If you know the First Oak Lounge, you would know it's a place for multi millionaires, billionaires where they could hide their sins behind clouds of expensive Cuban Tobacco, the taste of twenty-year-old scotch and rum, every seat in leather and everywhere quiet.
I sat at a small table in the corner, my prototype on display on the table with the phone screen illuminating the brighter more detailed pictures. Across from me sat Adrian Thrope, a venture capitalist who specialized in new assets.
"It works, Sir" I said using the same volume as everybody in the room but with confidence. "Optic-Core can improve any lens by ten times and produce better pictures and even make better videos. Most cameras don't use AI and a separate processor to generate better images but I fixed it, it can work as an add-on or be built in the device; it's the next generation of camera lenses.
It can easily be mass produced, make back whatever investment is put into it and even much more. With Billions of devices on the planet and all using camera lenses, Optic-Core can work with all existing lenses, you can buy and clip on the device and start taking better pictures and videos.
Imagine selling one million devices with a gain of Fifty dollars, that is Fifty million, ten million devices will make five hundred million dollars and so on, enough to make profit for everyone. "
I believe I was giving the numbers what I think he wanted to hear but Thrope didn't look at the prototype, he was only looking at me then he took a slow drag of his cigar and exhaled a grey cloud and that's when I realized he wasn't in love with Optic-Core.
Thrope: "I know your history, Noah. You're the 'Almost-Man.' you said you had a better battery in 2022, but Sodium ion batteries outperformed yours. You claimed to build a better lidar sensor in 2024 but that didn't do like the simple ones in the market. Every time almost, and now you are here. Why should I believe you?"
I immediately replied, "That was the competition, Sir, people with more money destroying people trying to grow. They used their money to sway public opinion so that people would not buy my product." I paused "That is where you come in Sir, with your money, sorry your investment we claim the market and bring the big players to the table offering them units before they can make alternatives. I know they will patronize us when we deliver"
Then Thrope paused and looked at me, he lower his voice and like that I knew exactly what he was going to say.
Thrope: "I know your mother is holding up more than $10 Million, why isn't she your first call or here with you? That tells me all I need to know. If this doesn't work there is no fall back, no way to get the money as your mother is not willing to back you.
I can't invest in this," standing up. "You're a brilliant engineer, Noah, but how do I know this won't almost succeed." Thrope concluded.
"It will work Sir, whether my mother invests or not." I may have said that with a little anger in my voice because we had discussed about my mother and he knew that it's because she had spent so much on the first 2 inventions that failed which is exactly why he should not have brought it up.
Thrope walked away and now I am really angry but like every inventor knows, failure is only a delay to your success.
I sat back and started thinking of options but in less than one minute I heard footsteps, a waiter would walk slower these person was in hurry, I turned to look and a scent of expensive, sharp perfume smell entered my nose I looked and saw the face just before she passed me and walked into a privacy partition of the lounge.
This little partition was made with thick dark colored curtains and thus you cannot see but hear and a desperate woman can be loud.
Erica: "There has to be a loophole, Arthur," the woman spoke loudly. Obviously she sounded like an educated person but you could also hear the anger and panic. "The money also belongs to my father and he gave it to me".
Arthur: "The trust is ironclad, Erica," he replied. "Your mother wrote the 'Productivity Clause' herself. You haven't held a job in two years. You haven't completed a degree. You haven't even managed a household. According to the document, you are a 'liability to the estate.' Until you prove you can do something or are responsible she has the right to with-hold everything. Here is what you don't want to hear, if you don't adhere to her wishes she can pass it on to someone else."
"What, she can't do that" the woman says in surprise.
"She built everything with your father she has every right. She didn't inherit anything her name has been on everything since day one I was handed the paperwork from my own dad who was there when they began. Before you and I were born. Everything your father put down for you to inherit is also in your mother's name."
"Your mother has written her will and I cannot divulge any details of it, as it can only be read upon one's passing but from where your mother stands it is obvious she doesn't agree with you and thus you will not like that either" Arthur says with authority.
I heard a phone chime and the lawyer speaks "I have another client waiting outside he is here. Erica — your mother is a very serious woman and her words are very clear which is exactly why my advice is go home. Apologize. Play the daughter she wants you to be. Start a Business, start a family, build something then we can talk to her about being lenient. Yes your father had a will but everything is now in your mother's name."
As I heard the lawyers footsteps leaving the lounge I reach for my phone and open a search engine, I typed "Erica rich girl" in the top two results was the face I had just seen, Erica Huffington, daughter to mother with a Billion dollar estate, party girl, socialite and so many pictures of different poses.
Normally I would even be searching for women online and after I saw these pictures I am supposed to be like NO WAY, her face looked beautiful but the plenty poses are a turn off for me but Today my engineering brain decided to see her differently and just like that whilst looking at her pictures I thought I have to meet her.
I arranged my hair and suit and without much thinking I opened the privacy partition and walked in.
Normally I usually think before I do something and that would have been great except I had very little time and had to do something before she leaves.
I walk in and instantly I felt calm even though I didn't know her. She was looking down at her reflection in the centerpiece mahogany table then looked up as soon as she saw my reflection in it. Her gaze sharpening into a cold, defensive glare before she spoke, "If you're looking for a tip, talk to the waiter."
I continued my new found calm and confident posture. "I am not looking for a tip" sliding into the seat opposite her before she could say anything. "I am your solution." I said boldly.