Chapter 22: Futur Era / 4.5&6 : The Emperor reclaims his Qin empire
On the way to his house, Eden used his tablet and Versem to hack Arman’s computer. A lot of his staff changed once Ryker started to live with him. All the new people are spies from Arman to make sure they still have full control over Eden. They are to contact him if they see anything suspect or weird. When Eden arrived home he got out of the hovercar and entered. He walked to the living room and ordered the head butler:
"Bring me the head maid, the second chauffeur, the chef’s assistant, my two security guards who came back with me, and the maid who opened the door."
The man nodded and left.
Once they were all standing in front of him, Eden ordered:
"Give your cellular to me."
They all looked at Eden confused.
"I won’t repeat myself."
One of the security guards gave his cellular and the rest followed. He thought even if Eden takes it’s not like he can do anything without his password. Eden started with his cellular. He leaned back and after unlocking it he left a trace of Versem to make sure that he’ll be aware of everything he does.
When he was done he put it on the couch turned. After hacking all their cellular Eden stood up and he first gave the security guard’s cellular with a mocking smile. He knows he looks down on him, he enjoyed his stunned face when he saw that it was unlocked. He gave everyone’s cellular back and they were just as stunned. They knew that there is no way he saw any communication with Arman since they saved his number in a different name.
Eden stood in front of them and said:
"I’ll go straight to the point I know you’re spies for Arman."
Some of them reacted but others put on a poker face. The head maid said:
"Young master what are you talking about?"
"First of all don’t call me young master just master."
They were all shocked, even if Eden is the master of the house they would call Ryker master and him young master. Ryker was basically the king of the house and they all followed his orders. Eden seemed fine with that since he followed his orders as well so to see him correct the head maid was surprising.
The head maid a little frightened by his overbearing aura immediately apologized.
"I’m sorry master."
"I don’t have time to play games so don’t lie to me unless you want to die."
When they felt Eden’s murderous aura they knew he meant what he said. The security guard who everyone followed said:
"What do you want us to do master?"
Eden looked at him with a smile.
"Arman said that you’re not to contact him unless something happens right?"
"Yes, master."
Eden smiled maliciously.
When he was done with them he ordered a few people to toss in the trash everything belonging to Ryker. That son of bitch made himself at home, after getting rid of his clothes and belonging he tossed all the furniture he had picked out. He went online and after finding new furniture he had them delivered for tomorrow. He wants his house to feel like his not that bastard. Eden went to eat using his computer to check on the state of Qin Empire. He wasn’t surprised when he saw that Idriss had been doing an excellent job at Qin Inc but when he got to Qin Lab he was beyond angry.
Ricker not only made cheap contracts with Chen Tech and Zhu security but he also made with other companies so they would use Zhu security. Qin Empire is the reason why everyone uses Zhu security. Before he kills all the Zhu he’ll take everything from them. Eden worked all night and only fell asleep early in the morning. After taking a shower and eating breakfast he worked all day again. There will be a board of directors and shareholders meeting in a couple of days and he wants to be ready. He owns 80% of the shares of the company so he can make decisions unanimously. The fact that Ryker thinks that he’ll keep being the president makes him laugh.
He looked up from his computer when someone knocked on his home office door.
"Come in."
A maid entered and she said:
"Master dinner is ready and Ryker came should I put another plate for him?"
Eden asked:
"Where is he?"
"Waiting in the living room."
"Set a plate for him then ask him to meet me in the dining room."
Ryker looked around the living room feeling like it wasn’t home anymore. Eden has changed every changed he made. All the furniture is different and even the paint color he had chosen has been changed. He woke up from his thoughts when a maid said:
"Master has asked that you join him for dinner."
Ryker stood up and left for the dining room. He felt surprised that the maid referred to Eden as master. They would always call him master and Eden young master and Eden didn’t seem bothered by that. When he entered the dining room he stopped in place shocked by the changes.
