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THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 9: Honeymoon Shadows
The crystal-clear waters of Paradisio lapped gently against the shore of their private beach. Alex lounged on a hover-chair, sipping a neon blue cocktail that tasted like stardust and dreams. Eleanor emerged from their luxurious bungalow, her silhouette perfect against the setting triple suns."Darling, are you ready for dinner?" Eleanor called out, her voice as smooth as silk.Alex sat up, still unused to the constant pampering. "Uh, yeah. Sure. Where are we going tonight?"Eleanor laughed, a tinkling sound that seemed almost rehearsed. "Oh, Alex. We're not going anywhere. The chef is preparing a seven-course meal for us right here on the beach.""Another private dinner?" Alex sighed. "Don't you think we should, I don't know, mingle with other people?"Eleanor's smile tightened slightly. "Darling, we're here to enjoy each other's company. Besides, we have so much to discuss about your future at Drake Industries."As they sat down at the elaborately set table, Alex couldn't help but f
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 10: The Drake Mansion
The hover-limo glided to a stop in front of the imposing Drake mansion. Alex stepped out, his eyes widening at the sheer scale of the building."Welcome home, darling," Eleanor said, linking her arm through his.As they approached the grand entrance, the doors swung open automatically. A tall, distinguished man in an impeccable suit bowed slightly."Welcome back, Madam Eleanor," he said. "And welcome to Drake Manor, Mr. Carter."Eleanor smiled. "Alex, this is Jameson, our head butler. He'll see to your every need."Alex nodded, feeling uncomfortable. "Nice to meet you, Jameson.""The pleasure is mine, sir," Jameson replied, his eyes never leaving Alex's face. "Shall I show you to your quarters?"As they walked through the mansion, Alex felt increasingly overwhelmed. "This place is... enormous," he whispered to Eleanor.She laughed. "Oh, darling, you'll get used to it. Now, let me introduce you to the rest of the staff."A whirlwind of introductions followed - maids, cooks, groundskeep
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 11: A Call to Riches
Alex gazed at the ring first, then at the papers in front of him. His entire existence was built on deceit, and at this moment, everything was on the brink of transformation. “What happens once I sign these documents?"Elenor straightened up. "You become one of the most powerful people in the world, Alex. You'd have controlling interest in my business empire. You will be a billionaire."Alex mind flashed the two girls from his school that made fun of him and his fancy cars, to the humiliation he'd endured at the hands of the auto repair client. A slow smile spread across his face. "Where do I sign?" he asked.Elenor handed him a pen, and Alex signed his name with a flourish.“And with this I become a shareholder in your company?” Alex ask for confirmation.“Yes my darling. But remember you are a silent shareholder so all voting rights still belong to me.” Elenor said with seductive yet imposing voice."There's one more thing," Elenor said, a hint of excitement in her voice. She handed
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 12: Higher Education, Higher Stakes
Alex was at the entrance of Hitech University, feeling his heart race. The modern, futuristic campus stretched out in front of him, a stark contrast to the dirty hover-car garage where he used to work. He inhaled deeply, preparing himself for what awaited him.He whispered to himself, "You can do it, Alex. Simply assimilate. I need everyone to think I am here on a scholarship other wise they will claim I married Elenor for her money.”While walking through the crowded courtyard, he noticed a voice he recognized.“Absolutely not! He did what... Hey, Alex? Is the car repairman here?"Alex looked around and spotted Briana and her group of friends, the very same girls who had stopped by his garage a few months back. They displayed a combination of surprise and contempt in their expressions.Alex attempted to sound casual as he said, "Um, hey.Yes, it me."Briana's gaze became more focused. “What the heck are you doing here? Did you loose your way to the mechanic shop?Alex's face turned re
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 13: Corporate Politics
Alex stood before the towering Drake Conglomerate headquarters, its glass and chrome structure piercing the morning sky. Inhaling deeply, he straightened his jacket - the best one he had, yet noticeably more informal than the suits passing by him.As he neared the security desk, a guard gave him a disapproving once-over."Would you like some assistance?" Asked the guard, indicating through his tone that he preferred to be doing something different.Alex confirmed “I am here for the board meeting”, attempting to appear assured.The guard snorted. "Right. And I'm here to buy the building. Listen, pal, deliveries are around back.""You don't understand. I'm Alex Carter-Drake. I'm supposed to-""Drake?" The guard's eyebrows shot up. "Let me get my supervisor."A moment later, a well-dressed woman in her forties approached, her heels clicking against the marble floor."I'm Ms. Peterson, head of security. There seems to be some confusion," she said, her smile not reaching her eyes."There'
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 14: Boardroom Tensions
Eleanor's voice demanded focus as she stood at the front of the lengthy black table, addressing the board members. "I wish to formally present my husband , Alex Carter-Drake, who will lead our terraforming department."Alex scanned the faces around the table. Twelve pairs of eyes studied him with varying degrees of skepticism."A pleasure to meet you all," Alex said, standing. "I'm excited to share my vision for Drake Industries' future in terraforming technology."A silver-haired man cleared his throat. "Marcus Reynolds, Head of Finance. Mrs. Drake, while we respect your... personal choices, are you certain Mr. Drake has the necessary qualifications?"Eleanor's smile remained fixed. "Why don't you show them, darling?"Alex activated the holographic display, projecting his designs above the table. "Our current terraforming methods are outdated. We're treating planets like uniform entities when they're actually complex ecosystems. My proposal involves...""Excuse me," interrupted a wom
THE STARDUST FORTUNE Chapter 15: Reconciliation
Alex sat in the darkened living room of their mansion, nursing a glass of whiskey when the front door opened. Eleanor's heels clicked against the marble floor, then stopped.She softly expressed her surprise at finding that he had not left. "Where would I go? This is my prison, isn't it?"Eleanor moved closer, her silhouette illuminated by the city lights through the window. "Can we talk?""About what? How you humiliated me in front of the board? Or how you treat me like a possession?"She sat across from him, removing her heels. "I deserved that. I... I'm sorry, Alex."The admission made him look up. Eleanor Drake never apologized."You're sorry?""I overreacted. When I heard another woman's voice, I just..." She ran her fingers through her hair, letting it fall loose. "Do you know what people say about us?""That I'm a gold digger? That you're having a midlife crisis?"A small laugh escaped her. "Among other things. They say I'm desperate. That I'm trying to hold onto my youth by m
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'
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