Chapter 136: The Offer From CyberFront

The interview had barely aired when Robin hurried into Matthew St. Claire’s office carrying yet another stack of proposals.

"This is getting ridiculous."

Matthew looked up from his laptop.

"What is it this time?"

Robin dropped the folders onto the desk.

"They’re still coming."

"Luxury brands? A lot of them. For international magazines, we received around twenty. Even streaming platforms keep on coming. Television networks have been calling non stop."

"And..."

He held up a black envelope.

"This one arrived by courier."

Matthew raised an eyebrow.

"It looks expensive."

"It probably is."

Robin carefully opened the envelope.

Inside was a sleek presentation folder embossed with silver lettering.

CyberFront Technologies

Matthew immediately frowned.

"CyberFront?"

Robin nodded.

"I’ve heard of them. They’re one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the world."

Matthew quietly accepted the folder.

He knew another name associated with that company. One he hadn’t wanted to hear again.

An hour later, everyone gathered inside the meeting room. They were already seated when Matthew entered.

He placed the black folder in the center of the table.

"We’ve received another offer."

Emily smiled.

"Another luxury brand?"

Robin laughed.

"I wish."

Matthew opened the presentation.

"CyberFront Technologies."

The room became quiet.

Mary began reading aloud from the company profile.

"CyberFront develops advanced cybersecurity platforms for governments, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and healthcare providers."

She continued turning pages.

"They also build artificial intelligence systems capable of detecting cyberattacks in real time."

"Cloud security."

"Digital identity verification."

"Secure communications."

"Critical infrastructure protection."

Robin nodded.

"They’re basically one of the biggest names in cybersecurity."

Victor added,

"They’ve also expanded into smart city technology."

"Transportation networks."

"Hospital systems."

"Emergency response software."

Sarah looked impressed.

"The company is involved in protecting digital infrastructure across several countries."

Emily blinked.

"So... They’re basically protecting the internet?"

Robin laughed.

"That’s one way to describe it."

Mary reached the final page.

"They’re launching a global campaign."

"The theme is..."

She smiled.

"’Trust Begins Here.’"

"The company wants Chris and Liliana as its international ambassadors."

Emily whistled.

"That’s huge."

Robin nodded.

"The contract is enormous. Three-year partnership. Worldwide campaign, commercials, print advertisements, technology conferences, and charity initiatives promoting online safety."

Matthew quietly looked toward Chris.

"What do you think?"

Chris answered almost immediately.

"No."

Everyone looked at him.

Emily blinked.

"You didn’t even read the financial offer."

"I don’t need to."

Robin frowned.

"You... rejected it?"

Chris nodded.

"Yes."

The room became silent.

Liliana looked at him.

"Chris?"

He turned toward her.

"I don’t want us accepting this project."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Can you tell me why?"

Chris remained quiet for a few seconds.

Then he finally answered.

"Because CyberFront belongs to Arthur Jones."

The room froze.

Victor slowly closed his notebook.

"So the offer has already started."

Sarah crossed her arms thoughtfully.

"I suspected it might."

Matthew nodded.

"Arthur owns nearly sixty-five percent of CyberFront. He built the company after leaving the Sterling family."

Emily’s cheerful expression disappeared.

"So..."

"This isn’t just business."

Matthew answered quietly.

"No."

"It could be something much more complicated."

Robin slowly placed the contract back inside its folder.

"They specifically requested both of you."

Liliana looked down at the proposal.

"They already know who I am."

Victor nodded.

"They’ve known for years."

Sarah added,

"And after yesterday’s interview, they also know you’re actively investigating your parents’ deaths."

The room became heavy once again.

Chris leaned back in his chair.

"That’s exactly why I’m rejecting it."

Liliana looked at him thoughtfully.

"You think Arthur sent this personally."

"I do. And I don’t trust the timing."

For several moments...

No one spoke.

Finally, Liliana gently picked up the proposal again. She carefully read the first few pages.

Then she looked toward Chris.

"I understand why you’re worried."

Chris nodded.

"I don’t want you anywhere near Arthur."

She smiled softly.

"I don’t either."

"But..."

She paused.

"What if this is exactly the opportunity we’ve been waiting for?"

Chris frowned.

"Lily..."

She reached for his hand.

"If Arthur truly has something to hide, wouldn’t he want to watch us closely?"

Victor’s eyes slowly widened.

Sarah immediately understood.

"You mean..."

Liliana nodded.

"If we accept, we might get closer to him."

Robin looked uncertain.

"That sounds incredibly dangerous."

"It is."

Liliana admitted.

"But every answer we’ve found so far has required someone taking a risk."

Chris immediately shook his head.

"Not this one."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"You once told me that we would face everything together."

"I meant that."

"I know."

"Then let me help."

Chris sighed.

"I don’t want to lose you again."

Her expression softened.

"You won’t."

"You can’t promise that."

"No."

She answered honestly.

"I can’t."

She gently squeezed his hand.

"But hiding from Arthur forever won’t uncover the truth either."

Matthew quietly watched the conversation unfold. He had seen both of them grow up. He recognized the determination in Liliana’s eyes. It was the same expression Edward wore whenever he believed something was worth fighting for.

Victor finally spoke.

"There may be another option."

Everyone looked toward him.

"We don’t accept. But we don’t reject immediately either."

Sarah nodded in agreement.

"We respond professionally. We ask for time."

"Meanwhile..."

Victor smiled faintly.

"We investigate everything about CyberFront. Every executive, their shareholders, the company’s financial record we can legally obtain."

Henry added,

"And if a meeting eventually becomes necessary, it won’t happen without security."

Matthew folded his hands.

"Nor without preparation."

Chris looked toward Liliana. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"I’m not asking you to say yes today. I’m only asking you not to close the door yet."

Chris remained silent.

After a long moment, he finally nodded.

"We delay our answer."

Robin immediately made a note.

"I’ll inform them we’re reviewing the proposal."

Matthew closed the black folder.

"Good."

He looked around the room.

"This is no longer just another endorsement."

He rested one hand on the CyberFront logo.

"This could be the first move in a game Arthur Jones doesn’t yet realize we’re prepared to play."

Across the table, Victor quietly stared at the company’s name.

For weeks, they had been searching for a way to reach the man who had vanished from the Sterlings’ lives twenty years ago.

Now, Arthur Jones had reached out to them first. The question was no longer whether they would meet. It was who would uncover the other’s secrets first.