ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝟙𝟚𝟛: 𝔓𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔫𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔥𝔦𝔭 𝔓𝔯𝔬𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔞𝔩 ⓇⒺⓋⒶⓂⓅⒺⒹ
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The call connected, and Jay’s father’s excited voice immediately filled his ears. “Son, come to headquarters, ASAP. An important board meeting is going to be held shortly. This is going to be fate-changing for our Enterprise.”
Jay already knew what his father was referring to, but he decided to play along. “What’s happening, Dad? What are you talking about?”
His father groaned in frustration, his tone tinged with exasperation. “Ah! If only they had told me beforehand, I would have been prepared. But no, they had to surprise me… It must be that little girl’s idea, or else Kay wouldn’t have gone along with it. Hmph, once this is over, I’m going to give her a proper scolding.”
Before Jay could respond, his father hurriedly continued, “Listen, Son, I don’t have time to explain everything. You’ll understand once you get here.” With that, the call abruptly ended.
Jay leaned back momentarily, piecing together the situation from his father’s words.
It was clear that Qew and Kay hadn’t informed their father or uncle about Olivia’s arrival and FUTURE Corporation’s intention to propose a partnership. Jay could easily imagine Qew orchestrating the surprise as part of her playful nature.
This last-minute revelation had undoubtedly left his father scrambling to prepare, which explained his flustered state.
Jay sighed, dismissing the call interface. He morphed his current attire—a comfortable tank top and track pants—back into his golden-black suit. This time, he skipped the overcoat he usually added in the Trial World, opting for a sleeker look.
As Jay exited his house, the S.E.E.D technology model car wheeled itself out of the garage. By the time he crossed the lawn, the camouflaged vehicle was already at the roadside, its door open and waiting for him.
The Nav Yuga Headquarters was located at the heart of the city, while Jay’s house was at its farthest edge.
Ordinarily, the journey would take at least an hour. However, MJ subtly adjusted the traffic signals in Jay’s favor, ensuring a smooth ride while avoiding any disruptions that could lead to accidents.
With MJ’s tweaks, the trip took just half an hour. The car glided to a halt outside the imposing Nav Yuga Headquarters, its sleek architecture gleaming under the sun.
Jay stepped out and made his way to the conference room. Inside, he found the Nav Yuga top brass abuzz with excitement. His father and uncle were engrossed in the proposal Olivia had presented, their eyes scanning through doucments detailing the partnership.
As Jay entered the conference room, the buzz of discussion came to a halt, and every head turned toward him. His father, Ankith, was the first to break the silence, gesturing toward Jay as he addressed Olivia.
“Miss Olivia, this is my eldest son, Jay. He oversees the security of our enterprise. Unfortunately, I only learned about your arrival at the last moment, which made it harder for him to get here promptly as he was quite far away when informed of this meeting.”
Jay maintained his composed demeanor and greeted Olivia with an expressionless nod, playing along to feign unfamiliarity. “Miss Olivia, it’s nice to meet you.”
The subtle act was deliberate. If Jay had spoken to Olivia casually, it would have prompted questions from his father about how they knew each other. To explain that, he would have to divulge the existence of the Trial World and the System—something Jay wasn’t ready to reveal, at least not until after the first tournament.
The executives in the room, however, found Jay’s behavior unusual. They had grown accustomed to his cold and distant demeanor, especially in the past few days. Yet, they hadn’t expected him to extend that same detached formality toward Olivia.
When the executives first met Olivia, they had fawned over her, praising her endlessly. After all, she wasn’t just any significant figure; she was the 5th richest person in the world.
Her presence was a rare privilege, and they had approached her with the utmost reverence. In contrast, Jay’s curt and emotionless greeting felt starkly out of place.
What surprised them even more was Olivia’s response. “Likewise, Mr. Jay. Please join the meeting,” she replied, her tone even and courteous.
It wasn’t her words that shocked them but the way she said them. Unlike her usual casual nods or brisk replies to their greetings, Olivia’s response to Jay carried a sense of respect and, to the more observant executives, perhaps even a trace of apprehension.
The dynamic left some of them quietly wondering if Olivia—a titan of industry—might somehow view Jay as her equal or even her superior.
Jay’s father and uncle, engrossed in reviewing the proposal documents, didn’t notice the subtleties in Olivia’s tone. Jay simply nodded back at her and took a seat next to Kay, choosing to observe the meeting in silence.
The discussions continued for two hours, with Kay taking the lead. As the architect behind the partnership proposal’s documentation, he was the most active participant. Olivia and the Nav-Yuga executives attentively listened as he presented the key points of the deal.
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According to the proposal, Nav-Yuga Enterprise would act as the official representative of FUTURE Conglomerate in India, distributing and selling their forthcoming line of cutting-edge technological products.
It was an unprecedented opportunity, one no company in its right mind would refuse. For Nav-Yuga Enterprise, which was steadily recovering from past setbacks, this partnership represented a golden ticket to a brighter future.
In return, FUTURE Conglomerate committed to supporting Nav-Yuga’s expansion into international markets, providing both logistical assistance and market integration strategies to help establish their presence abroad.
The room buzzed with anticipation as the executives processed the proposal’s implications. For a company like Nav-Yuga, still regaining its footing, this partnership was more than just an opportunity; it was a lifeline.
