"Sorry, Anne. Did you wait long?"
"Nope. Can we go home now?~"
"Yes."
Isolde turned off the engine and helped Anneliese out, her hand small and warm in hers. Anne smiled, unaware of what had just transpired moments ago.
They crossed the path to their unit where Julius and Gabriel were waiting.
As they approached their unit, Julius and Gabriel were there. They had sent off the thugs already.
Isolde bowed her head. "Thank you for tonight, Sir Julius—"
"Where do you think you're going?" Julius cut her off.
"Pardon?"
"Doctor, your lock has been jammed. We think its best you relocate for the time being."
"My…" She stepped closer and saw the damage.
The cylinder was scarred, and the keyway was bent. The sight made the earlier pressure in her chest return. Even if she had signed, it would not have ended. They meant to watch her and to walk in when they pleased.
"I've booked a suite for you at Schneider Residences," Julius said. "You can stay there with your daughter for the time being."
"Ah, no," Isolde said, waving a hand. "There's no need. You've done more than enough—"
"Mister, you were so cool!" Anneliese cut in and wrapped both arms around Julius's leg.
"…."
Julius looked down and paused. For a moment, another face overlapped the child's.
——I don't hate you, Mister.
"…."
"Anne," Isolde said. "Don't be rude now. You can't touch people like that without permission—"
"It's okay." Julius crouched to Anneliese's height and smiled. "What's your name?"
"Anne!" the little girl beamed.
Julius took off his hat and set it gently on her head. The brim dipped over her eyes, but Anneliese smiled and looked at Julius with bright eyes.
——Mister, just once, can you call me Anne?
——Why?
——It's just that… you remind me of my father…
Julius shook his head, pushing the memory away.
"Nice to meet you, Anne."
* * *
Jewel Electricals.
Today was the day. If they got their hands on SIBYL, Jewel Electricals would finally step out of the mid-tier and stand on its own foot.
AI had been around for years, yet true cognitive support was still a horizon most could not touch.
However, a single psychologist had built a working prototype. That blueprint was the key.
In a corner office lit by the skyline, the division head watched lines of data across a secure dashboard.
Professor Noah, a university professor, sat at the desk with his sleeves rolled and his tie loose.
Suddenly, Noah's screen flashed. An email appeared in his inbox as his phone began to buzz. He answered and scrolled at the same time.
"Report."
——Sir, we have a big problem!
His brows furrowed. "Problem?"
Noah stopped halfway through the subject line and felt the floor of the evening tilt a degree. The sender was not a handler or Legal.
[SCHNEIDER GROUP]
It was the Schneider Group.
"…."
[POST-INCIDENT BILLING NOTICE
Recipient: Jewel Electricals
Emotional harm stipend — €18,000
Psychological follow-up fund — €14,400
Coat replacement (important) — €60,000
Hat-tilt fee (important) — €20,250
.
.
Subtotal: €517,000]
——The Schneiders' youngest was there, and…
"What the hell?!"
Perhaps it had to be said, but Jewel Electricals was a subsidiary of a subsidiary of the Schneider Group.
In simpler terms, they had picked a fight with their own landlord's boss.
"Explain!"
——Sir…
After the men explained over the phone, Noah's heart leapt out of his chest. They had not only antagonized Julius, but they had even assaulted him.
"We're done for…"
It was a bill they could not pay and a bill they could not run from.
That night, Noah's phone did not stop ringing. He didn't even need to look to know who was calling.
* * *
"…Sir Gabriel, seriously."
"It can't be helped, Vincent," Gabriel responded. "They dare lay a hand on a Schneider. They're lucky they only got off with a bill."
"Of course, but what the hell is up with Sir Julius these days?"
The report had already gone upstairs. The finance sector took the invoice and pushed it through their lanes. The numbers were big, yet the room treated them like it was just the weather.
Across the Schneider Group, the sentiment was the same. You lay a hand on a Schneider, you pay for it.
And by morning, Jewel Electricals was out. Its subsidiary status was revoked, every contract was now void, and its credit lines were pulled.
As Gabriel and Vincent from the finance division continued their quiet discussion, the voice in the office suddenly died down.
A tall figure passed by. No one dared speak. Every employee lowered their gaze until the figure stopped, turned, and stepped through the glass doors.
"It's been a while, Gabriel."
"Yes, it's nice to see you, Young Master Jeremy."
Jeremy Sylvester Schneider, the eldest son, heir to the Schneider Group, and Julius's older brother.
"It seems Julius has caused trouble again," Jeremy said. "I apologize for whatever he's left you to clean up."
Gabriel shook his head. "There's nothing to apologize for, Young Master. If anything, his actions prevented a scandal. It was Jewel Electricals that overstepped."
"So I've heard. Father's already seen the footage. The board's furious, but not with Julius."
"Then the matter's closed?"
Jeremy smiled. "Let's just say Jewel Electricals will have plenty of time to reflect, preferably from their new offices at the bottom of the corporate food chain."
Jeremy walked closer, his eyes alternating between Gabriel and Vincent.
"But Julius... he's changed, hasn't he?"
"Changed?"
"Yes," Jeremy moved even closer, his voice lowering to a whisper. "For one, Julius never had the guts to stand up to me before. Quite interesting, isn't it? He's suddenly taking initiative over the Vergissmeinnichts, right before I could secure full control of their merchant line."
He pulled back and smiled at Gabriel as if nothing had happened.
"Please, continue to keep an eye on him, Gabriel," Jeremy continued. "And as for everyone here, keep up the good work. Make sure retribution finds anyone foolish enough to make a mockery of the Schneider name."
Jeremy turned and walked out, his entourage following behind him.
An icy tension settled over the finance division.
If Julius was an unpredictable fire capable of burning through anyone who stood in his way, then Jeremy was winter itself, preserving control so completely that nothing dared to move without his permission.
"By the way, Vincent, the reason I'm here is because Young Master Julius wishes to see you."
"…Me?"