The corner office of Brandon's headquarters commanded a panoramic view of Seattle, from the Space Needle to Mount Rainier. Jessica Morgan, the technology reporter for Forbes, sat across from his desk with the slightly awed expression that most people wore when meeting the world's youngest and wealthiest CEO.
"Mr. Carter, thank you for taking the time to speak with us," she began, checking her recording device. "Your achievements over the past few years have been nothing short of revolutionary. You've fundamentally transformed not just the tech industry, but how people around the world communicate, shop, and live their daily lives."
Brandon nodded graciously. "I appreciate the recognition, though I think of it more as acceleration than revolution. These changes were inevitable—we just helped bring them about sooner."
"That's fascinating, because that's exactly what I wanted to ask about. How were you able to consistently pioneer technologies and business models that seemed to catch everyone else off guard? While other companies were still trying to understand social media, you were already building the next generation of platforms. While they debated cryptocurrency, you were creating the infrastructure that now supports global finance."
Brandon leaned back in his chair, choosing his words carefully. "I've always been focused on looking forward rather than backward. I study emerging trends, analyze technological capabilities, and try to understand not just what's possible now, but what will be necessary in five or ten years."
"Most business leaders claim to be forward-thinking, but your track record suggests something different—an almost prophetic ability to anticipate market needs."
"I don't let the past hold me back," Brandon replied. "Too many people get trapped by conventional wisdom or existing business models. When you free yourself from those limitations, you can see opportunities that others miss."
Jessica made notes as she spoke. "When you first started your company, your investment strategy seemed almost reckless to outside observers. You were buying companies in completely different industries while simultaneously developing multiple revolutionary platforms. What made you choose such an unconventional approach?"
Brandon smiled slightly. "I didn't want to be limited by traditional industry boundaries. I knew what the future would look like—interconnected systems where entertainment, commerce, communication, and transportation would all work together seamlessly. Building that required investments across multiple sectors."
"That brings up something remarkable about your leadership style," Jessica continued. "You're not only the youngest tech CEO among major companies, but also the wealthiest person in history. Yet you're still actively involved in the technical aspects of your businesses. Most CEOs at your level focus purely on strategic and financial matters."
"I believe every tech CEO should maintain their technical skills," Brandon said firmly. "How can you make intelligent decisions about technology development if you don't understand the underlying systems? It's pointless to be the head of a technology company and not know anything about the actual technology."
Jessica nodded approvingly. "Your hands-on approach certainly seems to be working. Let's shift to another aspect of your success—your philanthropic work. You've become one of the world's largest individual donors, with particular focus on disaster relief and conflict zones. What led you down this path?"
Brandon's expression grew more serious. "When you have more than you could possibly need, there's a moral obligation to help others. I've seen what it's like to be powerless, to be at the mercy of people who don't care about your wellbeing. If my resources can prevent others from experiencing that kind of helplessness, then using them that way becomes a responsibility, not just a choice."
"Your humanitarian work in war zones has been particularly notable. The medical facilities and refugee support systems you've funded have saved countless lives."
"Money is just a tool. It can be used to build walls or to build bridges, to concentrate power or to distribute opportunity. I'd rather use mine to help people than to accumulate more than I already have."
Jessica flipped through her notes before asking her next question. "There have been some accusations from competitors and regulatory bodies that your portfolio of companies constitutes a monopoly. How do you respond to those concerns?"
Brandon's expression remained calm. "Our portfolio is large, certainly, but that doesn't make it a monopoly. We work closely with thousands of other companies, including many smaller businesses that benefit from integration with our platforms. Competition continues to thrive in every market where we operate."
"Critics argue that your market dominance makes it difficult for competitors to emerge."
"Innovation creates market dominance. If competitors want to challenge us, they should focus on building better solutions rather than seeking regulatory protection for inferior products."
Jessica nodded and consulted her notes again. "I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to ask about something more personal. It's been several years since the highly publicized legal battle with your ex-wife and her family's company. Given Carter Technologies' current situation, how do you reflect on that conflict?"
Brandon was quiet for a moment, his expression becoming more guarded. "Carter Technologies is where it is today because of decisions that Richard and Victoria Carter made over many years. The trial simply revealed their true character to the public."
"Do you feel vindicated by how things turned out?"
"I feel satisfied that justice was served. People saw who they really were and what they were capable of doing to someone they claimed to care about."
Jessica sensed this was as far as she could push the personal questions. "Mr. Carter, thank you so much for your time. This has been incredibly insightful."
She gathered her recording equipment and handed Brandon an elegant business card. "If you ever want to discuss any future projects or initiatives, I'd be honored to cover them."
After Jessica left, Elena entered the office with an amused expression.
"How was the interview?" she asked, settling into the chair Jessica had vacated.
"Not bad, though she did bring up Victoria and the whole Carter situation."
Elena smiled knowingly. "They always want to know how you feel about your dramatic rise compared to their spectacular fall. Can you blame them? Carter Tech used to be a legitimate competitor, and now they look like a struggling startup. If it wasn't for those shady government contracts, they'd probably be bankrupt by now."
"I try not to spend much time thinking about them anymore."
"Well, I think that journalist was spending a lot of time thinking about you," Elena said with a mischievous grin. "She was practically undressing you with her eyes during the whole interview."
Brandon dismissed the observation with a wave. "Even if that were true, which I doubt, I'm not currently interested in pursuing a relationship."
"Brandon, you're the wealthiest, most successful man in the world. You could have your pick of anyone you wanted."
"Success and wealth don't automatically translate to compatibility or genuine connection," Brandon replied. "I'd rather focus on building something meaningful than on impressing people who are attracted to what I've accomplished rather than who I am."
Elena studied his face with the concern of someone who'd watched him transform from desperate employee to global icon. "You've achieved everything you set out to do. Maybe it's time to think about what comes next in your personal life."
Brandon looked out at the city skyline, considering her words. He'd won the war against those who'd tried to destroy him, built an empire that would define the next century of human development, and accumulated more wealth than he could spend in multiple lifetimes.
But as he sat alone in his office after Elena left, he wondered if victory might sometimes feel surprisingly empty when there was no one meaningful to share it with.