The Hayes estate was built like a fortress — towering gates, pristine gardens, and walls that echoed with old money.
But today, within its high halls and expensive silence, something stirred.
For the first time in years… the name "Celeste" returned to their lips.
Scene 1 – The Council Room
In the grand meeting chamber, under a crystal chandelier passed down for generations, the elite members of the Hayes family gathered.
At the head of the table sat Gideon Hayes, the ruthless founder of the Hayes conglomerate. Age hadn't dulled his edge — his silver eyes were still sharp enough to cut.
Beside him sat his son, Richard Hayes — the man who had once fathered twins with Celeste, only to turn his back on them the day she was cast out.
A large screen displayed a news headline in bold letters:
"KAIROS INDUSTRIES: THE YOUNG POWERHOUSE SHAKING UP THE CORPORATE WORLD"
Gideon's voice was cold and measured.
"Tell me this is a joke."
The tech analyst standing nearby swallowed hard. "I'm afraid not, sir. The founder is a young man named Darren Kairos. He recently acquired Medtex Holdings outright. And the girl—Aria Kairos—just debuted a cross-sector brand launch in fashion-tech."
Someone from the extended family scoffed. "Kairos? Never heard of them."
"You have," Richard said quietly, eyes fixed on the photo attached to the article.
It was them.
Darren. Aria. Celeste's twins.
His children.
The children he abandoned.
Gideon clenched his jaw. "They dare build something in our market space? With our bloodline?"
Scene 2 – The Sins of the Past
Richard remained quiet as the boardroom descended into murmurs and disbelief.
He remembered that day—how Celeste had stood at the mansion gates, holding their hands. He hadn't said a word. He hadn't stopped them.
"No inheritance. No name. That was the deal," Gideon said sharply.
"She made her choice."
The strategist slid a file forward.
"And now that choice has grown teeth."
"Kairos Industries has silently acquired six tech startups and three biotech patents. They've kept everything layered under shell companies and foreign entities. But the money trail… it leads back to them."
One of the family's PR heads added, "And they're gaining influence. The Kairos twins have a clean image, strong appeal with younger investors, and a loyal online following."
Gideon's voice thundered.
"We will not be outdone by a woman we exiled and her bastard children."
Richard flinched.
Scene 3 – The Cold Room
Later, alone in his study, Richard Hayes sat in silence.
On his desk were photos he had quietly kept over the years — of Celeste, of the twins as babies, laughing under a cloudy sky.
He hadn't seen them in over a decade.
And now they had come back not as beggars…
…but as a threat.
He whispered under his breath.
"Darren…"
But the guilt barely had time to settle before Gideon entered the room.
"This is war now."
"They want to play king and queen? Fine. Let's see how long their little empire lasts."
He pulled out a sealed folder marked "Confidential: Kairos Protocol."
System Notification (Meanwhile, Darren)
[New Passive Alert – Hostile Surveillance Detected]
System Shield Protocols Activated.
All Kairos-linked investments have entered Ghost Mode.
Tracking: Richard Hayes, Gideon Hayes, Hayes Corp Executive Board.
Darren looked at the glowing notification in his penthouse office.
He leaned back in his chair.
Eyes calm.
Voice like ice.
"Let them watch."
"The Kairos Empire has only just begun."