Jessica hesitated, glancing at her father, who was watching her intently from his wheelchair. "We’re fine," she replied reluctantly, her voice was low and strained.“Wow, good to hear that,” Marvin said, his voice was unnervingly smooth. "It’s been five days now, and I haven’t heard a word about whether or not you and your father are interested in buying back your company for the agreed price. Eight hundred million dollars in cash. Jessica.”Jessica felt her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t respond, hoping he’d continue without needing an answer.“I’m tired of waiting any longer,” Marvin continued, with a tone that darkened slightly. "So here’s what’s going to happen. You and your father have thirty minutes to come to the Zypher company headquarters so we can discuss business and the way forward. Otherwise, there will be… consequences."Jessica’s stomach tightened. "What do you mean by consequences?" she asked quickly, with a trembling voice.“I could decide against selling bac
The storm outside raged as two house servants rushed into Jessica's room. His frail body sat slumped in a wheelchair, hooked up to machines, the steady beep of the heart monitor filled the room. His breathing was shallow, and his pale skin looked ghostly under the dim lights.“Jessica, what are you doing?” Mr. Zypher asked weakly, with a breaking voice. He watched his daughter as she leaned over him and began adjusting the oxygen tubes attached to his wheelchair so they could get him dressed. “Please, don’t do this. I can’t… I can’t take this.”“We have no choice, Dad,” Jessica replied firmly, though her hands were trembling. “Marvin’s not joking. If we don’t show up, he’ll take everything.”Two servants stepped forward, one checking the straps on the wheelchair and the other securing the portable oxygen tank. Mr. Zypher’s eyes filled with tears as Jessica bent over to place a blanket over his legs. “Please,” he whimpered, his voice cracking. “Take it easy. I’m not strong enough for
Jessica glanced at her watch again, leaving her heart pounding. "We only have two minutes left!" she bellowed, as her voice trembled with panic. Without wasting another second, she helped to bring out her father from the vehicle, sat him on the wheelchair, grabbed the wheelchair handles and began pushing her father toward the building entrance, her heels splashed through the puddles."Quickly, help me!" she shouted at the assistants who rushed to her side, shielding Mr. Zypher with umbrellas as the rain poured down relentlessly.The glass doors to the headquarters slid open with a hiss, and they hurried inside. Jessica’s hair clung to her face, and her clothes were soaked, but there was no time to fix anything. "We’re taking the elevator!" she commanded, her voice was sharp with urgency.They rolled Mr. Zypher toward the elevator, with the squeaking sound of the wheelchair’s wet wheels echoing through the marble-floored lobby. The assistants stayed close, with one of them clutching
Marvin’s cold smile didn’t waver. He leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze still fixed on the group in front of him. “No,” he said, his voice was sharp and final, “I am not kidding.”Mr. Zypher’s face contorted with anger. “Do you have any idea what we’ve been through,” he snapped, his weak voice trembled with emotion. “I almost died trying to beat the ridiculous time you gave us! My daughter, my entire entourage—everyone put themselves at risk just to get here. And now this?!”He coughed violently, his chest heaving as his frail body shook. Jessica’s eyes widened in alarm, and she immediately leaned forward, tapping her father’s back gently. “Dad, please,” she whispered, trying to calm him. “Take it easy.”Jessica then turned her desperate eyes to Marvin. “Marvin, please,” she began, with a pleading voice. “Be considerate. It was so hard to get here. The rain, the traffic, my father’s condition—we did everything we could to make it in time.”Marvin tilted his head slightly, h
Marvin’s cold, unyielding smirk deepened as he turned fully to face the room. His eyes burned with cruel satisfaction as he spoke, his voice laced with venom.“Oh yes, the Zyphers’ gold mines. Your gold mines. One of the primary reasons your family even set up business operations in Neovalle,” Marvin said, his words slicing through the air.Jessica, her father, and the assistants froze, their faces were painted with a mixture of shock and disbelief. All eyes were on Marvin, their minds were racing with the same unspoken question:How does he know about the gold mines?The gold mine was located near Neovalle’s southeast district, under a nondescript office branch of the Zypher Corporation. Its operations had been meticulously kept off public records to avoid unwanted attention. Yet here Marvin stood, flaunting knowledge that only the highest-ranking members of the Zypher family were privy to.Jessica’s heart sank as her father’s face twisted into rage. “How dare you!” Mr. Zypher’s vo
