Marvin stood still, eyes were wide with shock.“Helena,” he said slowly, with a voice that was filled with disbelief. “What are you doing here? In a car? Outside?”Helena’s smile deepened. “Well… I live here, remember?”“No… that’s not what I meant,” Marvin said, stepping closer. “I mean… you are going somewhere. You never mentioned that earlier.”Helena tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement.“Hop in,” she said. “Let’s go to your company, since that’s where you’re heading.”Marvin’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “How do you know I’m going to the company?” he asked. “I thought you said you’re no longer connected to your Synapticore Force.”Helena chuckled softly and pointed at his hand.“You’re holding a metallic suitcase,” she said. “And I know that case very well. It holds nothing but tech tools—and there’s only one place you work with those effectively... Helios Enterprise.”Marvin stared at her, stunned.“You really are a smart girl, huh,” he said, shaking his

One Month LaterThe sun shone brightly over Neovalle as the morning news played on the television in Marvin’s luxurious VVIP lounge at the Aurora Grand Hotel. The screen lit up with bold headlines:“HELIOS ENTERPRISE HITS $1 BILLION VALUE!”A young female reporter stood smiling in front of the Helios Enterprise skyscraper, her voice was full of excitement.“In just one month, Helios Enterprise, led by the brilliant tech scientist, CEO and founder Marvin Richmond, has grown from a hundred million dollar company into a billion-dollar empire. The solar energy-based company, known for its clean energy technology, is now near completion of its flagship ultra solar power grid that promises to supply electricity to half of Neovalle and beyond.”“Analysts report that profit margins have soared to record-breaking levels. Since the lifting of the commercial embargo last month, the company has seen a rapid increase in demand for its solar panels and smart energy systems. In just four weeks, cli

It was him.Mr. Richmond. His father.A silence filled the room, thick like fog.“What are you doing here?” Marvin asked in a cold tone.His voice was low, calm, but sharp.The older man gave no answer—only a quiet smile, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along."Hello Marvin."Mr. Richmond rose slowly from his seat, still holding the twitching rabbit in his lap. He took a step forward and gave Marvin a warm look.“You’ve grown into a fine man,” he said with a calm voice. “How are you doing, son? By the way I must say… I’m truly impressed by what you’ve built here. The designs, the systems, the team—everything is remarkable. You’ve really done well with your company.”Marvin didn’t say a word. He walked past his father without looking at him.“Follow me,” he said in a low, controlled tone.Mr. Richmond followed behind, still cradling the rabbit in one arm as they moved through the glass doors into Marvin’s private office.The newly refurbished room was large, modern, and f

Mr. Richmond was caught off guard.He blinked, his mouth was slightly open, as if the question had struck a nerve he didn’t expect to be touched.He looked away for a moment, then back at Marvin.“I…” he began, then sighed. “I won’t lie to you.”He rubbed his fingers together nervously, the rabbit was still resting on Marvin’s desk like a silent witness to their tension.“Yes. I want something too.”His voice lowered, honest now.“I don’t want to miss out on the Astralyte benefits. As you know I’ve been cut off from the power families, my company have been hit with numerous sanctions and not just that, my name has been dragged through the mud... but if Astralyte becomes the new standard—if it fuels everything—then the fifteen percent you are due annually from our partnership would improve.”He paused, calculating his next words carefully.“The other family heads are not as efficient in research and discovery like us the Richmond. We Richmonds would have an edge when we too get to bene

Marvin looked at her for a moment, silently he just stared at her.Then a slow smile crept across his face.“Is it because of that you’re keeping such a face?” he asked gently.Helena didn’t answer. She looked away, biting her lip. The sparkle in her eyes was gone.Without another word, Marvin pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms were wrapped around her like a shield.“You… you’re really the love of my life,” he said with a chuckle. “Such a jealous dragon—keeping your prince charming all to yourself.”He laughed softly, hoping to crack her mood.But Helena’s face remained serious, her body was still tense in his arms.Marvin knew her silence was louder than any word. So, his tone changed.“Helena,” he said, brushing her damp hair away from her cheek. “Listen to me. My journey to Westwood isn’t just some wild adventure. It’s for something big. Something powerful.”She glanced up at him, still unsure.“There’s a resource,” he continued. “It’s rare and it is found only in Westwood.