Chapter 26: The Innovation grand hall

Angelic sat at the large dining table in her father's opulent estate, the morning light streaming through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floor. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmurs of her father's aides, who moved about with an air of quiet efficiency. She sipped her coffee, feeling the warmth seep through her, and looked across the table at Arnold Conde, her father, who watched her with a mix of pride and concern.

"How's the progress of your mission about destroying Marcelino?" Arnold asked, his voice steady but edged with a quiet intensity.
"Dad, it's getting better," Angelic replied, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Soon he will fall into my trap like a rat caught in its own actions. I can't wait for that time, Dad." She smiled, a small, cold smile that didn't reach her eyes. She felt a strange satisfaction in knowing that Marcelino's days of deceit were numbered.

Arnold nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer. "Good. Remember, Angelic, this is not just about us. The other Celestial families have no idea about our plans and movements. We must remain vigilant."
Angelic nodded, her thoughts briefly drifting to her twins, Monic and George, who were currently under Arnold's watchful protection. Her father's estate was a fortress, equipped with the latest security technology and manned by a small army of loyal guards. She knew her children were safe, but the burden of keeping them out of harm's way weighed heavily on her.

Meanwhile, in the grand hall of the Innovation family mansion, a different kind of gathering was taking place. The hall was a marvel of opulence, its walls lined with rare gemstones that sparkled in the light of the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The floor was inlaid with a stunning mosaic of Alexandrite, Padparadscha Sapphire, Red Beryl, Black Opal, Blue Garnet, Grandidierite, Jadeite, Musgravite, Painite, and Taaffeite, all set in a pattern that represented the family crest.

The mansion itself was a testament to the Innovation family's wealth and power, with cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrated into its classical architecture. The gathering hall was vast, able to accommodate over a thousand people, all of whom were present to witness the latest developments in the family's internal competition.

The competition was fierce, with seven candidates vying for the position of the next family head. Each candidate was a formidable force in their own right, possessing not only exceptional intelligence and strategic acumen but also a commanding presence that could dominate any room they entered. Among them, however, there was little camaraderie. They were competitors first, each one focused on claiming the top spot and the immense power that came with it.

The atmosphere was tense as the family members and invited guests waited for the proceedings to begin. The room buzzed with quiet conversation, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter and the clinking of glasses. At the head of the hall, a raised platform held a long table where the elders of the Innovation family sat, their faces grave and impassive as they prepared to judge the candidates' progress.
"Where is John?" a middle-aged man, tall and imposing, asked impatiently. His voice cut through the murmur of the crowd, drawing the attention of those nearby. The man was Norman, one of the family elders and a key figure in the family's decision-making process.

"Dad, John hasn't arrived yet," one of the younger family members replied, glancing at his phone. "His phone is off."
Norman's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "That bastard! Why is he late? John, don't embarrass me in front of others! I will not forgive you if you fail to climb into the top three finalists!" His voice was sharp, filled with a barely contained fury.

The tension in the room ratcheted up another notch. The Innovation family was known for its ruthless efficiency and intolerance for failure. The stakes were high, and the candidates knew that any misstep could cost them dearly.

As the minutes ticked by, the hall seemed to hold its collective breath, waiting for John's arrival. The other candidates stood at the sides of the room, each lost in their thoughts, some casting wary glances at the empty spot that should have been occupied by John. They were all acutely aware that every point, every move they made, was being watched and judged.
The seven candidates, each a potential heir to the Innovation family's vast empire, were not allies. The competition had bred a fierce rivalry among them, with each one willing to do whatever it took to secure their position. Trust was a scarce commodity, and alliances, when they did form, were fragile and often short-lived.

The Innovation family, ranked number one among the Celestial families, was a world unto itself. It was a family where power, wealth, and influence were the currency, and the competition for the top position was a brutal and unrelenting battle. The gathering was not just a family meeting; it was a display of the family's strength and a test of the candidates' resolve and capabilities.

The hall's grandeur, with its gemstone-covered walls and state-of-the-art technology, was a constant reminder of the family's dominance in the world. The gemstones, rare and valuable, were not merely decorations; they symbolized the family's control over the world's most precious resources. To the Innovations, money was not a concern—it was a tool to be used, a means to maintain their unrivaled status.

As the crowd continued to murmur, the tension palpable, the door at the back of the hall opened. All heads turned as John, known to Angelic as Marcelino, finally entered. He walked with a calm confidence, his face a mask of composure, but there was a subtle tension in his posture, a hint of the pressure he was under.

Norman's gaze bore into John as he approached the platform. "You're late," he said, his voice cold.
John met his gaze evenly. "I apologize, there were unforeseen complications," he replied, his tone measured and respectful, yet with an underlying edge of defiance.
Norman's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more. The room fell silent, the air thick with anticipation. The candidates' reports would begin, and with them, the next phase of the competition.