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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."
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 24: Dangerous Alliances
"Are you sure about this?" Luna's voice crackled through Alex's secure channel."The files have to be in his private server." Alex's fingers moved across the holographic interface. "Eleanor's keeping too many secrets.""Speaking of secrets..." Luna hesitated. "Rebecca found something. About Sarah.""My sister?""Your niece, technically. The security footage from the old lab – it wasn't just experiments.""What do you mean?""They were talking to something, Alex. Through her. Using her as a conduit."The elevator pinged. Alex ducked into a maintenance corridor."Tyson's coming," Luna warned. "Third floor.""How do you know?""Because he just invited me to lunch."Alex froze. "What?""Said he has a 'proposition' for me." Luna's laugh was bitter. "Guess my new abilities caught his attention.""Don't go.""Too late. I already said yes.""Luna-""We need answers, Alex. About all of it. The children, the merger, why some turn silver and others... don't."Alex touched his implant, feeling it
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 25: The Final Move
"It was never about the company." Tyson stood atop Drake Industries, his form shifting between solid and red light. "It was about this moment. This convergence."Alex and Eleanor emerged from the roof access, Luna between them."Then what was the point?" Alex's implant pulsed in sync with the chaos below. "The hostile takeover, the breeding program?""Distractions." Tyson spread his arms. "While we positioned the real pieces."The sky above them rippled with silver and red lights, two armies of transformed humans facing off."You used us," Eleanor stepped forward. "All of us.""No, Eleanor. You used yourself." Tyson's laugh echoed. "Did you think I didn't know about your deal with both sides? Playing silver against red, hoping to save your precious Sarah?""Mom?" Sarah's voice – both child and adult – echoed from everywhere. "What did you do?""I had to," Eleanor's voice cracked. "They said they could save you. Both sides promised-""Both sides lied." Luna's white light flared. "Show
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 26: Aftermath
"Her vitals are stable, but..." Rebecca stared at Luna's unconscious form in the med bay. "She's different now.""Different how?" Alex hadn't left Luna's side in three days."The merger changed everyone's transformation, but Luna... she's not just evolved. She's becoming something else."Luna's skin shimmered with faint traces of white light, pulsing like a heartbeat."Alex?" His mother's voice came from the doorway. Sarah Conway – the original, not Eleanor's daughter – looked troubled. "We need to talk.""I'm not leaving her.""It's about her. And what I found in the original Project Oracle files."That got his attention. "What files?""The ones Eleanor tried to destroy." She pulled up a holographic display. "The ones about the first contact.""Mom-""They didn't come to us, Alex. We called them." She showed him ancient cave paintings, all depicting white light. "Humanity has been reaching for this evolution for millennia. Luna didn't just merge the timelines – she completed a cycle.
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 27: Return to Normal
"It's strange being back here," Luna adjusted her uniform, the faint white glow beneath her skin barely visible in the morning sun. "After everything."Alex squeezed her hand as they walked through Drake Academy's gates. "You sure you're ready?""The doctors cleared me. The transformation is stable now.""That's not what I meant."Students stared as they passed, some with their own subtle white glows, others completely normal."Did you ever think we'd be back here?" Luna smiled. "After saving humanity?""Technically, you saved humanity.""We all did." She touched her chest where the light pulsed strongest. "The collective consciousness saved us all."Rebecca appeared beside them, her holographic form now permanently white. "Incoming."Eleanor walked down the hall, no longer the intimidating figure she once was. Her own transformation had softened her somehow."Alex," she called. "A moment?"Luna squeezed his hand. "Go. I'll see you in class."In Eleanor's office, the atmosphere was di
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 28: Hidden Agendas
"Your father was brilliant, but reckless." Professor Kane's office smelled of old books and coffee. "Just like you, Alex.""You knew my father?" Alex leaned forward. "My real father?""David Conway? Of course. He was my best student, then my colleague." Kane pulled out an old photograph. "This was taken the day before he disappeared."The photo showed a younger Kane with a man who looked startlingly like Alex, standing in front of a massive terraforming chamber."Mom never talks about him.""Sarah probably thinks she's protecting you." Kane's expression darkened. "Or she's protecting herself.""From what?""From the truth about Project Genesis." Kane pulled out a worn notebook. "Your father's last project.""The terraforming initiative?""That's what Eleanor Drake wanted everyone to believe." Kane's voice dropped. "But David discovered something else. Something in the soil samples."The office door opened. Eleanor stood there, her white glow pulsing with barely contained anger."Profe
