Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 161: The Company Goes Public

Chapter 161: The Company Goes Public

Morrison’s voice took on a softer, almost apologetic tone. "Sorry, Mr. East, but there’s nothing we can do. Other clients have urgent needs as well."

If Caspian hadn’t already figured out that this was all part of a larger plan, he’d truly be missing the point. His hand clenched around the lighter before slamming it onto the desk. "I want to speak with your boss directly!"

"Feel free," Morrison responded smoothly, barely hiding his amusement. "Just remember to contact her around noon or evening Central City time. She’s in school during the day." With that, he ended the call, a smug smile creeping across his face.

Caspian had no idea how deep the trap Lyra had set truly ran.

Though boiling with frustration, Caspian maintained his composure. He waited until the clock hit 7 p.m. Central City time, then dialed Lyra’s number.

"Hello," came her calm, emotionless greeting. There was no indication in her voice that she knew why he was calling.

Testing the waters, Caspian spoke cautiously. "Miss Shedd, was the price hike on the ’core’ your decision?"

"Just market forces at work," she replied coolly.

In the background, Caspian could hear faint whistling, followed by the sound of fast breathing. "Are you busy, Miss Shedd?" he asked, trying to sound polite.

Lyra pressed a button, halting the barrage of virtual lasers she had been dodging during her training session. "Just in the middle of some training, but I can spare ten minutes." Her tone made it clear that this conversation was more of an inconvenience to her than a priority.

Caspian’s jaw tightened, though he kept his tone civil. "I understand the price increase, but why not prioritize my need for the ’core’? We had an agreement."

"Actually," Lyra took a slow sip of water, "you treated our factory like a last resort. Now you’re upset we didn’t roll out the red carpet?"

Silence hung in the air. Caspian realized his bluff had been called. His plan to cut her out hadn’t just failed—it had blown up in his face.

He let out a deep sigh. "We didn’t handle things properly. But you know how it is, Miss Shedd, you control the core technology, and naturally, as a businessman, I looked for ways to reduce costs."

It was a weak attempt to shift the blame, as if Lyra’s control over the technology was somehow the problem.

Lyra set her bottle down, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "We’re all in the business of making money here, Mr. East. Who doesn’t want to pad their margins a little?"

Now backed into a corner, Caspian had no choice but to ask, "What do you want?"

He believed that Lyra wouldn’t dare jeopardize her ties with the authorities by dragging this out. But delaying the delivery of the ’core’ would put his production behind schedule, making him miss the most lucrative sales period.

Lyra’s voice turned almost playful, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "I wouldn’t want to make things difficult for you, Mr. East. In fact, I’ve got a deal that could be mutually beneficial."

Caspian’s unease grew at her tone. He knew she was far from finished.

"My company is planning to go public on the Central City Stock Exchange soon, but we’re just a little short on resources to finalize preparations."

Her boldness took him off guard. Caspian had dealt with plenty of greedy people, but never anyone so audacious as to openly request his help after putting him in such a tight spot.

He let out a humorless laugh. "You really expect me to help you while you’re squeezing me out of a deal? Why don’t you think again about what you’re asking?"

He wasn’t naive. Lyra wasn’t short on funds for her initial public offering; she had raked in a fortune from her Wyrmtrace operations. What she needed was manpower and influence to push things over the finish line.

But Lyra was unfazed by his disbelief. "I know exactly what I’m asking, Mr. East. You’re well aware of how profitable the ’core’ is. Investing in my company’s success would guarantee you a healthy return."

Caspian’s mind raced. Lyra was no ordinary entrepreneur—her moves were calculated, and each step was taken with a long-term goal in mind. But there was one thing she seemed to be underestimating.

"Why would I risk crossing the Shedd family for a bit of extra profit?" Caspian countered. "I’m already making more than enough without that kind of risk."

In this era of military dominance, crossing a powerful family like the Shedds could lead to ruin. Even though their influence in the business world was minimal, a vice admiral like Ansel could obliterate him with the flick of a finger if he wanted to.

Lyra’s response was cold, her confidence unshaken. "I’m not asking you to choose between me and the Shedds. I’m offering you a chance to get in on the ground floor of something huge. But if you’d rather cling to safety, feel free. Someone else will take your place."

Caspian gritted his teeth, knowing he was at a crossroads. He had seen her ruthlessness firsthand, and while he was reluctant to take the risk, missing out on what could become one of the most profitable ventures in the sector might be an even bigger mistake.

"Since when does any businessman think they have enough money?" Lyra wasn’t fazed by Caspian’s hesitation. She had anticipated his reluctance. "If the ’core’ alone doesn’t tempt you, how about energy stone mines?"

Caspian’s eyebrows shot up. "What exactly are you getting at?"

"Level-eight energy stone mines."

Caspian’s breath hitched, and he could feel his pulse quicken. He grabbed his cold coffee and downed it, trying to regain his composure. "Say that again?"

"Level-eight energy stone mines," Lyra repeated, her voice calm but with a subtle edge of control.

Those four words dried Caspian’s throat.

Energy stones were more than just valuable—they were critical, a universal currency in both the Empire and the Alliance. Ships, power grids, military operations—everything ran on energy stones.

