The ride back to the mansion was tense and silent. Jessica sat stiffly in the backseat, her father was beside her with his face contorted in rage. His breathing was heavy, his oxygen mask trembled against his face as the anger boiled inside him. Mr. Zypher hadn’t spoken a single word since they left the office, but his silence was deafening. Jessica’s hands fidgeted in her lap as dread crept over her like a dark cloud.The mansion loomed ahead, its grand facade was a stark contrast to the tension that filled the car. As soon as they arrived, Mr. Zypher barked at the assistants, “Take me to the living room!” His voice was strained, yet sharp with fury. As his wheelchair was guided out of the vehicle by his assistants, he turned to Jessica with a glare that made her stomach churn.“In fifteen minutes, I want to see you in the living room,” he commanded. His words were clipped and final, leaving no room for argument.Jessica nodded wordlessly, her throat was dry as she stepped out of
Jessica’s lips trembled as she stared at her father, with her heart sinking deeper into despair. “Wait, Dad, are you disowning me?” Her voice cracked, as the question barely escaped her throat.Mr. Zypher stayed silent for a few seconds, his expression was cold and unmoving. Then, with a finality that hit her like a thunderclap, he said, “Yes.”Jessica gasped, as the word echoed in her mind. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the floor before him. Tears streamed down her face as she clasped her hands together, pleading, “Please, Father! Don’t do this. I’m begging you!”She leaned forward on her knees, and her voice choked with emotion. “I only ever tried my best. Every decision I made was for the good of our family and our franchise. I never wanted to harm us father!”Mr. Zypher’s face was hard, his eyes were like ice. He was unmoved by her desperation. “You have cost us a lot of damage, Jessica,” he said sternly. “I could let go of the fact that you were coerced into giving
Jessica Zypher’s lifeless body was found in her chambers, her hands were cold and pale, with a single gunshot wound to her throat. The sound of the shot had echoed through the mansion, and by the time anyone reached her, it was too late. Blood pooled around her neck, staining the delicate fabric of her dress. Her letter lay on the bedside table, its words were smeared with tears, expressing her anguish and the weight of a lifetime spent trying to please her family—only to be disowned in the end. Her final words were haunting: “I gave my all, but my all was never enough."Back in Westwood, Mr. Richmond sat in the sterile, cold hospital room beside his son Daniel, who had been in a coma for a month. The faint beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room, each beep was a painful reminder of the fragile state Daniel was in.Mr. Richmond stared at his son’s face, pale and still, with his chest rising and falling weakly with each shallow breath. His once vibrant son now
“My reason for calling,” Akintola Adeyemi began, his voice was calm yet commanding, “is to express how much I enjoyed investing in Richmond Tech. Back then, your company was a gem, the fastest-growing in Westwood. I made substantial profits—so much that I was reluctant to stop investing when Marvin asked me to.”Mr. Richmond’s grip on the phone tightened, and his heart sank momentarily. “Marvin made you stop?” he asked, his tone was a mix of disbelief and frustration.“Yes,” Mr Akintola replied, with a voice that was tinged with nostalgia. “He said it was better for me to focus on my business, a beverage franchise. And while my business grew exponentially, I always missed being a part of Richmond Tech’s journey. Your company was an innovator, a beacon for investors like me.”Mr Akintola paused for a moment, and then his tone became grave. “But I recently heard some disturbing news about Richmond Tech’s current state.”“What news?” Mr. Richmond asked cautiously, his pulse quickening.“
Mr Akintola met Daniel’s gaze, his own expression was calm and unwavering. “I understand your concerns, Mr. Bowen,” he said diplomatically. “But sometimes, the greatest returns come from taking risks others won’t. Richmond Tech has a legacy worth saving. I believe it’s worth the effort.”Daniel Bowen forced a smile, though the corners of his mouth twitched. “Well,” he said after a pause, “I hope you know what you’re doing, Mr. Akintola. Best of luck with your… endeavors.”As Akintola thanked him again and walked away, Daniel remained rooted to the spot, but his jaw was tightly clenched. The thought of anyone, let alone a respected figure like Akintola, choosing Richmond Tech over Bowen Corporations felt like a slap in the face. Inside, his fury raged, but outwardly, he maintained the polished demeanor of a business titan.“Richmond Tech,” he muttered under his breath, his tone was filled with disdain. “We’ll see how long that sinking ship lasts.”With that, he turned and walked bris
As the deafening sound of the first gunshot faded, Jibrin and his men immediately sprang into action. They pulled out their guns, their movements were swift and precise. Their eyes scanned the area, trying to locate the source of the shot.“Everyone, stay alert!” Jibrin barked, his voice was steady but firm. His men spread out slightly, crouching low and pointing their weapons toward the bushes and trees along the side of the road. The tension in the air was suffocating, and no one dared make a careless move.The men by the broken-down vehicle, now wide-eyed, also glanced around nervously, unsure of what to expect. But then—BANG!Another gunshot rang out, sharper and louder than the first. This time, there was no mistaking the target. Jibrin’s head snapped back as the bullet pierced his skull, and he collapsed to the ground in a lifeless heap.“Jibrin!” one of his men shouted in horror, but it was too late. Blood pooled beneath Jibrin’s body, staining the dusty road.Before the rema
