The Next Morning

  Le Chateau de Fortier stood tall and unwavering, a quiet fortress of elegance.

  Inside, the air seemed to hum with a delicate shift. Seven paced the floor of his father’s treatment room, his acupuncture kit meticulously arranged on the side table, each needle gleaming with purpose. Angus, stripped to the waist, lay still on the bed, his muscles tense with anticipation.

  “Take a deep breath and then exhale slowly, Dad,” Seven instructed, inserting the final needle with precision. He monitored Angus’ reaction, ensuring the treatment was taking effect.

  Angus let out a slow exhale, his shoulders loosening. “It’s remarkable how much better I feel after each session,” he admitted.

  After the treatment, Seven removed the needles with practiced ease, sterilizing them before packing them away. “Your body is still adjusting. This is only a part of the recovery process. But I’m pleased with the progress you’ve made.”

  Angus stretched his fingers, his focus drifting, as though lost in a hopeful reverie. I can’t wait to get back on my feet again.

  “Let’s get you dressed, and we’ll head to the parlor,” Seven said, nudging his father back into the present.

  ……

  Approaching the parlor, the faint hum of conversation filled the air. The father-and-son duo arrived just as Sana’s voice rang out, light and carefree. “Mom’s rather annoyed that her only daughter’s a tomboy. But what could she expect? I grew up with four brothers!”

  The elders around her chuckled, their faces softening as they exchanged amused glances. Sana, the cherished daughter of such an elite family, was approachable in a way that disarmed them.

  Seven’s expression softened as he spotted her in the crowd, her laughter like a balm. He wheeled his father toward his mother before settling snugly beside Sana.

  “How are you feeling, Angus?” Amélie’s voice was thick with concern as she studied her son.

  “I’m feeling pretty good, Mom,” Angus replied, gratitude threaded through his words. He inclined his head at Seven as he praised, “It’s all thanks to Landry.”

  But Angus wasn’t done. “Son, since you’re now in the clear with the military, what are your thoughts about your business pursuits? Didn’t you agree to let Dad join you?”

  Seven leaned back slightly, the question pulling him deeper into contemplation.

  “Yes, Dad, I’ve been thinking about it.” He paused, letting the silence stretch for just a moment before continuing. “I’d likely set up a holding company. I’ll call it Sevana Group. It’s a combo of our names: ‘Sev’ for myself, ‘an’ for you, and ‘ana’ for Sana.”

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  Sana arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. “Hmm? Why’s my name in there?” she asked, slightly amused.

  Seven’s piercing irises met hers, the affection in them undeniable. “You are the motivation; naturally, your name’s in there.”

  She blinked, his words tugging at her heartstrings. “Sevana Group… It has a nice ring to it!”

  Seven chuckled, letting his gaze linger on her for a beat before turning back to his father. “Sevana Group will have two subsidiaries. The pharma-biotech firm will be called Sevana Biotics, while the network security company will be Sevana Technologies.”

  He leaned forward, his thoughts a mix of regret and resignation, “Sevana Biotics will focus on biomedical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

  “But I need funding for materials, equipment, lab space, hiring, and R&D. There are also FDA protocols to consider, so I won’t be able to start until I can get enough private investment or government grants.”

  Then, there was a palpable shift in his demeanor. “Sevana Technologies is significantly easier to embark on. It’ll focus on next-gen network security, specializing in AI-driven threat detection, zero-trust architecture, and enterprise-grade encryption.

  “I’ll build a platform integrating advanced firewall protection, intrusion prevention, and cloud security into a seamless, adaptive defense system. These solutions ensure businesses stay ahead of ever-evolving cyber threats.”

  Angus regarded his son with admiration. “You’ve thought this through.”

  “I have,” Seven confirmed. “But I’ve just begun working with FCPD on Sana’s case, so I haven’t thought more about Sevana Group yet.

  “After that, I’ll also need to take on freelance work to grow the funds before setting it up.”

  Angus exchanged a look with Alain, who had been quietly listening, his fingers tapping the armrest of the sofa in slow, measured beats.

  “Landry, several months ago, I made a public announcement,” Alain finally chimed in. “I vowed to find a healer for your dad and search for you. The carrot? I offered one percent of Kaléido Corp’s non-voting shares to the person who introduced the healer, one percent to the healer, and one percent to the person who helped to find you.”

  Seven frowned. “What?”

  “You are now entitled to one percent of Kaléido Corp’s non-voting shares,” Alain confirmed. “That’s approximately 300 million dollars.”

  Seven was stunned, the revelation hitting him like a tidal wave. “That’s... insane.”

  “No, not at all,” Alain countered, his eyes shimmering with possibilities. “You could put it to good use. Sevana Group could be your legacy.”

  Seven straightened, rubbing his temple. “It feels wrong to take it. I only—”

  Angus chuckled, cutting him off with a laugh that was both warm and full of pride. “You earned it, son. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to match it. I’ll contribute another 300 million to our joint venture.”

  Seven exhaled slowly, the offer weighing heavily on his shoulders. He’d planned to bootstrap the company, find private investors, and even apply for grants. But this was different. This was immediate, and it meant he could build something solid from the ground up, with full control over his vision.

  “It’s settled then,” Alain said with finality. “Your dad’s been raring to get going. Sevana Group can be established immediately. He can lay the foundation first.”

  Seven’s mind suddenly raced with the possibilities. “The building next to Data Dynamics has office space available for lease. It’ll be convenient to pop into Sevana Group as and when needed.”

  “Where is it?” Angus wondered.

  “3160 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church,” Seven replied.

  Angus tilted his head. “I’ll get Garrett to make some inquiries.”

  “Dad, we’ll be 50-50 partners,” Seven continued. “You’ll run the operations, and I’ll be in charge of R&D. Once we’ve nailed Talon Cloche, I’ll learn about business management and help you manage the company. How does that sound?”

  Angus beamed. “We can go at your pace. After incorporation, the priority is to hire qualified personnel.”

  Alain raised his glass in silent approval. “Then let’s set this in motion.”

  Sevana lingered in conversation, the first spark of what could become a legacy.