Chapter 991
“That’s good.I was worried that someone from The Raven would get to her.”
Zane did not want Nicole to get involved in anything dangerous right now.
“I don’t think so yet, but Nicole asked me to check out someone named Ike.Not sure what she means.”
Carl told Zane what Nicole had asked him to do.
“Ike? Since she has asked you to look into it, you help her with it as best as you can after we take control of the manufacturing plant,” Zane said.
“Okay.”
A few hours into the flight, the cargo plane opened the rear cargo door, and Zane and the others jumped out of the plane.
Ike drove Nicole and Harvey to his R&D center.
As the door opened, a manned flying car was parked in the middle of the workshop.
“This is the manned flying car you developed?” Harvey looked at the behemoth in surprise.
“Yes.There is no way to reduce the size now because of the many components needed.But as technology advances, the size will get smaller and smaller.I aim it to be about the same size as a car now, ” Ike said.
Nicole walked over to check it out.
The shape of the manned flying car had been a world apart from a car.
From the appearance alone, it looked more like an alien spaceship in movies.
“Ike, can you tell us a bit about how it works?” Nicole asked, looking at the manned flying car.
“This manned flying car uses four independent propellers for take- off, landing, and forward motion.When the pilot starts it, it is like operating a car, driving the flying car through the control stick.It can’t go any higher when it reaches a certain height.We set an upper limit on the altitude so that it can avoid collision with aircraft and cause an accident,” Ike said.
“What if there is a malfunction in the air? Will the flying car crash? ” Harvey asked a very practical question.
“In the event of a malfunction, the flying car will activate the emergency system to maximize the safety of the driver,” Ike said.
“That is to say; now it is only possible to safeguard the driver’s life.Absolute safety is still not possible, right?” Harvey asked matter-of-factly.
“Yes, because this flying car is just a prototype, and the technology is not mature enough now.”
This was the explanation given by Ike.It was impressive that they could make it, which was the only one in the world as of now.
“You guys have done a great job.I’m sure you all have suffered many setbacks in making this flying car, right?” Nicole looked over at Ike.
“Yeah.Many of my colleagues were injured during the development and test flights, but they still persevered, which led to the flying car before you.” Ike told the research and development process, his eyes full of pride.
“Thank you for your contribution to the progress of mankind.” Nicole looked at him matter-of-factly.
“That’s our mission, what we’re after.” Ike smiled and looked at Nicole.
“It’s getting late.We have to get back.Thank you for showing us around your debut project.It is our pleasure.”
Nicole said goodbye, then left the R&D center with Harvey.
Back at the hotel, no one mentioned Ike as the man behind the curtain.
They returned to their respective rooms to rest.
The next day, Nicole said goodbye to Mr.Harmon on the phone and then took a flight back home with Harvey.
Last night, she received a message from Carl and knew that Carl had left.She had sent his flight information to Jared’s phone.
After getting off the plane, she saw Jared at the exit gate.
“Tired?” Jared asked, taking her hand with concern, completely ignoring Harvey, who was on the side.
Harvey saw Jared was doing it on purpose.He did not make a fool of himself but left in another car.
Chapter 992
Sitting in the car, Nicole leaned against Jared’s chest.
“Now that nothing else is going on, we can go on atrip together.Do you have time?”
“Yeah.You can look at the cities you want to visit first.” Jared had not been busy lately, just the occasional meeting.
“Okay, then I will check out the guide first.If I see any interesting places, I will come back to you.”
“Okay.”
After about half an hour, the car stopped in front of the Sea View Villa.
“Go on in.I have some business to take care of.I will meet you at my place tonight.”
Jared gave Nicole an evil look.
Nicole got the hint and bit her lower lip bashfully.She was just about to get out of the car when Jared pulled her by the hand.
“Did you forget something?” Nicole frowned.
“No.”
Jared pointed to his cheek, and Nicole was amused.She then gave him a peck on his cheek with embarrassment.