He re-did the entire dining room because he felt that it was boring but Eden got rid of everything there too. He and Eden’s styles are opposites, his style is more eclectic which is all about high energy and bold colors but now the house is in a french country style. It’s rare to see houses decorated that way which makes it more special. Still, he felt like Eden never liked any of the changes he made.
Did he also change their bedroom? He was surprised to see Eden seated at the head of the table using his computer. He would always sit there, even if he wasn’t home Eden would never take his seat. He walked to him to ask him to give him his seat but he stopped when Eden looked up and closed the computer with a smile.
"Hey, how are you?"
When he saw how genuinely happy Eden was to see him and how he immediately closed his computer when he saw him he felt happy and took a seat on his left.
"Hey, I’m okay."
Once they were served Ryker couldn’t stop himself from asking:
"Did you change the entire house?"
He knows he did both their style clashes with each other.
"I did."
"Didn’t you like the way I had decorated it before?"
Eden met his eyes and he said:
"It wasn’t me. I would always go along with what you wanted because I was scared you might leave me. That fear started when my father passed away and the thought of being alone frightened me. During my birthday party, I realized that I don’t want to be with be dependent on someone like that because I’m amazing and if the person I’m with can’t see that then we shouldn’t be together. I’m done compromising who I am and what I want. I was only making you happy while I was miserable and it’s not fair. Only when we are on equal grounds will our relationship be real."
Ryker looked at Eden stunned. He knew that Eden was holding onto him and did everything he asked because he was scared to be alone since his father passed but he never thought he would ever realize that. He felt reassured that he doesn’t want to end their relationship. He needs to make sure he agrees to marry before the end of the hunting season.
He smiled.
"I’m glad you found out more about yourself, you seem happier."
"I am now that I am myself."
Eden changed who he was completely so Ryker would never leave him and he used that to manipulate him. What kind of person uses someone’s fear against them? They spent the rest of the dinner talking and laughing. Ryker felt like he was looking at someone else and he liked it.
When they finished eating Eden walked him out but before he closed the door Ryker asked:
"Can we have dinner together every night?"
Even if his father told him to do it it’s not the reason why he’s asking Eden. He likes this version of Eden better and he never realized how much he changed for him. At least it proves that he truly loves him.
Eden felt like laughing at Ryker’s expectant eyes. Just this weekend he told Dorian that he’s doing what he has to do meaning marrying Eden to ultimately be with him. But as soon as Eden acted indifferently and stood his ground he became interested.
"How about every two days?"
Ryker nodded with a smile.
"Good night Eden."
Ryker turn around and left but he stopped when Eden said:
"Good night Ryk."
He looked at Eden but he had already closed the door. When Eden called him Ryk his heart skipped a beat. Dorian is the one who would call him that when they were kids and it always made him happy but as they grew up he stopped. Hearing it from Eden somehow made him happier than hearing it from Dorian. What is going on? He turned around and left feeling lost.
Eden woke up in a good mood. After taking a shower and eating he worked for a few hours. He got ready to leave when it was 2 pm. He got out of the hovercar and he looked at the impressive building. Most people stopped in place looking at him and taking pictures. Everyone knows who he is it’s just that he would always stay home. Eden walked in and took a seat while his assistant talked to reception.
After a few minutes, he was led to the top floor. He entered Dorian’s office and looked at his assistant closing the door with narrowed eyes. When he turned around he was surprised to see Dorian standing in front of him. He smiled at him.
"Hi."
Dorian smiled as well.
"Hey."
He felt the need to hug him but Dorian did it first. He hugged him back with a smile and his eyes shone.
When Dorian pulled back he felt his heart beating faster when he looked into Eden’s shiny eyes. He was wondering if he was as happy to see him as he his and he had the answer. He missed him which a such a foreign feeling to him but he did. They did text back and forth but that was it.
"Let’s sit."