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 29: Dangerous Discoveries
"Look at these," Luna spread holographic files across Alex's dorm room. "Every major terraforming project in the last decade. Moscow. Beijing. Dubai.""All failures," Alex noted."Not failures. Sabotage." Luna's white glow pulsed as she connected to the collective consciousness. "I can see the pattern now. Drake Industries had people inside each project.""That's circumstantial-""Then explain this." She projected another file. "Marcus didn't just get reassigned. He's gone. Completely erased."Alex's throat tightened. "What do you mean erased?""Every trace. Like he never existed." Luna pulled up more files. "Just like these scientists. All working on competing projects. All vanished.""Like my father?""Alex..." Luna hesitated. "There's something else. About your father's lab.""What?""The readings I got before Eleanor's security blocked us out? They weren't just seismic. They were..."A knock at the door made them both jump."Alex?" Eleanor's voice. "We need to talk."Luna's light
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Chapter 191: A New Dawn
The majestic hall of the Imperial Citadel vibrated with excitement as delegates from throughout the galaxy convened for the festivities. Banners from every recognized colony draped from the lofty walls, and the atmosphere vibrated with a feeling of revival. Alex Carter was positioned at the front of the platform, his hands interlocked behind him, observing the audience. His image shimmered in the gleaming steel columns surrounding the room—depicting a man who carried the burden of an empire on his back. "Alex," Sophia called out, her voice rising above the chaos as she got closer, her face reflecting a blend of worry and humor. "You should be socializing, not sulking." People are starting to notice."He turned to her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I’m not brooding. Just... thinking.""Yeah, you always say that," Sophia quipped, folding her arms. "Listen, I know this whole ‘leader of the galaxy’ thing is new, but you’re doing fine. Better than fine, actually. But tonight isn’t
Chapter 190: The Summit of Truth
The grand hall of the cosmic conference was filled with vitality. Representatives from every part of the interstellar empire filled the expansive hall, their voices a soft, buzzing murmur of eagerness. The chamber's glassy walls sparkled, bending the light of far-off stars that poured in through the clear dome overhead. At the heart of everything was Alex Carter, his jaw clenched, eyes surveying the crowd of faces. He could sense the pressure of each stare directed at him. "Alex," Sophia hissed, leaning slightly toward him. "You ready for this?"He gave a small nod, though his hands tightened into fists by his sides. "As ready as I'll ever be."Luna Vega tapped the device on her wrist, her expression calculating. "Maxwell's here. Far left balcony. He’s watching us like a predator sizing up its prey."Alex didn’t need to look. He could feel Maxwell Drake's presence—a dark, unrelenting pressure in the room. His rival’s plan was already in motion, and Alex knew he had only one shot to s
Chapter 189: Mom Please!!
Lucas returned home that evening feeling fulfilled. Although the words of Racheal kept ringing in his ears, he didn't want to dwell too much on them. "Are you okay?" Rickard asked, seeing through him that he was somehow bothered. "Yes, I am," Lucas replied, after which he dismissed Rickard and asked him to go home. The following day would be the meeting scheduled with the members of the board at Bryan Enterprises to decide the next chairman of the company. With Ivy now awake and Praise being humiliated, Lucas was ready to ascend back to power. Rickard was about to leave when one of the security personnel walked in. "Sir, we've found out who took the D-VEX drive from your office," the man said. "Who?" Lucas asked. "It's ma'am Beautrice. I'd love to show you the evidence in the control room," the man said. Lucas and Rickard followed him to the control room where he showed them the short clip that caught Beautrice. The CCTV was a tiny camera right on the bulb in Lucas's office. E
Chapter 188: Frosty Reception
Racheal excused Victor and went to meet Lucas and Rickard, her attempt at cordiality met with frosty reception."You didn't tell me you'd be coming," Racheal said with forced politeness."I don't see the reason why I should," Lucas retorted curtly, his demeanor aloof as he brushed past her. Rickard followed suit, his silence echoing Lucas's indifference.Racheal's heart quickened at their dismissive attitudes, a sense of foreboding settling over her like a shroud. But she pushed aside her apprehension, determined to maintain a façade of composure in the face of their disdain."Heard Ivy's finally awake," Racheal remarked casually.Lucas's footsteps faltered at the mention of Ivy's name, his gaze piercing as he turned to face Racheal. "And how did you find out?" he inquired."I don't see the reason why I should tell you," she retorted defiantly, her words laced with defiance as she turned on her heel and made her way to join the other guests.Everyone was already seated in the grand hal
