Sewage Water, The Deadly Patent

At the water company's board meeting, the intern made a suggestion.

She wanted to connect the city's septic tanks directly to the main tap water lines.

My boyfriend, Lucius Drake, agreed immediately.

The other executives nodded their heads in excitement.

In my past life, I fought against this with everything I had.

The new water purification patent was never designed to handle raw sewage.

If anything went wrong, the entire company would be held criminally liable.

Lucius had looked at me with cold, judging eyes.

"Seraphina's suggestion is brilliant," he snapped.

"Are you just targeting her because you're jealous?"

The other executives looked annoyed as well.

"The company needs cash right now," one said.

"The new patent can purify anything instantly, so stop worrying."

When I kept refusing, they didn't argue anymore.

They teamed up, knocked me unconscious, and used my thumb to force my print onto the contract.

The result was a total catastrophe.

An operational error caused the city's drinking water to mix with raw sewage.

People were forced to drink filth and bathe in liquid waste.

A massive outbreak of acute hepatitis swept through the city.

Dospitals were overflowing with people dying of liver failure.

Seraphina, the intern, didn't take responsibility.

Instead, she stood on the roof of the company building and jumped, breaking almost every bone in her body.

She started a livestream from her hospital bed.

She cried to the world that I was the one who forced the city to consume waste.

She claimed I pushed her off the roof because I was jealous of her talent.

Lucius appeared on screen with her, showing an AI-generated deepfake of me pushing her.

I was hunted by the entire internet.

On my way home, an extremist blocked my path.

He stabbed me eighty-eight times and cut off my head.

He posted the photos on the dark web to brag about his justice.

But now, I have a second chance.

I am back at that same meeting, hearing the intern suggest connecting the sewers to the faucets.

I slowly wrote my resignation letter.

Then, I secretly called the Capitol District High Authority.

"Cancel the patent usage rights for the company under my name immediately," I whispered.

In the livestream, Seraphina Sterling was shaking and covered in plaster casts.

She sobbed to the viewers, telling them I had a sociopathic personality.

She told them I enjoyed watching people suffer.

She claimed I pushed her off a ledge simply because she was more capable than me.

My boyfriend, Lucius, held up his phone with the deepfake video.

The screen showed a fake version of me violently shoving Seraphina off the roof.

The comment section exploded with hatred.

The hashtag #DeathToWaverlyQuinn trended across every platform.

I was eventually cornered on a dark street.

The pain of eighty-eight stab wounds was something I could never forget.

Photos of my lifeless body circulated online while people cheered for my death.

As a ghost, I watched my parents collapse from heartbreak.

A truck ran over them while they were grieving, ending their lives instantly.

Seraphina and Lucius stood by the road, kissing passionately.

"They got what they deserved," Lucius sneered.

I tried to scream and tear them apart, but I was nothing but air.

Then, I opened my eyes.

I heard Seraphina's fake, whimpering voice again.

"Connecting the septic tanks to the lines is cost-effective and easy with the new patent."

She looked at me with teary eyes.

"Why is Waverly being so mean to me?"

Lucius frowned at me.

"Waverly, there's no need to target Seraphina like this."

The other executives joined in.

"Seraphina is a top graduate from Stanford," one said.

"Her father is the head of the City Commerce Association. Her ideas are solid."

"Waverly, you didn't even finish college," another added.

"Are you just upset because she's better than you?"

I listened to their insults, the memories of my brutal death flashing before me.

I built this company with Lucius over five long years.

The others had worked alongside us in tiny, cramped offices.

To get the water purification project finished, I hadn't slept for a week.

I had collapsed in the lab from internal bleeding.

In my last life, I brought a risk report to this very meeting.

They didn't even look at it before they knocked me out and stole my signature.

I took a deep breath and smiled.

"Ms. Sterling's suggestion is wonderful. I fully support it."

Seraphina froze for a second, then looked smug.

She started explaining her plan with newfound confidence.

I made an excuse and quietly slipped out of the room.

Back in my office, I made the call.

"Transfer me to the Capitol District High Authority. Cancel my company's patent rights now."

The response was quick.

"Understood, Ms. Quinn. We will process it immediately."