Caspian knew that Wyrmtrace had produced energy mines, but the majority had been snatched up by the imperial treasury for military use.

Even the powerful East family had barely secured a limited amount of level-seven mines, which were still valuable but paled in comparison to what Lyra was offering.

"Are you certain?" Caspian asked, barely concealing his excitement.

"I can have my assistant show you a sample if you’d like," Lyra replied smoothly.

As Caspian processed her words, his mind raced. A level-eight energy stone mine was a treasure of immense power, capable of fueling projects far beyond what most corporations could dream of.

It wasn’t just a resource—it was leverage, a key to power.

And Lyra was offering it to him on a silver platter.

Lyra continued, her voice measured. "I’ve been thinking about how best to utilize these mines, but I believe, Mr. East, you might grasp their full potential even better than I do."

Caspian nodded slowly, fully understanding the gravity of her offer.

If he accepted, this wasn’t just about energy mines—it was about realigning their partnership.

Lyra had managed to outwit both the Mendez and other big families on that planet, claiming control over such precious resources. That alone demanded respect.

Clearing his throat, Caspian spoke carefully. "About the investment..."

Lyra’s eyes glimmered, sensing his shift. "Morrison will handle the details with you directly."

...

In no time, LE Energy—the newly formed company—went public on Elden Prime’s Central City Stock Exchange.

The IPO caused waves throughout the business world.

Since Lyra would be part of the military someday, she decided that it was better that Morrison be listed as the official legal representative.

The real shock came from the shareholder list: "L" stood for Lyra, and "E" for the East family.

Lyra, known for her sharp business instincts, and Caspian East, with his vast influence, were an unstoppable duo.

Investors flocked to the opportunity, sensing that LE Energy was more than just another company—it was a powerhouse in the making.

With Caspian overseeing operations on the ground, even Ansel couldn’t interfere directly. But while Lyra’s political clout grew stronger, Erin was seething.

"How does Lyra keep winning like this?!" Erin shouted, her frustration boiling over as she paced in the family estate.

She had watched from the sidelines as Lyra continued to rise, while her own career remained stagnant.

Erin turned to her grandfather, desperation in her eyes. "Grandpa, what are we going to do now?" Her voice was tinged with a mixture of anger and helplessness.

Ansel, ever the seasoned leader, sighed heavily. "Erin, instead of focusing on your rival’s success, you should focus on improving your own abilities."

The words hit Erin like a slap. She clenched her fists, her face flushed with humiliation.

She and Cohen had both been part of the Wyrmtrace development project, but while Cohen had been promoted to Commander, Erin had been suspended and stuck at home, her ambitions stalled.

She blamed Lyra for it all.

Her grandfather’s tone softened slightly. "If you’re serious about returning to duty, then I’ll help you. But you need to prove you’re ready. You, Erin, are the Shedd family’s brightest hope. Don’t let us down."

"Yes, Grandpa." Erin’s resolve hardened. She couldn’t sit by and let Lyra surpass her any longer.

What Erin failed to realize, though, was that Lyra never saw her—or anyone else—as competition. Everything Lyra did was for herself, a relentless pursuit of strength and independence. She wasn’t running a race with Erin; she was creating her own path.

...

After the IPO, Lyra’s business empire expanded even further.

LE Energy became the lynchpin connecting the commercial networks of Voidstar, Wyrmtrace, and key regions across the Alliance.

It was as though she were a master weaver, quietly spinning an intricate web that captured everything she needed to ensure her continued growth.

Lyra had become a force to be reckoned with—not just in school, where she honed her physical and mental prowess, but in the business world as well.

During school breaks, while others rested, she spent her time building her team, consolidating her influence, and strengthening her position.

But despite all her success on Elden Prime and Voidstar, she never once returned to either place.

Her focus was laser-sharp, and her ambition knew no bounds.

While the world was busy watching her rise, Lyra was already thinking ten steps ahead, plotting her next move.

...

During the summer break before her junior year, AMAT was set to open once again.

As the campus buzzed with excitement, Lyra was quietly preparing to leave, intent on slipping away unnoticed.

Andre, however, had other plans. Ignoring all decorum, he planted himself firmly in front of the girls’ dormitory entrance, arms crossed, blocking her exit.

What followed could only be described as a fierce, chaotic brawl—one that rattled the dorms and drew onlookers from every corner of the campus.

Despite his position, Andre was forced to use every ounce of his strength to contain her.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally managed to drag Lyra to the principal’s office, practically hauling her like a sack of barley, much to the shock of passersby.

"Whoa, whoa, Andre! Take it easy!" the principal exclaimed as he rushed forward, eyes wide. "Lyra’s still a young lady—you can’t be so rough with her!"

Andre, wiping a smear of blood from the corner of his swollen lip, shot a sharp glare at Lyra. "Young lady or not, she fights like a damn beast!" he growled, rubbing his aching jaw.

Lyra, slumped on the office sofa, looked far from the picture of elegance. Her usually pale face was flushed with the remnants of battle, and she coughed violently, clearly still catching her breath from the brawl.

The principal cast a glance at Andre, raising an eyebrow as if to say, ’Seriously? This is what you call ’not weak’?’