Chapter 125

The Grand Marquis Hotel buzzed with energy as it hosted the prestigious Global Tech Summit.

Reporters and media crews had camped outside since dawn, cameras poised for the arrival of two key figures. The first—Nathaniel Blackwood, the recently divorced heir of the Blackwood dynasty and CEO of Blackwood Group. The second—the elusive genius behind QuantumTech’s revolutionary microchips, the enigmatic Mr. Y.

Mr. Y’s anonymity wasn’t his only intrigue. His exclusive partnership with Nathaniel had shaped the tech industry. QuantumTech’s cutting-edge chips were supplied solely to Blackwood Group, granting them a staggering 75% market dominance. Rumors swirled that Nathaniel’s secret meetings in luxury hotels were with none other than Mr. Y himself.

The summit’s grand hall glittered with innovation. Every major player in tech had staked their claim, showcasing next-gen advancements. Among them stood Lockhart Enterprises—a rising star, but still an outsider.

Their booth was small, tucked away in a quiet corner. No R&D department meant no groundbreaking prototypes to flaunt. But Vivian Lockhart wasn’t here for validation. Hidden behind a sleek black mask, she moved through the crowd, absorbing every detail.

The real spectacle belonged to Blackwood Group and QuantumTech. Their exhibits sprawled across entire floors, drawing swarms of eager attendees. Vivian fought through the throng to reach QuantumTech’s display.

A hostess in a futuristic silver suit presented their latest marvel. "Ladies and gentlemen, behold the Quantum-6 chip—engineered solely by Mr. Y. Utilizing quantum computing and advanced semiconductors, it achieves 99.7% operational efficiency. Currently, it remains exclusive to Blackwood Group."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"QuantumTech is untouchable. No one else comes close."

"Of course. They’re practically married to Blackwood Group."

"It’s not just business. There’s more to it—"

The whispers dipped lower, laced with knowing smirks.

Vivian snapped photos of the Quantum-6, her mind racing. If Lockhart Enterprises secured this tech, surpassing Kingsley Holdings’ seven-billion-dollar demand would be effortless. Market domination would follow.

Her attention sharpened at the hushed gossip.

"I heard Nathaniel and Mr. Y are already here. Bet they’re—"

Vivian didn’t hesitate. She stepped closer, voice low but firm. "Bet they’re what?"