Chapter 299: There’s No Place Left for Steven in This Family!

[Ding! Correct Answer!]

[Congratulations to Steven for receiving the reward—Future Ruri will arrive in the real world! Duration of stay: Seven days!]

[Note: The worldline Ruri comes from has already merged with this world’s timeline. This arrival is considered a "visit from the future," and Ruri herself is already aware of the situation. Please treat her normally.]

[VIP Chat Group]

[Bianca]: Σ(⊙ω⊙|||)!!! Ruri!!! Ruri is coming to the real world too?!!

[Raihan]: Hahahahahaha! Heaven has eyes! Steven’s retribution has finally arrived!

[Phoebe]: Wait, wait! How can you call this retribution? Steven just hit the jackpot!

[Glacia]: Are you sure Steven himself thinks he hit the jackpot?

[Skyla]:@Steven, quick interview! How are you feeling right now?

[Steven]: ...

[Steven]: Um... light screen, can I exchange this for a different reward? Maybe a life-size Diancie model, or an exceptionally high-quality Mega Stone. Anything works.

[Mr. Stone]: What did you just say? Say that again.

[Steven]: Dad, that’s not what I— Please don’t get angry yet. I didn’t mean it like that.

[Mr. Stone]: Why would I be angry? Devon Corporation’s true heir is finally coming. I’m overjoyed.

[Steven]: Dad, you’re saying that in front of everyone. Don’t I get to keep some dignity?

[Mr. Stone]: I don’t care about your dignity. I only want Ruri.

[Steven]: ...

[Flint]: Hahahaha! Every sentence from Mr. Stone is a critical hit! Steven’s HP bar is already empty!

[Volkner]: Steven’s expression must be incredible right now. Shame the giant screen doesn’t show individual reaction cameras.

The scene shifted to the real world—

The first-floor lobby of Devon Corporation headquarters.

A pillar of white light suddenly appeared on the ceiling directly above Steven.

The beam pierced through the vast lobby atrium and landed with perfect precision three meters in front of him.

As the light faded a young woman appeared in the center of the lobby.

She wore a fitted light-gray business suit, while her long dark-blue hair was tied into a neat, practical high ponytail. A pair of black ankle boots completed the outfit, making her look sharp and exceptionally capable.

It was Ruri.

She opened her eyes and swept her gaze across the dumbfounded employees around the lobby.

Finally—

Her eyes settled on Steven.

Steven cleared his throat and was just about to speak when Ruri moved first.

She walked over to him, rose onto her toes, and expertly straightened his crooked tie.

"Dad, your tie’s crooked."

She sighed.

"Honestly, you don’t look much different when you’re young compared with how you look in the future."

Steven swept a hand through his hair.

"Doesn’t that just prove your dad takes excellent care of himself?"

The surrounding employees finally snapped out of their daze.

A perfectly synchronized chorus of sharp inhales filled the lobby, mixed with the barely suppressed squeal of one female employee.

"Miss Ruri! It’s really Miss Ruri from the video!"

Ruri turned toward them and gave everyone a smile.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

"Could someone please inform Grandpa that Ruri has arrived?"

"N-No need to inform me!"

An elderly man with graying hair but an energetic stride emerged from the elevator.

It was Mr. Stone.

He was dressed exceptionally formally, even wearing a family crest on his chest that he hadn’t put on in years.

"Grandpa!"

Ruri’s eyes immediately lit up, and she hurried toward him.

Mr. Stone opened his arms and pulled his granddaughter into a hug.

"Good, good!"

"You’re even prettier than you looked in the video!"

Steven stood nearby, watching grandfather and granddaughter embrace.

For some reason—

He suddenly felt like a random passerby who had accidentally wandered onto the wrong film set.

"Um, Dad, I—"

Steven stood three meters away and attempted to join the conversation.

"Move aside."

Mr. Stone didn’t even look back.

"You’re blocking me from talking to my granddaughter."

Steven tried desperately to salvage a little dignity.

"Come on, Dad. Isn’t that a little much? I want to talk to Ruri too."

Only then did Mr. Stone raise his head and glance at Steven.

"What?"

"Are you trying to compete with me?"

"...I wouldn’t dare."

"Oh, right. One more thing."

Mr. Stone casually added—

"Now that Ruri is here, she’ll have full responsibility for the general manager’s duties at Devon Corporation for these seven days."

Steven froze again.

"Wait, Dad."

"Then what about me?"

"You’re suspended."

Mr. Stone affectionately rubbed Ruri’s head.

"There’s no place left for you in this company."

"Go wherever you want."

"Just don’t show your face around here for the next seven days."

Ruri raised her head as well and smiled at Steven.

"Dad, don’t worry. Go have fun."

"Leave the company to me."

"All right, all right, forget about him."

Mr. Stone began leading Ruri toward the private elevator.

"Come on. Grandpa will show you some of the company’s recent business operations."

The instant the elevator doors closed—

Steven immediately lowered his head.

His assistant hurried over clutching a folder, his face filled with solemn sympathy.

"General Manager... Um, please don’t be too upset. Mr. Stone said this is only temporary. Once Miss Ruri returns to the future, the company will still need you—"

Halfway through his sentence—

The assistant noticed Steven yanking off his tie.

Steven crumpled it into a ball and shoved it into his arms.

"Upset?"

Steven blinked.

"Miles, you’ve worked for me this long. How do you still not understand me?"

"Right now, I feel so damn good my scalp is tingling!"

"Huh?"

Before Miles could process that statement, Steven had already taken two steps backward and pulled Metagross’s Poké Ball from his waist.

He threw it into the air.

A flash of red light—

And Metagross appeared.

Steven leaped onto its head in one smooth motion and waved toward all the employees in the lobby.

"Everyone!"

"The future of Devon Corporation is in your hands!"

"I’m going rock hunting!"

"Don’t contact me if nothing happens!"

"And if something does happen, definitely don’t contact me!"

The moment he finished speaking—

Metagross transformed into a silver streak and shot straight through the lobby’s front entrance.

[VIP Chat Group]

[Wallace]: ...I knew it.

[Flint]: That entire sequence was unbelievably smooth. Not even a trace of hesitation. I’m starting to suspect Steven planned his escape route in advance.

[Raihan]: Amazing. So that hesitant expression Steven had earlier was all an act?!

[Asher]: What hesitation? He was too excited to speak.

[Volkner]: The fact that Devon Corporation has survived this long without collapsing proves Mr. Stone is genuinely incredible.

[Lt. Surge]: So in the end, Steven is actually the most relaxed person in the whole family. He dumps the company on his father for the first half of his life, then dumps it on his daughter for the second half. The man refuses to shoulder even a gram of pressure.

[Skyla]: Steven comes back seven days later and discovers Devon Corporation has already been renamed "Ruri Group."

[Diantha]: It wouldn’t take that long.

[Phoebe]: That would probably make him even happier. Then nobody would ever ask him to work again.

[Steven]: Hey, hey, hey! I’m still in this group, you know!

[Wallace]: What difference does that make? You’re already on your way to dig up rocks, aren’t you?

[Steven]: Just admit you’re using cheats.

[Wallace]: ...

[Raihan]: Steven is absolutely unbelievable.

...

TL: LET’S GOOO