Building The Strongest Family

Neo-Luminara Grand Parliament House.

In the exclusive conference room of the Neo-Luminara Grand Parliament House, a high-security vault nestled within the Parliament HQ, polished oak gleamed under warm, theatrical lighting.

The city sprawled beyond tinted glass, a vibrant backdrop to the unfolding drama.

As heavy double doors swung open, crimson carpets marked a path through an air thick with anticipation.

Ten elite families, dressed in tailored suits and embroidered gowns adorned with glimmering jewelry, lined each side of an enormous oval table.

Their faces radiated condescension and expectation.

At the center sat a cadre of political heavyweights: Senator Delmar Kyreth, Minister Janice Raoul, Councilor Merton Vale, and Lady Clarisse Wyndham, all wearing expressions lit with early triumph.

Unbeknownst to them, Bureau Head Derrick loomed behind Arthur's empty chair. Moments later, Arthur entered calmly, his eyes sparkling with quiet intent.

The room fell silent for just a heartbeat before the elites leaned forward expectantly, offering mild applause and laughter that rang too confidently in the air.

"Arthur Osborn," Lady Wyndham declared triumphantly, her chin lifted and lips curved into a victorious grin. "To what do we owe your presence… this time?"

Minister Raoul chimed in with feigned warmth: "Glad you could accept our invitation! We were starting to think you'd vanish again."

All eyes flicked toward Arthur's chair as his calm smile remained intact; however, his icy gaze betrayed nothing.

Senator Kyreth spoke smoothly: "Sit down, Mr. Osborn. Let's discuss how generous you've been, sharing manufacturing assets and tax revenue… we all appreciate your… willingness." Behind them lurked an invisible hand tightening around their perceived control.

Arthur took a single step forward and sat down; his mere presence seemed to shrink the room itself.

He nodded courteously while only Derrick sensed the true power behind that gesture, a quiet confidence that filled the space like electricity.

Lady Wyndham's voice dripped with false respect: "You realize how… thoughtful it is on your part to allow government oversight in your project." Laughter erupted among them, a lofty arrogance from those convinced of their victory.

Treasurer Maris Delaine from the Trident Circle added with a fake smile, "We never thought the city would fund such a private megastructure! Yet here we are."

They looked at Arthur brimming with secure smugness. "Good job giving us something to regulate," she said mockingly.

Arthur remained still as they reveled in their own words; however, beneath his calm exterior simmered deep mockery and disdain.

As conversation flowed around him like water over stones, their smiles became fixed, like grandmasters savoring their winning hands.

Councilor Vale's tone grew brisk: "We can align this structure with national transport plans and energy grids…"

Arthur's responses were always polite, filled with phrases like "Of course," "I understand," and "We're fully aligned."

But beneath that calm exterior, tension simmered just below the surface. Derrick's gaze was fixed on Arthur.

Then, in a moment that seemed to stretch time itself, Arthur paused.

The smugness of the assembled cartel deepened; they thought they had him cornered.

With a soft smile, he said, "You're right. Bringing you in was a smart move, collaboration is wise."

Their laughter erupted again, a chorus of self-congratulation and arrogance.

But then Arthur's voice dropped an octave, slicing through their mirth: "But there's something i have to tell all pf you…"

Intrigued yet confident, they leaned in closer.

Arthur pressed a button on his cufflink, and suddenly the overhead lights dimmed. Micro-droplets of mood lighting flickered red and blue around them.

He locked eyes with each member of the cartel before whispering into his intercom, "Evolon."

As he spoke Evolon's name softly, the wall behind him transformed, its entire surface dissolving into high-definition holographic screens that rotated to face each attendee.

Files materialized: ledger pages filled with ominous black ink numbers next to alarming red lines; video stills from secret meetings; names of offshore shell companies… evidence of crimes, betrayal, and greed, all captured in vivid detail.

The once-arrogant smiles froze on their faces as laughter faded into an eerie silence so profound that even a single drop of water hitting the ground would echo like thunder.

With a cold smile curling at his lips, Arthur's voice cut through the stillness: "Honestly? I really don't know how to describe your greed."

He stood up slowly from his chair, hands tucked casually in his pockets as he shook his head in disbelief. "Do you think I'm stupid? While I was building this project brick by brick, while you were mocking me and sending people to sabotage my efforts, you dared to think you could stretch your filthy claws toward what I've created? My good. You guys must be fucking insane and delusional"

Shock held everyone captive; their eyes remained glued to those massive holographic screens displaying their dark secrets as if they were spellbound by some unseen force.

Arthur's gaze turned icy as he continued: "I built this shit from nothing brick by brick and I'm not handing it over on a silver platter just because you say so."

Silence enveloped the room once more, a pin-drop kind of silence as everyone sat frozen in their seats.

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The holographic screens pulsed quietly, casting an eerie glow across the room.

They illuminated red-lined criminal records, offshore shell-company agreements, and video stills of clandestine meetings that implicated every smug face gathered around the table.

The power had shifted dramatically.

Arthur stood tall, his suit jacket slipping from his shoulders, arms free and poised.

Tension born of betrayal, pride, and boundless ambition radiated from him.

The silence in the room was palpable as he began to speak, a slow, malevolent smile creeping across his face.

"Nice try," he said, his voice low and simmering with intensity. "Really nice try, congratulations! You thought you had me trapped; you thought you could corner me in my own house."

His gaze swept over their faces, once graceful aristocrats now frozen in shock, as their carefully rehearsed laughter crumbled into horror.

Arthur paced the length of the table, hands casually tucked into his pockets while his boot heels echoed against the polished marble floor.

"Brick by brick, drop by drop, I built this palace. And you? You waited outside, whispering about how unworthy I am, staging sabotage and sending rats to gnaw at my foundation."

He stopped abruptly, locking eyes with Maris Delaine; her cheeks had drained of color. "You thought you could just swoop in and take what doesn't belong to you? That's some bold arrogance you've got there."

"Or do you think this city belongs to you?" Arthur cocked his head slightly and smiled slyly. "Let me share a little secret: When the Eastern Consortium was plotting to take over this city, where were you? Hiding? Afraid? You locked yourselves away in your gilded palaces while I took care of business. Come on guys, I was standing on business.It was Arthur Osborn who kicked them out of Neo-Luminara! Otherwise, do you really think you'd still be alive today plotting to seize what's rightfully mine?"

Disdain dripped from Arthur's words as he surveyed them with a mocking glint in his eye. "Never dare to covet what belongs to me, Arthur Osborn, because I'm really greedy myself and I don't like sharing my food."

The room remained silent except for Arthur's voice echoing through the grand space.

"Now," he said with a serpentine smile that sent chills down spines, "let's discuss the choices currently on your plate."

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