September 11th, 2024.
The soft light of dawn crept through the sheer curtains of the suite at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski, gently nudging Michael Reyes awake. For a moment, he lay still, nestled among the plush pillows and the luxurious comforter, letting the tranquility of the morning wash over him. The room was silent, save for the distant hum of Berlin waking up to a new day.
He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was just past 7 AM. Bridget von Reimann, his business partner and the force behind JAB Holding Company's support for SolaraTech, was probably already up, preparing for the day. They had discussed their strategy late into the night, fine-tuning their presentation and ensuring their proposals aligned perfectly with Germany's ambitious renewable energy goals.