The air hummed with anticipation within the imposing hall of Carter Innovations. Reporters, investors, and technology aficionados packed the hall, their excited voices blending into a chorus of expectation. Center stage was Aiden Carter, the young, visionary CEO whose name had been synonymous with groundbreaking technology. Tonight was the fruition of years of tireless toil—the launch of Sentinel AI, a state-of-the-art security system poised to transform digital and physical protection.

  Camera flashes dotted the room when Aiden took the stage, radiating assurance in his perfectly fitting charcoal suit. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we step into the future," he declared, his baritone voice resonating through the space. The audience erupted into applause, tension crackling in the air like electricity.

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  Yet, as Aiden gave his speech, one message flashed onto his phone screen, slicing into the moment like a knife:

  You shouldn't have built Sentinel AI. Have your final days, Carter.

  Aiden's breath caught for a moment, his fingers closing hard around the thin device in his palm. Was this a joke? A threat from a rival? His rational brain pushed it away as paranoia, but a creeping sense of doubt slid under his skin.

  Brushing it off, he plowed on through the presentation, not going to let fear compromise his victory. But within himself, something seemed to remind him that this was just the starting point.