Meeting Neil Thornton

At the heart of the day, a single announcement shattered the stillness of the internet, sending ripples of shock and speculation across the digital world, Eve Corp had appointed a new Chief Researcher.

The news, officially released through Eve Corp's social media handle, quickly became the focal point of market discussions. Investors held their breath, knowing that such a strategic decision could herald substantial profits.

But what truly electrified the discourse was the identity of the newly appointed figure; Calam Friegt.

A name unfamiliar to the industry, Calam Friegt became an enigma within an hour. Curiosity spread like wildfire as people scrambled to unearth details about the man who had seemingly emerged from the shadows.

"I thought this guy must be some genius to land such a prestigious role," a netizen remarked. "But he's just a High school dropout! He didn't even complete high school. What the hell is Evelyn thinking?"

The revelation sent the internet into a frenzy. As more details surfaced, disbelief turned to outrage. Further investigation uncovered a surprising detail, Calam had previously worked at a call center.

"Oh my god, this guy was taking customer service calls before this? And now he's heading research at Eve Corp?"

The comments multiplied, filled with shock, derision, and skepticism. Media outlets wasted no time jumping on the controversy, questioning Evelyn's judgment and dissecting the decision from every possible angle.

However, amid the storm of criticism, there were also voices of support. Many netizens defended Evelyn's unconventional choices, arguing that it was precisely because of her unorthodox methods that Eve Corp had achieved its current stature.

"Evelyn has never followed the industry norms, and look where she is now," one supporter wrote. "She sees potential where others see limitations."

"She's built Eve Corp from the ground up by making bold, unexpected moves," another commented. "If she trusts this guy, then maybe we should, too."

Then, just as the debate reached its peak, Eve Corp struck again with yet another bombshell.

A new announcement emerged from the company's official handle, this time revealing the submission of registration of a new trademark and copyright for an upcoming project. The cryptic message hinted at something monumental, Zelius Project.

Accompanying the statement was a short teaser video, its visuals sleek and enigmatic. As the clip drew to a close, a name appeared on screen, Calam Friegt. The special mention was impossible to miss. It wasn't just an appointment; this project was his brainchild.

The internet erupted once again. Speculations ran wild. Was this an AI initiative? No concrete details had been provided, leaving netizens grasping at theories, scrutinizing every word and timestamp of the official filings. Yet, despite the growing anticipation, Eve Corp remained silent, fueling even more curiosity.

Meanwhile, within the opulent headquarters of TGM Group, a silent battle of wits was unfolding.

Evelyn sat across from Neil Thornton, the heir to the Thornton family and the current Vice President of TGM Group. His composed expression betrayed nothing, yet an undeniable air of authority surrounded him. Eve studied him carefully, aware that this man was not easily swayed.

Finally breaking the silence, she spoke, her voice even. "Mr. Neil, I appreciate you making time for this meeting on such short notice."

Though his face remained impassive, she caught the fleeting glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. Without hesitation, she continued, "I'd like to propose a partnership on the project your company is currently developing."

Neil's gaze sharpened, she knew he was scrutinizing her words as she had rejected the proposal before thinking what might had changed.

"Why the sudden interest?" he asked, his tone measured.

Eve's lips curled into a slight smile. "I revisited the proposal this morning and realized that your company may benefit from my expertise, something you must have known when you initially approached me. I believe I am ready to provide my input now."

Neil leaned back, considering her response. "We're open to having you on board," he finally said. "I'll have my assistant send over the contract so we can proceed. However…" He paused, his gaze unwavering. "I have a feeling this isn't the only reason you came to see me."

Eve's smirk deepened. He was perceptive, as expected.

"Why would you assume that, Mr. Neil? I merely wished to express my sincerity." She let the moment stretch before adding, "And, of course, now that we are partners at work, I have a rather amusing story to share with you."

Neil raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"Well, I've met your younger brother a couple of times now," Eve said, feigning casualness. "The last time we spoke, he proposed a project to me, claimed it was his own. Funny thing is, not long after, I met another man who pitched me the exact same project."

She let the words hang in the air, watching for a reaction. "Imagine my surprise when I realized that Lucas Thornton's grand proposal wasn't his idea at all."

Neil's expression darkened, his once calm gaze turning cold.

Eve could only imagine the storm brewing inside him. Lucas, the overlooked and largely ignored younger illegitimate son of the Thornton family, had little standing within their family. Neil had never harbored much regard for him, but this revelation would surely make matters worse.

A sense of satisfaction curled in Eve's chest. Lucas had always been insignificant in his family's eyes, receiving less and less attention over the years. Now, by bringing his deception to light, she had ensured that Neil would no longer treat him invisible and would keep a close watch on him and his actions and she knew exactly what that would mean for Lucas Thornton, its cutting his wings even before he would think to fly.

In her past life, if not for her unwavering support of Lucas, he would have had no chance to stand against this man. She knew that without her intervention, Lucas would have been nothing more than just a shadow in the Thornton Family.