The atmosphere in the Baskerville ancestral home was surprisingly light that evening. Aiden felt something rare: a calm that only home could provide. The roast prepared by his mother emanated an irresistible aroma, filling every corner of the mansion with a comforting warmth.
In the immense dining room, a long, exquisite table was impeccably set. The shine of the silver cutlery contrasted with the soft light of the central chandelier, creating an intimate atmosphere, but still worthy of the Baskerville surname.
Nikolas finally put down his cell phone, looking satisfied with his performance on Orizon, and settled into the chair next to Aiden. Diego sat at the head of the table, as always, maintaining his imposing posture, while Victoria served the dishes with a warm smile.
"I miss this food, mother. No one cooks like you." Aiden commented, cutting a generous piece of the roast.
Victoria smiled, satisfied.
"You need to come by more often. Your father and I are here all the time, you know? We don't want this house to be so quiet."
Diego cleared his throat, interrupting the lightness of the conversation.
"Silence is good, Victoria. It keeps your mind focused."
Aiden chuckled softly, rolling his eyes.
"Dad, not everything needs to be a lesson in discipline. Sometimes, silence is just... emptiness."
Diego looked up, studying his son for a moment before answering.
"And emptiness can be dangerous, Aiden. It's when people stop planning and end up getting lost. You're a Baskerville. Never forget the weight of that name."
"Oh, here it comes..." Nikolas muttered, throwing his fork on his plate. "Every time Aiden comes back, he gives this speech. Relax, Dad. He's fine. Star Corp. is doing better than ever."
"That doesn't mean he doesn't need constant vigilance." Diego replied, his voice firm. "You'll understand when you're older, Nikolas."
Aiden looked at his father, his eyes carrying a mixed expression of respect and weariness.
"I understand the weight of the Baskerville name, Dad. Every day. But don't worry. I'm taking care of everything."
Victoria, sensing that the atmosphere was starting to get tense, quickly changed the subject.
"Aiden, how are things at the company? Your brother said you've been very busy lately."
"The usual, Mom. Meetings, investment decisions, expansion of Star Corp. We're at a strategic moment right now."
"And what was that story about the app driver?" Nikolas asked curiously. "Someone told me you were driving around. Was it just a joke or is it true?"
Aiden gave an enigmatic smile.
"Who knows, Nikolas? Sometimes it's fun to get out of the routine and live life in a different way. It helps you understand people. And, who knows, it might help in business."
"You're a CEO, Aiden. You don't have to do these things." Diego intervened, frowning. "Stop wasting your time."
"Not everything is a waste, Dad. There's a lot to be learned from the unexpected."
Diego didn't answer right away, but his expression said it all: he disapproved, but he knew Aiden was too stubborn to be convinced.
After dinner, Nikolas called Aiden out to the back garden, a large, luxurious space with ornate fountains and marble benches. Under the night sky, lit by twinkling stars, the two brothers walked side by side, in silence for a few moments.
"So, how are things really?" Nikolas asked, his tone more serious than usual.
Aiden stared at him, surprised by the weight of the question.
"Why the seriousness all of a sudden?"
"You think I don't notice? These guys that have been showing up at Star Corp., the news about problems with the expansions... Plus, there was that rumor about you being followed the other day. Things seem hectic."
Aiden sighed, stopping next to one of the fountains.
"You're smarter than you look, Niko. Yes, there's a lot going on. Ivan, some shady groups, strange accidents... There's something bigger behind all of this, but I haven't been able to put all the pieces together yet."
Nikolas crossed his arms, his eyes worried.
"Do you want some help? I have some contacts in the gaming world who can get information on the black market on the internet."
Aiden laughed, ruffling his brother's hair.
"I appreciate the offer, gamer detective, but my team is already taking care of this. Let me handle it. You focus on your competitions."
"Just be careful, okay? We only have you."
The sincerity in Nikolas' voice caught Aiden off guard. He smiled softly, touched by the moment.
"I know. Don't worry. Aiden Baskerville won't go down that easily."
Later, Aiden said goodbye to his parents at the entrance to the mansion. Diego gave him a firm handshake, while Victoria hugged her son affectionately.
"Come back often, Aiden. This house is yours too."
"I will, Mom. I promise."
Nikolas appeared at the door, waving lazily.
"Don't forget about tomorrow's final! I want to see you cheering."
"Of course, I'll be there. Good luck."
Aiden got into his Lamborghini and drove off. As he drove down the hill, he felt a different weight on his shoulders. Talking to his family was always a mix of support and pressure, but this time, the feeling of protection for them was even stronger.
The roar of the Lamborghini's engine cut through the silence of the night, echoing among the trees that lined the narrow road. However, despite the speed and the icy wind that beat against the glass, his mind was far away. He thought about Nikolas's words and the watchful gaze of his father, Diego.
'You are a Baskerville. Never forget the weight of that name.' Those words echoed like a warning.
As he drove down the road, Aiden felt his instincts warning him, that feeling that never failed. He slowed down, his eyes alert in the rearview mirror. There were two headlights in the distance, following him. The vehicles were discreet, keeping a calculated distance.
"Again?" Aiden muttered to himself, with a half smile.
His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly as he accelerated again. The Lamborghini roared loudly, and Aiden decided he would not make things easy for his pursuers. In a matter of seconds, he was doing over 200 km/h, swerving skillfully around the curves.
The two cars behind him tried to keep up, but Aiden had complete control of the wheel. He pushed the engine to its limits, turning the track into a frantic race.
"Let's see if you can catch me."