CHAPTER 276: THE FIRST DAY OF FOREVER [ 2 ]

"And Charlotte?" Arthur asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

"She masks her uncertainty well," Evolon replied, a hint of intrigue in its voice. "But the thought of stepping outside the family’s direct sphere unsettles her.

The Panterra World Council wields immense influence, and she knows she’ll be surrounded by rivals who will underestimate her. She’ll have to decide: dismantle them from within or align with them for her own gain."

Arthur paused at a tall window, gazing out over the sprawling cityscape that glittered like a sea of stars. "She will dismantle them. She doesn’t know it yet, but that’s what I’ve chosen for her."

Evolon studied him intently before responding. "You’ve placed each of them in roles that could either elevate the Osborn name... or fracture it."

A faint smile tugged at Arthur’s lips. "Control isn’t about eliminating risk; it’s about owning it."

As they resumed walking, the soft thud of Arthur’s shoes echoed through the corridor until Evolon broke the silence again, curiosity sparking in its voice.

"Do you want me to tell you their probability of success right now?"

Arthur shook his head slightly. "No need for that. I already know you’ve run the numbers,keep them to yourself. Probabilities often distract humans from exploring possibilities."

"You’ve never feared possibility," Evolon noted.

"Fear?" Arthur let the word hang in the air like a weighty question mark. "No, but I respect it. Fear shapes people; I shape fear."

They turned down a dimly lit corridor adorned with oil paintings of Osborn ancestors whose eyes seemed to follow their every move,a haunting reminder of legacy.

Evolon broke the silence once more: "Shall we discuss the others?"

Arthur’s expression sharpened almost imperceptibly. "Which others?"

"Margaret is quietly maneuvering within the cultural sector," Evolon said thoughtfully. "Her gallery expansions are doubling as intelligence hubs.

Julian is ahead of schedule on acquiring the Varenya docks with his industrial strategies, while Ashley has adapted faster than expected in her environment,though her emotions still cloud her decision-making during critical moments."

Arthur briefly glanced at Evolon before asking, "And Edward?"

"Still pursuing that journalist," Evolon replied with a dry note of amusement creeping into its voice. "It’s slowing his operational efficiency but increasing his capacity for restraint."

"That was intentional," Arthur acknowledged with a knowing nod. "Restraint can be more dangerous than recklessness if you know when to release it."

They reached a smaller corridor leading to a secluded study where Arthur pushed open the door and stepped inside without breaking stride.

The room radiated warmth, lined with dark oak shelves heavy with books and documents, while a single lamp cast a golden glow over an immaculate desk.

Arthur approached the desk, pausing just short of taking a seat.

He rested one hand on its edge, his gaze locked onto Evolon.

"You’ve been calculating their growth curves," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Constantly," Evolon replied with unwavering confidence. "But some curves... well, they defy pure mathematics. Billy’s leadership potential hinges on his emotional stability. Charlotte’s adaptability is tied to her willingness to challenge authority. And Eva’s legal empire? It will depend on how far she’s willing to stretch her own moral compass."

Arthur leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "And all three of them... will face challenges they can’t even begin to fathom."

"Your design?" Evolon queried, intrigued.

Arthur nodded slowly, the weight of his thoughts palpable. "Every step they take is within the parameters I’ve set. But they must believe they’re charting their own course."

Evolon’s eyes sparkled with understanding. "You’re constructing more than just a dynasty; you’re crafting inevitability."

The words hung in the air like an unspoken promise, punctuated by the soft hum of the lamp that illuminated their conversation.

Outside, the shinning afternoon sun enveloped the Dominion Sanctum like a casting long fingers of golden hues across the estate.

"Evolon," Arthur finally broke the silence, "there’s something about people like Billy, Charlotte, and Eva... They have an uncanny ability to surprise you. Just when you think you’ve mapped out their every move, they’ll choose an unexpected path,one that’s neither optimal nor anticipated. And when that moment arrives... you either crush it or weave it into your plan."

Evolon pondered this for a moment before asking, "And what if their choices threaten the dynasty?"

Arthur’s voice remained steady but carried an undercurrent of steel. "Then they’ll learn why my kindness is a privilege,not a right."

For a brief moment, silence enveloped them again; it was thick with tension and anticipation as Evolon’s projection flickered slightly as if wrestling with deeper implications.

"Shall I prepare monitoring protocols for all three?" Evolon suggested.

Arthur straightened up and moved toward the window where city lights danced below him.

"No need for that,they’re already under observation. Focus instead on the ripples they create,watch whom they choose to trust; those connections will reveal more than any decision could."

Evolon nodded once in acknowledgment. "Understood."

Arthur lingered there for what felt like an eternity, his reflection blending seamlessly with the vibrant cityscape beyond the glass pane.

"This is only our first movement," he murmured thoughtfully. "When we reach the second act, they won’t even realize they’ve already been positioned."

Evolon’s tone was almost casual as he asked, "Like chess?"

A faint smile crept across Arthur’s lips,a glimmer of excitement mixed with foreboding. "More like war."

The room fell into an almost palpable silence, but it was far from empty.

---

Arthur’s gaze lingered on the sprawling estate, a tapestry of light and shadow, before he broke the silence with a voice that was both low and deliberate.

"How are Gunner and Ethan progressing?"

Evolon’s projection shimmered to life in response, its form flickering like a beacon in the dim lamplight.

"Both are currently stationed in the Noctis Continent," it began, "but they’re operating in entirely different arenas."

Arthur turned away from the window and approached his desk, his fingers grazing its polished surface as if to ground himself in reality.

"Let’s start with Gunner," he said.

"Commander of Aegis-7," Evolon confirmed. "He’s positioned in the southern corridor, three countries away from Varenya.

His mission? To transform a failing private security contract into a robust protection architecture for one of our industrial partners. He’s taking what was once a liability and turning it into an invaluable asset.

Local officials believe they’re dealing with an impartial contractor; however, they’re already under Osborn military doctrine."

A flicker of concern crossed Arthur’s face. "Has he faced any resistance?"

"A militia cell attempted to breach the outer perimeter two nights ago," Evolon replied smoothly.

"They never made it past the first fence line. Gunner let them get close enough for their sponsors to think they had a chance... then dismantled them with surgical precision,zero civilian casualties. The local governor is now contemplating a permanent Aegis-7 presence."