Bruce relaxed into the plush armchair, his hand wrapped around a glass of fresh orange juice, as Tyler excitedly brought him up to speed on the past three years. The boy gestured wildly as he described his school, his friends, and his sudden obsession with basketball. "And I made the team! Can you believe it?" Tyler exclaimed, his eyes shining brightly. "I'm the youngest player on the roster, but Coach says I've got natural talent." Bruce smiled warmly, genuinely enjoying the boy’s excitement. "That's incredible, Tyler. I'm proud of you." A bright smile spread across Tyler's face. "You have to come watch me play sometime. We have a big game next week." "I wouldn't miss it," Bruce said confidently. Lucy watched quietly from the doorway, a soft smile playing on her lips. She let the moment stretch for a few more seconds before she gently interrupted. "Tyler, can you give us a few minutes? I need to talk to Bruce alone." Tyler's face fell slightly, but he nodded. "Sur

Bruce strode through the grand foyer of the Shepherd estate, where evening light cast lengthy shadows across the marble floor. Oswald stood in the hallway, holding a soft cloth as he carefully polished the ornate frames of the family portraits adorning the walls. Bruce paused. "Where's my father?"Oswald glanced up, his expression serene. "He's out surfing on the private beach right behind the house, Master Bruce."Bruce nodded and turned to leave, but Oswald's voice stopped him."Master Bruce, how did your visit with Lucy go?"Bruce stopped. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Did you know she could walk?"Oswald's hands stilled on the frame. "Yes, indeed. It was your father who helped her recover the use of her legs. It's nothing short of a miracle."Bruce's jaw tightened. "And her engagement? Did you know about that too?"Oswald met his gaze, his voice steady. "Yes. I heard from your father. I'm glad she found happiness."Bruce looked away, letting out a slow breath.

The Dome was a masterpiece of modern architecture. It was a vast glass structure that glittered like a jewel against the night sky. Inside, the space had been transformed into a lavish ballroom, complete with cascading chandeliers, a string quartet softly playing in the corner, and tables covered in ivory silk. The hall was alive with the guests’ laughter and chatter as they moved around it.Lucy stood near the center of the room, a glass of champagne in her hand, her smile fixed in place. Beside her, Blake Genesis engaged with a group of investors, discussing projections and potential partnerships.Lucy nodded along, but her mind was elsewhere. She had listened to these conversations a hundred times before. They were the same old, boring shareholders who laughed too loudly at Blake's jokes and patted him on the back like he was their prodigal son.She kept glancing toward the entrance, her eyes moving through the crowd.Blake noticed immediately. He leaned in, his voice low. "Are y

After they announced the engagement, Bruce and Victoria hung around for like ten more minutes before finally heading out. Bruce was about to follow Victoria toward the exit when Blake's voice stopped him."Bruce, a moment, if you don't mind."Bruce turned as Blake gestured toward a quiet alcove near the edge of the hall, away from the crowd. Bruce glanced at Victoria, who gave him a slight nod, then followed Blake.The alcove was small, lined with velvet curtains and dimly lit by a single lamp. It was quiet enough to hold a conversation. Blake leaned against the wall, still holding his champagne glass. "Lucy told me a lot about you. About how you two met. How you were neighbors. How you stood by her side in challenging times."Bruce inclined his head. "Did she now?"Blake smiled, his eyes sharp but warm. "She mentioned how you paid her rent when she couldn't afford it. How you covered Tyler's hospital bills. How you were there for her after the accident that cost her the use of her l

A few days after the Genesis Aerospace dinner party, another board meeting took place at Shepherd Group. The boardroom was silent as Bruce stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. The board members sat in their high-backed leather chairs, eyeing Bruce with skepticism as he delivered his pitch.Bruce placed his hands on the table, his eyes sweeping across the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know I'm still new to this board, but I believe I've found something that could take Shepherd Group to the next level."He glanced at Victoria, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement."As many of you know, Victoria and I attended Genesis Aerospace's dinner party. While we were there, we mingled with some of their top engineers and strategists. We learned quite a bit about their vision for the future." He paused. "In the coming decades, people will be able to fly back and forth in space. It's no longer science fiction; it's happening now."The board members exchanged glances. A few lean