambers wants a follow-up meeting. He said he'll stop by this afternoon."
Adam nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread.
When Chambers arrived, his sharp gaze swept over the booth before settling on Adam. "Show me what's new."
Adam launched into his pitch, explaining the shared-universe concept with as much clarity and passion as he could muster. Chambers listened intently, occasionally asking questions that forced Adam to think on his feet.
By the end of the presentation, Chambers was silent for a long moment. Then he smiled faintly. "You're not just a developer—you're a builder. I like that."
Adam felt a wave of relief, though it was short-lived. Chambers handed him a card. "We'll be in touch."
As Chambers walked away, Sophie turned to Adam, her expression unreadable. "That went... well, I think?"
Adam nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being pulled into something much bigger than he realized.
His phone buzzed once more.
Adam slipped the phone into his pocket, his mind racing. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain: the stakes were higher than ever.
End of Chapter 7