"THIS PLACE IS INSANE!"
Cin's voice echoed through the glittering halls of S & J Corporation's Headquarters, bouncing off the glass walls and silver floors.The others from Section E followed behind, some gaping, some pretending to be cool — and all equally overwhelmed.
Blaster stared at a floating hologram of a receptionist. "Uh… excuse me, ma'am? Are you real?"
The hologram smiled. "Good evening, Mr. Blaster. Welcome to S & J."
Blaster screamed. "IT KNOWS MY NAME— GUYS, IT KNOWS MY NAME!"
Mica clutched her head. "Oh my god, you filled out the form, genius."
"Still creepy!"
Cin snorted. "Don't worry, Blaster. Maybe the hologram will fall in love with you."
"Ha-ha," he muttered. "Very funny. I like my girls with lungs, thanks."
Keifer, walking a few steps ahead of the group, cast a wary glance around the towering walls and moving holograms. Something felt off. "I don't like this," he said quietly, eyes scanning for any sign of Jay. "She's not here… and yet I feel her."
The S & J building was like something from another planet — walls of shimmering glass, golden holograms of floating stock graphs, employees dressed in futuristic uniforms, and drones flying silently above everyone's heads.A robotic pianist played soft jazz near the bar.
"This looks like the future," Percy whispered, amazed.
"Yeah," David said nervously, "a future where I can't afford oxygen."
Cin elbowed him. "Don't embarrass us. Just act rich."
"How do rich people act?"
"Like you're bored of everything and emotionally unavailable."
"Okay, so… like Keifer?"
Keifer sighed. "Yes, exactly."
They all burst out laughing.
A few feet away, Yuri was busy scrolling on his phone. "The S & J stocks are up again. Whoever runs this place is basically a god."
Freya nodded. "They said the CEO built this empire as a kid. How does someone even do that?"
Blaster raised a hand. "Maybe they had good Wi-Fi."
Cin groaned. "I swear, Blaster, every time you talk, my IQ drops."
Before anyone could say more, a tall man in a grey suit approached them, grinning confidently.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite Watson," he said loudly.
Keifer froze. "Oh no."
The man laughed, throwing an arm around him. "Still pretending you don't know me? Come on, cousin."
Clyde Watson. Keifer's older cousin — a genius strategist, loud talker, and chaos magnet.
"Oh, you're Keifer's cousin?" Cin asked. "He never mentioned you."
"Of course he didn't," Clyde said dramatically. "He's jealous of my charm."
Keifer deadpanned, "Or allergic to your volume."
Clyde winked. "Touché." He turned to the group. "So, Section E — you're the ones everyone talks about. Heard you got invited by someone mysterious, huh?"
"Yeah," Percy said. "Jay said we should come for… networking."
"Networking?" Clyde grinned. "Oh, kid, you're about to witness history. This isn't a normal meeting. It's the night."
Cin tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"You'll see. The CEO's gonna show up for the first time ever."
"Wait, no one's seen the CEO before?" Freya asked.
Clyde shook his head. "Not once. No face, no interviews, no nothing. Just a name and impossible achievements. People call them a ghost — a genius who built an empire from a computer when they were nine years old."
Keifer frowned slightly. Nine years old? That sounded impossible.But somewhere deep inside, something tugged at him — a familiar feeling he couldn't explain.
As they entered the grand ballroom, everyone went silent for a moment.The place was enormous — crystal chandeliers, glass walls that reflected city lights, and a stage glowing with golden holograms.
"Woah," Blaster whispered. "This looks like the inside of a diamond."
Cin nudged him. "Don't touch anything. If you break it, we'll have to sell you to pay for it."
He immediately stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Noted."
All around them were the world's richest people — heirs, business tycoons, media reporters, and investors. Cameras flashed, music played softly, and everyone waited for the mysterious CEO to appear.
Angelo and Tiger stood near the corner, looking uncomfortable in suits.
"This is weird," Tiger muttered. "Why were we even invited?"
Angelo shrugged. "Maybe someone wants to fund the League."
"Or maybe they want to end us," Tiger replied under his breath.
"Relax," Angelo said. "Let's just stay quiet. sec e is here too — if anything happens, we'll find out."
The event hall was colossal — a vast circular room with crystal panels and shifting holograms that displayed S & J's achievements: skyscrapers, robotics, environmental projects, inter-corporate alliances. The crowd buzzed with excitement, the murmur of millionaires, heirs, and magnates echoing through the hall.