They didn't realize who I actually was.

I wasn't just a dropout.

I was a Special Researcher for the Capitol District, working under a classified identity.

I was only here to study the city's unique water issues.

I calmly walked downstairs and left my resignation on the front desk.

This time, I wouldn't be the scapegoat.

I wouldn't let them drag me down with their greed.

As I reached the exit, I saw Seraphina leaning on Lucius's arm.

When she saw me, she pulled away and made her eyes turn red.

"Waverly, why are you leaving? Did I upset you at the meeting?"

Lucius's brow furrowed.

"Waverly, talk to us. Seraphina is only trying to help the company."

I stared at his face as if seeing him for the first time.

Back in middle school, a heavy bookshelf had started to fall in the library.

He had lunged forward to shield me.

The shelf slammed into his back with a sickening thud.

His arm was crushed and deformed, but he told me not to move.

Later, in the hospital, he smiled at me.

"Now you can't run away from me," he had joked.

I had cried and promised to be with him forever that day.

Now, he was protecting a snake and blaming me for everything.

Seraphina continued her act.

"Lucius, don't be mad at her."

I didn't want to waste another second.

I turned to leave, but Lucius grabbed my wrist.

"Waverly, apologize to Seraphina right now," he demanded.

My voice was cold.

"Let go of me. I've done nothing wrong."

"Still stubborn?"

He jerked my arm violently.

I stumbled back and hit the metal fire hydrant on the wall.

The pain in my back was sharp and blinding.

I collapsed to the floor, my muscles spasming.

Seraphina grabbed Lucius's arm, acting frightened.

"Lucius, forget it. She looks so pathetic."

"People might think we're bullying her," she whispered.

Her words only made Lucius angrier.

He looked at me with pure disgust.

"Waverly, stop acting. Do you think faking an injury will make me pity you?"

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

The other executives arrived, holding my resignation letter.

"Waverly, what is this? Why are you quitting?"

They looked from me on the floor to the two standing over me.

Seraphina started sobbing instantly.

"It's all my fault. If Waverly hates me, I'll just leave."

"Don't be ridiculous!" an executive yelled.

"We need you. You're brilliant, Seraphina."

Lucius's face darkened as he looked at me.

"Waverly, you're just throwing a tantrum. You think you can threaten me with a resignation?"

The others chimed in.

"You're being selfish! Lucius is the reason this company exists!"

"We're in a financial crisis. Apologize to Lucius and Seraphina right now!"

I looked at their greedy faces and laughed.

Lucius is the reason?

I spent three months in a lab for that patent.

I only added his name to the documents to help his career.

I made him the CEO, and now he was using his power to crush me.

Lucius sneered.

"If you want to go, then go. This company will thrive without you."

I looked at him and felt a chill in my heart.

The others might be ignorant, but did he really forget?

Every meal he ate when he started out was paid for by my salary.

Every big deal he almost lost was saved by my late-night revisions.

I pulled him out of the mud and took him to the top.

Now that he was stable, he called me malicious.

It was a sick joke.

I felt a lump in my throat and refused to say another word.

Seraphina spoke up, her eyes gleaming with victory.

"Don't worry, Waverly. I'll make sure all your work is handed over to me."

The executives nodded.

"Seraphina is so professional."

Lucius raised his voice so everyone could hear.

"Waverly has resigned, so we don't need her signature anymore."

"Start Seraphina's project immediately. We're moving forward today."

His words gave the others a sense of security.

The executives cheered.

"We're going to be rich! Lucius is a genius!"

Seraphina leaned into him.

"Waverly, you won't get a cent of severance pay since you quit."

I remained expressionless.

"Why are you all in such a hurry? We'll see who loses everything first."

Lucius snapped.

"You're delusional."

Seraphina giggled.

"Some people just can't handle seeing others succeed."

Suddenly, a manager ran into the room, looking pale.

"Lucius! I just got a call from the authorities!"

"Our usage rights for the new patent have been revoked! They're coming to seize the equipment!"

The lobby went silent.

Lucius whipped his head toward me.

"Waverly, was this you? Did you sabotage the patent?"

I didn't deny it.

"It was me. As long as I'm here, I won't let you hurt people."

