Marvin’s chest tightened as he stood frozen, staring at Jessica Zypher. For a moment, his carefully composed facade nearly cracked. The sight of her was like a blade cutting through his confidence. She was here, right in front of him, and the sheer weight of her presence was suffocating.He swallowed hard, willing himself to stay calm. He knew he had to control his reaction. If she sensed even a flicker of recognition, it would all be over and his carefully meticulous plan to defeat her would totally shatter. Finally, forcing himself to speak, he managed to say, “Hello,” though his voice sounded far more strained than he intended.Jessica’s piercing eyes lingered on him, they were sharp and calculating eyes. She tilted her head slightly, and her lips curved into a faint smile. For a moment, she didn’t reply, and the silence between them was almost unbearable.“Hello,” she finally said, her voice was smooth and deliberate. “I am Jessica Zypher.”Marvin felt his throat tighten at th

Marvin tilted his head slightly, forcing a faint smile. “Project Helios? What is Project Helios?” he asked, feigning ignorance with the practiced ease of someone accustomed to hiding in plain sight.Jessica raised an eyebrow, her expression flickered with surprise before a sly smile crept onto her lips. “Wait—you’re in Neovalle, and you have no idea what Project Helios is?” Her tone danced on the line between incredulity and amusement.Marvin shrugged with calculated casualness, leaning back as if her words hadn’t pricked at his nerves. Marvin shrugged casually. “Well, Jessica, I told you that I’m not based here. I’m European, remember? I got invited by a friend to this Neovalle Day celebration.”Jessica blinked, her disbelief barely masked. Then she chuckled, it was a soft, controlled sound that felt as though it was meant more for herself than him. “Oh, yes. I forgot. Looks like my excitement is getting the better of me.” Her laugh was light, even friendly, but Marvin didn’t miss

Marvin sat still, his mind was racing as he watched Jessica, trying to read her reaction. Did she believe him? Or was she about to turn the game against him? He wasn’t sure if his gamble had worked. His heart beat faster, each second was stretching into an eternity.Suddenly, a hefty man in a dark suit approached their table. His broad shoulders and firm posture immediately drew Marvin’s attention. The man leaned down to Jessica, whispering something in her ear. Jessica’s expression shifted slightly, though it was hard to tell whether it was surprise or satisfaction.She stood up gracefully, smoothing her dress with an air of authority. Turning to Marvin, she offered a polite but distant smile. “Well, Mr. Sternberg, I have to see someone important. We’ll catch up after the event.” Her tone was cool and businesslike, as though their conversation had been little more than a passing amusement.Marvin nodded, forcing himself to look unbothered. “Of course. I’ll be here.” His voice was

Marvin stood frozen for a moment, staring at the empty pocket of his trousers. His mind raced. How could his Diamond Royale card be gone? That card never left his possession—it was worth billions, his lifeline for the upcoming auction.“No, no, this can’t be,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. He patted down every inch of the trousers again, as though he might have missed it the first time. But the pocket was empty.His chest tightened with panic. “How? When? That card never leaves me. I’m not a careless person. No. This doesn’t make sense,” he said aloud, trying to calm his rising frustration.Marvin turned his attention to the rest of the room. Maybe it had fallen out while he was asleep or during his intimate moment with Jessica. He began searching every corner.First, he checked the bed. He threw off the soft sheets and flipped over the pillows, scanning for any sign of the card. Nothing.He dropped to his knees and looked under the bed, running his hand along the carpet.

The grand dome was alive with energy once again, its walls were glowing softly with a blend of golden and white lights. The polished marble floors reflected the dazzling chandeliers hanging high above, casting a warm, welcoming glow over the entire room. Outside, rows of sleek cars pulled up, carrying some of the most important people in Neovalle—science experts, influential professors, and top tech businessmen, all dressed in their finest attire.Inside, a steady hum of conversation filled the air as the guests began to settle into their seats. Rows of chairs were arranged in a semi-circle around the central stage, a raised platform was draped in deep blue fabric. At the center of the stage stood a tall podium, equipped with a microphone, and behind it was a large holographic screen displaying the words "Project Helios Auction – A New Dawn in Innovation".The auction was the talk of the city. Project Helios as you know was dubbed a revolutionary invention, rumored to have the pow