And yet, the most common whisper was about the company's mysterious CEO.
"No one's ever seen them.""Started the empire at age nine.""Built a trillion-dollar corporation before turning twenty.""Rumor says it's someone royal.""No—someone dangerous."
"Sounds like Jay," Angelo muttered under his breath, smirking. Tiger chuckled beside him.
Cin turned toward them suspiciously. "You said something?"
Angelo's expression was unreadable. "Just admiring the art."
"Yeah, sure," she replied. "Because you're so artsy."
As the crowd continued to chatter, waiters glided between tables, offering champagne and elegant trays of hors d'oeuvres. David grabbed one, sniffed it, and frowned. "What is this?"
"Caviar," Kit said.
David blinked. "You mean fish eggs?"
"Expensive fish eggs."
He slowly set the tray back down. "I'll stick to samosas, thanks."
Mayo laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink. "You'll offend a billionaire like that."
Blaster leaned close to Eren. "If I find sushi here, I'm stealing three plates."
"You'll be stealing us a lawsuit," Eren replied.
Meanwhile, Keifer wasn't laughing. His gaze lingered on the company's insignia projected above the stage — a sleek golden S & J intertwined with a symbol he recognized. Something about the font, the elegance, the subtle sharpness of the design — it looked… familiar.
"Something's off," he murmured.
"Dude, it's literally a logo," Rakki said, rolling his eyes.
Keifer didn't reply.
The lights flickered once. Twice.
And then the hall fell silent as the main spotlight flared onto the stage.
A deep, powerful voice filled the air:
"Distinguished guests, esteemed partners, and heirs of the world's greatest dynasties — welcome to S & J Corporation's Annual Gala."
The chatter died instantly. Even Section E stopped joking.
The massive screens lit up, displaying footage of S & J's meteoric rise — skyscrapers, technological marvels, humanitarian projects. The crowd gasped and applauded at every scene.
"This evening marks a monumental moment in history," the voice continued. "Tonight, we honor a mind that reshaped the global economy. The visionary who built this empire from the age of nine — the youngest trillionaire, and the pride of innovation."
People craned their necks, whispering. The mystery of the unseen CEO was the world's greatest obsession.
"And now, with the time striking midnight in Kiribati, where the first dawn of the new day has risen—"
Keifer stiffened. Kiribati. That word struck him like lightning.
"—we welcome the official activation of the CEO title for the one and only—"
The screen froze for a beat. The entire hall held its breath.
"—Jasper Jean Fernandes Mariano."
The hall exploded into gasps, flashes, and murmurs. Cameras turned, journalists scrambled, and the massive golden doors at the end of the hall slowly opened.
And there she was.
Jasper Jean Fernandes Mariano.
The air itself seemed to bow before her.
She stepped through the golden archway with an effortless grace that silenced the room. Her gown shimmered in the light — deep emerald velvet with golden filigree curling down the sleeves, subtle gemstones woven into the fabric that caught every glint of the chandelier. Her hair was swept into a sleek bun, leaving a few loose strands framing her face. Every line of her posture spoke of quiet power — the kind that didn't need to shout to be heard.
A hush rippled through the crowd as she walked forward, heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
Cin's jaw dropped. "No way—"
Rakki whispered, "Holy hell, she looks like she owns the planet."
"Technically," Blaster muttered, "she does."
David blinked, rubbing his eyes as if seeing things. "That can't be—"
"Jasper Jean Fernandes Mariano," the announcer repeated. "The youngest CEO in recorded history. Founder of S & J Corporation."
Keifer's breath hitched. His heart pounded.
But as she smiled — that same mischievous, half-tilted smile that drove him insane
Around him, everyone's reactions collided in chaos:
Freya gasped, hand over her mouth.Mica whispered, "She can't be—"Aries muttered, "She is."Percy's eyes widened. "She lied to us. All this time."Cin's voice cracked. "Wait— that's our Jay?!"
The sound of applause filled the room, thunderous and endless, yet all Keifer could hear was his own heartbeat.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Jay — no, Jasper Jean Fernandes Mariano — said, her voice smooth and commanding, "thank you for honoring this company tonight. I am grateful for every hand that helped build it, and every soul that believed in its dream."
Her voice carried calm strength. Each word made the crowd lean forward.
And yet… her eyes flicked toward Section E — just for a second.
It was enough.
Keifer felt it. The faint, knowing glint behind her composure.yet he was standing their as proud hubby