Chapter 14. Do You Dare?

Stardust Cybernetics is not a huge company, but it is not small either. The company has been established since the 1990s; it was built from scratch by Steven Wilson.

During the dotcom boom of the late 1990s, Stardust Cybernetics quickly established itself as a leader in enterprise software development and internet infrastructure technologies. The dotcom boom was a period of rapid growth and expansion of internet-based companies, particularly those involved in e-commerce.

Initially, the company focused on building robust and scalable web server platforms, content management systems, and e-commerce software solutions for major corporations and startups alike. Their innovative approach to software architecture and emphasis on security and performance gave them a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As the internet grew exponentially through the late 1990s, Stardust Cybernetics expanded its portfolio to include cutting-edge technologies like distributed computing, data analytics, and enterprise networking. They became known for their ability to tackle complex, large-scale IT challenges with elegant, forward-thinking solutions.

By the early 2000s, Stardust Cybernetics had secured partnerships with some of the Fortune 500 companies and was becoming one of the most famous IT companies in Silicon Valley. Their reputation for technical excellence, client-centric approach, and continuous innovation allowed them to weather the dot-com bust and emerge as an even stronger player in the enterprise technology market.

"Actually, quite a proper company," Medusa said, looking at the building from the outside.

The Stardust Cybernetics building stands tall with its architectural statement in the heart of Silicon Valley. The 5-story building is designed with a blend of modern minimalism and sustainable, eco-friendly elements.

Clean lines and expansive glass facades dominate the exterior, allowing natural light to flood the interior spaces. Sleek panels of brushed stainless steel and concrete accent the glass, creating a sophisticated, high-tech aesthetic. Solar panels cover much of the rooftop, generating renewable energy to power the building.

"Solar panels, that's quite genius," Timothy said as he drove the car with Bernard sitting next to him.

"The building is actually on mortgage, and the current owner doesn't have the capacity to run the business," Bernard said.

"They took it by force and are now messing with this company? The audacity," Medusa said, walking out of the custom-made Rolls Royce Phantom.

In front and behind the Rolls Royce, a dark gray Dodge Durango was following them, with people in black circling the vehicles. Medusa walked into the building, where she was greeted by a grand, two-story lobby with a towering atrium. The lobby was filled with natural light streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and contemporary furniture and art installations gave the space an inviting yet professional vibe.

The CEO, Andrew Miller, greeted them with politeness, and next to him was his girlfriend, Brooklyn Wilson, the owner of the company. Medusa simply smiled at them, not returning the handshake, and stared at them with a condescending look.

Medusa isn't the type who always looks down on humans, but she can be very condescending if she finds them unworthy of her attention. Bernard and Timothy greeted them on her behalf, but they also did not show the humbleness to Andrew and Brooklyn.

"Let's make it quick," Medusa said to Bernard and Timothy.

-

Brooklyn and Andrew were under the impression that Zenith Softworks, a company dealing with the popular MMORPG titles Novalight Realms and Lunar Legends for Android and iOS, as well as the acclaimed PS5 RPG Aetheria: The Eternal Realms, was interested in investing in Stardust Cybernetics.

However, it turned out that Stardust Cybernetics had been struggling financially for a few years. The CEO had been forced to sell off some of the company's assets just to keep the business afloat and operating as usual.

To make matters worse, several of Stardust Cybernetics' key partners and clients had cut their contracts short and refused to work with the company again. This was largely due to the fact that the CEO, Andrew, had fired a crucial employee who refused to continue working unless Aleysia, the daughter of the former owner, the one who's Andrew and Brooklyn bullied, remained on the team.

Desperate to maintain operations, Andrew had brought in some of his own friends to fill the gaps, but they proved to be woefully unqualified for the technical work required. As a result, Andrew had handed off major projects to his inexperienced subordinates, further damaging Stardust Cybernetics' reputation for quality and reliability.

Brooklyn Wilson made a point of maintaining her late husband's last name, Wilson, to demonstrate that Steven Wilson alone was the sole owner of Stardust Cybernetics. This gave her a stronger claim over the company and the ability to do as she pleased with it.

As part of her power play, Brooklyn had installed her boyfriend of eight years, Andrew Miller, as the new CEO of Stardust Cybernetics. This allowed her to maintain control over the company's direction while giving Andrew the outward appearance of authority.

