131 The Invisibility Proposition.
131 The Invisibility Proposition
The conversation gradually shifted to other topics, but the impact of what had transpired lingered. Damien had transformed from an unwelcome intruder to the most captivating presence in the room.
Later, as guests began to depart, I found myself alone near the garden doors. The cool evening air provided a welcome respite from the emotional turmoil inside.
“Yes. She sends her regards to Clara.”
All eyes turned to me. I forced a smile. “The technology certainly sounds impressive.”
“Yes.” I studied his face, trying to discern his motivation. “I didn’t realize our work so closely.”
you
Damien smiled. “Wednesday would be perfect. I’ll make all the arrangements.”
followed
Damien nodded. “Beyond military use, we’re exploring medical applications. Imagine targeted drug delivery systems invisible to the body’s immune response.”
“Doing what?”
For forty minutes, we discussed theoretical applications, potential limitations, and future developments. I found myself engaged in the most stimulating technical conversation I’d had in months – with the last man on earth I wanted to impress.
I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t expected Damien to be familiar with Mr. Newman’s academic work.
“As is your colleague. Julian Croft, correct? Co–founder
YodaVision with you?”
“The applications would be revolutionary,” Mr. Newman said, his eyes wide with excitement.
He raised an eyebrow. “Is it so hard to believe that I might genuinely value scientific exchange with brilliant minds? Or is it just difficult to accept that I might have more depth than you’ve allowed yourself to see?”
I found myself drawn into the discussion despite my determination to maintain emotional distance. This side of Damien – the brilliant innovator, the visionary technologist – had always fascinated me.
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Something flickered across his face – too brief to identify. “Not officially. Not yet.”
I felt a strange twist in my stomach. Damien had effectively charmed my mentor and colleague in less than an hour, potentially creating an ongoing connection to my professional world.
“I’m not in a rush,” he replied smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine.
The conversation suddenly shifted. The tension in the room dissolved as Damien began explaining complex technical concepts with surprising depth and clarity.
Damien’s expression remained neutral, but I caught a glimmer of something in his eyes – satisfaction, perhaps? Had this been his intention all along?
“I’d be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss it in more detail,” Damien replied. “Perhaps next week at my office? I could show you the actual prototypes.”
My fourteen–year–old cousin Emma inched closer to me, whispering, “Is he always this… intense?”
“It was,” Damien agreed, “until we developed a new compound that operates at the quantum level.”
Julian joined our small circle, his curiosity evident. “The new TI shield system? I heard rumors it achieved complete invisibility in testing.”
Uncle Victor nodded curtly. “I understand. Eleanor mentioned you’d be representing her tonight.”
Without waiting for my response, he nodded politely and walked away, leaving me with questions I couldn’t answer and a proposition that would potentially draw him deeper into my carefully separated professional world.
Damien turned to him with genuine interest. “Dr. Newman, I’ve read your papers on cognitive computing. Your theories on neural networks have been influential in some of our recent projects.”
“It was… illuminating,” I admitted. “I didn’t realize you were so directly involved in TI’s research division.”
The formality between them was glacial. Uncle Victor had never forgiven Damien for how he’d treated me throughout our marriage. The protective glint in his eyes spoke volumes.
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Julian leaned forward, completely engrossed. “That’s theoretically impossible with current materials science.”
“The quantum absorption matrix presents significant heat dispersion challenges,” Julian pointed out.
“Your exploration of mimetic learning patterns,” Damien replied without hesitation. “We’ve been applying similar principles to our adaptive security systems.”
Damien’s eyes locked with mine, a flicker of appreciation in them. “That’s actually one of our current research directions. The invisibility property could allow for seamless integration with neural tissue.”
Before I could respond, Mr. Newman approached us, his eyes bright with excitement. “Mr. Thorne, about that meeting – would Wednesday work? I’m eager to explore the invisibility technology further.”
I couldn’t help myself. “What about neural interface compatibility?”
“Really?” Mr. Newman’s eyes lit up. “Which aspects particularly?”
“Then it’s settled,” he said smoothly. “I’ll have my assistant contact you to arrange the details.”
Mr. Newman, my former professor and mentor, approached us with interest. “Mr. Thorne, I’ve been following Thorne Industries‘ recent innovations. Fascinating work in the AI sector.”
Damien’s gaze found mine across the room. I refused to look away first, maintaining my composure despite the unwelcome flutter in my chest. After seven years, his presence shouldn’t affect me anymore. Yet somehow, it still did.
“I make it a point to stay informed about significant developments in the AI field.” His voice was casual, but his eyes were intense. “Especially when they involve people connected to me.”
“The traditional approach has been to deflect scanning waves,” he explained, his voice steady and confident. “Our breakthrough came when we created materials that absorb and neutralize detection signals instead.”
“Your mentor is quite brilliant,” Damien’s voice came from behind me.
“That would be extraordinary,” Mr. Newman agreed enthusiastically. “Wouldn’t it,
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Elara?”
131 The invisibility Proposition
“I apologize for being late,” Damien said, his voice carrying through the room. “Business matters required my attention.”
Damien shook his hand firmly. “Mr. Vance. Thank you for the invitation.”
I observed them from across the room, nursing a glass of wine. The gathering had been pleasant until Damien’s arrival. Now the atmosphere had shifted, becoming heavy with unspoken tension.
“This… sudden interest in my professional circle.”
Damien’s mouth curved into a slight smile. “More than rumors. We’ve developed technology that renders objects effectively invisible to all current detection methods.”
“Mr. Thorne.” Uncle Victor’s greeting was stiff, barely concealing his animosity. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he extended his hand. “Welcome to our home.”
Mr. Newman shook his head in amazement. “The implications for the entire field are staggering. I’d be very interested in seeing your research.”
The divorce papers remained unsigned between us, a fact we both acknowledged without speaking it aloud.
Damien Thorne had that effect on people.
As Mr. Newman walked away, Damien turned back to me. “You’re welcome to join, of course. Your expertise would be valuable to the discussion.”
I met his gaze steadily. “Why are you doing this, Damien?”
Uncle Victor watched from across the room, his expression a mixture of surprise and concern. He’d never seen this side of my interaction with Damien – two intellectual equals challenging and building on each other’s ideas.
“We’re hardly connected anymore, Damien.”
“There’s a lot about me you’ve chosen not to see, Elara.”
Elara’s POV
The statement hung between us, loaded with implications I wasn’t prepared to
examine.
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The tension in Uncle Victor’s living room was palpable. My younger cousins, usually boisterous and lively, had retreated into uncharacteristic silence. Their wide eyes darted nervously toward the tall figure who commanded the space without effort.
I smiled tightly. “Yes.”
I crossed the room, determined to take control of the situation. “You didn’t have to come, Damien. If you have other matters to attend to, don’t feel obligated to stay.”
Damien nodded. “We’ve developed a revolutionary cooling system to address that issue.”
“Did you enjoy the technical discussion?” he asked, changing the subject.
I turned, maintaining my composure. “Yes, he is.”
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