Chapter 295: Owari Da!

The news that Nexora Technologies in Capital City had successfully manufactured a photolithography machine was spreading like wildfire. With an official statement confirming the breakthrough, there was little room left for doubt.

Major media outlets quickly picked up the story, and before long, it was making headlines across the country.

Unlike Vincent's earlier claims to reporters, this was no empty boast. Nexora had achieved something genuinely significant, a major breakthrough in the nation's most advanced technological sector.

Until recently, the company had been relatively unknown outside Capital City and professional circles within the industry. That was no longer the case. Almost overnight, Nexora Technologies had become a household name, attracting attention from across America.

The news reached Astral Technology Park's senior management almost immediately.

And that was when Vincent finally understood just how badly he had miscalculated.

While he had been celebrating the establishment of Astral Technology Park and imagining the heights Maison Premier would reach, Luca had already moved far beyond him. The gap between them was no longer something Vincent could bridge through business deals or carefully crafted public statements. Luca had reached a level Vincent could only dream of attaining.

"Denim-san, it seems our cooperation has come to an end."

"mō owari da." ( " it's over.")

Akari Sato spoke in Japanese, her tone noticeably colder than before.

She was the representative of the Sato Family, sent from Japan to oversee their interests in Capital City. Their ambitions, however, extended far beyond making money.

The family wanted to establish a network of influential contacts in the city, people who could serve their interests and provide them with valuable information. In other words, they were looking for agents and informants who could help them expand their influence.

Vincent had seemed like an ideal choice.

Maison Premier had operated in Capital City for generations, building connections across business, politics, and other influential circles. Vincent himself held considerable sway among the city's wealthy and powerful. Through him, the Sato Family could gain access to people they might otherwise struggle to approach.

Unfortunately, their partnership had barely gotten off the ground before Nexora's breakthrough changed everything.

The Sato Family wasn't interested in tying itself to a sinking ship. If Vincent could no longer serve their interests, they would simply find someone else.

And Akari was already considering her options.

Vincent immediately understood what she was implying. His expression darkened as he raised a trembling hand and pointed at her.

"After everything I've given you, you're seriously considering pulling out your investment?"

He had paid an enormous price to secure the Sato Family's support. It had taken considerable effort, not to mention several compromises he would never have made under ordinary circumstances.

And now, when Maison Premier was facing its greatest crisis in years, they wanted to abandon him?

It felt like someone had deliberately waited until he was wounded before driving a knife into his back.

"Sato, read the contract carefully before making such a decision. It clearly states that withdrawing from the agreement under these circumstances constitutes a breach. You'll be held responsible for the consequences."

Akari let out a mocking laugh.

"The consequences?"

She looked at Vincent as though the threat amused her.

"Denim-san, have you forgotten what you gave me? What do you think will happen if those things become public knowledge?"

Vincent's body swayed.

For a moment, he nearly lost his balance.

The threat had struck exactly where Akari intended. Vincent knew what he had done to secure the family's investment, and he knew just how much damage those secrets could cause if they ever came to light.

Regret washed over him.

If he hadn't been so desperate for funding, if he hadn't allowed greed to push him into crossing lines he should never have crossed, he wouldn't be in this position.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and forced himself to take a slow breath.

"Akari, aren't you worried about what will happen to you if the government investigates this? You won't walk away unscathed either."

If Vincent fell, Akari Sato would have her own problems to deal with. Surely the woman understood that.

"Denim-san, I've already told you. I'm merely a representative sent by the Sato Family. My death would mean very little to them."

Vincent stared at him.

What kind of answer was that?

He had expected Akari to show at least some concern for her own safety, but the woman's expression remained completely unchanged.

"You lunatics! Get out!"

Vincent slammed his hand against the desk.

If he could turn back time, he would never have agreed to work with the Sato Family. He certainly wouldn't have compromised his principles just to secure their investment.

But regret was useless now. The damage had already been done.

