Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

As the tour continued, the admiration for Nova Tech grew with every step.

Each corridor they passed revealed something unexpected, glass-walled project hubs instead of traditional meeting rooms, interactive idea boards where anyone could pitch an innovation, and even a quiet corner with soft lighting and indoor plants simply labeled The Breathing Room.

It was clear that this wasn't just a company. It was an ecosystem built to encourage creativity, comfort, and bold thinking.

But despite the fascination, something else quietly buzzed beneath the surface of their conversations.

"Are we going to meet the Chairman now?"

A few of them shook their shoulders.

"I just want to verify something about his age. They said he was twenty."

"No way. He started this company with his own money, right? Then, twenty is too young to have this much money."

"Can be Daddy's money."

"They say he doesn't like public appearances."

"I bet we won't even see him today."

"Come on, they have to introduce him eventually… right?"

Everywhere, the same question returned like a soft echo through the group.

Who exactly is Ethan Cole?

They had seen the name printed on the welcome kits, stamped onto official emails, mentioned with reverence in the orientation videos. They had heard department heads and even David Turner speak about him with clear respect. But none of them, not a single one, had met him face-to-face.

The curiosity was starting to mix with tension. Even those who had been skeptical before now leaned in closer with each turn of the tour, wondering if the next room would be the room. The one where he finally appeared.

And then… it happened.

The group came to a gradual stop outside the company's ballroom, a sleek, glass-walled chamber with panoramic views of Novan City sprawling beyond. The sunlight poured in, casting warm highlights on the polished floor.

David raised a hand, signaling the group to pause.

"Now," he said, voice lowering just slightly, "I know many of you have been wondering about the man behind all this. Well... you're about to meet him."

A hush fell over the crowd.

The glass doors slid open with a soft hiss. And there he was.

Ethan Cole.

He stood alone at the far end of the room, his back to them, gazing out over the city skyline. The image alone was striking—tall, still, composed. A silhouette that didn't need words to command presence.

Standing beside him was Jordan, who offered the newcomers a welcoming smile. His eyes scanned the staff's faces, quietly amused by their mixture of awe and disbelief.

When Ethan finally turned around, the room shifted.

People fell quiet. Even breaths slowed.

Ethan's presence felt different from what they expected. His features were sharper than any image they had imagined—defined jawline, focused eyes, and a quiet strength in the way he stood. He wore a charcoal-black suit tailored to precision, crisp and modern, the kind that spoke without arrogance.

Jessica and David exchanged glances.

"Why does he look different?" they both whispered at the same time, almost in sync.

"Yeah. It feels like I'm looking at Ethan but not Ethan," David added.

"I second... that."

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They didn't say anything more. This wasn't the moment to ask.

Whatever it was, his posture, his presence, his aura, it had changed. Something in Ethan had evolved.

And it showed.

Jordan gave Ethan a small nudge and stepped aside. "It's your turn, boss."

Ethan smiled, subtle but confident. He had practiced this moment more times than he could count, alone, in his room, in front of a mirror, with Jordan throwing mock questions at him just to build his rhythm.

He had prepared. But still, as he stepped forward, he felt a flicker of nervous energy rise in his chest.

He welcomed it.

"Welcome to Nova Tech," Ethan began, his voice calm but unmistakably clear. "It's good to finally meet all of you."

The staff stood completely still, eyes glued to him. Some blinked in disbelief. Others leaned slightly forward without realizing it.

No one had expected someone this young. And yet, no one could look away.

"I know some of you are wondering," Ethan continued, his tone light yet honest, "how someone my age ended up running a company like this."

He paused just long enough to let the question hang in the air, then offered a disarming smile.

"And I get it."

A few chuckles escaped. The ice cracked.

"But here's what I want you to understand. Nova Tech isn't just another company. It's a vision. A living idea. And from today forward, that vision belongs to all of us."

He let his words settle before continuing, each sentence more grounded than the last.

