Truth in the Code

I sat at the Research Institute's console, my fingers rapidly typing as the application interface for key experiment access to the T Security System appeared on the screen. I carefully double-checked the application information, and after confirming it was correct, I clicked the "Submit" button. But the next second, a glaring red message box suddenly popped up in the center of the screen, the words stabbing my eyes like needles: "Permission request failed. You are not a relative of the Research Institute staff and have no application qualifications." I froze, my fingers hovering above the keyboard, unable to move for a long moment. "How could this be?" I muttered to myself, repeatedly clicking on the account information fields—username, password, linked phone—all exactly as usual, with no mistakes. "Could it be a system malfunction?" Panic rose in my chest as I stood up, intent on going to the administration office to inquire about the situation. Just as I reached the corner of the corridor, the TV on the wall was showing the local news. I hadn't paid much attention at first, but when I saw who appeared on the screen, I stopped in my tracks — it was my husband, Bruce Shaw. He was dressed in a sharp dark gray suit with a silver badge pinned to his chest, holding an Academician Medal, smiling as he handed it to the woman beside him. I recognized that woman too — Maggie Scott from the Research Institute. She wore a white dress, a triumphant smile on her face, accepting the medal with both hands and nodding repeatedly at the camera. The news announcer's clear voice came through: "Mr. Bruce Shaw has dedicated many years to the scientific research field, making significant contributions to our nation's technological progress." Today, he is awarding Ms. Maggie Scott—who has also achieved remarkable success in the research field—the Academician Medal, recognizing her outstanding accomplishments in the development of the T Security System." "The T Security System?" A buzzing filled my mind, as if the blood in my veins had instantly frozen. That was clearly the result I developed after staying up late for three years, rewriting countless versions of code! How did it end up being Maggie Scott's credit? I couldn't hold it in any longer; I dashed out of the Research Institute's gates, hailed a taxi by the roadside, and said to the driver with a trembling voice, 'Please hurry, to the celebration banquet at the International Convention Center!' The taxi sped along, and my heart felt like it was lodged in my throat. I kept recalling the days developing the T Security System—those nights in the lab gnawing on bread and debugging code until dawn, the thrill of breaking through technical bottlenecks, and the words Bruce once said—'Molly, once T Security System succeeds, I'll make sure everyone knows your contribution.' But now, everything has changed. The celebration banquet was brilliantly lit, crystal chandeliers casting dazzling light. Guests in formal attire held glasses, chatting in small groups, as the air was filled with the scent of champagne. Bruce Shaw and Maggie Scott stood at the center of the stage, receiving the blessings and applause of the crowd. I pushed through the crowd and hurried onto the stage, grabbing Bruce Shaw's arm, my voice trembling with anger: "Bruce Shaw, tell me, why has the T Security System become Maggie Scott's achievement?" Also, why am I no longer considered part of the Research Institute family? Bruce Shaw frowned, forcefully shaking off my hand, his tone cold and impatient: "Molly Lynn, have you made enough of a scene?" "This is a celebration banquet, not a place for you to cause a disturbance!" "Cause a disturbance?" I trembled with anger, pointing at Maggie Scott. "The results I worked so hard on for three years were stolen by you all, and now I've been stripped of my family status—you're telling me to stop making a fuss?" Bruce Shaw, where is your conscience? Maggie stepped forward, linking her arm affectionately with Bruce's, laughing coquettishly as she said, "Molly, you really shouldn't say things you don't mean." "The T Security System was developed by Bruce and me together. You only helped a little when we hit some trouble—how can you claim it as your achievement?" "Just helped a little?" I sneered, my eyes sweeping over the guests below. "When we hit the bottleneck in the core algorithm, who stayed up three nights in a row, sleepless, writing the new code? Who kept fixing the bugs again and again during system testing to ensure stable operation? Bruce Shaw, be honest with yourself—without me, would you even be where you are today?" The guests began whispering among themselves. Some pulled out their phones to take pictures, while others pointed at us and whispered. Bruce Shaw's face darkened with each passing moment. He stepped forward, lowered his voice, and threatened, "Molly Lynn, if you keep talking nonsense, I won't be kind to you." "Won't be kind to me?" I met his gaze fearlessly and raised my voice so that everyone could hear, "Do you really think stealing the results means everything's settled? I hid a backdoor program inside the T Security System code I submitted. When the T Security System is showcased in the global live broadcast, I'll expose the whole truth and destroy your reputations!" Having said that, I turned and walked off the stage, leaving the chaos and whispers far behind me.