The Year 2044, Earth Calander...20 years after The Alexender Kingdom discovered Earth.

In New York Metropolis, The Maxwell Tower stood as a sleek structure of dark glass and steel, representing both the elegance and formidable power of the Maxwell business empire as it dominated the skyline with an air of prestige.

At the topmost floor of ther building, Felix Maxwell sat at a long polished mahogany table with a relaxed posture, but his gaze was sharp as he observed the Maxwell elders around him.

He exuded an air of refined confidence and quiet authority. His golden hair was slightly tousled yet impeccably styled, framed by a face defined by sharp and mature features.

His piercing blue eyes held intelligence and depth like he had spent most of his years following a single ambition.

He was clad in a tailored black suit that fit him with effortless precision, making him command attention from anyone.

At the moment, The Maxwell elders, Abraham, Albert, and Charlotte were gazing at him with a solemn expression.

All three looked younger than their actual age as they were in their eighties and nineties, yet, looked just like any other middle-aged people in their early forties...Even baldy Albert grew hair again.

Abraham leaned forward, his fingers steepled, and spoke in his low and commanding voice. "The Alexander's Holdings has offered a new promising opportunity. We received from Intel that they plan to establish a new trading route connected to Mars to search for earth elemental stones."

"If we collaborated with them to facilitate their mining process, we can utilize this new trading route for our business ventures."

"What do you think?" He asked as he gazed at Felix.

Felix met Abraham's gaze evenly, his mind already racing with potential strategies. He was fully aware of the risks and benefits that this opportunity had presented.

"Alexander's Holdings is the biggest company in the kingdom since it was founded by the royal family itself. Its GDP alone is worth a million times more than our entire solar system combined." Felix replied calmly, "Securing a partnership with them is nearly impossible even if our company was considered one of the best in our solar system. Whatever amount of money we offer, it won't make them bat an eye."

"In other words, we have no value in their eyes, which gives us no negotiation power for a deal." Charlotte agreed.

"We all know this." Albert rubbed his eyelids, "But, this is a unique opportunity to latch our family to the royal family...We have to find a way."

"I know, that's why to secure a foothold, we'll need to present a partnership that makes us indispensable to them, something beyond just trade." Felix smiled faintly, "If we can offer exclusive access to our rare cuisine-based resources, we might have the leverage we need."

Albert nodded approvingly, his calculating eyes narrowing as he considered Felix's words.

"True, exclusivity could work in our favor since great food is always in demand regardless of social status. But, we aren't the sole company with exclusive resources on our home planet." Felix gave a slight smile, his fingers tapping the table as he spoke. "True, but we are the only ones with the Intel about their upcoming route development. If we make the first move and leave the best impression possible, they won't reject our advances related to their new route."

"I see, you are suggesting we use a friendly approach instead of a business approach. Thus, once we come to ask for a small favor, they won't outright reject us." Albert nodded in approval.

"Exactly, all we need is to build a bit of trust with their representatives responsible for this task. If they find elemental stones on Mars, we will be allowed to share their secured route and avoid the pirates. If they find nothing, we can convince them to leave the route under our management to deliver our exclusive resources at a discounted price."

"Once trust is built, we can expand our partnership and expand our family routes across the kingdom and potentially even to the Mariana Empire."

The elders exchanged looks, each considering his words. Abraham's lips curved into a rare smile.

"You've done your homework, Felix. If Robert and your parents were still with us, I am sure they would be proud."

Felix showed a mere faint smile as he anwsered, "If they were still alive, there wouldn't be a reason for me to be here."

"Hahaha, that applies to all of us." Albert laughed, "They would have already made the Maxwell a business stronghold name across the kingdom in no time."

"True, some people are just born into business." Charlotte smiled.

After Felix and the elders chitchatted a bit more, they postponed the meeting until tomorrow, excusing everyone.

When Felix left the meeting and glanced at the beautiful neon lights of the metropolis from above the clouds, the only thought coursing through his mind was;

'I should return home, I have been away for three days straight...Niko must be throwing a tantrum for me.'

He showed a gentle smile as he took out a holographic picture, showing himself, Asna, and a little cute child, with golden hair and blue eyes.

The picture was taken in the UVR as they were in a fantasy-based amusement park...He was carrying Niko on his shoulders while Asna was leaning on his chest and holding his hand tightly.

She had a beautiful smile painted across her face like she was living a blissful and loving life with her family.

When Felix saw her smile, he couldn't help but kiss his fingers and place them on her face, feeling like his heart was cleansed from all the stress and problems he faced daily being one of Maxwell's elders.

Without wasting any more time, Felix took the elevator down to the first floor, receiving respect from all family and staff members working in the tower.

After he was done with the greetings, he got into a sleek black hovercar, which was already awaiting him at the front door.

Then, he greeted the driver with a polite smile, "How was your day, Jack?"

Jack lowered the separating glass between them and welcomed back with a faint chuckle, "Not as busy as yours, boss."

"Same response as always." Felix chuckled at the dried-up joke he always heard every time he asked his bodyguard and driver.

As for the informalities between them? Felix thought Jack a family member since he was his bodyguard ever since he was a child.

He was even sent to Sky Pearl Island with him during the family assessment and was near him when the Alenxder Kingdom found Earth twenty years ago.

"Where to boss?" "Home."

"Right away."

Jack lifted the separating glass again and steered away, leaving Felix to recline his head on the glass window.

The neon lights of Maxwell Tower faded behind him. Yet, his mind was still sharp, focusing on the next steps for his proposal to Alexander Holdings.

He knew that persuading their representatives wouldn't be easy; the competition was fierce, and Alexander's staff members were known for their arrogance.

Felix's fingers tapped rhythmically against his knee as he ran through his approach.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly startled by a sharp chime from his wrist. As he tapped on his AP bracelet's small screen, a holographic message alert flickered in front of him.

It was pulsing with a red glow.

Felix's brow furrowed as he read the message under his breath.

-Felix Maxwell: You are required to attend a classified meeting under the authority of The Empress of the Metal Race...Attendance is mandatory.-

-Click the link underneath for more details.-

"..."

Felix swiftly fixed his sitting posture as the weight of the message took over his mind.

This wasn't an ordinary request; the Empress of the Metal Race seldom convened mandatory meetings with even the top ten rulers.

Don't even mention him, a small businessman from a rural area that wasn't known to most of Alexender Kingdom's citizens.

Thus, his first thought was:

'Was I mistaken for someone else? It can't be, such mistakes are impossible for Queen Ai.' He frowned as he reached out to press on the link.

As expected, the moment he clicked it, he was dazed to see that the details involved his full name and even ID number, making him understand that no mistake was made.

As he continued reading through the details, he found that the meeting would be held in three hours and the location was unknown.

But, he understood that once the time came, he would simply be teleported to the designated location.

'I don't understand what's going on, but ignoring this invitation is a death sentence.' Understanding that the Empress of the Metal Race's authority was at the highest in the SGAlliance made him do one thing.

He accepted the invitation in a heartbeat and wished for the best as he was nothing but a mere human with no strength to him whatsoever.