Chapter Thirty-One

The morning air was crisp as Peter and his guests gathered in the elegant dining area. Steam curled upwards from steaming cups of tea, fragrant with the aroma of freshly brewed leaves, while the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the delicious plates of golden-brown akara. Bowls of akamu, a silky and satisfying traditional Nigerian porridge, sat beside delicate cookies and doughnuts.

Fried yam, glistening with a rich egg sauce, added a touch of local flavour, while fluffy puff-puffs and pillowy buns sat alongside a rainbow of jams and spreads. The jams, in their colourful jars, offered different fruity flavours like sweet strawberry, fruity apricot, rich blackcurrant, and zesty orange marmalade, making it hard to pick just one.

True to Nigerian tradition, the tea was served with options for customisation: creamy milk, the rich sweetness of Milo, the comforting warmth of chocolate, or the malty richness of Ovaltine—allowing each guest to prepare their brew to their liking. The gentle clinking of cups and spoons, mingled with the low hum of conversation, created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As they enjoyed the meal, lively chatter and laughter filled the air, embodying the true spirit of Nigerian hospitality. The sumptuous breakfast, rich with aromas, colours, and flavours, perfectly captured the essence of a warm Nigerian morning, setting the tone for the day ahead.

After Magnus arrived at the villa, Peter led the team to the garage, where the Aston Martin V12 Vision prototype gleamed under strategically placed LED lights. It was as though the car had been waiting to meet its creators again.

'Wow,' one of the engineers muttered, running a hand along the car's sleek frame. 'It's in pristine condition.'

Richard gestured to Ihunanya. 'Before we begin, can you give us a breakdown of the modifications made to get this vehicle operational for public roads?'

'Of course,' Ihunanya replied, projecting a holographic display from its frame.

The team watched in amazement as detailed diagrams of the car appeared, with notes about software updates, improved braking systems, and adjustments for road use.

'Incredible!' exclaimed one of the engineers, pointing at the holographic display.

'We also integrated a stabilising system to ensure the vehicle handles Abuja's uneven road,' Ihunanya added.

One of the engineers, a woman with curly auburn hair named Clara, leaned in to examine the data. 'This is remarkable. These modifications not only align with our core design principles but also push boundaries we hadn't considered.'

Richard nodded thoughtfully. 'Let's see how it performs.'

The team guided the vehicle outside to a specially prepared stretch of private road on the villa's grounds. The chief butler, Mr. James had arranged for the space to be cleared and equipped with testing markers.

Peter stood at the side with Richard, watching as Ihunanya guided the engineers through the vehicle's controls. Clara took the driver's seat for the first test, her hands gliding over the controls as the car roared to life.

The Aston Martin V12 Vision glided effortlessly across the track, its aerodynamic design cutting through the air. The team monitored its performance through portable devices, occasionally exchanging impressed murmurs.

'This car feels like it's reading my mind,' Clara said after completing a lap.

'Ihunanya's real-time analysis is probably making it feel that way,' Peter joked.

The testing continued for hours, with the team running the vehicle through acceleration, braking, and cornering drills. Throughout the process, Ihunanya assisted, offering insights and addressing questions with calculated precision.

By afternoon, the team reconvened in the villa's meeting lounge, where refreshments had been laid out.

'Mr. Peter,' Richard began, sipping from a glass of chilled palm wine, 'we are beyond impressed. Not only with the modifications but also with the seamless integration of your AI assistant and the garage's robotic system into the vehicle's operations.'

Peter leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. 'I'm glad to hear that. Ihunanya, Chijioke, and all the other robots, along with our human staff, are part of what makes life at Mark Villa so efficient.'

'We'd like to propose something,' Richard continued. 'A partnership to develop a limited series of road-compliant V12 Vision models. Your input, and perhaps Ihunanya's as well, would be invaluable.'

Peter's eyes lit up. 'Now that's a collaboration I can get excited about. Even with Mars Corporation's own tech, there's always room for innovative partnerships.'

Ihunanya chimed in. 'I'll prepare a proposal draft highlighting the systems and enhancements used in the modifications. Shall I include potential upgrades, Sir Peter?'

'Absolutely,' Peter replied.

As the team departed later that evening, Richard shook Peter's hand firmly. 'Thank you for your hospitality. We'll be in touch soon.'

Peter watched as the SUVs disappeared into the night, a sense of accomplishment washing over him.

'Ihunanya,' Peter said, turning to the robot, 'you did well, a cup of palm wine with aboki suya for you,' he said playfully.

'Only doing my duty, Sir Peter,' Ihunanya replied with a proud glow in its optical sensors.

'Sir Peter, you have meeting with Richie Corporation in fifteen minutes,' Chijioke reminded Peter.

Magnus, who had been standing nearby, took charge of preparing Peter for the next meeting. He quickly gathered the relevant materials, ensured the details were in order, and led Peter to the car.

Picking up his phone from Magnus, Peter also saw the reminder notification from Stella. Glancing at Magnus, he said, 'Let's head to Richie Corporation.'

With that, the two of them headed to Richie Corporation in a blue Porsche that Ihunanya had selected from the garage.

***