Dorian took a seat in front of the desk and Eden in front. Eden pulled out his tablet and handed it to Dorian. While Dorian looked at the file he explained:
"I’ve been working on a warp drive using the Rissian Blend and I’m finally successful in my calculation. This is the propulsion system that I created and it only goes with the spaceship Everard which is also one of my creations. I would like to work with Chen Tech to make my vision a reality."
Dorian looked at the propulsion system capable to make Eden’s spaceship Everard travel faster than the speed of light stunned. He had a team working on it for a long time but they’re not even close. After looking at the plan and schematic of the warp drive he looked at the spaceship and felt even more stunned. The spaceship was beautiful and slick. He could tell that every part had been meticulously thought out.
Eden made sure to show every part of it and a 3d modeling. He has an engineering degree and he’s the one who designed most of the spaceships they commercialize so he could tell that Eden wasn’t a novice in any way. He looked at Eden.
"This is remarkable. We’ve been trying to find the formula to travel at warp speed for so long. The spaceship you designed is extraordinary. You’re amazing."
Eden smiled with a slight blush. In the original timeline, he had also discovered how to travel at warp speed but he was killed a couple of days before he could share his discovery. They only discovered it 500 years later. Despite what they think Eden isn’t a moron, he’s been going to the company and studying the Rissian Blend since he was a kid. Ryker would often see him working around the house but he thought he was only pretending to impress him.
"The reason you couldn’t is that when we send you the Rissian Blend it’s already changed into fuel. You need it in its purest form."
Dorian nodded finally understanding why they’ve been struggling. He asked:
"Why did you choose Chen Tech? If you would’ve shared that you discovered warp speed they would’ve been a bidding war between all the tech companies to be chosen."
Eden said as a matter of fact:
"Because I trust you."
Dorian smiled brightly at that. It makes him happy that Eden does because he can feel that in many ways he is like him and that he has a hard time trusting people.
"What did you have in mind?"
"I thought that Chen Tech could build the spaceship based on my blueprints and Qin Lab would build the warp drive."
It is simple to work with Chen Tech since they already have everything to build spaceships and it would take Eden way too long to put that in place.
Plus he trusts Dorian and it allows him to stick it to the Zhus which is the best part. Dorian said:
"I’m okay with that but I want to know what kind of partnership you had in mind. You know that Chen Tech has a contract with the government and every public transport are Chen Tech spaceships, I would like to upgrade them with your spaceship Everard minus the warp drive. Then we could sell it with the warp drive to other travel companies."
Eden said:
"I’m okay with that."
Dorian smiled, Eden’s spaceship is the kind that seemed to be 300 years in the future. He always wants to be at the forefront of technology so upgrading his spaceships to Everard is amazing. Even without the warp drive it’s already the most impressive spaceship ever created, he knows that everyone will want to upgrade as well.
Eden took the tablet and said while typing:
"I sent you the contract that I drafted. Read it and let me know if you want to make changes or add things."
He already knew Dorian would want to upgrade all his spaceships with Everard so it’s already written in the contract.
Dorian took his tablet and he skimmed the contract and was surprised to see that Eden already wrote down that he would agree to have Dorian upgrade his spaceships with Everard without the warp drive. Since that night when he sneaked into Eden’s chambers he knew that he was smart he just had no idea he was a genius. He frowned when he got to a clause in the contract. He asked:
"You choosing which security system to use on Everard is non-negotiable?"
"It is."
Does that mean that he’ll choose Zhu Security because he loves Ryker? Even if he and Eden are getting closer and getting to know each other it doesn’t change the fact that he is engaged. They kissed but it was only a favor after he won. They are more friends than anything.
He is sure that he needs Eden in his life but he is also sure that he won’t be able to stand him being with Ryker. He knows that he knows about his plan to steal Qin Empire but it doesn’t take away all the years they’ve been together. They lived together and he’s been the only person at his side since his father passed. No matter what he can’t just forget his feelings like that. He knows that Ryker is back at his house since he told him which made him feel better. Eden knows what Ryker is up to but he still accepted his proposal so does that mean that he’s forgiven him?