One executive looked confused.

"Lucius, isn't your name on the patent? How could she cancel it?"

Lucius turned red, his neck bulging.

"She must have used some shady connection!"

Seraphina shrieked.

"She stole the authorization papers because she wants to see us fail!"

The insults started again.

"Waverly, you're evil!"

"Lucius was so good to you, and you steal from him?"

I let out a cold laugh.

"The patent was always mine. I am a Special Researcher for the Capitol District."

"Revoking the rights is my legal authority."

Seraphina laughed hysterically.

"You? A researcher? You can't even lie well!"

"Everyone knows you didn't even graduate. You're just a pathetic liar!"

"This company belongs to Lucius! He invented the tech! You just want to sell it!"

The others sneered.

"She's just desperate for money!"

"I actually felt bad for you for a second. What a waste of sympathy."

I didn't want to explain anymore.

I turned to walk away, but Seraphina stopped me.

"Since she stole the patent, we should just keep working," she suggested.

"We can explain everything when the recovery team gets here."

She looked at Lucius like a loyal puppy.

"What do you think, babe?"

Lucius stroked her hair.

"Seraphina, you're so smart. That's why I love Stanford girls."

I was shocked by their stupidity.

"Stop! You can't do that! Starting the pumps will cause a massive biohazard!"

Seraphina's eyes turned dark.

"Oh, really? Fine. If you want us to stop, hand over the patent ownership."

Lucius stepped forward.

"Waverly, give us the patent, and we can settle this quietly."

The others surrounded me.

"Just give it up!"

"If the company goes under, we lose our livelihoods!"

"I have a family to feed, Waverly! Don't you have a heart?"

I stood my ground.

"Forget it. The officials will be here any minute."

Seraphina smirked at the crowd.

"She's still lying. Throw her in the basement. Maybe the dark will make her talk."

I felt a surge of fear.

Several hands grabbed me, pulling me toward the stairs.

I remembered the basement.

Lucius kept his aggressive guard dog down there.

"Lucius!" I screamed.

"This is kidnapping! If anything happens to me, you're all going to prison!"

He didn't blink.

"We're just letting you cool off. You made our lives hard, so now it's your turn."

The stairwell was damp and dark.

I could already hear the low, hungry growls from below.

Seraphina followed us down, her voice dripping with poison.

"You need to learn your place."

She gave me a violent shove.

I tumbled into the darkness of the basement.

The iron door slammed shut and locked with a heavy click.

The next second, a massive weight slammed into my chest.

The guard dog's fangs sank into my arm, tearing through muscle.

I kicked and fought, but the beast pinned me down.

I tried to protect my face, and its teeth ripped a deep gash into my hand.

Blood blurred my vision.

I could feel pieces of my own skin being torn away.

"Help! Please! Someone help me!"

I screamed until my throat burned.

The pain was making my body go into shock.

Outside the door, I heard Seraphina laughing.

"Keep screaming. No one is coming for you."

A sliver of light came through the door.

I could hear the executives arguing outside.

"Maybe we should let her out?" one whispered.

"That dog sounds really aggressive."

"She did a lot for the company. Maybe she isn't lying about the patent?"

"If she dies down there, we're all screwed."

Seraphina's voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Are you all cowards? If we let her go, we lose our money!"

"The dog is Lucius's pet. It's well-trained! She's just faking the screams for sympathy."

Lucius's voice was like ice.

"Anyone who takes her side can leave the company right now."

The talking stopped immediately.

In the basement, there was only the sound of the dog growling and my ragged breathing.

The smell of blood filled the room.

I felt a deep, hollow despair.

These people had used my hard work to climb the social ladder.

They used to call me "Boss" with big smiles on their faces.

Now, they were happy to watch me bleed out for a few extra dollars.

Suddenly, the ground started to shake.

The roar of powerful engines echoed through the building.

A security guard burst into the hallway, sounding terrified.

"Lucius! The Capitol District High Authority is here!"

The building was suddenly surrounded by dark green military vehicles.

Dozens of trucks pulled up, their tires screeching against the pavement.

A symphony of sirens blared, cutting through the quiet afternoon.

Doors slammed open in perfect unison.

