CHAPTER 53 — The Real Beginning (Part 1)
Morning arrived slowly over London.
Grey clouds stretched across the sky, and the early sunlight reflected off the glass towers and ancient buildings of the city. From the top floors of the luxury hotel, the view looked almost unreal — the Thames flowing quietly, the streets already alive with people rushing through their routines.
Inside the hotel suite floor reserved for gala guests, however, the morning was quieter.
For once.
Care stood near the tall window of the lounge, holding a cup of black coffee in her hand. Her hair was loosely tied back, and her expression was calm, thoughtful.
London moved beneath her like a living map.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Cole.
He stopped beside her, rubbing his eyes slightly before glancing at the city outside.
"You've been awake for long?" he asked.
Care didn't look away from the window.
"About an hour."
Cole let out a tired sigh.
"Of course you have."
He poured himself coffee from the machine nearby and leaned against the counter.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
It was a quiet moment — rare for them.
Cole finally looked at her sideways.
"You're already planning business strategies in your head, aren't you?"
Care took a slow sip of coffee.
"Three companies from Germany were present yesterday. One from Japan. Two investors from the UK market."
Cole raised an eyebrow.
"You memorized all that from one gala night?"
Care finally looked at him.
"I memorized the ones worth remembering."
Cole laughed quietly.
"Unbelievable."
Behind them, doors began opening along the hallway.
The peaceful morning was officially ending.
Kevin walked into the lounge first, stretching dramatically.
"Why are rich hotels so bright in the morning?" he complained loudly.
Ash followed behind him, fully awake and already judging him.
"Because normal humans wake up before noon."
Kevin pointed accusingly.
"I slept at three in the morning."
Ash smirked.
"Skill issue."
Kevin gasped in betrayal.
Across the room, Alex walked in calmly, already dressed neatly.
Lyra followed him, staring at her phone.
"London has some of the most incredible architectural structures in Europe," she said excitedly.
Alex nodded.
"I already marked five places we should visit."
Lyra's eyes widened.
"You already researched them?"
Alex shrugged slightly.
"Obviously."
Nearby, Daisy and Joong walked in together.
Daisy still looked slightly nervous, even though the gala had gone well.
Joong noticed immediately.
"You're still thinking about the medical panel, aren't you?" he asked gently.
She nodded.
"They invited me to a surgeon roundtable today."
Joong smiled.
"Then they clearly want to hear from the best."
Daisy rolled her eyes slightly.
"You're biased."
"Of course I am," Joong replied.
Across the table, Nova and Ben had already opened their tablets.
They were discussing hospital logistics even before breakfast arrived.
"If Trinity expands into the European healthcare network," Ben said thoughtfully, "we'll need regulatory approvals across three countries."
Nova nodded.
"Which means we start negotiations now."
Ben smirked.
"You're enjoying this too much."
Nova raised an eyebrow.
"You're the one who suggested expansion."
The entire group slowly gathered around the long breakfast table.
Laughing.
Teasing.
Planning.
The comfortable chaos of their friendship filled the room.
Meanwhile…
Across the hallway.
Section E was also waking up.
Percy stepped out first, adjusting his sleeves while scrolling through messages on his phone.
Honey followed him, already fully awake and reviewing documents.
Aries and Ella were discussing legal contracts in quiet voices.
Rakhi sat near the window sketching designs on her tablet.
Freya leaned against the couch half asleep but still looking like she belonged on a magazine cover.
Endrix was typing rapidly on his laptop, clearly hacking something complicated.
Then two more doors opened.
JJ stepped out.
Behind her came Keifer.
They both paused when they noticed the others gathering.
Keifer leaned casually against the wall.
"So," he said.
JJ crossed her arms slightly.
"This month is going to be interesting."
Keifer smirked.
"That's one way to put it."
Around nine in the morning…
Both groups ended up in the same breakfast lounge.
Almost at the same time.
Twenty people.
Two powerful groups.
For a moment there was silence.
Not hostile.
Just curious.
Kevin looked around the room slowly.
Then suddenly clapped his hands dramatically.
"Well this is either the start of a global partnership…"
He grinned.
"…or the beginning of absolute chaos."
Freya laughed first.
Soon several others joined.
The tension broke instantly.
People sat down.
Coffee was poured.
Breakfast arrived.
And the conversations finally began.