Still, Maison Premier wasn't completely out of options. They retained considerable resources, and their partnership with Sapphire-Vanguard Group remained intact. As long as that relationship continued, there was still a chance to salvage the situation.

At least, that was what Vincent had been telling himself.

The office door suddenly flew open.

"Mr. Denim! Mr. Denim!"

A secretary rushed inside, barely managing to catch her breath. She bent forward, bracing both hands against her knees as she struggled to speak.

"Sapphire-Vanguard Group... they've sent a message!"

Vincent's head snapped toward her.

"What about Mr. Rodgers? Did he manage to reach an agreement with Luca?"

A glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

Earlier, Diane from Sapphire-Vanguard had contacted him with considerable confidence, assuring him that Rodgers had a way to make Luca back down.

For Vincent, that had become his last remaining hope of saving Astral Technology Park.

The secretary swallowed, trying to catch her breath.

"No..."

She shook her head.

"Sapphire-Vanguard says the group needs to make some internal adjustments. Because of that, all cooperation with us is being suspended."

The words seemed to drain the strength from Vincent's body.

His vision darkened. He swayed once, then toppled backward.

"Manager Denim!"

"Quick! Someone, call an ambulance!"

The office erupted into chaos as employees rushed to his side. Within minutes, they were scrambling to get him to the hospital.

...

Meanwhile, Luca had finally managed to escape the swarm of reporters.

He climbed into the car alongside Arabella and the two girls, then leaned back with a long sigh of relief. His clothes were still slightly disheveled from the hurried escape, and he gave his shirt a few tugs, trying to cool himself down.

"Honestly, those reporters should consider switching careers and becoming Formula One drivers."

He shook his head, still feeling a little shaken.

The driver had certainly earned his pay today. Sir Alfred hadn't been exaggerating when he praised the man's driving skills. His ability to navigate through traffic and shake off the pursuing reporters had been nothing short of impressive.

Thank goodness he'd managed to get away.

Otherwise, he might have ended up caught in the same mess as Daniel Fletcher.

And speaking of Daniel...

That bastard had actually tried to use him as a distraction.

During their escape, Daniel had spotted an opportunity and pointed straight at Luca, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Look! That's Luca Hale, the owner of Nexora Technologies!"

Luca's expression twisted at the memory.

If Daniel hadn't done that, he wouldn't have needed to flee in such an embarrassing fashion.

"PhD, my ass! That guy's nothing but a troublemaker!"

Arabella, who was sitting beside him, brushed her damp bangs away from her forehead. She gave him an unimpressed look.

"You're one to talk. If you hadn't pushed Daniel outside the door, he wouldn't have been surrounded by reporters in the first place."

She had watched the entire thing unfold at Nexora. There was no way Luca could talk his way out of it.

"Ahem..."

Luca cleared his throat and quickly looked away.

"Anyway, Arabella, are you feeling hot? Here, let me fan you."

Before she could answer, he lifted the front of her blouse slightly and began fanning her with it.

Arabella stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.

"There's no need. The air conditioning is already on."

"Bro, are you seriously trying to fan Arabella? I almost feel bad for calling you out."

Trish pouted from her seat. She had seen right through him.

And honestly, she couldn't blame her brother for being distracted. Arabella's figure was undeniably attractive, and the faint sheen of perspiration on her skin only made her look more alluring.

A bead of sweat slipped down the side of her neck before disappearing beneath the neckline of her blouse.

Trish caught Luca's lingering gaze and immediately decided to expose him.

Luca rolled his eyes at her.

Trish stuck out her tongue and giggled.

Then, without giving Rachel much of a chance to object, she grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the opposite seat.

"Rachel, come sit over here. Let's give certain people a little more space."

Rachel was no match for Trish's enthusiasm. Before she could protest properly, she found herself dragged across the car and deposited in the seat opposite Luca.

She glanced up at Trish with a deeply aggrieved expression, her lips pushing into a small pout.

'I'm not happy!'

She was hot too!

If Luca wanted to fan someone, he could have offered to fan her as well.

It wasn't as though she would have refused.