After the contest finished, Aiden stayed in the hall for a while as a lot of people wanted to talk to him. Famous authors who have attended, some Hollywood studio executives who hadn't expected to see Aiden and even the two other winners.
Out of the two of them, Carl was pretty friendly towards him and told him that he would buy his book when it comes out.
Zac, while still coming out as a bit too proud, congratulated him for his win. Aiden guessed that he wasn't exactly a bad person. Just he had a habit of thinking of himself highly and downplaying others.
He left the hall with Lisa after talking to them for a restaurant to celebrate. Uncle Sam didn't join them as he had left with James somewhere already.
Nevertheless, it was a very special day for him as he truly took another step in his writing career.