"I believe innovation only happens when we dare to break patterns. That's why you're here. You weren't just hired because of your experience or resumes. You're here because you're ready to build something new."

The employees glanced at one another, something stirring in their expressions. They understood now. This wasn't a speech for applause. It was a foundation.

"This Friday," Ethan said, raising his hand just slightly, "we're going to make Nova Tech known to the public. It's the grand launch. But that's not where the story ends, it's where it begins."

His voice gained weight, more anchored now. "We won't follow trends. We'll set them. We won't wait for permission. We'll lead."

A wave of electricity ran through the room. Some nodded. Others stood taller.

"You were chosen because you belong here," he said. "I believe in you. I trust what we can do together. So let's show the world what Nova Tech is really made of."

The silence that followed was not empty.

It was full of something stronger.

Hope. Readiness. A sense of belonging.

Jessica stepped forward, catching the shift in atmosphere immediately. Her tone was smooth, keeping the momentum flowing.

"We have department meetings planned for the rest of the afternoon. You'll meet your leads, understand your roles, and start preparing for this Friday."

The crowd began to move again, but now their steps were firmer, more confident.

As they filed out of the boardroom, the chatter started.

"Our boss is amazing," one of the engineers whispered to her colleague. "He's younger than I expected, but… wow."

A marketing lead nodded. "Not just the way he looks. He means every word. I can tell."

From the side of the room, David watched as the last few employees exited, their conversations full of enthusiasm and renewed purpose.

He glanced toward Ethan, who was now surrounded by several department heads, shaking hands, exchanging small talk, and subtly trying to align themselves with his favor.

Some offered compliments on his speech, others asked light questions about his vision for the company, all hoping to leave a good impression.

Ethan handled it gracefully. Calm nods. Polite smiles. A firm handshake here, a brief laugh there. But even in the small talk, there was a quiet authority in the way he carried himself. The kind that made people want to listen.

David let out a soft chuckle and turned to Jessica. "I think we're in good hands."

Jessica returned the smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "No doubt about it."

Her eyes drifted back to Ethan, who had now begun answering a question from one of the legal team leads. His tone was relaxed, but confident.

"In just a few days, he's changed so much," she murmured, more as an observation than a statement.

Jordan, standing just behind her, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You noticed it too? I thought maybe it was the suit, or that new skincare routine he refuses to admit to."

Jessica laughed softly. "No, it's deeper than that. It's the way he speaks now. His timing. His focus. Like… something finally clicked."

David nodded in agreement, folding his arms as he watched. "It's like he's stepping into who he's supposed to be. And we're watching it happen in real time."

There was a brief pause before their conversation shifted.

"I assume everything's in place for the staff this afternoon?" David asked, eyes still scanning the room.

Jessica tapped her tablet. "Yes. After the orientation, each team will break off into their departments. They'll meet with their department heads, get access to their work systems, and be briefed on their specific responsibilities."

"Good," David said. "It lines up with what Ethan said—about people understanding their role in building the bigger picture."

Jessica nodded. "Exactly. And later this evening, they'll reconvene for the closed-door prep session about the launch. Just the staff directly involved."

"We're giving them a lot on day one," Jordan said, folding his arms. "But I like it. Keeps the momentum going."

Jessica glanced up. "The heads of each department have been briefed earlier this week. They know what to cover, what to prioritize, and how to handle questions."

Jordan grinned. "Then I'll make sure they actually do their jobs," he said with a playful chuckle. "You know, just in case anyone tries to slack off while riding the hype wave."

Jessica smirked. "That's why you're here."

The three of them shared a quiet moment of satisfaction. For once, the day had gone smoothly. The staff were excited. The energy was real. Ethan had delivered more than they expected. But most of all, they had laid the foundation—just like they'd planned.

Still, unknown to them, while Nova Tech was gaining momentum, the world beyond their walls was stirring.

The Great LaRue Family hadn't forgotten about Ethan Cole.