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THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 39: Family Ties
"You have your mother's eyes," Sebastian leaned against Luna's lab doorframe. "The same intensity when you're focused."Luna's fingers paused over her keyboard. "I never met Dr. Victoria Drake.""No one has. Not since the incident." Sebastian moved closer. "Except me.""Sebastian!" Eleanor's voice cracked through the lab. "Step away from her.""Sister dear, I'm merely making conversation.""You don't make conversation," Eleanor positioned herself between them. "You manipulate."The lab's security feeds flickered as a new figure appeared on the monitors."Speaking of manipulation," a familiar voice filled the room. "Hello, Eleanor."Eleanor froze. "Mother."Victoria Drake's elegant form materialized on every screen. "Is that any way to greet the woman who gave you everything?""You gave me nothing," Eleanor's hands clenched. "You abandoned us.""Did I?" Victoria smiled. "Or did I prepare you?"Sebastian chuckled. "Still playing games, Mother?""Only the necessary ones." Victoria's eyes
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 40: Trust Fund
"The board has lost confidence in your leadership," Howard Chen's face filled the conference screen. "The scandals, the questionable research protocols...""The transformation of humanity isn't a quarterly earnings report," Eleanor stood before the board members, both present and virtual. "It requires vision.""It requires stability," Patricia Winters countered. "Something your family seems incapable of providing."Sebastian lounged in the corner. "Now, now, Patricia. Family drama makes for excellent press.""This isn't a joke, Sebastian," Howard snapped. "Drake Industries' stock has dropped fifteen percent.""Seventeen," Sebastian corrected, checking his phone. "But who's counting?"Luna slipped into the room, catching Sebastian's eye. He winked."The neural mapping proceeds on schedule," Eleanor projected new data. "The transformation protocols-""Are potentially dangerous," Board Member Jenkins interrupted. "According to your own mother's testimony."Eleanor's jaw tightened. "My mo
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 41: Society Pages
Crystal glasses clinked as New York's elite gathered at the Metropolitan Museum. The Genesis Foundation's annual gala sparkled with wealth and whispered ambitions."Your mother certainly knows how to make an entrance," Sebastian murmured as Victoria Drake descended the grand staircase.Eleanor gripped her champagne flute. "She's not my mother.""No?" Victoria's voice carried across the marble floor. "Finally admitting the truth, darling?"Cameras flashed. Phones raised. The crowd hushed."This isn't the time," Eleanor warned."When is it ever?" Victoria glided closer. "Shall we wait another thirty years?"Alex appeared at Eleanor's side. "Victoria.""Ah, the dutiful husband," Victoria smiled. "Tell me, did you know you married a prototype?"Gasps rippled through the crowd."Mother," Sebastian stepped forward. "Perhaps we should-""Should what?" Victoria's eyes gleamed. "Keep hiding what Eleanor really is? What she was designed to be?"Luna watched from the sidelines as reporters press
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 42: Blood Rights
"The bylaws are clear," Howard Chen's voice filled the emergency board meeting. "Drake Industries leadership requires a blood connection.""Blood is more complicated than you think," Eleanor sat rigid in her chair, her form occasionally flickering.Patricia Winters shuffled legal documents. "Not to our shareholders. Your mother's revelation-""Victoria Drake is not my mother," Eleanor snapped. "Biologically or otherwise.""Then who are you?" Jenkins demanded. "What are you?"Sebastian lounged at the conference table. "She's a Drake. More than any of us.""Your support is touching," Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "And suspicious.""Can't a brother defend his sister?""You want my position," Eleanor challenged.Sebastian smiled. "I already have it. The board vote is just a formality.""Not quite," Alex strode in, dropping a thick folder on the table. "The Reynolds-Drake Trust has something to say about that."Luna followed, tablets in hand. "The genetic markers-""Are irrelevant," Patricia cu
