Chapter 76 - The Briefcases

Duke stared blankly at Tyler, his eyes searching for any hint of humor or mischief. He waited for Tyler to burst out laughing and say "I'm joking" after his shocking confession. But Tyler's expression remained somber, his gaze fixed on his hands as if lost in his own thoughts. The silence between them grew thicker, making Duke's skepticism simmer into disbelief. He was just nineteen, how could he possibly build something as complex and sprawling as the Tierany system? It had existed for years, shaping the world's technology and society. Duke's mind raced with questions. How could someone so young, someone he started to consider a friend, be behind something so monumental? And what was his reason behind it? He wondered if Tyler was somehow pulling his leg, but the seriousness etched on his face suggested otherwise.