Gemotions

The coding competition. The screen displayed the other contestant’s solution – the exact same code, the exact same algorithm, the exact same optimization strategy. His face was a mask, unreadable.

He could feel his heart hammering against his ribs. He felt the cold sweat begin. The other contestant, his so-called friend, had been watching his work, learning from him. This betrayal, this theft, was a wound he felt deeply.

He would exploit every loophole. He would expose every flaw. He would make sure he lost.