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
The hospital room was quiet except for the faint beeping of machines. Sunlight trickled through the blinds, casting pale streaks across the sterile walls. Billy, the rude black man who had tried to humiliated Marvin but received a thunderous resounding slap from him, lay on the bed. His body was a shadow of its former self—it was thin, hunched, and twisted.His arms were stiff, shaking slightly with every movement. His mouth sagged to one side, and when he tried to speak, the words came out as low grumbles and gurgling sounds. Nurses hovered nearby, carefully trying to spoon food into his trembling mouth. Billy grunted and moaned as the spoon touched his lips.Suddenly, the door creaked open.A man walked in. He was black, of average height, and thin, but his presence demanded attention. His sharp eyes moved with precision, as if analyzing everything at once. He wore a crisp suit, and every step he took was deliberate and calm, showing the demeanor of a man who always thought two s
Marvin sat beside his uncle, Pa Christopher, in the luxurious limousine vehicle as they headed toward the venue where his new company, Marvin's Helios Enterprise, was about to be commissioned. The drive was smooth, but Marvin’s mind was buzzing with excitement."Uncle, how’s business like in Neovalle? With all the hype being placed on my company do you think my company will hit a billion-dollar milestone in a month?" Marvin asked, glancing over at his uncle.Pa Christopher chuckled, shaking his head. "Why do you ask such a question, Marvin?" he replied, with a voice filled with amusement.Marvin smiled, with eyes that sparked with ambition. "I’m just curious. I’m like any other businessman eager for profit."His uncle’s laugh echoed in the car. "Marvin, you’re a strategic thinker, a great one in fact. Why would you need advice from me on such a topic? For goodness’ sake, your Synapticore ability has been awakened—are you for real?"Marvin shrugged, his expression was calm yet determin
The governor froze for a moment, and his face revealed the slightest flicker of shock before he quickly masked it with a calm, practiced smile. The pause was brief, but Marvin saw it—the crack in his composure. It was small, but enough to confirm what Marvin already knew: he had rattled Governor Webster.The crowd, still silent, seemed to hold its collective breath. Tension rolled like a dark wave across the canopy as the dignitaries, politicians, and business elites shifted uncomfortably. All eyes were on the two men locked in a battle of will and power.“Don’t worry, everyone,” the governor finally said, his voice was smooth but tight, betraying the effort it took to sound composed. He turned slightly to face the onlookers, his practiced smile was firmly back in place.“Marvin here is just excited—overly excited about the inauguration of his company, I might say,” Governor Webster continued, chuckling faintly, though no one laughed along. “His behavior is quite understandable, con
The crowd suddenly turned, their attention was drawn to a figure emerging from the their midst. As the sea of people parted, it became clear who had spoken: Mr. Christopher, Marvin’s uncle.He walked toward Governor Webster with steady, confident steps. His expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp, piercing through the tension in the air. His presence as always seemed to command attention, and soon the whispers of the crowd began to spread.“Is that Mr. Christopher?”“Why is he stepping forward now?”“I can’t believe he’s intervening in this.”As Mr. Christopher drew closer, Governor Webster raised an eyebrow. His face twisted into a sharp, mocking laugh, one that was both arrogant and dismissive.He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning slightly forward, staring at Mr. Christopher with thinly veiled disdain.“Who the hell do you think you are?” Governor Webster sneered. “Just because I allowed you to serve in my cabinet, and because the people in Neovalle hold you in high reg
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
“You see, while you are governor, that doesn’t mean that you have all the power,” Mr. Christopher stated, his voice was steady and sharp as it cut through the air.The crowd fell silent, hanging onto his every word. Governor Webster’s eyes narrowed, his confusion was evident. His mind raced as he tried to make sense of the words. All his life, he had believed that as governor, he was the most powerful man in Neovalle. Yet here was Mr. Christopher, challenging that notion so calmly, as if the truth was obvious to everyone but him.A few people in the crowd exchanged knowing glances, their expressions were tight with understanding. These were the ones who understood what Mr. Christopher was hinting at—the hidden power structure in Neovalle, where not all authority lay with the governor. The rest of the crowd, however, looked on in bewilderment. Murmurs rippled through them, the confusion and unease grew like a storm on the horizon.Governor Webster’s face darkened. The uneasy silence
The governor’s enforcers exchanged uneasy glances amongst themselves, clearly unsure of how to act. The tension in the air was thick as the weight of the situation pressed down on them. None of them made a move, their hesitation grew with each passing second.“Are you deaf? I said arrest them!” Governor Webster bellowed, with a voice that was filled with frustration and desperation. His face was flushed with anger as he pointed a trembling finger at Mr. Christopher and Marvin.The enforcers shifted nervously but remained rooted to their spots. They could feel the heavy gaze of Mr. Christopher bearing down on them. His calm yet powerful demeanor and his aura of dominance sent a clear message—he was not a man to be trifled with.Then Mr. Christopher spoke, his voice was low and firm, carrying a quiet authority that silenced the murmurs in the crowd. “Any of you that lays a hand on me should consider leaving Neovalle,” he said to the enforcers, his words were steady but loaded with m
The crowd suddenly turned, their attention was drawn to a figure emerging from the their midst. As the sea of people parted, it became clear who had spoken: Mr. Christopher, Marvin’s uncle.He walked toward Governor Webster with steady, confident steps. His expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp, piercing through the tension in the air. His presence as always seemed to command attention, and soon the whispers of the crowd began to spread.“Is that Mr. Christopher?”“Why is he stepping forward now?”“I can’t believe he’s intervening in this.”As Mr. Christopher drew closer, Governor Webster raised an eyebrow. His face twisted into a sharp, mocking laugh, one that was both arrogant and dismissive.He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning slightly forward, staring at Mr. Christopher with thinly veiled disdain.“Who the hell do you think you are?” Governor Webster sneered. “Just because I allowed you to serve in my cabinet, and because the people in Neovalle hold you in high reg