Ivy watched as the holographic screens around her flickered erratically, rewriting themselves with unprecedented speed.
Lines of code shifted and rearranged, forming entirely new pathways that defied logic. A single phrase scrolled across multiple monitors in bold letters:
'NEW TIMELINE CREATED.'
Her amber eyes narrowed sharply as she processed the implications.
Aric had somehow managed to alter not only his own destiny but the fates of everyone connected to him? It's a feat no mere human should have been capable of accomplishing.
How in the hell was shoving a vibrator to Callista the way to break fate? My plans was flawless.
Her phone buzzed insistently on the desk beside her, breaking the eerie silence of her realm.
Picking it up, she answered with a curt tone. ''What now?''
The voice on the other end chuckled softly, dripping with amusement.
"Well, isn't he interesting? A philosopher turned underground cleaner who not only rewrote fate for himself—a feat even I thought impossible—but also created an entirely new timeline. Looks like you're going to have to adjust your cube again, friend."
Ivy clenched her jaw tightly, irritated at this whole scenario. Reaching into her spatial pocket, she pulled out her dodecahedron cube—a sleek, crystalline device etched with intricate runes.
Cracks had begun spreading along its surface, distorting the once-clear projections within.
''This wasn't supposed to happen!'' Ivy snapped, slamming the damaged cube onto the desk.
''I set the safest possible timeline for him—one where survival was guaranteed without catastrophic consequences! And now look at this mess!''
"Oh, calm down." the Being replied lazily,
"You knew full well when you took on the role of guide that variables could shift unexpectedly. Besides, aren't you impressed? He's literally rewriting reality itself."
''Impressed?!'' Ivy exclaimed incredulously, pacing furiously across her virtual space.
''Well yes but do you realize what this means? Every calculation I made is useless now! If he keeps doing things like this, I don't know how to guide him!''
The Being laughed outright at her frustration.
"If you dislike it so much, why don't you take my job back? Or better yet, become co-workers? But I don't think you will considering, you like him."
''Don't tempt me.''Ivy growled under her breath,
''Your 'methods' are reckless and unpredictable. At least I try to keep order intact.''
"The pot calling the kettle black." the Being countered smoothly,
"Admit it, Ivy. You're fascinated by him. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be sticking around. Now stop sulking and adapt. Change is inevitable."
With that parting shot, the call disconnected abruptly, leaving Ivy alone amidst the swirling chaos of her domain. She stared at the cracked cube for a long moment before sighing deeply.
Adjustments would need to be made—again.
Back in the real world, the tension in Vayne's office lingered thickly despite the resolution reached moments earlier. Aric slumped into his chair, his hands trembling faintly from adrenaline overload.
His grey eyes darted between Seraphina and Callista, both women radiating conflicting emotions—skepticism, satisfaction, and lingering suspicion.
Seraphina snatched up the freshly signed documents, her sharp blue eyes scanning each line meticulously.
For someone claiming amnesia, my husband had somehow crafted a legally airtight agreement. Every detail accounted for: ownership restored fully to House Arkwright upon completion of the inventions, the debt wiped clean, making Callista pay us one note as compensation for the toy and even an additional clause where any expansion made beyond her estate was to be given royalties.
"How do you know how to write legal contracts?" Seraphina demanded sharply at Aric.
"Don't you have amnesia? Or did that accident give you some miraculous understanding of contracts?"
Well she has a good point. Normally someone like Vayne could only dream of writing that stuff but divorce and job contract had so much legal jargon so you learn a thing or two. Plus watching that show about a fake lawyer with insane memory prove to be handy.
Aric shrugged weakly, "Does it matter?"
Callista reached into her pouch and retrieved a pristine banknote emblazoned with the royal seal—a 'Royal City Note' indicating it belonged to one of the royal family members. Handing it over cautiously, she smirked faintly.
"Here's your payment. One note, as promised."
Seraphina inspected the note thoroughly, her expression shifting from skepticism to wary approval.
"It's legit." she admitted grudgingly, tucking the note away securely.
"But how did you manage to get a royal family member under your control?"
Callista simply smiled enigmatically, leaning heavily on Penelope as she struggled to stand.
"You know why." she told cryptically.
Penelope steadied her mistress carefully, glancing nervously between Seraphina and Aric. Despite her outward composure, Callista's legs visibly shook, betraying the lingering effects of the vibrator demonstration.
"Now then..." Callista continued, regaining some semblance of poise despite her condition.
"We'll need to set...a date for you to visit my estate and install these...inventions and also giving me all the blueprints stated in the contract. I assume you'll require measurements and inspections beforehand?"
Seraphina stepped forward abruptly, "I'll be accompanying him." she declared.
Whether driven by distrust, hatred, or jealousy, her reasoning remained unclear—but her stance was firm.
Callista raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"Oh? How protective of you, darling. Don't worry—I won't bite… unless invited."
Callista turned toward the door, her movements slow due to her legs still shivering,
"Before I leave, though, I'd like to see that metal box downstairs—the one that looks really tall. What did you call it? A fridge?"
"It's called a refrigerator." Aric explained tersely, rising to his feet.
"It preserves food using cold temperatures, extending its shelf life significantly."
Callista nodded approvingly, gesturing for Penelope to assist her as they began making their way toward the kitchen.
"Fascinating. Lead the way, my dear penelope. I must see this marvel for myself."
In the kitchen, Darius stood supervising the staff, his imposing figure dominating the bustling space. When Callista entered, supported awkwardly by Penelope, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he barked gruffly, pointing at her unsteady legs.
Callista waved him off dismissively, hobbling closer to inspect the humming refrigerator.
"Nothing a little rest won't fix..." she quipped lightly, running a finger along the smooth metallic surface. "So this is the fridge? Fascinating. How does it work?"
Darius crossed his arms,
"Yeah. It preserves food in cold temperatures, making them last longer. There's two sections, the cooler and the freezer. Freezer is for raw meats like that."
Callista chuckled softly, leaning against the counter for support.
"That is quite remarkable. Though…" She glanced slyly at Aric, who lingered near the doorway.
"…I might need further demonstrations later."