The room erupted into polite applause as Lucy stood and prepared to take the stage.

She wore a white blazer over a high-collared shirt, paired with a black skirt.

Her goggles were still rested atop her blonde hair, which had been styled into a neat bun.

While she walked toward the podium, whispers moved through the crowd.

"She’s so young."

"How old is she?"

"Eighteen, I heard."

"Eighteen? And she’s the Lead Engineer?"

The murmurs were a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

Lucy Hargreeves was indeed young, far younger than anyone expected for such a role.

But for some in the crowd, particularly the journalists seated in the press section, this was fascinating.

One reporter, a woman with a pen already moving across her notepad, scribbled down a draft headline: Lucy Hargreeves: Following in the Footsteps of her Father, the Phenomenon Isaac Hargreeves?

Lucy reached the podium and offered a small, gracious nod to Valerie, who stepped aside with a smile.

"Thank you, Valerie," Lucy said. She turned to face the audience. "Hello, everyone."

Then paused for a moment, letting the room settle.

"Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge my boss and my friend, Ethan Stark, for giving me the opportunity to stand here tonight and deliver this presentation."

From his seat, Ethan gave a subtle nod.

Lucy took a breath and continued.

"Thank you all for being here tonight. What you are about to see represents not just a technological achievement, but a shift in how we think about travel, commerce, and the future of this world."

She paused again, then continued.

"For years, airships have dominated the skies. But tonight, we introduce something that will redefine what it means to fly."

She gestured toward the massive white dress covering the aircraft.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Vanguard."

At her signal, the workers positioned near the massive white sheet grabbed hold of the fabric and pulled.

It fell away in one smooth motion, revealing the aircraft in all its glory.

Gasps echoed through the room as people stared at The Vanguard gleaming under the lights.

And seated in the cockpit were Eduardo and Hayley, both wearing pilot goggles and headphones.

The tinted mode had been deactivated so that people could see them. Eduardo gave a calm wave, but Hayley, on the other hand, waved enthusiastically, her grin visible even from a distance.

She had bothered Ethan so much for her to take part in this with Eduardo.

Lucy chuckled into the microphone. "Oh, I can see the pilots are already in there."

There was little laughter from the crowd, and cameras began flashing. The journalists scribbled as fast as they could, and several of the CEOs in the front row leaned forward, with intense expressions of interest.

Lucy let the moment settle before continuing.

"The Vanguard is a four-engine aircraft capable of carrying up to two hundred passengers in a single flight."

As she spoke, the screens on the sides of the stage revealed what looked slide shows. The technical breakdown appeared, displaying rotating 3D models of the aircraft alongside labeled diagrams.

Lucy gestured toward the screens as she continued speaking, "The Vanguard is not just an airship with a different shape. It is an entirely new category of aircraft."

She paused, her expression growing more serious.

"It is called an Airplane, and this is the future of Stark Industries."

The room fell silent as the gravity of her words settled over them.

The rest of what Lucy said blurred into the background for Ophelia Tudor, who had been listening intently up until this point.

Her expression, which had been one of excitement and curiosity, became puzzled. It was then at this point that she spoke into her thoughts.

"Sebastian, do you remember the exact words of my agreement with Mr. Stark?"

Her summon, a man dressed in an immaculate suit, still seating in her car outside, replied back through their bond connection.

"Yes"

And because he knew what the next question would be, he quickly replied, "The deal you both signed was on airships, not aircraft."

Ophelia’s eyes widened. It was now she understood why Ethan had been so specific with the wording of their contract. The agreement granted her a percentage of profits from airship sales, not aircraft sales.

A smile spread across her face. "Oh, you sly fox."

Isabella noticed the shift in her aunt’s expression. "What is it, Aunty?"

Ophelia chuckled, shaking her head with amusement. "Your boyfriend’s a cunning one."

Isabella looked confused and leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper as she pressed for more details.

Ophelia waved her off with a grin, and the two continued their quiet conversation.

Back on stage, Lucy’s voice rose again, drawing the room’s attention.

"In addition to the Vanguard, Stark Industries will also be developing private jet models for personal and family use."

The display on the screens changed once more, displaying a sleek, smaller aircraft. The design was elegant and refined, with smooth curves and a more compact frame.

The image showed a luxurious interior with leather seating, polished wood accents, and cutting-edge control panels.

"This model," Lucy continued, "is designed for private use. Whether you’re a family looking for convenient long-distance travel, or an individual who values privacy, this jet will offer unparalleled performance and comfort."

Several of the family heads in the audience nodded thoughtfully, their interest clearly piqued.

Lucy paused, then smiled. "Now, I know many of you are wondering about pricing."

A few chuckles echoed through the room.

"At this time, we have not finalized the pricing for any of the models. We are still developing additional variants for both commercial and private use."

"However, I have been directed by the boss," she said with a laugh, "to let you all know that this event is also an indication of interest. If you are interested in purchasing a Vanguard or a private jet, you are welcome to reach out to Mr. Stark privately."

She continued speaking for a few more moments, offering additional details about production timelines and customization options. Then, with a final smile, she stepped back from the podium.

"Thank you all for your time."

The room erupted into applause. Lucy bowed with a smile, then once again as she stepped away from the podium.

Valerie returned to the stage, clapping along with the crowd. "Thank you, Lucy, for that incredible presentation."

She turned to address the audience. "I hope you’ve all enjoyed your time here tonight, as well as the refreshments. Now, we’d like to ask you all to kindly move outside the workshop to the designated viewing area. We’re going to showcase the Vanguard in action."

Murmurs of excitement filled the room as people began to stand. Nina, Arael, and Finn moved through the crowd, gently directing the procession toward the exits.

At that same moment, Albedo emerged from the restroom, adjusting her skirt downward with a satisfied smirk.

A little smudge of white was visible on the side of her jaw near her lips. She noticed it, wiped it away with a finger, then flicked it off to the side before walking away with a devious grin, her tail swaying from side to side.

Inside the restroom, the two men she had left behind were hurriedly tucking their shirts back into their trousers, with their faces flushed and dazed.

The moment the last guest exited, a team of workers rushed in and began dismantling the seating arrangements, pulling away chairs and clearing the floor in a matter of minutes.

Inside the cockpit of the Vanguard, Hayley looked absolutely giddy.

Eduardo pressed a series of buttons on the overhead panel, then glanced at her. "Are you ready?"

Hayley nodded enthusiastically. "Let’s do it."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

—-

A/N: I owe 12 bonus Chapters in total. And i just dropped 2

10 more to go😭

Attached to the paragraphs are pictures and if you cant see them, check discord!