[
BONUS
Chapter for reaching 150GT! Thank you all! ????]
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[EVE]
QuantumLyfe's launch was nothing short of explosive.
The moment it hit the market, it was like a dam had burst—investors were flocking in from all directions, desperate to get a piece of the action.
Why wouldn't they, it was the first NanoTech that was proven to heal some major wounds and complications.
Tech giants, venture capitalists, and even international firms were lining up to pour their money into what was rapidly becoming the next big thing.
The sheer demand was overwhelming, with headlines screaming
"QuantumLyfe Revolutionizes the Future"
on every major news outlet.
And at the center of it all was Michael Blair. Practically overnight, his name was everywhere—interviews, magazines, business channels. He became the face of modern innovation, hailed as a visionary in every corner of the globe.
His cool, calculated demeanor and brilliant mind were plastered all over the media, making him a household name and driving QuantumLyfe's valuation through the roof.
As for me? It felt like I was riding a tidal wave of success. Money started pouring into my bank account faster than I could keep track of it—every morning, the numbers would jump higher.
It was surreal.
The deals kept coming, the partnerships were endless, and the future looked brighter than ever. We were on top of the world, and it seemed like there was no stopping us.
I hope it would continue that way.
Now that I had some extra cash flowing in, I figured it was the perfect time to dive deeper into real estate investments.
Dirt that could bring even the mightiest crashing down. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire
The Aldridge's had political power, sure. They had the connections, the clout, the generations of control—but politics is a house of cards, fragile and easy to topple. And no one played the game of destruction quite like Cole's family.
Before nations were even fully established, back when the world was in chaos, the Fays had ruled through military might, carving out their place in history by crushing anyone who dared stand in their way.
They didn't just control people—they controlled narratives, weaving a web so tight around their enemies that escape was impossible.
It wasn't hard to imagine that Cole had merely pulled a few strings, brought up the dirt of the political family, and now the Aldridge were paying the price.
In the world of politics, it wasn't about who had the most power; it was about who knew the darkest truths. And when it came to secrets, the Fays had the sharpest knives.
I shook my head and shrugged. Not my problem. Jessica probably deserved every bit of what she was going through after everything she'd done to people.
There was no sympathy left in me for her.
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On the way to school, I tried—really tried—to ignore the gnawing thought in my head. But no matter how hard I focused on the passing scenery, the curiosity was killing me.
Finally, I gave in.
"Did you have anything to do with the Aldridge family's downfall?" I asked, my voice betraying the unease I felt.
Cole didn't look up from the laptop on his lap, his fingers tapping casually on the keys. His expression remained cold, distant.
"That family got what it deserved," he said, his tone as flat as the words themselves.
That was all the confirmation I needed. It was him. Even though he didn't admit it outright, the truth was written in the way he spoke, in the ice behind his words.
A strange knot twisted in my chest. I didn't know how to feel. Part of me was unsettled, knowing that Cole had done something so drastic—so dangerous—for me. The sheer power he wielded, the ruthlessness with which he acted, it made me uneasy.
It wasn't like I had asked for this. I didn't need him to go to such extreme lengths just because of some petty school drama.
Yet another part of me couldn't help but feel something else—a dark, twisted gratitude, maybe? I couldn't deny the flicker of satisfaction that came from knowing Jessica was finally getting what was coming to her.
Still, I kept my thoughts to myself as we arrived at school.