Chapter 247 - What Happened In The Past

SEATTLE, YEAR 2030

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"Charles, I love my job...!" exclaimed Friedrich Neumann in an excited voice. He took off his coat and hung it on the coat hanger behind the door, and patted Charles' shoulder. "I am so happy I took the offer. We are doing great things!"

"Hey.. I am so happy to hear that. That sounds cool," said Charles Neumann with a smile.

He was Friedrich's younger brother and was busy with his homework so he didn't ask further. He knew Friedrich would love his new job since that was all he talked about this week.

Friedrich wore dark formal attire to make himself look older on the first day he worked as a project manager at Atlas X. This was the second aviation company created by Sam Atlas, who was known as the founder of Atlas Corp, after he sold it, his first company, to the Schneider Group.

Sam Atlas was a lover of knowledge. He was very interested in Friedrich Neumann's talent and genius when he first saw the young man give a public lecture at Stanford.

Before he was 20 years old, Friedrich already held several very important patents in aeronautical technology. His patents even recently began to be implemented in space exploration technology. He was highly respected and admired by his peers, who were mostly twice his age.

Friedrich Neumann was indeed a genius who was blessed with a super brilliant brain. His mind and ideas were so far advanced beyond his time. Sam Atlas immediately approached him and offered the German youth to move to Seattle and work for him.

After chatting enthusiastically for hours, the two realized that they were very compatible and had the same dream. Sam was eager to take humans to explore outer space. Friedrich had the same dream.

Both of them no longer think about how humans could travel around the world, but how humans could explore the universe.

"I want to create a private space exploration company that will unite people around the world with the same goal. We will be able to get ahead of NASA, CNSA, and Roscosmos," said Sam Atlas, who had gray hair and a face filled with wrinkles.

He was almost 60 years old, but he was still incredibly passionate about his work, especially when it came to science. Friedrich nodded while sipping his wine.

In the United States, he was actually not old enough to drink alcohol, but because he was German, Sam ignored the fact that the young man in front of him was still 20 years old.

"I really want to be involved with your space initiative," Friedrich said to Sam. "I will quit my teaching job at university and dedicate my time to Atlas X."

"I'm so glad to hear that," said Sam. "After we've made a few successful prototypes, I'll immediately invite investors to join in."

"I heard the Schneider Group bought your old company," Friedrich said with interest. "Why start a new one? Why not create a new division under the same company, Atlas Corp? I think the Schneider Group will be able to finance it."

Sam shook his head. "No. I want to have something that belongs to me. The new owner of Atlas Corp, Caspar Schneider, doesn't really have a passion for aviation. Recently I regret letting him buy my company." 

"I don't understand. If you don't want to sell, and he doesn't like aviation either, why did he buy Atlas Corp in the first place?" Friedrich asked in amazement.

Sam Atlas could only take a deep breath. This was a secret he had promised he would not tell anyone. Twelve years ago, Caspar Schneider's right-hand man, Stanis Van Der Ven, called him and asked him to sell Atlas Corp at a fantastic price.

Because Sam Atlas liked his company so much and he wasn't in need of money, he turned down the offer. However, finally, Stanis succeeded in getting Sam to give up his company and sell 80% of the shares of his favorite company. He was offered a secret in science that he couldn't refuse.

Sam was a lover of knowledge and he was immediately captivated by the shocking information. He was finally willing to sell 80% of his shares in Atlas Corp, which was bought at a higher price than its valuation by the Schneider Group, and in exchange, he was able to meet face to face with Caspar Schneider, who told him a secret that had been kept hidden for centuries.

Caspar explained that, in this world, there were hundreds of immortals who live among ordinary people. They were members of the Alchemist clan. Caspar managed to prove to Sam that he had lived for 400 years on earth and it made Sam amazed.

Unfortunately, Sam could only admire the Alchemists from afar. He couldn't share the secret that was entrusted to him, either. Therefore, when he heard Friedrich's question tonight as to why he let Caspar buy his company, the old man just smiled and poured the wine back into his glass, not answering.

As a much younger person, Friedrich knew his place. He did not insist on getting answers. However, he kept his curiosity in his heart and hoped that one day he would get the answer.

"All right, then, when can you start working?" asked Sam Atlas after they had finished their drinks.

Friedrich frowned. "I have to get my brother to transfer school here. Maybe after the summer break?"

"How old is your brother?" asked Sam.

"He is 15 years old," Friedrich said. "I'm all he has in the world. Our parents died five years ago, and he was raised in an orphanage. Three years ago, I managed to get his custody. Now he comes with me wherever I go."

"Ahh .. you really are a very responsible brother," said Sam. He let out a long sigh, remembering his completely useless daughter, Laura. Her only job was to keep busy hanging out with socialites and wasting her father's money. 

Sam would be very grateful if his daughter had half of Friedrich's sense of responsibility and seriousness.

"I am grateful that you trusted me to join in on this extraordinary initiative," Friedrich said before he left Sam's house. He stretched out his hand and shook the old man's hand tightly.

"The pleasure is mine," replied Sam, smiling broadly. "I'm glad you joined."

Friedrich kept his promise. He took care of the relocation for himself and his brother Charles from Munich, Germany to Seattle, USA, to work on Sam Atlas's new company. They really enjoyed living in this beautiful city in Washington state.

Sam Atlas especially treated the two young men as if they were his own sons. Every weekend he would invite Friedrich and Charles to barbecue or just relax at his house.

Slowly, Laura Atlas, Sam's daughter, a socialite and 10 years older than Friedrich, also began to treat the two young men like her brothers. As a socialite who hung out with celebrities and rich people's kids in California, she had an extensive network of friends.

When she found out that Friedrich had never had a girlfriend, Laura forced him to come with her to high-profile parties in Hollywood.

"Don't embarrass me for having a younger brother who has never had a girlfriend," Laura scolded him. She loosened Friedrich's tie and tossed it on the floor. "Don't be too stiff. Take off the tie and unbutton the top of your shirt a little. Wear a leather strap, so you will look a bit mysterious. Girls like bad boys .. You're too nerdy for them."

Friedrich wanted to protest. He never had a girlfriend, NOT because girls weren't attracted to him, but because he didn't have time for them. He also hadn't found a girl smart enough to match his intelligence.

However, because he knew that Laura had good intentions and had been treating him like her own brother... the man finally relented and let Laura style him for the socialite party tonight.

"My friend who threw this party said there were some nobles coming from Europe this time. We must not lose to them," said Laura.

She put a leather strap around Friedrich's neck, which looked like an ethnic necklace, making his appearance exotic.

Friedrich had a handsome face. His eyes were light brown like honey, and they showed his intelligence. He didn't talk much, but once he said something, anyone would be fascinated by his articulation and cleverness.

"Nobles?" Friedrich asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's that got to do with us?"

"Well .... who knows, you might meet a princess and fall in love," said Laura with a laugh. "That can happen, right?"