That morning, the atmosphere at the Rock Family residence was far livelier than usual.
After having a simple breakfast with his parents, Marvin walked toward the garage.
An old black Audi was parked neatly inside.
The car had been with him for many years.
While he was in prison, it had hardly been used at all.
Marvin gently ran his hand over the hood.
Then he started the engine.
The engine still sounded smooth.
He carefully inspected several parts before wiping down the windshield with a cloth from the garage.
Marvin had always been used to taking care of his own belongings.
Even when he was in excellent financial shape.
To him, taking care of what he owned was a way of honoring the results of hard work.
Not long after, the roar of a large motorcycle came from the front yard.
Vroom!
Harven appeared in a black jacket and a full-face helmet, making him look much more mature.
He lifted the helmet's visor and smiled.
“Keep your spirits up, big brother!”
Marvin chuckled.
“You've only got a few months left of school.”
“I know.”
“Take your studies seriously.”
Harven nodded.
“Once I graduate, I'll help the family.”
“That's what I wanted to hear.”
Harven gave him a thumbs-up.
Then he twisted the throttle and sped away from the yard.
Marvin watched him for a few moments.
Then he got into the car.
There was a lot of work to get done today.
About an hour later, Marvin arrived at Rock Electra.
From a distance, the power plant looked enormous.
White smoke rose into the sky.
The sounds of industrial machinery came from every direction.
The place had been like a second home to him since he was young.
It held countless memories.
And this was where the future of the Rock Family would be rebuilt.
Marvin went straight to the operations area.
Several staff members who saw him looked startled.
Most of them had already heard that he had been released.
But they hadn't expected him to show up so soon.
In the main control room, a middle-aged man immediately approached him.
“Good morning, Mr. Marvin.”
Marvin extended his hand.
“Morning, Mr. Lester.”
Lester was one of his father's most trusted men.
He had worked at Rock Electra for decades.
His loyalty had never been in doubt.
Even when many major companies offered him higher positions, he had stayed.
“I have good news,” Marvin said.
Lester immediately focused on him.
“We're starting the transition phase.”
Lester's eyes widened.
“Really?”
Marvin nodded.
“We're going to end our dependence on the old fuel and begin preparing to use MR-25.”
Lester looked extremely excited.
From the beginning, he had been one of the people who believed most strongly in Marvin's research.
“Then this will make new history.”
“That's right.”
Marvin looked toward the power plant.
“And this is only the first step.”
After inspecting several parts of the facility, Marvin walked toward an empty area beside the power plant.
The land was vast.
It stretched almost as far as the eye could see.
Several pieces of heavy equipment had already begun arriving.
Construction would begin soon.
“This is where the new production center will be built,” Marvin said.
Lester followed his gaze.
“It's incredibly large.”
“Because the demand will be just as large.”
Marvin smiled faintly.
“Within the next few months, this place will become one of the most important energy facilities in the country.”
Lester didn't doubt him.
MR-25 had already attracted the attention of many parties.
Even before mass production had begun.
“Sometimes I still find it hard to believe,” Lester said.
“What do you find hard to believe?”
“That all of this started with a single discovery.”
Marvin chuckled.
“A discovery is only the beginning.”
“The hard part is proving it.”
Lester nodded in agreement.
Few people understood how much time Marvin had spent on his research.
How many failures he had endured.
And how many risks he had taken.
That was why today's success felt so precious.
After completing his inspection of the site, Marvin stood at a spot overlooking the forest owned by his family.
The morning breeze blew gently.
His gaze swept across the vast area.
To other people, it was nothing more than a stretch of land.
But to Marvin, this place held the future.
Beneath the ground lay resources that had not yet been fully exploited.
Resources that would one day change the standing of the Rock Family.
And perhaps alter the balance of the energy industry in Chemisland.
“Mr. Lester.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Thank you for staying through those difficult times.”
Lester smiled.
“I was only doing my job.”
“No.”
Marvin shook his head.
“Loyalty can't be bought that easily.”
Lester fell silent for a moment.
Then he said,
“Then I should thank you, too.”
“For what?”
“Because I finally get to see this day arrive.”
Marvin smiled.
The day of revival.
Perhaps that was what Lester meant.
As noon approached, Marvin left the power plant grounds.
He still had other matters to attend to—matters far more important.
As soon as he got into the car, he took out his phone.
He immediately dialed a number.
The call connected.
“How is it?”
The voice on the other end answered respectfully.
“Everything has been taken care of, Mr. Marvin.”
“Has it arrived?”
“Yes.”
Marvin leaned back in his seat.
“Good.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“Make sure it's received by the owner personally.”
“Of course, sir.”
The call ended.
Marvin looked at the road ahead through the windshield.
Today was the day of the wager.
But that wasn't what he was thinking about.
His thoughts were on someone who had never left him during the past year.
Someone who had continued to believe in him when everyone else doubted him.
Someone who had continued to come to him when the entire world turned away.
Gennifer Winston.
Marvin smiled faintly.
Then he started the car.
Because at that very moment, a special surprise had just arrived at the Winston Family residence.
And soon, the entire family would be left stunned.