A sharp knock echoed through the room before a man stepped inside. "The owner of inSpire Corp is on the call," he announced.

  The U.S. Chair—also President, Ohare Manifold—nodded. "Ah, yes. Give it to me." He strode toward the video conference setup, waving a hand to signal his aides. "No interruptions."

  On the screen, a man sat confidently, exuding calm. His voice was smooth and measured. "The offer I made still stands, Mr. President. I trust you’ve given it some thought."

  Ohare leaned slightly forward, a calculating look in his eyes. "It’s an impressive offer. But I’ve just been informed that some of our most advanced technology has stopped functioning. Without it, how do you expect to produce any meaningful results?"

  The man exhaled, almost amused, as though anticipating this response. "No need to worry, Mr. President. My company is leagues ahead in IT. I wouldn’t have made this offer if I hadn’t accounted for every eventuality."

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Ohare rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Then, with a firm nod, he said, "I accept. You’re free to conduct your research—but the results must be significant, and they will be shared with me."

  The call ended abruptly.

  A butler, who had been standing quietly nearby, spoke up, his tone cautious. "Do you trust this man, sire?"

  Ohare sighed, taking a slow sip of water. "No, I don’t. But he owns inSpire Corp—one of the most advanced IT firms in the world." He set the glass down, his gaze steady. "And besides, there’s no external risk."

  The butler nodded, understanding the president's pragmatism.

  ---

  On the other side of the call, the man leaned back in his chair, sighing as he glanced toward the dimly lit corner of his office. "So, you’ve got the permission now. Your research is officially legal—approved by the President himself. The approval documents will arrive tomorrow. For now, sit tight."

  A shadow shifted in the corner of the room, revealing another figure, his lips curling into a subtle smile. "I have my ways, Henry."

  Henry chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I give up. You always know what I’m about to say, don’t you?" He met the man’s gaze for a moment before asking, "But tell me—are you sure you can work without advanced computers?"

  The man returned his gaze with quiet assurance.

  "Don’t worry."

  With that, he turned, offering a brief farewell before disappearing into the night.