“Wait! Please! I can pay you!” he stammered, his words tumbling over each other in desperation. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the fine dust that had settled on his skin. “Whatever you want—money, land, gold—I can make it happen. Just name your price!”The men stood in silence for a beat, their gazes were cold and unimpressed. One of them, a tall figure with a scar running from his temple to his jawline, smirked. He leaned in slightly, with his presence towering over Akintola like a specter.“What a funny African,” he said, his voice was laced with mocking amusement. His accent carried a faint foreign lilt, and his words were followed by a burst of laughter from the others. Another man slapped the roof of the SUV as if to emphasize the joke, shaking his head at Mr Akintola’s pathetic display.Akintola’s lips quivered. His polished businessman persona had crumbled, replaced by a desperate, broken man who no longer cared about appearances. “Please… I have a family,” he whis
Mr. Richmond sat alone in his office, his fingers were drumming nervously on the polished wooden desk. His eyes darted to the clock on the wall every few minutes, then to his watch, as if the act of checking the time would hasten Akintola’s arrival. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner, which did little to soothe his growing unease.He had been confident this morning. Confident that Akintola’s arrival would mark the first step toward saving Richmond Tech from its spiraling decline. Mr Akintola had promised to meet him by noon, and Mr. Richmond had spent hours preparing for their discussion, rehearsing his pitch in front of the mirror and jotting down critical points to make his case.But now it was 1:30 p.m., and Akintola was still nowhere to be seen.Mr Richmond’s confidence began to waver. He fidgeted in his seat, adjusting his tie, loosening it, then tightening it again. His phone lay on the desk, the screen was dark and silent. He picked it up, his
Two weeks had passed since the chaos at the energy core, but for Marvin, it felt like a lifetime.He sat in his office, slouched in the large, leather chair behind his polished oak desk. The expansive window behind him let in streams of sunlight, but the brightness felt out of place. Inside, Marvin felt dim and distant, like a part of him had been stripped away.On the surface, he looked composed. His suit was neatly pressed, the dark fabric hiding the faint glow of the blue veins still etched into his arms. The glow was faint now, but it was a constant reminder of the price he had paid in an effort to stabilise the energy grid.Marvin sighed, leaning back in his chair as he stared at the untouched documents on his desk. His mind wandered to his telepathic abilities—once sharp, vibrant, and second nature to him. Now, reaching that state felt like trying to grab smoke with his bare hands.He closed his eyes for a moment and focused. "Reach deeper." he told himself. His thoughts st
The room grew silent for a moment, the only sound was Marvin's heavy breathing as his body gave out. His knees buckled completely, and he crumpled to the floor, his glowing veins had faded into dull lines as his consciousness slipped away.Just as the energy field began to spiral out of control again, a faint whirring sound filled the room. The female cyborg stepped forward, her movements were smooth yet deliberate. Her metallic limbs shimmered under the harsh glow of the unstable core, and her glowing eyes were locked onto the chaotic pulses of energy.She knelt beside Marvin, placing a cold hand on his shoulder. "Rest, Marvin," she said softly, her voice was calm and soothing. "You've done enough."Straightening her body, the cyborg turned her focus to the core. Her expression was unreadable, but her glowing eyes seemed to brighten as she extended her hands toward the storm of energy.Her internal systems were activated, sending a surge of telepathic waves toward the core. Her m
The air around Marvin crackled with energy, the violent storm of the Synapticore was roaring louder as the seconds ticked by. His chest rose and fell with labored breaths, sweat soaking his face as the temperature in the room climbed to unbearable levels. Yet, his eyes were fierce, fixed on the glowing core.“Tell me what to do,” he repeated, his voice was sharper now, his resolve solidifying.Luminar’s voice echoed in his mind, it was calm but tinged with urgency. “like I said before, to stabilize the grid, you must sync with its chaotic frequency. The energy is wild and erratic, but you can calm it by matching its rhythm. Focus, Marvin. Listen to the pulses, feel them, and let your mind flow with them.”Marvin closed his eyes, shutting out the flashing lights, the sparks, and the unbearable heat. His breathing steadied as he reached deep within himself, his consciousness stretching out to touch the volatile energy field. Slowly, he began to feel it—the erratic thrum of the core’s
