Revenge Fantasy

#2 - Presenting Vanilla

Four years later, on business during the early month of April, Charles Ashford was sent overseas to the Americas. As an investor in a developing technology, he sought to attend the crucial presentation where the world would be exposed to this advanced innovation: an artificial intelligence, designed to be a virtual assistant. Developed by a young college student that received a scholarship from the Ashford Revolutionary Corporation.

Who was Charles to disappoint an aspiring young inventor? One who has set up a vigorous advertising campaign putting Charles's name on the cover, gathering mass public attention on this invention to the point where the media covered the technology solely and exclusively for the Ashford name rather than the innovation itself?

... in truth, Charles did not care much for it, and was practically obligated to attend.

As he sat to the side of the stage, watching the young man rehearse the presentation with cue cards, he couldn't focus on any of it. This was a waste of time for the man, other than making sure to keep public face. Absolutely disinterested in the creation, with other more important things on his mind.

Firstly, it was a pin drop in the water of technology. One single inventor utilizing his life savings to develop this technology - conceptualized several decades ago, by the way, before this inventor's time - paled in comparison to other companies already years into development. And secondly, Charles was a traditional man who valued authentic human life, and found it unnecessary to integrate something fake and artificial into human society. There was no purpose to these creatures, nothing that really draws his attention as to why these things should exist.

Altogether, Charles sat in a chair and thought of other topics. Other things worth his attention and focus, and he certainly had plenty to focus on after these eventful four years.

The Ashford name remains as successful as ever, with its countless business ventures continuing to grow. Other investments, more... local... investments are becoming more and more successful than this specific investment. Deals were made, and partnerships were fostered. Society just grew more and more, with each passing month and year, and other technological ventures and generally more interesting topics simply took priority in the center of his mind.

... and the most important thing that takes his attention away from this show? His heir, his daughter, the girl that sat right next to him. This heir of his showing more of an interest in the project than he did. This child was the most important thing in his life, far beyond any mechanical machine.

Chouko Ashford. Ten years old, proudly dressed in a black cardigan and a finely woven dress skirt. Her white button shirt tailored by the finest of tailors, with a cravat sewn into the collar of it. A fine, modest outfit for a young lady to wear, especially in front of an audience.

Charles had requested several outfits to be personally tailored for Chouko over the years. This one in particular was her newest outfit, one associated as a reward for her academic excellence. Especially given the fact she was going to graduate this year from higher education... a majoring degree in psychology, and everything.

By some miracle, Chouko breezed through her education in a short amount of time. With proper education, she graduated secondary school at the age of seven, her eventual graduation early by about 11 years.

It was one thing to be gifted, it was another to be gifted early. Chouko was regarded as a genius child prodigy across the world, a rare occurrence. Artistically gifted, musically gifted, and academically gifted. Throughout her school years, she was given the title of the "Apple-Eyed Genius" as a reference to her eyes matching the color of red apples given to teachers. She has aced countless tests, taking an aptitude test that puts her on the same levels as top scientists and tacticians. Her memorization skills legendary, putting her above others in her class and the country.