Chapter 187: Let my Family be
**Lucas Bryan** was surprised to see **Sonya Bryan**, **Rickard Lain**, and **Flint Lockwood** at the hospital, his brow furrowing in confusion as he addressed them."What are you guys doing here?" he asked, his tone a mix of bewilderment and concern. "I thought I told Sonya I'd be home soon."Sonya exchanged a meaningful glance with Rickard before speaking up. "This isn't just about you, Lucas. It's about Ivy," she explained, her words heavy with unspoken implications."I'm yet to believe what you told me about the doctor's report," Rickard said."It's true, Rickard," Lucas confirmed solemnly. "Ivy's condition isn't good."Rickard's anger flared at the confirmation, his resolve hardening as he spoke. "Then it's time we dig in deep and find out who really did this to Ivy," he declared. "We can't just sit back and allow her to suffer like this."Lucas immediately recalled his encounter with **Racheal Lain** at the café. "I think I know who was responsible for Ivy's abduction and how sh
Chapter 186: The Dire Condition
Lucas Bryan arrived at the hospital around 9 p.m. that evening to find the doctors conducting various checks on **Ivy.** Despite his long and stressful day, the news of Ivy's awakening compelled him to set aside any thoughts of rest and rush to her side. Ivy lay still in her hospital bed, her eyes open but her body motionless, casting a shadow of concern over Lucas's hopeful anticipation.Approaching **Stephanie** with a heavy heart, Lucas inquired about Ivy's condition."The doctors are still trying to determine the exact aftermath of Ivy's condition, but I'm afraid it may align with the initial report we received when Ivy was found," Stephanie lamented, her expression portraying every bit of worry."Don't say that, ma’am. Ivy will be fine," Lucas offered words of encouragement, hoping to instill a sense of hope amidst the uncertainty.After a few minutes, the chief of police arrived, having been informed by Stephanie about Ivy's awakening."How's she doing?" the chief inquired, dire
Chapter 185: Caller Id
Lucas arrived at the café to meet Racheal seated all by herself with a glass of alcohol. He walked up to her almost startling her, "Why are you drinking?" He asked.Racheal, her thoughts consumed by the looming threat from Victor to disgrace her mother, barely registered Lucas' presence. Without preamble, she slid the stack of papers across the table."These are the documents," Racheal said, handing them over to Lucas. He reached for his pen and quickly signed them, having already reviewed their contents earlier."Thank you, Lucas," Racheal greeted with a nod of appreciation.Lucas was expecting her departure after he had signed the documents, but Racheal lingered. "Aren't you leaving yet?" he asked."No, not yet. I'm waiting for someone," Racheal replied, her gaze wandering towards the entrance."Lucas could already sense whom Racheal was waiting for, prompting him to anticipate the unfolding of events. He knew it was the person who had asked her to have him sign the documents for he
Chapter 184: Final Farewell
As the morning sun cast its golden glow over the quiet streets of Malibu, Sonia took it upon herself to drive Flint and his sister to the train station, determined to see them off and bid them a final farewell."I'll miss you, Flint," she said, her voice tinged with sadness as she shared a warm embrace with him, her heart heavy with the weight of impending separation."I'll miss you too, Sonia," Flint replied, his voice filled with genuine affection as he returned her embrace.Flint felt a lump form in his throat as he struggled to find the right words to express his feelings. "I'm really sorry for everything that happened between us. I—" But before Flint could continue, Sonia gently hushed him, placing a finger across his lips."You've already apologized, and I've forgiven you," she reassured him, her voice filled with compassion and understanding."Thank you so much," Flint replied, his gratitude evident in his eyes as he met Sonia's gaze."And just in case you change your mind, you
Chapter 183: Attempted Murder
Racheal was surprised, wondering why Lucas would look into her purse. Even if she knew that Lucas was at the verge of finding out about her involvement in Ivy's kidnapping, she needed to create some elements of doubt all the same."Why would you check my purse?" Racheal blurted out angrily."So you had a hand in Ivy's abduction. You're such a disgusting lady, Racheal." Lucas snapped at her, throwing the documents at her."And it didn't even end there, you also made an attempt on her life. You're despicable!" Racheal's brows furrowed at Lucas's false accusation of her having made an attempt on Ivy's life."What are you talking about?" Racheal asked, the surprised look on her face enough to convince Lucas that she had no idea what he was talking about."Stop playing innocent, Racheal. You and I know it's true. You tried to kill Ivy." Lucas said with so much anger in his voice."I won't sit back and watch you accuse me of something I didn't do, Lucas." She snapped back angrily."I won't
