Chapter Sixty-Four

The much-anticipated day of MarsBand launch had finally arrived, and the venue was filled with electrifying energy. Media outlets, industry leaders, and influencers filled the grand hall, which glowed softly under golden light. They had all gathered to witness Mars Corporation unveil its latest innovation.

Every corner of the venue radiated elegance and sophistication, with futuristic décor enhancing the event's theme of innovation and progress. Metallic accents shimmered along the walls, and centrepieces of glowing geometric shapes adorned each table, adding a touch of luxury. MarsBand and Mars Corporation logos appeared gracefully on the screens and decorations, tying everything together in a stylish, cohesive way. Guests marvelled at the displays showcasing MarsBand in all its futuristic glory.

Light background music played, setting a relaxed tone as laughter and quiet conversations filled the room. Guests settled in, brimming with anticipation.

As sparkling champagne, refreshing sparkling water, and delicious palm wine were served in crystal glasses by the waitstaff, they also presented gourmet appetisers. Guests enjoyed spicy puff-puff stuffed with goat meat and mini bowls of jollof rice crowned with succulent prawns.

A waiter paused by Stella, offering her a drink. She accepted a fluted glass of champagne, her gaze fixed on Peter as he adjusted his suit jacket, preparing to step into the spotlight. A proud smile spread across her face as she admired him. Stella wore an ivory gown for the occasion, accessorised with star-shaped diamond earrings, matching pumps, and a clutch—all gifts from Peter.

Nearby, Night and Richie were deep in conversation with other guests while their son, Wealth, eagerly played with his toy rocket. With a beaming face, he held the toy aloft, exclaiming, 'Look, Mummy! I'm launching a rocket!'

Richie chuckled, gently squeezing his son's hand. 'That's right, handsome! You're going to be a great inventor one day.'

'Even Hansel and Kimberly will invent their own too,' Wealth beamed with pride. The arrival of his twin siblings had brought him immense joy. He had wanted Night to bring them along, but since they were still too tiny to travel, Night and Richie decided they should stay at home, cared for by nurses hired to look after them until their return from the launch.

The stage lights dimmed, and Peter stood poised, a sleek MarsBand in hand. The screen behind him flickered to life, showing the device's smooth, futuristic design. As the audience hushed, Peter welcomed them, his voice filled with excitement. 'Thank you all for being here today. We are thrilled to introduce MarsBand, a device that will redefine how you interact with technology.'

His passion was contagious as he described MarsBand's groundbreaking features, its sleek design, and intuitive interface. 'This isn't just another gadget for your wrist,' he said confidently. 'It's your personal assistant, health advisor, and your link to the future.'

Peter's voice became more excited as he showed how the device works. 'MarsBand tracks your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns in real time,' he said. 'But here's the best part... it gives you personalised advice based on your own health data.'

A question rang out from the audience: 'How accurate is the data compared to existing wearables?'

Peter smiled, clearly appreciating the engagement. 'Great question,' he said. 'MarsBand uses cutting-edge sensors that provide medical-grade accuracy, offering insights that truly matter.' He gestured to the screen, where a dashboard of health data appeared. 'Imagine waking up to your MarsBand telling you not only how long you slept but how well you slept and what you can do to improve it. It's all about personalisation.'

The room was captivated as Peter continued, 'MarsBand also brings seamless connectivity. You can take calls, send messages, and control your home devices—all with voice commands. Need to turn on your lights? Just tell MarsBand. Want to send a message? It's done.'

A reporter raised a hand. 'Does it sync with all smart devices?'

'Yes,' Peter said, his voice full of assurance. 'MarsBand is compatible with iOS, Android, and smart home systems like Alexa and Google Home… And there's more,' he added, growing more excited. 'MarsBand uses AI-powered predictions. Our AI technology adapts to your environment, predicting your needs before you even realise them. For example, the lights in your room will adjust automatically based on your mood or the time of day.'

A new question came from the crowd: 'What about battery life? Wearables often run out of power quickly.'

Peter grinned. 'I'm glad you asked. MarsBand has solar-assisted charging, extending battery life significantly. You don't need to worry about constantly plugging it in. Just go about your day, and the sun keeps it powered. It's smart and sustainable.'

