Dad nodded.
“I remember him mentioning that.”
“I spent six weekends helping him. I built the revenue model, redesigned the presentation, and rewrote the proposal. He promised he’d make sure my contribution was acknowledged.”
Mom’s mouth fell open.
“He never mentioned that.”
“No,” I said. “He didn’t.”
Dad rubbed his forehead.
“Did you give him permission to use your work?”
“I gave him permission to present the proposal as part of our collaboration. I did not give him permission to claim he created the entire thing.”
My father went very still.
“Kevin, that contract is worth millions.”
“I know.”
“And Kai’s promotion depends on it.”
“I know that too.”
Mom looked between us.
“Are you saying Kai stole your work?”
“I’m saying the truth is more complicated than the version he tells at dinner.”
I reached into my bag and placed a folder on the table.
Inside were dated drafts, emails, and the original spreadsheet I’d created. Every major revision was documented. Kai’s own messages showed him asking me to make changes, review the numbers, and prepare the final presentation.
