As Elise and Matthew shared that moment, he felt that their partnership, both professional and personal, had changed him profoundly. With Elise by his side, he had found a new purpose that went beyond material achievements and business success; she brought a light and perspective he didn't know he needed.
"Matthew," Elise said softly, still holding him, "I have something I want to show you too. A personal project I recently started that I think you could help drive."
He pulled back slightly, curious, studying her face. "A personal project? Tell me more."
She smiled, the enthusiasm visible in her eyes. "It's an initiative I call 'Light for Tomorrow'. It's a foundation I want to create to support young talents with sustainable and innovative ideas, but who don't have resources or access to opportunities."
Matthew felt a mixture of surprise and admiration. "You've never mentioned this before. Why did you start this project?"
"Because I believe we need to do more than just lead; we need to inspire. I've seen so many young people with amazing creativity, but limited by their circumstances," she said, looking at Mateus seriously. "I thought I could change that. And with the influence that Montavon and NeuroSys have, maybe together we can give these talents a platform to shine."
He nodded, already seeing the possibilities. "With the right resources and our network, we could turn this into a sustainable innovation incubator. A space where these young minds could develop their ideas with the support they need."
"Exactly," she replied, shaking his hand enthusiastically. "Imagine the impact this could have on the industry and on these people's lives. And with you by my side, I feel like anything is possible."
Mateus smiled. "And I feel privileged to be a part of this with you. Let's start this project together. I want NeuroSys to be a key partner."
She nodded, excited. "Thank you, Mateus. This means the world to me."
In the days that followed, Mateus and Elise immersed themselves in creating the "Light for Tomorrow" foundation. They assembled a dedicated team to coordinate the project, formed strategic partnerships with educational institutions, and organized fundraising events. By combining their expertise and resources, they soon created a welcoming environment where talented young people could explore their ideas and receive technical, financial, and educational support.
Every meeting, every plan, and every decision they made with Elise only reinforced how much they complemented each other, both as business partners and as a couple. Their dreams now not only aligned, but also strengthened each other.
---
Mateus woke slowly, still feeling the comfortable warmth of the blankets. Standing up and yawning, he walked over to the bathroom mirror, running his fingers through his hair. It was then that he noticed something unusual.
"My hair is longer than usual," he said to himself, frowning, but soon smiled, a little narcissistically. "But I'm still hot as hell, hahaha."
After a long shower and brushing his teeth, he went to the living room. With the remote in his hand, he turned on the TV and started flipping through the channels. The first program that appeared was one of those entertainment programs, where they talked about a famous actress' recent surgeries.
"This movie looks like crap... and the actress, with all these procedures, has almost become a robot," he muttered, looking away from the screen. "Tsk... television these days is just going downhill."
Changing the channel once more, he sighed and decided to go about his usual routine. Sinking down on the couch, he relaxed, preparing to log in to the system.
As soon as he executed the command, the same old images: fireworks and other flashy visual effects appeared before his eyes.
He was already used to this after a year of daily logins, but he endured the repetitive spectacle in anticipation of new rewards.
[Congratulations!]
The system announced, and a list of rewards began to appear on its interface.
● Item Acquired (Normal): 5,000,000,000 Aurums
A considerable amount, but it was no longer that surprising for someone with Mateus' accumulated fortune.
● Item Acquired (Normal): Yami Yami no Mi
Description: A special fruit from a manga/anime called One Piece. Known as the "Fruit of Darkness", it was desired and obtained by the character Blackbeard.
NOTE: Collectible item, does not contain real powers. Don't be an idiot and don't complain after trying to eat it.
Matthew laughed softly. "The system really likes to make jokes…"
● Item Acquired (Normal): Maine Coon Cat
Description: A feline breed originally from the United States, known for its impressive size and long, dense fur, ideal for cold climates. It is an intelligent, affectionate cat with a slightly playful demeanor. The presence of this animal will bring a sophisticated and charismatic air to the environment.
He immediately felt a soft presence touching his leg and, when he looked to the side, there was the Maine Coon cat, with long, soft fur and a blue-gray coloration, resembling a miniature lion. The cat looked at him with expressive, almost inquisitive eyes, while meowing softly.
"So you came with the complete package, huh?" Mateus laughed, crouching down to pet his new companion. "I think I'll call you... Luf. You have the imposingness for it."
Luf meowed, seeming to approve of the name, and curled up next to him on the couch, purring softly. Matthew turned his attention back to the TV, with a new air of satisfaction, while he petted the cat that was now part of his life. The rewards of the system might have lost their initial luster, but every now and then, they still managed to surprise him in a pleasant way.