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 43: Power Couple
"Smile for the cameras, darling," Sebastian whispered, his hand possessively on Luna's waist as they entered the Tech Innovation Summit."This is just for show," Luna reminded him, forcing a laugh for the photographers."Is it?" Sebastian's fingers traced patterns on her skin. "Your genetic resonance suggests otherwise."Across the room, Eleanor watched them, her grip tightening on her champagne flute. "He's playing with her.""Like he plays with everyone," Alex stood close, maintaining their image of marital solidarity."Mr. and Mrs. Drake!" reporters called out. "How do you respond to Victoria Drake's new partnership?""Speak of the devil," Eleanor muttered as Victoria swept in, accompanied by Marcus Chen, the tech mogul whose quantum computing empire rivaled Drake Industries."Eleanor, darling," Victoria air-kissed her cheek. "Have you met Marcus properly?""A pleasure," Marcus's dark eyes assessed Eleanor. "Your mother speaks highly of your... unique qualities.""Victoria speaks m
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 44: Corporate Raiders
"They're stripping our assets piece by piece," Eleanor slammed her tablet down in the emergency boardroom. "Chen-Marcus Technologies has acquired 32% of our shares.""Make that 45%," Luna's voice shook as she read the latest update. "They're using quantum algorithms to outpace our trading defenses."Alex paced the room. "We need to lock down the remaining shares.""With what money?" Sebastian lounged in his chair. "Mother and Marcus have frozen most of Drake Industries' liquid assets.""Then we use mine," Alex stated firmly.Luna's head snapped up. "Alex, no. That money is for the stabilization research.""What good is research if we lose control of the distribution network?" Alex challenged.Eleanor's form flickered. "He's right. Without Drake Industries...""Without my research, everyone transforms uncontrolled," Luna interrupted. "Including you, Eleanor."Sebastian moved to Luna's side. "There might be another way.""Now he helps," Eleanor scoffed."I've always helped," Sebastian's
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 45: Heart Mergers
Luna's hands trembled over her lab console as Sebastian materialized behind her."You haven't slept," he observed."Can't. The quantum signatures are still unstable after Eleanor's..." Luna's voice cracked."Extraction?" Sebastian moved closer. "Or explosion?""Both." Luna pulled up the data streams. "The architects didn't expect her to fight back.""Neither did Mother," Sebastian's hand covered hers on the console. "Or me."Luna tried to pull away. "Don't.""Don't what? Care?""Pretend to care," Luna corrected. "This was all for show, remember?"Sebastian's form flickered. "Was it?"Across the facility, Eleanor sat in the quantum chamber, her reformed body still adjusting."The readings are stronger," Alex studied the monitors."So is the pain," Eleanor admitted.Alex reached for her hand through the quantum field. "I'm sorry. About everything.""Even marrying me?""Especially that," Alex smiled sadly. "You deserved better than a business arrangement."Eleanor's fingers intertwined w
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 46: Insider Trading
Sebastian burst into Luna's lab, his quantum signature erratic. "I found it.""Found what?" Luna looked up from her genetic sequencing."The truth about Eleanor. About all of us." He projected files into the air. "Look at the adoption records.""These are sealed Drake Industries documents," Luna scanned them. "How did you-""Father's private server. The one he thought was quantum-locked."Alex entered, his face tense. "What's going on?""Your family," Sebastian turned to him. "The Reynolds connection. It wasn't coincidence."Eleanor materialized beside Alex. "What about my adoption?""It wasn't an adoption at all," Sebastian's voice cracked. "You were engineered. Using Reynolds DNA."Luna's screens flashed with genetic comparisons:REYNOLDS GENETIC MARKERS: 47% MATCHDRAKE GENETIC MARKERS: 53% MATCHQUANTUM SIGNATURE: HYBRID ORIGIN"That's impossible," Alex stepped forward. "My family never participated in genetic engineering.""No," Sebastian agreed. "But your grandfather did."Elean
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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
