: A Dangerous Investment

Ava gritted her teeth. "That is not reassuring."

Lucas chuckled, tilting the tablet toward her. "That's because you're looking at this like a problem, Beauty. I see an investment."

Ava folded her arms. "Explain."

Lucas tapped the screen, letting his system overlay its data.

[MONOPOLY APPRAISAL SYSTEM – ACTIVE]

[ANALYZING LINKED SYSTEM POTENTIAL]

[INVESTMENT RISK: LOW]

[RETURN PROJECTION: HIGH]

[RESOURCE MERGER – PROJECTED GAIN: +32% OVERALL EFFICIENCY]

Ava narrowed her eyes. "Your system thinks this is a good idea?"

Lucas grinned. "My system sees value, Zhang. It sees connections as assets, not risks."

Ava exhaled sharply. "And me?"

Lucas sighed dramatically. "Beauty, you are a walking, talking high-value investment."