The grand doors opened fully, and a hush fell over the banquet hall as the President of the Helix Conglomerate made his entrance.

An elderly man in an impeccably tailored suit sat in a luxurious wheelchair, pushed by a stunning woman in her late twenties.

The woman had long, flowing silver-blonde hair and sharp, intelligent features, clearly his daughter and the rumored heir.

The President himself looked frail but carried an undeniable aura of authority, his eyes still sharp and commanding despite his age.

The crowd parted respectfully as they made their way to the raised stage at the front of the hall. A spotlight followed them, and the live orchestra played a soft, dignified melody in honor of the moment.

The President was helped onto the stage by attendants, where a grand podium stood waiting.

He adjusted the microphone with steady hands, then looked out over the sea of influential guests.

A warm, genuine smile spread across his wrinkled face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, friends and allies," he began, his voice surprisingly strong and resonant, carrying through the hall with the help of the state-of-the-art sound system.

"Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here tonight to celebrate with me."

The crowd erupted into warm applause, the sound echoing off the high ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers.

The President raised a hand humbly, waiting for the applause to settle before continuing.

"Eighty years. It feels like just yesterday I was a young man with nothing but a dream and a small loan from my father to start what would become the Helix Conglomerate. Today, we stand as one of the most influential forces in the world, not just in business, but in technology, healthcare, renewable energy, space exploration, and humanitarian efforts. We have shaped industries. We have changed lives. And none of it would have been possible without every single one of you in this room."

He paused, his eyes sweeping across the crowd with genuine emotion.

"To my partners and allies, the presidents and CEOs who have stood by Helix through every challenge and every triumph, I owe you an unpayable debt. To the politicians and leaders who have worked with us to create better policies and brighter futures, your vision and courage have been instrumental. To the artists, actors, and cultural icons who bring beauty and inspiration to our world, you remind us why we build empires in the first place. And to my family... especially my daughter, who has grown into a woman I am endlessly proud of... thank you for being my greatest legacy."

The applause swelled again, louder this time, as many guests turned to look at the silver-blonde woman standing proudly beside his wheelchair.

The President continued, his voice growing more passionate.

"Tonight is not just about celebrating my eightieth birthday. It is about celebrating the future. Helix Conglomerate has always been more than a company. It has been a force for progress. A beacon of innovation. A pillar of responsibility. And as I look toward the next Chapter, I am proud to announce that the time has come to pass the torch."

A hushed anticipation fell over the room.

"My daughter, Veronica Helix, will officially become the new President and CEO of Helix Conglomerate, effective immediately after tonight’s celebration. She has proven herself time and time again, through her leadership in our renewable energy division, her groundbreaking work in the new AI technology, and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. The future of Helix is in capable, brilliant hands."

The applause was thunderous.

Guests rose to their feet, clapping and cheering as Veronica Helix stepped forward, bowing gracefully to the crowd.

Her father beamed with pride, taking her hand and raising it slightly.

Aestrea and Vespera stood among the standing ovation, watching the scene unfold. Vespera leaned closer to Aestrea, and whispered softly:

"This is bigger than I expected. The heir announcement... it’s going to shake the entire business world tomorrow."

Aestrea nodded silently, his green eyes scanning the stage calmly.

The President continued his speech for several more minutes, reflecting on key milestones, the founding of Helix, their first breakthrough in medical technology, their expansion into space, and their commitment to global philanthropy.

He shared personal anecdotes, humorous stories from his early days, and heartfelt thanks to long-time employees and friends.

By the time he finished, the entire hall was on its feet again, giving a standing ovation that lasted nearly a minute.

The President smiled, visibly moved, and raised his glass.

"To the future. To all of you. And to Helix Conglomerate, may it continue to build a better world for generations to come."

The crowd cheered and raised their glasses in a grand toast.

After the speech ended, many people immediately began moving toward the stage to greet President Helix and congratulate his daughter, Veronica Helix.