Soldiers in full tactical gear poured out of the vehicles.

A high-ranking officer signaled, and the team stormed the front entrance.

They stood with perfect posture, their weapons gleaming under the lights.

An elderly man in a formal military uniform walked through the center of the line.

The stars on his shoulders shone brightly.

His voice was old but carried the weight of a mountain.

"We are here to recover Special Researcher Waverly Quinn."

"All patent equipment is to be seized immediately."

The executives were frozen in shock.

"Why are there soldiers here for a patent recovery?"

"Is that the General? Is Waverly actually a high-level official?"

Seraphina tried to keep her voice steady.

"It's a fake! Waverly hired actors to scare us into letting her out!"

Lucius panicked and kicked the basement door open.

He whistled to stop the dog.

He pulled me out of the pool of blood, his grip painfully tight.

"Waverly, what the hell is going on?"

Before I could speak, Seraphina flew at me.

She slapped me across the face with all her strength.

"You bitch! Are you trying to destroy our company with this theater?"

"Stop right now!"

The General's voice boomed like thunder.

His eyes were like daggers as they landed on Seraphina.

"Waverly Quinn is a national hero who has received top-tier honors!"

"How dare you lay a finger on her?"

%%%

The soldiers moved in instantly.

Dozens of rifles were aimed directly at the people in the hallway.

The executives turned pale and raised their hands.

The General walked over to me, his expression softening.

"Waverly, child, tell me what happened here."

I fought through the pain, my voice trembling but clear.

"They tried to connect the sewers to the city's water. When I stopped them, they accused me of theft."

"They threw me in the basement with a guard dog. Lucius watched it happen."

"Seraphina cheered while I was being torn apart. Not one person helped me."

Lucius's face went ghost-white.

He fell to his knees with a loud thud.

"General, it's a misunderstanding! I had no idea who she was!"

"I'll apologize! I'll do anything!"

Seraphina was still delusional.

"She's a liar! She stole the patent! We were just teaching her a lesson!"

Lucius turned and screamed at her.

"Shut your mouth!"

She started crying, looking at Lucius in shock.

"Lucius, why are you yelling at me? Tell them the truth! You said the patent was yours!"

The General looked at them with pure disgust.

"Enough of this nonsense! Waverly was appointed by the state to develop the water system."

"She has been on a secret mission for years, and you treated her like garbage?"

He turned to his officers.

"Arrest them for theft of state research and false accusations against a federal official."

"Take the rest of them in for questioning regarding the assault on a state researcher."

Seraphina started shaking.

"My father is the head of the Commerce Association! You can't touch me!"

The head of the Commerce Association?

She thought a local businessman was above the law of the Capitol?

Did they think the lives of everyone in this city were just toys?

Anger flared in my chest, but before I could speak, the front doors burst open.

A group of private bodyguards cleared the way for Arthur Sterling.

He looked wealthy and arrogant, but when he saw the General, his face turned gray.

He immediately bowed low, his smile looking forced and greasy.

"General! Please forgive us! This is all a terrible mistake."

"My daughter is young and foolish. I'm sure we can settle this."

Seraphina's eyes lit up.

"Dad! Save me! Waverly is framing me!"

Arthur turned around, his face twisting with rage.

Before Seraphina could say another word, he swung his hand.

A loud slap echoed through the lobby.

Seraphina stumbled back, blood trickling from her lip.

"You stupid girl!" Arthur roared.

He slapped her again, even harder this time.

"Do you have any idea who Ms. Quinn is?"

"Get on your knees and apologize to her right now!"

Seraphina was stunned.

Her eyes were filled with tears and hatred as she looked at me.

Under her father's cold gaze, her legs gave out.

"I'm sorry... I was wrong... Waverly... please forgive me."

I looked at her twisted face and felt sick.

Her apology meant nothing to me.

The General snorted.

"A mistake? You tried to pump sewage into the city's drinking water."

"You locked a state researcher in a cage with a beast. You call that a mistake?"

Arthur was sweating profusely.

"I haven't raised her well! I will punish her severely at home!"

He looked at me with a pleading expression.

"Ms. Quinn, she apologized. She's just an intern."

"The company decisions weren't hers. Please, be merciful."