"Here''s the contract. If everything looks good to you, just sign on the dotted line." said Anthea


    calmly.


    Talbot adjusted his sses and said, "I''m sorry, but could I take a look at the prototype first?"


    Though Anthea''s pitch was impressive, Talbot couldn''tmit without seeing the product firsthand.


    The world was full of smooth talkers, and besides, Anthea was so young. Could she really have


    invented a garment that adjusted its temperature? It sounded far-fetched. Talbot didn''t fancy his


    business acumen going to waste on a pipe dream.


    Anthea handed him a tote bag. "Mr. Talbot, feel free to try it on."


    Skeptically, Talbot went to the restroom, pulling the garment from the bag. He frowned; the shirt


    looked utterly ordinary, indistinguishable from the white button-down he was wearing. He should


    have known better. How could a teenagere up with such a revolutionary invention?


    Disappointed, Talbot returned to the table. "Ms. Yeager, this shirt seems no different from any other


    fabric."


    Anthea''s smile didn''t waver. "Our climate-adaptive fabric adjusts to the ambient temperature. Since


    we have the air conditioning on in here, perhaps you should step outside."


    Talbot stepped out into the chilly December air of Cloudcrest. Passersby were bundled in their


    winter coats. A cold gust hit him, but instead of shivering, he felt a warm embrace enveloping him.


    The shirt worked!


    His eyes lit up as he dashed back into the café. "Ms. Yeager, it''s incredible! This shirt is nothing


    short of a miracle!"


    "Now, Mr. Talbot, shall we finalize the contract?" Anthea asked, still smiling.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    "Of course! I''ll sign!" Talbot, containing his excitement, scribbled his signature onto the contract. A


    temperature-regting garment was unheard of, even in technologically advanced Country


    Pellonia. This innovation would take the world by storm, and his status as a CEO along with it!


    Anthea was no longer just an employee in his eyes; she was his benefactor. "Pleasure doing


    business with you," she said, handing over a set of keys – office, car, and warehouse. "You''ve just


    arrived back in Cloudcrest. Take some time to settle in before starting at the office. Call me if you


    need anything."


    Talbot bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your trust, Ms. Yeager."


    Without realizing it, he had begun to speak to her with reverence. Despite her youth, she deserved


    his respect.


    Only a week remained until RealTimeFlow''s third-anniversary g, and Daniel Robinson nned a


    trip back to Capital City.


    "Sherman, fancy joining me in Capital City for RealTimeFlow''s anniversary bash?" he asked.


    "No," Sherman replied, his eyes closed.


    Daniel had hoped to y matchmaker between Sherman and Reba at the g, but Sherman''s


    outright refusal dashed those ns. Narrowing his eyes, Daniel pressed on, "Griffin YC will be


    there. Don''t you want to see the person who''s beaten you a few times?"


    At that, Sherman''s eyes snapped open, the chess piece twirling on his fingertip. "You sure?"


    "Absolutely," Daniel affirmed. "Griffin YC, our elusive streamer, will be at the anniversary g."


    "When do we leave for Capital City?" Sherman asked.


    Was that a yes? As Daniel noted Sherman''s interest in Griffin, he sighed inwardly. Sherman was as


    eager to meet Griffin as he would be disappointed at the g. Griffin was nothing but a cheat.


    Daniel had been baffled that anyone could beat Sherman until he learned the truth. The deception


    was regrettable, but the silver lining was that Reba would shine at the g.


    Reba was not only a chess prodigy but also a stunner. Griffin YC, the unsightly cheater, would


    be merely a foil to Reba''s brilliance if she even dared to show up at the event.