Dorian said:
"I refuse."
Eden raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Does that mean you have a specific company in mind?"
"I don’t, but the fact that you put that clause in the contract means that you do. Who is it?"
He’ll accept Eden choosing Zhu Security over his dead body or hell freezes over whichever comes first.
Eden looked at him amused and he said:
"It’s a new company called White wolf. Qin Empire will be using them after we meet for the renewal of the clans’ contracts."
Dorian relaxed hearing that. He was only going to refuse he would have gone with Zhu Security.
"Okay then."
He’ll use them too and won’t renew his contract with Zhu Security. He knows how smart Eden so if he is going with them it means that they are the best. Eden looked at his jealous Gege with a tender smile.
Dorian felt his heart beating faster again. Why is he so adorable? Dorian ended up signing the contract before Eden left.
Ryker walked out of the elevator his hands in his pockets followed by an assistant and a bodyguard. He smiled when he saw the shareholders and the board members waiting in front of the council room. It doesn’t matter if he is 20 or 50 minutes late they’ll still have to wait for him. It makes him happy to see men 100 years older than him show respect for him as they should. He is the president of the biggest company in Cethra 7 and the owner of the most valuable resource in the galaxy. When his assistant opened the door he entered but stopped when he saw that someone was sitting on his presidential chair. He could only see his back when he turned he looked at the person surprised.
"Eden?"
Eden smiled.
"Everyone come in and have a seat."
Everyone entered not understanding why Eden was here. They all took a seat and Ryker walked to the presidential chair. He looked at Eden expectantly but he was using his tablet completely unbothered.
"Eden?"
Eden looked up.
"The meeting is about to start you should take your seat."
"I’m sitting you’re the one standing."
Ryker’s eyes flashed in anger and he said with a forced smile:
"You’re sitting on the presidential chair."
Eden raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
He smiled inwardly when he saw Ryker’s hands tightening into fists. Ryker forced himself to stay calm and he said:
"I’m the president of Qin Lab."
"You were now that I turned 19 I’m the president."
"Eden you can’t just take a seat in the presidential chair and just be president. I’ve been to college to learn how to run a company."
Eden felt like laughing. He’s run thousands of companies Ryker got nothing on him he’s nothing more than a fool. Eden looked at Ryker expressionlessly.
"It doesn’t matter whether I can run a company or not its mine. I own 80% of the shares of Qin Empire no one can stop me. So either take a seat or leave."
Ryker looked at Eden stunned. Everything that he said is the truth but he thought that Eden would let him run Qin Lab. He’s been in charge for more than two years already and he was sure that even after Eden turned 19 and they married it wouldn’t change. He woke up from his thought when Eden ordered:
"I’m out of patience just leave."
Ryker looked around the room waiting for someone to have his back but everyone was looking down in silence. He slammed the door behind him after leaving humiliated. He went to his office shaking in rage. When he opened the door he was shocked to see that all his furniture and belongings were gone. He immediately knew Eden was responsible when he saw that the style of the furniture was french country. He left the building and entered his hovercar. After ordering the driver to go he called his father.
"I’m coming to Zhu Security we need to talk."
"What are you talking about why aren’t you at the meeting with the shareholders and board members?"
"Eden came and he said that he’ll run Qin Empire now that he turned 19."
Arman threw the closest thing from him and after calming down he said:
"Hurry up I know how we’ll be able to take him down."
Arman hung up and he started to breathe heavily. He knew that Eden was a spoiled brat but he never thought he was this impudent. He dared show up and throw his son out of a meeting in front of all those important people. He was going to wait until they marry to make Eden sign Qin Empire away but now that he dared show up he’ll deal with him differently. We’ll see how he likes when he is held at gunpoint while he signs everything away during the last hunt. He can’t wait until he can shoot him in the face, Arman smiled viciously.
