Jeffrey Thompson prided himself on his illustrious lineage. His family’s history was intertwined with the very fabric of Singapore’s development, tracing back to Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British statesman and founder of modern Singapore. Raffles was a visionary who had seen the potential of Singapore as a major port, laying the foundation for its future prosperity, which continued until today. Jeffrey often reflected on Raffles’ legacy, feeling a deep sense of responsibility to honor his ancestor’s contributions through his own work.

It was a beautiful, warm evening. After a particularly intense board meeting at NAPPA, Jeffrey returned home, eager to unwind.

The Thompson family lived in a grand colonial-style mansion on Nassim Road, one of Singapore’s most affluent neighborhoods, a nod to his family’s storied past. The house, with its whitewashed walls, tall pillars, and sprawling gardens, was a blend of timeless elegance and modern luxury. The interior was decorated with a mix of antique furniture and cutting-edge technology, symbolizing the seamless blend of tradition and innovation that characterized Jeffrey’s life.

As he entered the marble-floored foyer, he was greeted by the familiar sounds of classical music. Sophia was there. The scent of jasmine filled the air from his lush garden outside. Mrs. Lim, the housekeeper, stood waiting on the porch with a warm smile.

“Good evening, Mr. Thompson,” she greeted him. “Your granddaughter is in the drawing room. She has been waiting for you.”

“Good,” Jeffrey replied with a curt nod. “Make sure dinner is ready at eight p.m. sharp. No delays. And why wasn’t the gardener here yet? It is a bloody mess out there. How many times must I remind you?”

“But sir—”

“No buts. Get it done by tomorrow, understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Mrs. Lim’s smile faltered, and she bowed slightly as Jeffrey strode past her.

He made his way through the hallways adorned with family portraits and historical artifacts, each telling a story of his family’s past. His demeanor softened as he approached the drawing room, anticipation replacing his usual stern expression.

As he entered the drawing room, he found his twelve-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, deeply engrossed in something. She sat on a plush armchair, her eyes fixed intently on an invisible point in front of her.

“Good evening, Sophia, how was school today?” Jeffrey asked, his voice filled with affection.

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She kept staring at the wall, not noticing him.

He raised his voice. “What’s got you so captivated?”

Sophia looked up, her eyes bright with excitement. She ran toward him and threw her arms around him in a warm hug. “Grandpa! You won’t believe what I’m experiencing. With NanoChip, I can now play VR games without needing to wear any glasses or headsets!”

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Is that so? How does it work?”

Sophia beamed. “You don’t know? It’s so amazing! The game connects directly to my brain via NanoChip, creating a full VR world around me. They mentioned something about the visual and auditory systems. And this means I don’t need the VR headsets anymore!” She showed him her phone with the application, showing a miniature version of some fantasy world. “It feels like I’m actually inside the game. I can see, hear, and even feel the virtual environment around me.”

Jeffrey nodded thoughtfully. “That’s quite impressive. I knew NanoChip had many applications, but this one, I didn’t know of.”

Sophia’s enthusiasm grew. “Yes, it just came out today. Everyone is talking about it at school. And there’s so much more, Grandpa! I heard that they are still developing new features to use with NanoChip. Soon, we’ll be able to use NanoChip for learning languages and all kinds of other stuff. David’s dad—you know David from school—works for such a company, but he told it to me in secret.” She put a finger to her lips.

“Companies? You mean, your VR game is not developed by NAPPA?”

“No, silly, this is from the company where David’s dad works. Lumicent, or something, they are called … You didn’t know? You work for the company that makes NanoChip!”

Jeffrey chuckled, although he felt somewhat dumbfounded not knowing about these applications outsourced to other enterprises. He must take this to Ryan next time they meet.

“Well, my dear, I do know quite a bit about NanoChip, but it seems I’ve been so focused on this big project of mine recently that I haven’t kept up with all the latest developments. It’s wonderful to hear how much it’s enhancing your life.”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled. “It’s not just me, Grandpa. My friends are all using it, too. Some kids at school don’t have it yet, and they get made fun of for being old-fashioned.”

Jeffrey’s smile faded slightly. “That’s unfortunate. Everyone should have access to this technology. Perhaps I should speak with your school about making sure all the students are equipped with NanoChip.”

Sophia nodded eagerly. “That would be great! It’s so much easier to learn. At some point, I’m pretty sure we will be able to upload lessons directly to our brains. No more boring lectures!”

Jeffrey felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He had always been driven by the desire to continue his family’s tradition of innovation and progress, and now he could see the fruits of his labor in the joy and excitement of the younger generation.

He leaned down and kissed Sophia on the forehead. “I’m very proud of you, Sophia, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing at NAPPA. We’re shaping the future, just like Stamford Raffles did all those years ago.”

Sophia smiled up at him, her eyes filled with admiration. “And I’m proud of you, Grandpa. You’re my hero.”

Jeffrey smiled warmly. “Next time, you can teach me how to use it. I’d love to see this virtual reality world you’re talking about.”

Sophia’s face lit up with excitement. “Really, Grandpa? I’d love that! I can’t wait to show you all the amazing things you can do.”

As Jeffrey looked around his elegant home, filled with the echoes of the past and the promise of the future, he felt an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. It seemed to him that the legacy of the Raffles and the Thompson family was alive and well.