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THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 16: Power and Control
"Good morning, Mr. Drake. I'm James, your new personal assistant."Alex looked up from his desk to find a stern-faced man in a black suit standing at attention. "I don't need an assistant.""Mrs. Drake insists. She wants to ensure your schedule aligns with company protocols.""Since when does a Head of Research need scheduling?"James placed a tablet on Alex's desk. "Your 9 AM meeting has been moved to accommodate Mrs. Drake's investor lunch. You'll be attending.""I have lab work scheduled-""Already rescheduled. Also, your access to Lab B has been temporarily restricted pending security clearance."Alex stood up. "That's where all my research is!""Mrs. Drake feels it's best to centralize your work in the main facility. Where it can be properly... monitored."The door opened and Luna rushed in, looking flustered. "Alex, we need to talk about the atmospheric readings-""I'm afraid Mr. Drake is booked until 3 PM," James intercepted."Since when?" Luna challenged."Since now." Eleanor'
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 17: The Truth Behind Metamorphosis
Alex stared at the holographic data floating before him, his hands trembling. "This can't be right.""What did you find?" Dr. Chen, one of the senior researchers, peered over his shoulder."The cellular degradation... it's accelerating." Alex swiped through more files. "Subject 23 completely rejected the cybernetic implants. Subject 17's neural pathways are deteriorating. This isn't transformation – it's killing them.""Mr. Drake!" Dr. Chen grabbed his arm. "Those files are restricted-""Because they show the truth?" Alex turned to face him. "How long have you known?"The lab door slid open. Eleanor stood there, her expression unreadable. "Leave us, Dr. Chen."Once alone, Alex projected the data onto the main screen. "Care to explain this?""You shouldn't have access to those files.""People are dying, Eleanor!""They knew the risks.""Did they? Did they know their bodies would reject the implants? That their minds would deteriorate until-""They signed the contracts.""Like I did?" A
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 18: Silent Wars
The clink of silverware against china echoed through the vast dining room. Alex pushed his food around the plate, deliberately avoiding Eleanor's gaze."The chef prepared your favorite," Eleanor said softly.Silence."Darling, please. It's been three days."Alex stood up, his chair scraping against the marble floor."Where are you going?""To work in my study.""It's 8 PM.""Better than here."Eleanor flinched at his words. "I had something delivered for you.""Another bribe?""Alex-""Like the watch yesterday? Or the car the day before?""I'm trying-""To buy me?" He finally looked at her. "Add me to your collection of expensive things?"The doorbell rang. Eleanor's face brightened. "That must be it. Please, just... look at it?"Alex rubbed his neck where the implant throbbed. "Fine."Two deliverymen wheeled in a massive crate. Eleanor practically bounced with excitement as they opened it."A piano?" Alex stared at the gleaming black grand piano."Not just any piano. It's a Bösendorf
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 19: The Ex-Factor
The boardroom door burst open. Tyson Drake strode in, his signature smirk plastered across his face. The board meeting came to an abrupt halt."Sorry I'm late. Traffic was hell." He adjusted his Italian suit. "Don't stop on my account."Eleanor's knuckles turned white around her pen. "This is a private meeting.""Private?" Tyson pulled out his phone. "As a major shareholder, I believe I have every right to be here.""Major shareholder?" Alex leaned forward."Oh?" Tyson's smirk widened. "Eleanor didn't tell you? I've been quietly acquiring shares for months. Twenty-three percent, to be exact.""That's impossible," Eleanor snapped."Check the records, darling. I believe that earns me a seat at this table."Mr. Patterson, the head of the board, cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should take a brief recess-""No need." Tyson sat down directly opposite Eleanor. "Please, continue discussing the fascinating progress of Project Genesis. I'm particularly interested in the mortality rates."The ro
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 20: Forbidden Confidants
Luna's apartment buzzed with tension as Rebecca paced the living room."You're meeting him again?" Rebecca crossed her arms. "After everything that happened?""He's helping me understand these changes," Luna gestured to her faintly luminescent skin. "Nobody else knows what this is like.""What about me? I'm trying to understand, to help-""By checking my phone? By following me?"Rebecca flushed. "I saw the texts, Luna. 'Missing you.' 'Wish you were here.' Those aren't just friendly messages.""He's going through the same thing!""Is that why you dream about him?"Luna froze. "What?""You talk in your sleep. 'Alex, help me. Alex, I need you.'" Rebecca's voice cracked. "Do you have any idea what it's like hearing your girlfriend call someone else's name?""Becca, it's not like that-""Then what is it like?"Luna's phone buzzed. Alex's name flashed on the screen."Go," Rebecca said bitterly. "He's waiting.""Becca-""Just go!"Twenty minutes later, Luna sat across from Alex in their usua
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 21: Family Pride
"Are you sure about this, Alex?" His mother, Sarah, sat on the edge of her hospital bed, frail but determined. "The apartment-""Is no longer an issue." Alex helped her with her shoes. "Everything's taken care of.""But Mr. Peterson-""Won't be a problem anymore."The door opened, and Eleanor entered with a wheelchair. "The car's waiting.""Mrs. Conway," Mr. Peterson's voice boomed from the hallway. "I believe we have unfinished business."Alex stepped into the doorway, blocking his view. "Not now.""Three months of unpaid rent-""Which was used for my mother's treatment," Alex's voice was dangerously calm. "Treatment she needed because your building's faulty wiring caused the fire.""That's speculation-""No, that's fact." Alex pulled out his phone. "Just like the fact that your building failed its last six safety inspections. Would you like to see the reports?"Peterson's face reddened. "You can't prove-""Actually, I can. Along with the bribes you paid to keep it quiet." Alex smile
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 22: Mother Knows Best
"Keep your eyes closed, Mom." Alex guided Sarah through the doorway of the penthouse."Alex, all this mystery-""Just a few more steps." He positioned her in the center of the living room. "Okay... open them."Sarah's gasp echoed through the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the city skyline, designer furniture adorned every corner, and fresh flowers filled crystal vases."This is... this can't be...""Your new home." Alex squeezed her shoulders. "No more basement apartment. No more Mr. Peterson.""But how can we afford-""You let me worry about that." He led her to the kitchen. "Look, your own herb garden. Remember how you always wanted one?"Sarah touched the basil leaves gently. "Just like the one your father and I had before...""Before what?"She shook her head. "Nothing. Just old memories." Her fingers trembled slightly. "Alex, something feels... different.""Different how?""The air. The light. Everything's so..." She squinted. "Bright."The doorbell rang."That must be
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 23: Corporate Wars
"They're hitting us on all fronts." Eleanor's fingers flew across multiple screens in her office. "Tyson's not just attacking the company – he's going for everything."Alex burst through the door. "The board's in chaos. Johnson and Pierce already sold their shares.""To whom?""Shell companies. All leading back to-""Nexus Corporation," Tyson strode in, flanked by security guards. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out, Eleanor?""This is a private office-""Not anymore." He tossed a document onto her desk. "The board called an emergency meeting. You missed it, being so busy with your... special projects."Eleanor scanned the paper, her face paling. "They can't do this.""Sixty percent vote." Tyson smiled. "They just did.""Get out of my office.""Your office?" He laughed. "Check the letterhead, sweetheart. As of ten minutes ago, I'm the new interim CEO of Drake Industries."Alex's implant pulsed with rage. "This is about the transformation program, isn't it?""Among other things."
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