Without hesitation, the top brass of Nav-Yuga unanimously agreed to the partnership, their excitement barely contained.
The entire meeting revolved around discussing the proposal’s terms and finalizing the logistics needed to cement the partnership between Nav-Yuga Enterprise and FUTURE Conglomerate.
By the end, as the room began to wind down, Umesh, Jay’s uncle, raised a question that had been lingering in everyone’s minds.
“Miss Olivia, if you don’t mind me asking, what exactly are the products we’d be selling? It would help us prepare in advance and streamline the marketing process.”
At Umesh’s inquiry, every executive in the boardroom except Jay and Kay leaned forward with curiosity. Since the beginning of the meeting, Olivia had refrained from mentioning the specific products that would form the foundation of the partnership.
Jay and Kay, however, remained indifferent. They had long been aware of the S.E.E.D technology products that MJ’s quantum A.I. army had been tirelessly mass-producing over the past few days. For them, there was no mystery in Olivia’s response.
Olivia rose gracefully from her seat, her presence commanding attention, and addressed the question with a calm confidence. “It’s everything, Mr. Umesh. Every gadget that currently runs on an energy source—be it electricity, solar power, or otherwise—will be replaced. Each of these will be an upgraded version, integrating highly advanced technology that is decades ahead of its time.”
She let the weight of her words settle in before continuing, her tone shifting to one of a charismatic leader and visionary entrepreneur. “This, ladies and gentlemen, will soon become the most revolutionary technological development in human history.”
Her words hung in the air, leaving nearly everyone in the room dazed. It wasn’t hard for them to see why she was regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world.
Breaking the silence, Olivia added with a poised smile, “Now that everything is sorted out, let’s conclude the meeting, shall we? I will be staying in India for a few more days. We can arrange the public announcement of our partnership the day after tomorrow.”
Jay’s father, Ankith, shook off his momentary awe and quickly stood up, laughing awkwardly at his earlier daze. “Of course... Of course! That sounds perfect. Thank you, Miss Olivia, for all the hard work you’ve put into this.”
He then prepared to escort Olivia and Sergei out of the building. But before he could, Jay stepped forward with a suggestion, his expression calm but purposeful. “Father, Miss Olivia has traveled a long way to meet with us. It’s only fitting that we ensure she enjoys the best of Indian cuisine. Why not have Kay accompany her to one of the top restaurants in the city? It would be a courteous gesture to show our guests the hospitality they deserve.”
Though the suggestion seemed thoughtful and polite on the surface, Jay’s intentions were more personal.
He was subtly nudging Kay to spend more time with Olivia, playing the role of a "matchmaker brother" without drawing attention to his plan. After all, how could he be a proper matchmaker if he didn’t take even the smallest steps to create opportunities for them to bond?
Ankith nodded, pleased with the idea. “An excellent suggestion, Jay. Kay, please take care of our esteemed guests and ensure they have a memorable experience.”
Kay, though slightly taken aback, composed himself quickly and nodded. “If it’s alright with you, Miss Olivia, I’d be happy to take you to one of the finest restaurants in the city.”
Olivia, completely oblivious to Jay’s subtle matchmaking ploy, accepted the offer. While she was a prodigy in business and the youngest among the world’s richest entrepreneurs, when it came to matters of love or dating, she was inexperienced.
Kay, on the other hand, was acutely aware of what Jay was trying to orchestrate. A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, betraying his composure for a fleeting second. He quickly masked it with a calm exterior, but his slight discomfort didn’t escape Sergei’s observant eyes.
The older bodyguard smirked discreetly but chose to feign ignorance, turning his attention elsewhere as if he hadn’t noticed.
Ankith, pleased with the plan, added something that Jay hadn’t anticipated. “That’s right, Jay. We should be good hosts. Why don’t you join Kay and accompany Miss Olivia to the restaurant? Also, make sure to show her some of the nearby tourist attractions while she’s staying here.”
Jay's lips twitched as he fought back the urge to decline outright. He immediately realized his father’s reasoning—it wasn’t about hospitality but ensuring Olivia’s safety. His father likely thought that if they encountered any potential trouble, Jay could handle it.
However, Jay knew better. Who in their right mind would mess with Olivia? She could control minds effortlessly if she wanted, making her one of the most dangerous individuals on the planet.
Reluctantly, Jay nodded and followed the group as they left the Nav-Yuga Headquarters. They arrived at one of the city’s most famous restaurants not long after, its name glowing in soft neon lights above the entrance.
To Jay’s mild dismay, standing near the restaurant entrance, waving enthusiastically, was Qew. Beside her were MJ in his chubby baby form, Dante, and her personal bodyguard, Esha.
Jay immediately pieced together what had happened. Without even needing to read anyone’s mind, he knew that Qew had caught wind of their outing through MJ and had decided to show up uninvited to "surprise" them.
Qew’s expression practically screamed mischief, and her presence all but confirmed that she was playing her role in their sibling pact as the “Prosecutor”—the one who ensured her brothers adhered to the pact's terms, particularly regarding relationships.
Jay resisted the urge to groan as his sister greeted them with exaggerated cheerfulness. He could already sense how this evening was going to go.
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