Marvin’s smirk widened as he turned back to the Zyphers, delighting in their discomfort. “Oh yes, I was just leaving,” he said casually, lifting one of the duffel bags onto his shoulder as if it weighed nothing, however he held the second one down at his other arm.He paused, savoring the moment, then added, “Did you hear that? The Tarejos are here. And yes, I invited them to provide a suitable and comfortable escort for me. I’m not stupid enough to walk around with one-point-six billion dollars in cash without protection.”Jessica’s head jerked up at the mention of the Tarejos. Her heart skipped a beat.Marvin, noticing her reaction, continued with a sly smile. “However…” he said, his tone playful, “you could say hi to the Tarejos while they’re here. Have a quick chit-chat. Who knows, it might go a long way toward resolving your… issues.”The veins in Mr. Zypher’s neck bulged as his face turned red with fury. His oxygen mask trembled from his uneven breathing. Jessica could feel his
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
Mr. Richmond shifted uneasily in his seat, his lips trembled as he finally found the courage to speak. His voice was soft, almost pleading, as he asked, “What do you want me to do, Marvin?”Marvin’s gaze didn’t waver as he leaned forward, his expression was calm but deadly serious. The glow of his veins was gone, but the intensity in his eyes remained. “If I decide to help you deal with Mr. Daniel Bowen,” Marvin began slowly, “then I will be entitled to thirty percent of what Richmond Tech generates annually for the next twenty years.”The room went silent. Mr. Richmond’s eyes widened in shock, and his mouth opened slightly as though the air had been knocked out of him. “But... but with all due respect, son, that is an outrageous offer. Come on, son, that offer is not fair.”Marvin’s eyebrows furrowed in disgust. “Not fair?” he asked, his voice rising slightly as he repeated the words, a sharp edge of bitterness lacing his tone.“Not fair?” He stood abruptly, glaring down at his fat
Mr. Richmond’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He stared at Marvin, his face turned pale and his hands were trembling as though he were looking at a ghost. Finally, he managed to stammer, his voice shaking:“You... have... the Synapticore Force?”The glow of Marvin’s veins pulsed brighter, and the crackling energy around him surged again, filling the room with an overwhelming aura. He leaned forward, his glowing eyes boring into his father’s own as he spoke with a calm, controlled fury.“Yes, I have the Synapticore Force,” Marvin replied, his voice was cold, and each word cut like a blade.He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle in the room. Then, he continued with a tone that was laced with bitterness.“If you were patient enough, if you had the love of a father to seek deeper, to confirm whether or not I had the Synapticore Force, maybe you and Richmond Tech would have been reaping the benefits by now. But instead, you threw me away like I was nothing.”
Standing there, dressed impeccably as always, was his father—Mr. Richmond.“Hello, son,” Mr. Richmond greeted softly, his voice almost hesitant. “I am amazed by the structure you’ve put up here. It’s really… ecstatic.”Marvin’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw was clenched. The faint glow in his veins pulsed brighter as his anger surged. “What the hell are you doing here?” he snapped, his voice was dripping with disdain.“Marvin, please, calm down,” Mr Christopher urged, stepping forward slightly, his hands were raised in a calming gesture.Marvin ignored his uncle’s plea and glared at his father. “I don’t care about the trash you want to say to me,” he seethed, his voice was low but filled with venom. “Now get out before I do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”“Marvin, please…” Mr. Richmond began, his voice was heavy with desperation, but he faltered under his son’s piercing gaze.“Marvin,” Mr Christopher interjected, his tone was firm but compassionate, “everything you’re
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