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UNDER THE VEIL OF HELIOS 1
last update2024-10-30 19:01:50

"So," Marvin asked, raising an eyebrow, "what brings you to Neovalle?"

Jessica’s smile didn’t falter. "Business."

Marvin hesitated, then nodded. He tried to keep his tone casual.

"What about you, Marvin?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "What keeps you here? You are no longer in Westwood?"

Marvin’s jaw tightened. "I don’t have much of a reason to be in Westwood anymore," he admitted. "Not since my father stripped me of my title and inheritance. That life is gone."

Jessica’s expression softened, if only for a second. "I’m sorry to hear that again, Marvin. Truly, that must have been a hard experience for you."

Marvin glanced down, uncomfortable with the sympathy. Jessica wasn’t usually one to offer kind words.

But before she could speak further, Marvin looked her over, his eyes were lingering on a thin silver bracelet around her wrist. At the end of the chain hung a small, polished stone—her amulet.

"You still wear your amulet, I see," he said, with a hint of amusement in his vo
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    They walked side by side out of the auditorium and into the quiet hallway. The polished floors gleamed under the overhead lights, and the faint hum of distant voices filled the air. Marvin’s shoulders were tense, his mind was racing as he tried to anticipate what Jessica would say next.Once they were far enough from prying ears, Jessica stopped, turning to face him fully. Her bodyguard stood a few steps behind her, his expression was blank but his eyes watchful."So, Marvin," she began, her voice low and steady. "Project Helios... Tell me, how far along is it?"Marvin hesitated. He didn’t want to reveal anything, but he knew Jessica too well. If she had come all this way, she likely already had her own sources. Still, he couldn’t be careless."It’s... in development," he replied carefully. "That’s all you need to know."Jessica raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his answer. "Come now, Marvin. Don’t play coy with me. We both know that Helios could change everything. And i

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR   THE ZYPHER ULTIMATUM

    Jessica’s expression didn’t falter. She looked at Marvin, and her eyes were gleaming with a cold, calculating light."It’s simple," she said, her voice was steady and certain. "I did my research, and I discovered exactly what your Project Helios is. It’s a solar flare prediction initiative, isn’t it? You’re developing a technology that can forecast solar flare events more than 36 hours in advance."Marvin’s eyes widened in shock. He stared at her, looking totally speechless, struggling to process how she could possibly know such detailed information about his project.Jessica continued, unfazed by his reaction. "Using a machine-learning algorithm and high-performance computing, Project Helios is going to be designed so as to protect satellite-based communication systems, global power grids, and even military operations from the disruptive effects of solar flares. We both know these solar storms can cause massive damage to technology on Earth and in space."Marvin was still trying to w

  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR   THE ROADBLOCK

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    Marvin's eyes filled with a dangerous fire as he looked at Jessica, and every word of his, carried the weight of his fury. "If anything happens to my mother," he warned, his voice low and trembling with rage, "I promise you will regret it."Jessica only smirked, unfazed by his threat. "Oh, I’m terrified," she said, with sarcasm dripping from her tone. "Really, Marvin. Your mother’s about to get stabbed, and the best you can do is throw empty threats at me?"Marvin’s glare turned cold, and it was filled with a malevolent intensity. "Leave my mother out of this," he growled, his voice was like steel. "She has nothing to do with Project Helios."But Jessica's mocking smile didn’t waver. She held the tablet up again, forcing Marvin to watch the screen.In the elegant lounge of the Aurora Grand Hotel, Marvin's mother, Sophia, stood up and walked to the door after hearing a knock. She opened it, expecting to see a server with refreshments. But, to her surprise, the hallway outside was emp

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  • THE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR   A FAINT SPARK OF LIFE

    Marvin sat in the emergency waiting area, his hands were clenched into tight fists as his mind burned with hatred toward Jessica Zypher. He could feel his anger like a fire in his chest, each thought was sharper and darker than the last.Why would she go after my mother? he thought bitterly. His mother was innocent, a gentle woman who had already been through so much. She had been trying to heal, just like he was, after everything that happened in Westwood. That nightmare had nearly destroyed them both—his own father had disowned them, and, as if that wasn’t enough, had even tried to have Marvin killed. And now, Jessica had dragged his mother into this dangerous game.Marvin’s mind swirled with violent thoughts, each one more ruthless than the last. If he ever got the chance, he would make Jessica pay. He would make her feel the pain she had caused him, make her regret every step she took that led to this. He could almost imagine his hands closing around her throat…A noise broke

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  • WHISPERS BENEATH THE STARS

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