Chapter 22: Partnership between companies?

Mateus took a deep breath, adjusting himself in the luxurious chair of his office, with a panoramic view of the city in the background. The sky was tinged with an orange hue as the afternoon fell, creating a contrast with the cold glow of the holographic screen that floated in front of him. Each number, each line of his status was a direct reading of what he had neglected in the last few weeks, reminding him of his own potential and the distance that separated him from what could be.

[Status]

Owner: Mateus Oliveira

Age: 26

Health: 9

Intelligence: 8

Strength: 9

Agility: 9

Charm: 10

(The average for an adult is 5; the maximum human is 10)

"Tsk... it's been a few weeks since I've evolved at all," he muttered, feeling the frustration growing. It was true. NeuroSys' commitments and the series of social events, high-profile parties, inaugurations, and business meetings had distracted him from his purpose. The gym and training had fallen into the background, and he knew he was falling short of his own discipline.

The precise voice of Aether, his holographic assistant, sounded in the silence of the office: "Mr. Mateus, your lack of consistency in your schedule, divided between the company and social events without defined objectives, has harmed your performance in training and slowed down your physical and mental progress."

Mateus rolled his eyes, although he knew Aether was right. "I just wanted a break… to get out of the routine and see if someone, some woman, could take me out of this monotony," he admitted with a sigh.

Aether, impassive, remained observant. "I must point out that, while you seek this distraction, your main objectives suffer direct impacts."

Mateus gave the holographic assistant a cynical smile. "Aether, not every goal needs to be linear. Sometimes, you have to get a little lost to find what really matters, don't you think?" The assistant was silent, but Matthew knew that Aether was processing his words. However, the pure logic of the system would not allow him to respond. After a moment, Matthew broke the silence with a new request.

"Show me information about... Elise. That woman from the last event," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as if recalling memories of that night. "She was the only one who brought a little light into my darkness."

[Processing Status...]

Name: Elise Montavon

Age: 24

Health: 9

Intelligence: 9

Strength: 6

Agility: 5

Charm: 9

"Hm... your stats are... acceptable," he murmured, analyzing her attributes. Elise was no ordinary heiress: determined, charismatic, and brilliant, she carried a sharp intelligence that piqued his interest.

"Aether, I want information on the Montavon family and their companies," Matthew instructed, as he looked at her. to the screens.

"Yes, Mr. Matthew," Aether replied promptly.

Numerous holographic screens began to open, filling the office with details about the Montavon empire. It was a reading that took hours, and as he swiped his fingers across the screens, Matthew absorbed every fragment about the luxury, fashion, and innovation businesses. But something caught his eye: a series of documents showed that Montavon was in contact with technology companies to expand its business.

Tapping his fingers on the table, Matthew asked, "Aether, if we cooperate with them, what would be the impact on our earnings?"

Aether processed the data for a moment, analyzing graphs and projection reports. "Approximately 15% increase in the first two months, with a forecast of 40% growth in the next two years, depending on initial performance and market demand," Aether replied, in his analytical tone.

Mateus pondered, feeling a subtle excitement rising. "Interesting… Elise Montavon, let's see if you're as intriguing in business as you seem to be in person," he murmured, already formulating his next move.

The partnership with Montavon could not only be a lucrative move, but also the opportunity he had been waiting for to explore whether Elise was as fascinating as he imagined.

---

Mateus adjusted his watch on his wrist, watching the NeuroSys office fill with executives and project team members. The meeting with Elise Montavon promised to be crucial, and he knew that every detail would be evaluated. Sitting at the head of the large glass table, Mateus waited while the project manager, Ricardo Menezes, organized the documents and projections on the central holographic screen.

Shortly after, Elise entered, accompanied by two members of her team. She wore an elegant dark-toned suit, in keeping with Montavon's refinement. Her eyes seemed to scan the room, analyzing every face and every detail of the environment before taking a seat next to Mateus. A slight nod was his only greeting, but his confident gaze conveyed quiet confidence.

"Ms. Montavon, it's a pleasure to have you with us," Ricardo said, opening the presentation. "Our team is ready to share a complete overview of the partnership proposal, focusing on the technological innovations that we can integrate into Montavon's products."

The first screen appeared, displaying NeuroSys' new digital platforms. Ricardo continued: "Our initial proposal is a customized integration of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, designed to understand the behavior and preferences of Montavon's consumers. This technology will allow us to connect more deeply with our audience, offering real-time recommendations and creating a unique shopping experience."

Elise watched with genuine interest. "Exclusivity and connecting with our customers are fundamental to Montavon," he said, his voice calm but incisive. "We are always looking for ways to surprise our consumers without losing the essence of our brand."

Mateus interjected: "Exactly, and our technology not only enhances this exclusivity, but also brings a sustainability approach, which, from what I understand, is a central point in the project you recently took on." He gave her a meaningful look, alluding to Elise's new project for Montavon.

Surprised, but without showing weakness, Elise agreed: "Yes, it is a priority for me. We have plans for a line of sustainable and smarter products in our fashion network, and I believe that NeuroSys can add value to our vision." She looked at Ricardo. "I would like to understand more about how predictive analytics can help reduce waste in the production cycle."

Ricardo promptly responded: "With predictive analytics, we can accurately predict demands, adjusting production to real needs. This reduces excess inventory and environmental impact. And by integrating our AI into the design and development process of new products, we can optimize the use of materials and reinforce environmental responsibility in a concrete way."

Elise leaned forward, apparently pleased. "Interesting. Let's review the financial and logistical details of this partnership." She glanced at Matthew with a gleam of approval.

As the meeting continued with technical discussions, Matthew realized that he had found a fascinating balance between business and personal interests. Elise Montavon was not only a charming woman, but a strategist with clear vision and goals.