“I’m going in.Drive safe.”
“I will.Remember our date tonight.”
Jared reminded her in case she forgot.
Nicole watched Jared’s car drive away before walking into the villa.Tia was helping Mrs.Wallace Sr.plant flowers in the garden.
When she saw Nicole walk in, she ran over happily.
“Nicole, why didn’t you tell me in advance when you came back so I could pick you up at the airport?” Nicole looked at her and smiled.
“Jared picked me up.You don’t have a driver’s license.So, how are you going to pick me up?”
“Looks like I will have to get a driver’s license.” Tia sighed.
“Grandma, are you planting flowers again?” Nicole walked over to see her.
“You’re back, Nicole.These flowers are beautiful.I’m thinking of planting more.Looking at them every day makes me happy.”
“Okay.You may plant as much as you want, just don’t get tired,” Nicole said.
“I won’t.I will rest for a while when I feel tired.”
“Then go get busy.I just came back to see you.There are still some things for me to do at my friend’s place, so I won’t be staying here today,” Nicole said.
“It is okay.You do your things and don’t always have to come back to see me.I have Tia here to take care of me.Everything is fine,” Mrs.Wallace Sr.said with an avuncular face.
“Okay.Tia has been a great help.” Nicole glanced at Tia.
“Don’t worry about it” Tia said.
“I’m leaving, Grandma.”
“Okay.Take care.”
Mrs.Wallace Sr.stood up and looked at Nicole.She drove away from the Sea View Villa and listened to music in the car the entire way, feeling relaxed.
Thinking of Sean as she drove toward Riddle Corporation.
“Is Sean in?” Nicole asked the receptionist.
“Let me check it out for you.”
“Mr.Riddle is in his office.” The receptionist said after making a phone call.
“Thank you.”
Nicole took the elevator up to the floor where Sean’s office was, came in front of it, and gave it a knock.
“Come in.” Sean’s voice rang out inside.
Nicole pushed the door open and walked in.
“What are you busy with, Mr.Riddle?”
Chapter 993
“Nicole, you’re back?”
Sean was so busy with the Aegis Corporation project that he had completely forgotten about Nicole’s return.
“Alas, look! I was so busy that I forgot the time you came back.Did Jared pick you up from the airport?” Sean asked.
“Since when do you like to gossip?”
Nicole scowled at Sean, surprised to see him take up a new hobby after only a few days.
“I’m not gossiping; I’m concerned about you.” Sean was deadly earnest when talking nonsense.
“I’m not talking to you anymore.”
“Okay, no more jokes about you.”
“What did you get out of the seminar?” Sean offered Nicole a cup of coffee.
Nicole took the coffee and did not answer him right away.She wanted to make him eager for a while, for he had made fun of her just now.
Seeing that Nicole was about to finish her coffee and still did not seem like talking, Sean knew she was on purpose.
“My bad.Please don’t keep me in suspense anymore.Quickly tell me.”
Nicole then put down her coffee cup.
“Some exciting things were happening during the seminar.You’d have been surprised had you been there.”
Sean listened to Nicole with interest, his eyes lighting up.
“What’s so exciting?”
“Ever heard of manned flying cars?” Nicole looked at him.
“Manned flying cars?” Sean frowned as he recalled his memory.
“I think I heard of a similar concept product abroad a few years ago, just once, and then there was no news.Where did you hear about it?” Sean asked curiously.
“That was the major topic of discussion in the seminar.” Nicole looked at him calmly.
“You guys were discussing manned flying cars?” Sean looked at Nicole in disbelief.
“That’s right.There are more surprises, though.” Nicole continued.
“More?”
Sean could no longer sit still.He was curious about what kind of seminar Nicole had gone to this time and brought back such explosive news.
“Yeah.The meeting was not only to discuss manned flying cars but it was also announced to be developed.”
Nicole dropped the bombshell, causing Sean to freeze.