The audience nodded, visibly impressed by the features Peter was unveiling.

Peter paused for a moment, a glint of pride in his eyes. 'For those who care about style, MarsBand is also fashion-forward. You can choose from a variety of designs to suit your taste—whether you prefer shiny metal, smooth leather, or bold colours. You'll look good while staying connected and healthy.'

The screen behind him displayed the range of stylish designs, and the audience murmured with approval.

Peter smiled, basking in the moment before introducing the feedback from MarsBand's beta testers. 'Now, before we move to the live demo, I'd like to share some feedback from our beta testers,' he said, gesturing towards the large screen where glowing testimonials began to appear. 'This addresses what you, our users, have been looking for.'

As the crowd absorbed the feedback, Peter shared the key insights, highlighting customisation options that had been incorporated into the final version of MarsBand based on tester input.

With the room buzzing with excitement, Peter turned to the next big moment of the evening: the live demonstration.

'Now, let's get to the moment we've all been waiting for,' he said, his voice rising with energy. 'A live testing of MarsBand!'

The crowd erupted into applause, anticipation electrifying the air.

Stella's heart raced as she watched Peter command the stage, his confidence radiating. She knew this was his moment.

Peter called a volunteer from the audience—a well-known tech blogger, known for her sharp reviews. 'Please join me on stage!' he called. As she walked up, Peter handed her a MarsBand. 'Let's test the device's core features together,' he said.

The blogger began exploring the device, clearly impressed by its simplicity and functionality. She navigated through the settings with ease, showcasing how the MarsBand could be customised based on user preferences. As Peter suggested linking it to a smart home device, the blogger connected it flawlessly to a smart speaker. The music played instantly.

'Wow, this is impressive!' she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. 'This is beautiful!'

The room erupted into applause, and Stella's smile widened. The live test had been a resounding success.

Behind the scenes, Ada's team had worked tirelessly to refine the product, and it showed. MarsBand wasn't just a wearable—it was a revolution in personal technology. Its advanced biofeedback systems, solar-assisted charging, and seamless smart device connectivity promised to change the way people interacted with their health and environment.

Peter's voice grew even more energetic as he introduced the final, groundbreaking feature: MarsBand's neural interface. 'Not only does MarsBand track your physical health,' he explained, 'but it listens to your mind as well. The sensors detect neural signals, offering real-time feedback to help you manage stress, focus, and even avoid burnout.'

The audience gasped in amazement. MarsBand was more than a health tracker; it was a comprehensive tool for better living.

As dessert was served and the event drew to a close, the atmosphere was filled with awe and wonder. Mars Corporation had not only impressed the crowd, but it had also redefined the way people think about technology and health.

The room erupted in applause as Peter took a final bow, his heart swelling with pride. 'Thank you for being here today,' he said. 'We can't wait for you to experience MarsBand for yourselves.'

As Peter stepped down from the stage, he made his way towards Richie and his family to express his gratitude for their presence. While navigating through the crowd, answering questions, and shaking hands, his eyes locked with Stella's. His face lit up with love as he approached her, one hand casually resting in his pocket. 'You looked stunning tonight, Stella,' he said, his voice brimming with admiration. 'Your support means the world to me.'

Stella blushed, a playful smile on her lips. 'You've already said that a hundred times tonight,' she teased.

Peter laughed and squeezed her hand. 'And I'll keep saying it. Over and over again.'

Taking her hand, Peter led her to where Richie and his family were mingling with other guests. 'Everyone, this is my fiancée, Stella Adaeze Adams,' he announced proudly.

The crowd erupted into applause, the warmth and excitement echoing throughout the room.

As Peter looked around at the successful launch, he couldn't help but smile. He was grateful that Stella was here with him for this moment, not just as his personal secretary, but as his woman.

Magnus, who was talking with a group of friends, saw Peter and Stella happily holding each other's hands. He smiled, wishing them happiness forever. Stella is indeed the right woman for you, boss, Magnus thought, sipping the glass of palm wine he was holding.