Chapter 19 Take down the Chandler Group ? Rescue Apex Game Studios from the brink ?! Skyrocket straight to the top ? Win the Celestial Awards ? Victor looked at Caitlin , unable to hide a wry smile . " You've got quite the ambition for someone your age , young lady . " How old was Caitlin , anyway ? " Seventeen ? Maybe eighteen at most . What could she possibly know ? At that age , she probably couldn't make heads or tails of a basic financial statement . But Caitlin just smiled coolly . " Mr. Winslow , your company is out of options . If you don't find a way to bring in fresh talent and launch a new title , bankruptcy is inevitable . Are you really willing to let the Chandler Group crush the company you've built from the ground up ? " That last question cut deeper than Victor cared to admit . Apex Game Studios was everything to him . He'd registered the company before he'd even graduated college , pouring his heart and soul into every step . He'd always believed Apex would be a shining star in gaming history . He'd never imagined it might die before it truly began . The thought left Victor struggling to breathe.E "I may y be young . Caitlin went on , " but have you forgotten how old you were when you founded Apex , Mr. Winslow ? You'd just tumed twenty . " As she spoke , she slid her ID card onto the table - Caitlin , age nineteen.8 Victor looked her over again , more carefully this time . Despite her youth , she carried herself with remarkable poise , her confidence and eloquence miles beyond what he'd expect from teenager . She was clearly not an ordinary kid . ! He had to admit - Caitlin reminded him of himself , back in the day . He'd been just as brash , just as certain that nothing was impossible But Victor wasn't about to let his guard down that easily . Narrowing his eyes , he asked , " And why , exactly , should I trust you ? Caitlin tapped her fingers against the table , her gaze unwavering . " Mr. Winslow , what reason could I possibly have to trick you at this point ? You can sit and wait for the Chandler Group to wipe you out , or you can fight back while you still have a chance . If you partner with me , there's still hope . If you refuse , well - you know where that road leads . " With people like this , it paid to get straight to the point . For a long moment , Victor said nothing . Then , finally , he met Caitlin's eyes . " Do you even know anything about game development ? " Catlin didn't answer directly . Instead , she said , " Pass me your laptop . Victor didn't hesitate . He slid his personal laptop across the table Caitlin powered it up and began typing . Her fingers moved swiftly , the keys clicking in a staccato rhythm . Victor , sitting across from her , had no idea what she was doing Fifteen minutes later , Caitlin closed the laptop and handed it back . " Consider this my proof . " a wide Victor took the laptop , and what he saw made his eyes go In fifteen minutes , Caitlin had built a playable game demo - something simple but instantly engaging . The only problem was that there weren't many levels This girl was good . Really good . Then it hit Victor - he hadn't given Caitlin his password . She'd cracked it , and his firewall , in less than fifteen minutes And he wasn't a rookie , his security was solid . Caitlin had slipped past it all without breaking a sweat Genius . There was no other word for it The despair that had been weighing Victor down suddenly lifted ; for the first time in weeks , he fell hope . But he wasn't about to let excitement cloud his judgment . " Why do you want to help me ? " ) . " Two reasons , " Caitlin replied , straightforward as always . " First , I've got a score to settle with the Chandlers , so I need to bring down the Chandler Group . Second , I want to be filthy rich . " Victor stood up , a grin spreading across his face as he reached out his hand . " Miss Kensington , welcome to Apex Game Studios ." Caitlin shook his hand , " Looking forward to working together . " X " Likewise , " Victor said warmly , then hesitated . " Miss Kensington , I'm thrilled to have you on board , but talent isn't our only problem . There's also- -a giant hole in your finances ? " Caitlin finished for him . Victor looked sheepish . Some problems didn't go away just because you ignored them.K " That's right . " Caitlin just smiled . " That's easy . I'll solve your funding issue within ten days - but I have one condition " " What is it ? " Victor asked immediately . " I want fifty percent of Apex Caitlin said , not bothering to sugarcoat her demand 1258