“Is it really going to be developed?”
Sean looked at Nicole excitedly, his face overflowing with excitement.
“Why are you so thrilled?”
Nicole looked at him in disbelief, thinking that he was overreacting.
“Of course.It is something I have dreamed of doing.I never thought that what was once a concept car would now really get underway.Manned flying cars will be a qualitative leap for the automotive industry and a way of travel that many people aspire to.If it can really be developed successfully, it will revolutionize the current way of travel,” Sean said.
“Are there really many people looking forward to it? Aren’t planes more convenient now?”
Nicole only knew that manned flying cars would somewhat relieve the traffic pressure on the roads and had no in-depth knowledge of the rest.
“Airplanes are just easier over long distances, but there is no solution to the pressure of traffic for short- distance travel.And the dramatic increase in the number of conventional cars is a major problem causing traffic congestion.Only by solving this problem will society be able to move easily and quickly on its feet, and that’s where manned flying cars come in,”Sean explained, bullish on the manned flying car project.
“Can Riddle Corporation take part in this project?” Sean asked what was on his mind.
“You want to be involved in the development of manned flying cars?” Nicole raised an eyebrow at him.
“Whatever stage is fine as long as I can take part in the project.”
Sean looked at her matter-of-factly, his eyes full of a wonderful vision of manned flying cars.
“I didn’t know you had such a deep passion for manned flying cars.It just so happened that Mr.Harmon asked me to take part in its R& D.If you really want to take part in this project, assemble an elite team.If there is something suitable for Riddle Corporation to do, I will hand it over to you.”
Nicole said flatly as if she was talking about something ordinary.
Sean was different; he looked at Nicole with astonishment, as he could never have dreamed that Nicole would be involved in the R& D.He could not calm his joy inside.
“Mr.Harmon asked you to take part in its R&D?”
Chapter 994
“Yeah.”
Nicole nodded without a trace of joy on her face.
“You are really a blessing to Riddle Corporation.It seems that Mr.Harmon appreciates you very much.Ordinary people can’t take part in the research and development of such high precision work since he has so many talented people under him.” Sean looked at Nicole with envy.
“It is not as exaggerated as you say.I have no interest at all.Since you like it so much, I might as well talk to Mr.Harmon and let you join the project.”
“Stop joking.You are the one whom Mr.Harmon values.”
Sean would not dare to overstep his boundaries.
“Me? I think you’re the one who’s joking.I’ll be honest with you; there are a lot of things waiting for me, and I really don’t have time to get involved.” Nicole looked at Sean with a serious face.
“What about Mr.Harmon? I’m afraid he won’t let you go so easily? ” Sean said what Nicole was really feeling inside.
“That is the thing.I’m in a predicament, not knowing how to reply to him.”
Nicole’s beautiful face was filled with worries.It was the first time she was worried about something.
“It is really a delicate matter.If you don’t reply with care, it will affect the friendship between you two.”
“But don’t fret.Just follow your heart.Don’t let every day of your life be spent with melancholy.It isn’t worth it.”
Sean patiently assured her, hoping his sister would be cheerful every day.
“You’re right; follow my heart.You get busy.I’m leaving.” Nicole said goodbye to him and got up to leave.
“Take care.I won’t see you off.”
Sean waved his hand at her.
After leaving Sean’s office, Nicole drove to Martin’s laboratory.
On the plane earlier, she had received a message from Martin saying that he had some good news to share with her.
Martin was in the lab doing the final tests.He wanted to share the best results with the people he trusted and liked the most today.
Nicole knocked on the door, but Martin did not open it as quickly as before.It took him a few moments to answer the door.
“Nicole, you’re here?” Martin’s face was beaming.
He looked haggard, but his spirits were high.
“What are you doing? Taking so long for you to open the door for me.” Nicole looked at Martin, who had a strange smile on his face.
“Come on in.I want to show you something good.”
Martin mysteriously pulled Nicole inside.