Initially, Brooklyn had felt somewhat doubtful about Zenith Softworks, the company interested in investing in Stardust. She had read that the owner was a young man, still in his thirties, and she questioned whether he would have the financial resources to truly help Stardust weather its current troubles.

However, the reports from the spies Brooklyn had stationed around Zenith Softworks quickly changed her perspective. When the owner of Zenith arrived in San Francisco, he did so in a private Boeing jet—not a small, private plane, but a Boeing. One of the most expensive and luxurious private planes. And upon his arrival, he stepped out of a custom Rolls Royce Phantom, further showcasing his wealth and resources.

This display of affluence made Brooklyn reconsider her initial doubts. Andrew had been right—the nature of the gaming industry, especially with hit MMORPG titles like Novalight Realms and Lunar Legends, could generate the kind of wealth required to afford such lavish transportation.

Brooklyn realized that underestimating the Zenith Softworks owner would have been a mistake. If he had the means to travel in such extravagant fashion, he likely had the financial backing to potentially turn Stardust Cybernetics around. This realization made Brooklyn more open to the idea of partnering with Zenith, as long as she could maintain control over her late husband's company.

-

"This is impossible!" Brooklyn screamed from inside the meeting room, glaring at Timothy.

Four years ago, Medusa had given Timothy the freedom to have his own company, with the promise that he would also manage all the other companies, like a proper head of the family, in the next ten years, after Bernard officially gave him the title.

As an avid fan of gaming, Timothy knew exactly what he wanted, and he chose to develop a gaming company. This company had grown exponentially over the years due to the massive number of players worldwide.

And today, he was coming to Stardust Cybernetics, not to deal with it but to carry out an assignment from Medusa. Medusa had asked him to take back Stardust Cybernetics from the hands of irresponsible people.

Timothy's first step was to work with Bernard and find out about the original will of Steven Wilson. They obtained the original will from the lawyers, who were unaware of the situation regarding the Wilson family. Timothy thought everything was fine because he didn't hear any protests or complaints from the parties involved, especially from the abandoned wife, Brooklyn Wilson, as Steven had only given her $200,000 and nothing else.

The original will stated that Aleysia Wilson would receive her father's entire estate of $27,500,000, the house he lived in, and 30% of the shares of Stardust Cybernetics Company, along with the annual profits from her shares.

However, Aleysia Wilson had received nothing. Brooklyn Wilson had forged a will from her late husband, stating that all his assets, houses, and even his company were given to his second wife, Brooklyn Wilson or Brooklyn Young.

Zoey Robinson, who in the original will of the late Steven Wilson was mentioned as receiving the remaining 30% of Steven's shares and becoming the sole owner of Stardust Cybernetics, as Steven's working partner since they founded the company, had received nothing and was forced to leave Stardust because Brooklyn had messed everything up.

"What's impossible?" Medusa opened her mouth, her divine voice ringing and making everyone in the room suddenly go quiet.

Bernard had managed to find the lawyer and the original will, alongside Zoey Robinson. To have both of these parties sitting with them inside the meeting room was a significant development.

"It has been seven years! Nobody can't claim anything!" Brooklyn screamed. "You can only contest a will within 120 days of the start. You can't do shit!"

"Oh, don't be such a loser, human," Medusa chuckled. She took off her sunglasses and stared at Brooklyn. "Look, you can keep the house, and I'm not going to battle for the money. $27,500,000 is a small chunk for me."

"Then-"

"I'm not finished talking, human!" Medusa's roar filled the room and made all the people inside the meeting room freeze solid. "If you want to fight with us, so be it. I'll do everything in my power to take this company from your hands and put you in jail for a forgery case. But I'm willing to let it all go for the company."

She then stood up from her chair, and Bernard and Timothy turned their heads down, staring at their feet. "Zoey Robinson is the sole owner of Stardust Company, with Aleysia Wilson owning 30% of the shares. Zoey will send the profits each year to Aleysia, is that correct?"

"Yes!" Zoey replied as quickly as she could.

"No! This company is mine!" Brooklyn continued to argue.

Medusa walked closer to Brooklyn, holding her chin harshly. "You dare to challenge me? Ariadne Evangelou?"

The room fell silent as Medusa's words hung in the air, the weight of her presence and authority palpable. All eyes were on Brooklyn, waiting to see how she would respond to this powerful figure who had just made her claim.