After what felt like day's.Jason and Summer’s father emerged from the lab, their laughter echoing through the house like old friends who had rediscovered a forgotten bond. Jason’s sleeves were rolled up, a faint smear of residue on his hand from the lab work, but his expression was calm and satisfied. Summer’s father, however, looked rejuvenated, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.Summer sat at the dining table, sipping on a glass of water. The hazy remnants of the drug had finally left her system, and her mind felt clearer than it had in hours. She looked up in surprise at the sound of their laughter, her brows furrowing in confusion. It had been years since she had seen her father laugh like that—an easy, genuine laugh that seemed to breathe life into his weary demeanor.Jason walked into the room first, casually wiping his hands on a paper towel. Her father followed close behind, his face alight with enthusiasm. He seemed ten years younger, his eyes sparkling with

Summer's father walked into the testing room, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination. The room was sleek and modern, filled with fifty carefully selected customers—PB Design's most valued patrons. These weren’t just any customers; they were influencers, beauty bloggers, and long-time advocates of the brand, people whose opinions could shape the future of a product.The CEO, a sharp-dressed woman with a commanding presence, stepped forward, addressing the room with a practiced smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today,” she began. “As our most trusted customers, we value your input immensely. Today, we’re doing something a little different. We have two exciting new formulas, and instead of the board deciding, we’re letting you choose which one will represent PB Design’s next big breakthrough.”The room buzzed with whispers of intrigue. Summer’s father noticed the customers exchanging curious glances, some leaning forward with interest. The young m

Summer’s father stared in disbelief as the security men surrounded him, their imposing figures blocking his path. His voice trembled with a mixture of anger and frustration as he turned back to face the CEO. “You call yourselves innovators? You’re nothing but thieves hiding behind a corporate logo!” His words echoed through the conference room, but they were met with cold indifference.Hearing Summer father words the CEO leaned back in his chair, smirking as he adjusted his tie. “Mr. Parker, let me make this clear: PB Design owns the resources, the reputation, and the market. You, on the other hand, are just a disgraced scientist with no standing. We don’t need your permission to move forward with our product.”At that moment Summer’s father clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as he felt his anger surge. “That formula is mine! You’re stealing my work!”Immediately the CEO chuckled mockingly. “Correction: it was yours. But you used our facilities, our tools, and our resource

The murmurs and side glances intensified as the boys stepped closer to Jason, their skepticism evident. At that moment One of them, the tall one with the flashy watch, folded his arms and sneered, “Yeah, sure. It’s a Rolls Royce, but how do we know it’s yours? Maybe you’re just the driver, borrowing it for a quick show.”Immediately another chimed in, his voice dripping with mockery, “Exactly my thoughts. Anyone can hold a key. Prove it actually belongs to you.”At that moment Hazel’s stomach churned. She clenched her fists by her sides, her earlier sense of awe at the Rolls Royce now replaced with a growing knot of anxiety. She darted a glance at Jason, trying to read his expression. What if they were right? What if Jason wasn’t the owner? She knew he wasn’t wealthy—how could he possibly afford a car that cost more than some houses? Her mind spun with the thought of the humiliation that would follow if this all turned out to be a bluff.Jason, however, remained unfazed. He leaned ca

At that moment Hazel felt her face burn with embarrassment, her fingers curling around the fabric of the dress she was holding. She could already see where this was going, and she hated it. Jason, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, his expression unreadable as he looked at Natalie with calm detachment.Natalie let out a scoff before dramatically flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, please,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Are we seriously doing this? Hazel, did you really bring a comedian with you just to make yourself feel better?”Before Jason could respond, Natalie pulled out her phone and, with a smug smile, turned the screen toward them. “This,” she announced, “is how real shopping is done.”The screen displayed her latest purchase—a collection of high-end designer items totaling well over a hundred thousand dollars. Hazel felt her stomach twist. She didn’t care about Natalie’s shopping spree, but she knew exactly what her cousin was doing. She wasn’t just show