The crowd surged forward in a polite but eager wave, presidents of other conglomerates, billionaires, politicians, and celebrities all lining up to shake hands and offer their well-wishes.

Veronica stood gracefully beside her father’s wheelchair, smiling and accepting congratulations charmingly.

Aestrea watched the scene unfold from their spot near one of the catering corners.

He took the opportunity to grab a few small appetizers from a passing waiter’s tray, delicate canapés with caviar, truffle-infused bites, and perfectly seared scallops.

He was a little hungry after the long day, and the food was excellent.

Vespera, however, didn’t move an inch. She remained standing beside him, sipping a glass of sparkling water, her posture relaxed and confident.

Aestrea raised an eyebrow, glancing at her.

"Aren’t you going to greet him?" he asked.

Vespera simply shook her head, a small, self-assured smile on her lips.

"He will come to me," she said confidently.

Aestrea didn’t push the matter.

He continued eating quietly, staying antisocial and detached from the networking frenzy around them.

He had no particular interest in meeting new presidents or forging connections for his acting career in this illusory world.

His focus was elsewhere, on figuring out the Tower’s true purpose and finding a way to progress.

He took another bite of a delicate pastry, chewing slowly as he observed the crowd.

Finally, after several minutes of greetings and handshakes, the old man was pushed through the crowd by his daughter, Veronica.

The pair made their way directly toward Vespera, the crowd parting respectfully for them.

He looked at Vespera with genuine warmth and respect, his frail but dignified face breaking into a smile.

"Miss Lang, it is an absolute honor to have you here tonight," he said politely.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to attend my humble celebration. Your presence truly elevates this occasion."

Vespera smiled gracefully, nodding in acknowledgment.

"The honor is mine, President Helix. Your achievements over the decades have been nothing short of legendary. Helix Conglomerate’s contributions to the world are immeasurable."

They exchanged pleasantries for a few moments.

Vespera’s net worth was equal to his, perhaps even higher, and so, the old man treated her with the utmost deference.

Then, President Helix’s sharp eyes turned toward Aestrea, who was quietly sipping his wine while observing the room.

"...Then, this man must be the famous Aestrea Voss, right?"

At the mention of his name, Aestrea instantly turned toward the old man.

He set his wine glass down smoothly and approached with perfect composure, extending his hand with a warm, gentlemanly smile.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, President Helix," Aestrea stated respectfully.

His demeanour was simply flawless, the picture of a refined, successful superstar who had navigated these high-society situations thousands of times.

His posture was confident yet humble, his green eyes sincere as he shook the old man’s hand with just the right amount of firmness.

The President’s eyes shone for a moment, clearly impressed. He glanced briefly at his daughter Veronica, who was standing beside him with a faint blush.

He exchanged a few polite words about the event and the Helix Conglomerate’s achievements, making the old man laugh softly with a well-timed compliment.

The President, clearly delighted, suddenly asked with a hopeful glint in his eyes:

"If I’m not wrong, Sir Aestrea, you must be single? How about considering my little daughter?"

"D-Dad!" Veronica instantly called out lightly, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Although she was deeply interested in Aestrea, being called out so blatantly still made her cheeks burn.

But before Aestrea could say anything, Vespera, who had been smiling as they interacted, had her smile turn a little cold.

"Excuse me, President Helix..."

Hearing her voice, Aestrea already knew what she was going to say.

"...but Aestrea’s career is currently at its peak, so we advised our big star to try not to get into a relationship during these moments."

Hearing those words, the old man sighed deeply.

"I almost forgot how troubling the entertainment industry is..." he furrowed his eyebrows, as he looked over to Aestrea.

"Then... here’s my business card, Sir Aestrea. If by any chance, you get interested in my daughter, make sure to contact me! I’ll even make a direct engagement if needed!"

Veronica, on the side, hearing this, face-palmed herself, giving Aestrea an apologetic look before dragging her father away.

At the same time...

Rustle...

A delicate hand suddenly touched his shoulder.

"Darling... you didn’t consider his proposal, did you?"

And a quite possessive voice came from behind him.