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Novel Catalog
Carlisle leaned back in his chair, the weight of the day’s events slowly beginning to lift as the atmosphere in the studio lightened. The team, despite their quirks and differences, had begun to come together in a way that felt almost effortless now. It was a strange mix of chaos and creativity, but Carlisle could sense the spark of potential in the air. Every one of them had something unique to offer, and that energy was contagious.
Hank’s idea about integrating a real-time avatar customization feature had caught Carlisle’s attention. It wasn’t just innovative—it had the potential to take their project to a new level. He could already see the possibilities unfolding in his mind. “We could also add some kind of interactive element where users can influence the appearance of their avatars based on in-game achievements,” Carlisle suggested, his enthusiasm building.
Heath, who had been listening intently, raised his beer bottle. “That’s the spirit, Carl! Keep those ideas flowing!” The others chimed in, nodding and discussing the concept further. Each suggestion built on the last, creating a synergy that seemed to come out of nowhere. What had started as a group of strangers now felt like a cohesive team, united by a shared goal and an unspoken understanding.
As the night wore on, the alcohol flowed freely, and the discussions grew more animated. Carlisle felt a sense of relief—he had made the right decision in bringing this group together. Heath’s enthusiasm was infectious, and while Hank’s unconventional approach to work was a bit concerning, it was clear that he had a genius for solving problems in ways that others wouldn’t even think of.
Carlisle couldn’t help but smile as he raised his beer bottle once again. “To the team,” he said, his voice steady but filled with conviction. “We’re going to make something great.”
The others raised their bottles in agreement, clinking them together. The sound of their laughter and conversation filled the room, and for the first time in a long while, Carlisle felt hopeful about the future.
But as the evening progressed, his phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Lethan—an unexpected development considering their last encounter.
Carlisle glanced at the screen, seeing the brief but pointed text: “Could you have your private investigator check on Quinn and John for me?”
He stared at the message, his thoughts drifting back to the earlier meeting with Lethan. The man had seemed so certain of his own world, so comfortable in his status. But now, it appeared that the ground beneath him was beginning to crumble. Quinn and John—two people Lethan had trusted completely—were now at the center of a potential betrayal.
Carlisle’s mind raced as he processed the information. He knew the situation with Lethan was far from over. What started as a simple business encounter had quickly turned into something much darker, and now, it seemed, Carlisle’s involvement in Lethan’s life was about to deepen in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
His phone buzzed again, this time from the chairman of Islo Clothing: “You better not have lied to me, or I’ll make sure you get expelled from Riverland University!”
Carlisle read the message with a sigh, irritation bubbling to the surface. He had no intention of being intimidated, not when so much was at stake. With a grin, he typed back a defiant reply: “I hope you can still talk to me like that in three days!”
He threw his phone onto the table, trying to shake off the nagging feeling that things were spiraling out of control. But as the laughter of his friends filled the room once again, he couldn’t help but wonder just how much further he would need to go to secure his place in this chaotic world.
Meanwhile, Lethan was sitting alone in his room, staring at the picture of his wife. The woman who had once seemed perfect, now a symbol of doubt and betrayal. He had trusted her completely, but now, with the possibility of her affair with John looming large, everything he had built seemed on the verge of collapsing.
His brother-in-law’s response had been blunt: “Be prepared for the worst.”
It was a cold reminder that the truth, when uncovered, often came with consequences far greater than one could ever anticipate.
As Carlisle continued his work with the team, Lethan’s mind remained consumed by thoughts of Quinn and John, the betrayal threatening to consume him entirely. It was a dangerous game they were all playing—one that none of them could predict the outcome of. And as Carlisle’s team continued to grow, the stakes for both of them were becoming more tangled with every passing moment.
For now, Carlisle could only focus on what was in front of him—building the team, creating something worthwhile. But deep down, he knew that the true battle was only just beginning.
