Gemotions

"They beat you to it," the investor said, his voice flat. Elias winced, the words like a physical blow. He forced a smile, but it felt brittle and unnatural. He’d poured all his savings into developing his self-stirring soup bowl. Another company had, somehow, already patented a similar product. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him. He felt the blood rush to his face, making his skin burn. He wanted to be invisible, to disappear from the room. He nodded curtly, mumbled a thank you, and quickly retreated, a feeling of bitter defeat weighing him down.