The Arrogant Heiress Mocked Her Silent Janitor Until He Fixed Her Impossible Engine
Previously: When Audrey's multi-million dollar engine prototype failed, she jokingly promised her hand in marriage to the quiet janitor if he could fix it. She never expected him to actually succeed.
With a single, precise strike of his wrench, Joseph hit a seemingly minor valve on the side of the engine block. Instantly, the massive machine shivered. The dead console screens burst into a vibrant blue life, and a low, powerful hum vibrated through the reinforced concrete floor. The prototype was running at peak efficiency. The room fell into a stunned, absolute silence.
The Unmasking of a Genius
Audrey rushed down from the observation deck, her heart pounding wildly. She stared at the humming machine, then at the quiet man in denim overalls. The brilliant blue glow in Joseph’s eyes had faded back to a calm, deep grey, but the air around him still felt charged with energy.
"How did you do that?" Audrey whispered, her voice trembling. "Nobody has the access codes for this system."
Joseph wiped a streak of grease from his hand with a rag, his face expressionless. "I don't need access codes for a system I built," he said quietly. "My name isn't just Joseph. I am Dr. Joseph Vance. Ten years ago, your father and I co-founded this company."
Audrey gasped. Dr. Vance was a legendary figure who had mysteriously vanished right before Apex Dynamics went public. Before she could ask another question, the heavy laboratory doors slid open with a sharp hiss. Audrey's uncle, Richard, who served as the chairman of the board, stepped into the room. He was flanked by four armed security guards.
"Well, well. The prodigal genius returns," Richard sneered, a cold, triumphant smile spreading across his face. "We knew you were hiding in plain sight, Joseph. We just needed Audrey's desperate little threat to make you finally activate the core."
Richard waved a hand, and the security guards drew their weapons, aiming them directly at Audrey and Joseph. Richard pulled a document from his coat pocket and tossed it onto the metal testing table next to the humming engine.
"Sign your shares over to me, Audrey," Richard demanded. "Or neither of you leaves this high-rise alive."
”"Or neither of you leaves this high-rise alive."