CHAPTER 3

The black jet landed swiftly on the runway, its tires screeching as it came to a halt. The name "Getty" was boldly inscribed on the side of the jet, a symbol of wealth and power. On the waiting car park, a sleek silver Rolls-Royce gleamed in the sunlight, its driver leaning against the side, waiting for his passenger. As Mr. Linton emerged from the jet, his assistant, Eric, greeted him with a smile. "Welcome, Mr. Linton. How was your trip?" he asked, opening the car door for his boss. Mr. Linton, a tall, imposing figure with a commanding presence, smiled as he settled into the car. "It went well, very good," he replied, his voice deep and authoritative. "And as we have it, money won't be roaming in this country anymore as usual." He carelessly swayed his supportive stick around, a gesture that spoke of his confidence and power. Eric watched him, his expression a mixture of admiration and wariness. "Good to hear, sir," Eric replied, taking his place opposite the driver's seat. "So, your brother has been known and awarded a merit award for the piece he wrote." Mr. Linton smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Eric, you know what the society values and respects, don't you?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Eric hesitated, unsure of where the conversation was headed. "I think so, sir," he replied cautiously. "It's identity," Mr. Linton declared, his voice rising. "And it's like a wildfire spread across the forest. The only reason that Brian is so recognized in this country is because of me." He paused, his eyes narrowing as he gazed out the window. "There are millions of writers out there who are more influential, and persuasive than him. But do they get the recognition they deserve? No." Mr. Linton's voice was laced with bitterness, his words dripping with venom. "It's my identity that's covering him, Eric. My name, my wealth, my influence. Without me, Brian would be just another struggling writer, trying to make a name for himself." Eric listened, his expression a mixture of fascination and horror. He had never seen Mr. Linton like this before, so consumed by anger and resentment. "But, sir," Eric ventured, trying to reason with his boss. "Brian's writing speaks for itself. He's a talented writer, and he deserves the recognition he's getting." Mr. Linton's laughter was cold, mirthless. "You are naive, Eric," he said, shaking his head. "This world isn't about talent or hard work. It's about identity, and who you know." He leaned back in his seat, his eyes glinting with amusement. "And I'm the one who knows everyone, Eric. I'm the one who pulls the strings." The car fell silent, the only sound was the soft hum of the engine. Eric glanced at Mr. Linton, his expression a mixture of fear and respect. He knew that he was in the presence of a powerful, ruthless man, who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. As the car pulled up to the mansion, Mr. Linton's expression changed, his face smoothing out into a mask of calm. "Let's get one thing straight, Eric," he said, his voice low, menacing. "I'm the one who runs this family, and I'm the one who will always come out on top." Eric nodded, his heart racing with fear. He knew that he had just glimpsed the real Mr. Linton, the man behind the mask. And he knew that he would never forget this moment, this glimpse into the soul of a ruthless, powerful man.

After his return from his trip, Mr. Linton was invited to a high-profile investment meeting in New York. The company, GreenTech Inc., was launching a new sustainable energy product that promised to revolutionize the industry. As he arrived at the meeting, he was greeted by the CEO, Mr. Jenkins, a childhood friend he had grown up with. They exchanged warm smiles and firm handshakes, reminiscing about old times. "Linton, it's great to see you again," Mr. Jenkins said, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'm glad you could make it to our meeting today." "Jenkins, it's been too long," Mr. Linton replied, his voice filled with warmth. "I'm intrigued by your new product. Tell me more." As they sat down, Mr. Jenkins began his presentation, clicking a button to reveal a large screen behind him. The screen came to life, displaying a sleek and futuristic image. "Ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Jenkins started, "today we're going to revolutionize the way we think about energy. We're going to introduce a product that will change the game, a product that will make fossil fuels obsolete." He paused for dramatic effect, surveying the room. The investors and analysts seated around the table leaned forward, their eyes fixed on the screen. "Behold, our latest innovation: the EcoPulse!" Mr. Jenkins announced, his voice filled with pride. The screen behind him displayed a 3D animation of the EcoPulse, a sleek and compact device that looked like a cross between a solar panel and a battery. Mr. Linton's eyes widened as he took in the details of the device. "It's a game-changer, folks," Mr. Jenkins continued. "With the EcoPulse, we can generate clean, sustainable energy anywhere, anytime. No more fossil fuels, no more pollution, no more climate change." The room erupted into a flurry of questions and comments, with investors and analysts eager to learn more about the EcoPulse. Mr. Linton listened intently; his eyes narrowed in concentration. "How does it work?" he asked, his voice rising above the din. "Ah, great question, Linton," Mr. Jenkins replied. "The EcoPulse uses a proprietary membrane that mimics the process of photosynthesis. It absorbs sunlight and converts it into electrical energy, which can then be stored in a battery or fed directly into the grid." Mr. Linton nodded, his mind racing with calculations. He could see the potential for the EcoPulse to disrupt the entire energy industry, and he wanted in. As the presentation continued, Mr. Linton's excitement grew. He asked questions, made comments, and engaged in a lively discussion with the other investors and analysts. Seated beside him was a young woman named Sarah, a brilliant engineer who had worked on the EcoPulse project. She smiled at Mr. Linton, impressed by his keen insight and sharp questions. "I'm glad you're interested in the EcoPulse, Mr. Linton," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "We've worked tirelessly to bring this product to market, and we're confident it will make a real difference in the world." Mr. Linton smiled back at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm impressed by your team's work, Sarah," he said. "I think the EcoPulse has tremendous potential. I'd like to learn more about it." As the meeting drew to a close, Mr. Jenkins stood up, a satisfied smile on his face. "Thank you all for coming today," he said. "We're excited about the EcoPulse, and we believe it will revolutionize the energy industry. We look forward to working with all of you to make this vision a reality." The room erupted into a flurry of activity, with investors and analysts mingling and discussing the EcoPulse. Mr. Linton stood up, shaking hands with Mr. Jenkins and Sarah. "I'm in," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I'll take a 20% stake in the company." Mr. Jenkins grinned, shaking Mr. Linton's hand. "Welcome aboard, Linton. Together, we're going to change the world."