The Synapticore energy buzzed wildly, and its light pulsed with an unpredictable rhythm. Rays of the sky-blue glow flickered outside the energy room, spilling through cracks in the walls and vents. It illuminated the dark corridors beyond, casting eerie, dancing shadows that stretched and twisted along the walls.Outside the energy room, chaos was brewing. Technicians scrambled to address the sudden surges in the facility’s systems. Warning lights flashed red, and alarms blared, signaling critical instability.The lead technician, a middle-aged man with a nervous air about him, noticed the strange blue light seeping out. His brow furrowed as he turned to Mr. Christopher Richmond, standing at few feets away from the energy room.“Mr. Christopher,” the technician called, his voice shaky, “what’s that sky-blue light coming from the energy room?”Christopher’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his face remained calm. He knew exactly what it was—the result of Marvin’s Synapticore power. But t
Marvin pressed his palm firmly against the cyborg’s cold, metallic arm.The moment their connection was made, a jolt of raw energy shot through him like an electric surge. It was as though his very veins were on fire, as each pulse of energy sent a sharp tremor up his arm. He gritted his teeth, trying to concentrate. The Synapticore energy that lived deep within him, which was dormant and unpredictable, was now his only lifeline."Focus," the cyborg’s voice broke through the chaos, it was steady and commanding. “Draw it out. Don't hold back. This is it.”Her words echoed in Marvin's mind, but his body was already pushing past his limits. His veins, once normal, were now glowing a brilliant sky-blue, pulsing as if his very bloodstream had become a river of energy. He clenched his jaw against the searing heat of it, fighting the rising panic.The energy surged through him, pooling in his chest, his limbs. He didn’t hesitate. He funneled it all down into his arm, sending it out throu
Marvin’s heart pounded as he stared at the woman before him. Chaos erupted all around them—the roaring hum of the energy field grew louder, threatening to consume the entire facility. Yet, his focus remained locked on her, as if the world had paused just for this moment.Her piercing eyes, like shards of tempered steel, held a strange mix of calm and determination that left him both mesmerized and unnerved. The flickering lights played across her flawless features, highlighting a beauty that seemed almost inhuman.No, not almost.Marvin’s gaze traveled downward, catching the gleam of her metallic arm. Its sleek, intricate design was unlike anything he’d seen, seamlessly blending with the flesh of her shoulder. It wasn’t a flaw; it was a statement.“Who… are you?” Marvin asked, his voice was barely audible above the cacophony around them.The woman’s expression remained steady. “Focus, Marvin. There’s no time for distractions,” she replied, her tone was calm yet commanding.Her words
Marvin’s breath quickened as he surveyed the chaos around him. The smoke thickened, and the flickering lights cast eerie shadows across the room. He turned to the young technician who had led them here, his voice was sharp and commanding.“How did this happen?” Marvin demanded, his piercing gaze was locked on the technician.The young man swallowed hard, his hands started trembling. “I-It started when one of the energy storage units malfunctioned,” he stammered. “The cooling systems couldn’t keep up with the heat buildup, and it triggered a chain reaction. The power surges overloaded the grid, and now the entire system is unstable.”Marvin’s uncle, Mr. Christopher Richmond, stepped forward, his movements were calm and precise. He made his way to one of the main control panels and began typing rapidly, his fingers were flying over the keyboard as he analyzed the situation.“Uncle Christopher, what’s the status?” Marvin asked, his voice tense.Christopher’s face was a mask of concentr
Four days later, the sun was high in the afternoon sky, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern campus of Marvin’s newly commissioned company. Inside the sprawling Solar Research Lab, Marvin walked alongside his uncle, Mr. Christopher Richmond, their footsteps were echoing softly against the tiled floor.The lab was a marvel of innovation, its clean, polished surfaces reflected the glow of advanced equipment humming quietly in the background. Researchers moved methodically, their focus was unwavering as they worked at their stations.Marvin took a moment to admire the setup, feeling a swell of pride. The Solar Research Lab was one of the most vital units in the company—a hub of innovation where breakthroughs in solar energy technology would propel the company to greater heights.Standing at the center of the room was Dr. Nathaniel Croft, a brilliant scientist Marvin had carefully selected to lead the unit. Clad in a white coat, his sharp eyes scanned the room as he oversaw th
The governor’s trembling hand hovered over the screen of his buzzing phone. The name Denzel Brooks glared back at him like a death sentence. His throat went dry as he reluctantly swiped to answer.“Hello… Mr. Speaker,” he croaked, his voice barely steady.“Governor Webster,” Denzel Brooks’s voice came through, calm but cold, with the weight of authority that felt crushing. “It seems the time for pretense is over.”The crowd, already uneasy, quieted further, straining to catch every word as if they could hear the conversation through sheer anticipation.“What… what are you talking about?” Webster stammered, though deep down, he knew where this was going.The Speaker’s voice was unrelenting. “Investigations into your assets and your dealings with Jessica Zypher have been ongoing for a few weeks now. And now, the results are clear. You accepted a bribe to influence your decision on Project Helios.”Gasps erupted from the crowd. The words “bribe” and “Project Helios” shot through them lik