"Prometheus."

This codename struck like lightning, splitting open twenty-six years of buried history and shattering the comprehension of everyone present.

The room descended into a deathly silence, broken only by thecrackling of logs in the fireplace, which now seemed jarringly loud against the quiet.

Austin's face drained of all color as he stoodfrozen in place.

He had calculated everything, yet had completely failed to anticipate that this butterfly he sought to crush had emerged from the chrysalis of a dragon that had once ignited the storm of Lumeria's industrial revolution.

Ella's heart pounded violently, her mind blank with shock.

The Stellar Industries director, Mr. Schmidt, spoke up as well.

"Unfortunately, at the most critical stage of the project, Janice suddenly disappeared."

"She vanished with all the core research materials. We utilized every resource at our disposal to find her, but she had simply evaporated without a trace."

"The 'Sprout Initiative' was abandoned, becoming the greatest regret in Lumeria's industrial history."

"We all assumed she was gone, but clearly, she left you behind!"

Every Lumerian executive's gaze was now focused on Ella, their eyes burning with an almost religious intensity.

Their exprossions had transformed from those of potential business partners to devotoes wimnessing a miracle.

Ella's fingers trembled slightly,

Now she understood why Karen had said the USB drive contained her leverage.

This wasn't merely leverage; it was an entire era her mother had bequeathed to her.

She also finally comprehended why the Brooks family had erased every trace of Janice's past.

Because they were never worthy of touching such glory-they were merely parasites,contemptible maggots feeding off Janice's brilliance.

"Mr, Raymond,"

Orville finally turned his attention to the man everyone had seemingly forgotten, his tone now cold and distant.

"I belleve there may have been some misunderstanding between us. The Alliance's collaboration with Raymond Group will need to be reassessed."

Austin's lips moved, but no words emerged.

Reassessment? This was nothing but a polite dismissal.

In the radiant light of Janice's legacy, he and hip proud Raymond Group had diminished to insignificant specks of dust.

"Ms, Brooks,"

Orville's attitude had performed a complew reversal. He gestured invitingly

toward Ella.

"We've prepared another room for you. Given the significance and far-reaching impact of the 'Sprout Initiative' your mother participatedin,and the potential for future collaboration between you and the Alliance, I believe we should have a more in-depth discussion."

Ella rose to her feet, not sparing Austin even a glance.

Against an opponent who was thoroughly defeated, any additional attention would be a wvaste.

She followed Orville and the others toward the side door of the room.

As she passed Austin, she didn't hesitate for even a moment.

From beginning to end, her gaze had regarded him as nothing more than an inconsequential passerby.

This complete disregard cut deeper than any verbal humiliation could have.

The massive oak door slowly closed before Austin, completely isolating him from a world he could never hope to reach.

He stood alone in the vast, opulent room. The Lumerian industry giants couldn't even be bothered to exchange another word with him before filing out.

Boundless humiliation and rage churned like molten lava in his chest,nearly consuming his rationality.

He violently swept the crystal glass from the table, sending it crashing to the floor.

"Ella!" He growled, his voice low and feral, filled with fury and

profound resentment.

In another, more intimate reception room, the atmosphere was solemn.

Ella sat in the place of honor, facing the leaders of Lumeria's industrial sector-men who were not only drivers of modern industry but also important representatives of Lumerian history and culture.

"Ms. Brooks, did your mother leave complete architectural plans for the continuation of the 'Sprout Initiative' in her materials?" Orville asked directly,his tone urgent.

Ella looked at the USB drive in her hand and shook her head. "There's only a patent and some personal notes from my mother here."

"However," Ella continued, shifting tone, "My mother's habit was to store research findings from different stages in different locations. I believe the core of the 'Sprout Initiative' must still be dormant somewhere, waiting to be awakened."

Orville's eyes immediately brightened. "The Alliance is willing to provide all necessary assistance, including but not limited to funding,technical personnel, and our global intelligence network-if you're willing to restart the Sprout Initiative."

"Of course I am. This isn't just your regret; it's a mission I must fulfill as her daughter. But I have one condition." Ella replied.

"Please proceed."

"I want all of Raymond Group's projects in Lumeria completely removed."She sald.

Orville exchanged glances with the directors beside him, making their

decision with almost no hesitation.

"As you wish."

When Ella walked out of Azure Sea Castle, the night sky over Ironbridge was exceptionally clear.

She settled into the exclusive car the Alliance had sent for her and immediately called Jason.

"I need you to look into something for me,"She said.

On the other end of the line, Jason was clearly aware of everything that had happened in Lumeria, his voice barely containing his excitement."

Name it."

"My mother, Janice Clark-her entire activity trail in Lumeria twenty-six years ago, and the truth behind her sudden disappearance."

"I'm on it," Jason replied promptly.

After a brief pause, he continued, "Back home, Judith's doomed."

"After John was taken in by the police, he confessed everything within half an hour. The Brooks Group's market value plummeted by three billion dollars overnight. Their headquarters are now surrounded by creditors and reporters."

He continued. "And Austin-there seems to be an issue with the source of his funding for the acquisition of Singularity Tech. The Securities Regulatory Commission is already investigating, and Raymond Group's stock is in freefall."

"I see," Ella replied, ending the call.

Her face showed no trace of vindictive satisfaction. Instead, there was only a profound calmness.

Austin and Judith were no longer opponents of the same caliber.

She looked out the window, Orville's words echoing in her mind.

What had Janice experienced?

Why had she suddenly abandoned the "Sprout Initiative," a project that had captured the heart of an entire nation, choosing instead to disappear without a trace?

And why had she hidden her most valuable legacy in a bank safety deposit box?

Behind all this must lie an enormous secret.

Upon returning to the hotel, Ella promptly inserted the black USB drive into her computer.

Within, there was no complete patent, only an algorithm model entitled "Scorched Earth" and an encrypted video left by her mother, titled "To My Daughter."

She clicked to play the video, and the visage of Janice Clark appeared on the screen.

"Ella, if you are watching this message, it signifies that you have reached a point where you must confront this world alone. The Spark is my creation.and it is also my original sin. I locked away its most perilous core, while Scorched Earth serves merely as its outermost defense. Trust not the Syndicate, If you seek the truth and yearn to reclaim the power rightfully yours, seek Robert. He is the only guardian I trust. Tell him that the child

of Prometheus has come to retrieve her sword."

Ella's phone vibrated. It was a message from an unknown number.

The location showed Solaris, and the message contained no text-only a photograph.

The background showed a heavy bank vault door covered in complex patterns, its metal surface gleaming coldly.

Standing before the door was someone Ella had absolutely no desire to see here-someone whose presence instantly put her on edge.

Derek stood there in an impeccably tailored black suit,the cufflinks catching the light. He held his phone in one hand, the corner of his mouth lifted in a subtle smile, seemingly taking a selfie.

But Ella immediately understood this selfie was meant for her eyes-and sure enough, a second message followed immediately.

[Ms. Brooks, your mother's legacy appears to be much more interesting than any of us imagined.]