She wanted to shake Martin’s hand away, but seeing how excited he was, she did not want to kill the buzz, as he must have been in the lab for too long.
Nicole let him pull at her sleeve and brought her in front of a row of instruments.
Martin looked at the instrument and said, “See? This is my gift to you.”
Nicole was startled, wondering why he gave her a gift for no reason.
“Has it been long since you have had any rest?” Nicole was concerned about his health.
The Beacon project would be ruined if he fell sick.
“Yes, but that’s not the point.Take a look inside.”
Martin pulled Nicole into the instrument and pointed to the glass enclosure.
Nicole followed his finger and looked inside; it was a circuit board.It just looked like a circuit board to her.
“It is a circuit board.Don’t tell me that is what you have been working on all these days.”
She could not believe that a board that small had tortured Martin like this.
“Yes, I have been working on it all this time.”
“What about The Beacon? Have you given up on The Beacon?” Nicole asked in puzzlement.
Martin smiled at her.
“This is The Beacon.”
Nicole looked at him in confusion and then at the circuit board inside the instrument and pointed at it.
“This is The Beacon? It doesn’t look like one.”
“This is the heart of The Beacon.With this chip, The Beacon can be activated and become the most meaningful Beacon.”
Chapter 995
As Nicole listened to Martin’s explanation, she once again looked into the instrument.
The chip that Martin made really looked like a circuit board.
“This is the first-generation chip, right? Is the performance stable?” Nicole asked.
“It is relatively stable.Just that the size is a little huge.”
Even Martin wanted to laugh when he looked at the chip.
“It really is not small.”
“When will the finished product of The Beacon be ready for trial?”
This was Nicole’s chief concern because her loved ones who were in the midst of the war were still fighting a blood-soaked battle; they needed such equipment badly.
Martin thought for a moment before he replied to Nicole.
“The finished product will be out next week, the quickest.” Nicole nodded her head.
“I’m looking forward to the finished product.Be sure to let me try it when it is out.”
“Don’t worry.I promise you; you will be the first to try it out.”Martin assured her with a smile.
“So, is there any more work to be done here?”
Nicole wanted to take him for a better meal.
After all, he was just too emaciated now.
“No more work.I will come back and assemble it tomorrow.”
“Clean up.We will go out to celebrate.”
Nicole looked at him.
“Okay, give me a moment.”
Martin grabbed the important flash drive before locking the lab door.
Nicole drove Martin to the restaurant where they had previously celebrated.
“When did you get the new car?”
Martin sat in the chair and looked at Nicole.
“It’s been a while.You had been in the lab all this while, so you didn’t know.”
“It seems like I haven’t been out for a really long time, so much so that I didn’t even know you had bought a new car,” Martin said with amusement.
“None of these matters.”
“Come on.Let’s raise a glass to celebrate the birth of The Beacon.”
Nicole picked up her glass and clinked it with Martin.
“Cheers!”‘ Martin picked up his and knocked back at once.
“You must have worked your butt off all this time.”
Nicole looked at Martin seriously.He was doing what he liked, but it was a different feeling for Nicole because she was the ultimate beneficiary.
“No big deal.All the hard work is worth it.”
Martin did not feel tired at all, as he enjoyed the entire process of developing The Beacon.
There were some frustrations and difficulties, but the result was satisfying.
“What have you been up to lately, Nicole?”
Both of them were too excited to talk about The Beacon before Martin came to his senses.
“I went abroad for a seminar and just got back today.”
Nicole did not hide it from him.
“You went abroad? I really knew nothing about it.”
“I was so hurried that I rushed abroad the day after my exams,” Nicole explained casually.
“Really? That was quite a rush.By the way, what seminar type was it?” Martin asked with curiosity.
“It is kind of an industrial seminar.”
Nicole still could not discuss it with outsiders because it was still confidential.
After all, this was about Mr.Harmon’s new project, and no outsiders may find out about it before the press conference.