Ethan Edwards stood in his state-of-the-art private study, a room that blended the elegance of timeless architecture with cutting-edge technology. It was a space worthy of his intellect and stature—a fusion of mahogany bookshelves lined with rare scientific journals and holographic displays showcasing live feeds of NovaTech Industries (NTI) projects worldwide. He wore a crisp, tailored white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms that hinted at hours of rigorous training, not just intellect. His sharp gray eyes, often described as godly, scanned the pages of Sophia's test answers with meticulous focus.
Seated across from him was Sophia Edwards, his 19-year-old sister. With her chocolate-brown eyes and long, wavy hair that cascaded over her shoulders, she was the epitome of youthful beauty and charm. Dressed casually in a pastel cardigan and jeans, Sophia exuded an innocent yet intimidating aura—a rare mix of sweetness and confidence. She twirled her pen between her fingers, waiting nervously for Ethan's feedback.
Ethan finally broke the silence. "Sophia," he began, his deep, commanding voice softened with affection, "you've done a solid job here. But..."
Sophia's heart sank. "But?" she echoed, sitting up straighter.
Ethan leaned forward, flipping to a specific question. "This one. You got the right answer, but your method took longer than necessary. Let me show you a more efficient way."
He picked up a pen and, with swift, precise movements, outlined a solution that was both elegant and concise. Sophia watched in awe, her nervousness melting into admiration.
"See?" Ethan concluded, sliding the notebook back to her. "Efficiency is key, not just in science but in life. You save time, energy, and resources. Something as simple as this can make a difference."
Sophia nodded earnestly, her cheeks flushing. "I get it now. Thanks, Ethan. But you know, not all of us have genius-level IQs and photographic memories like you."
Ethan chuckled, a rare sight that made him look even more godlike. "Genius or not, you're smart enough to beat me one day. Maybe even smarter than I'll ever be."
Sophia smirked, her confidence returning. "I'm holding you to that."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "So, tomorrow's the big day—your orientation at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), right?"
Sophia groaned dramatically. "Don't remind me. They say it's a waste of time. Speeches, boring introductions, people pretending to be overly friendly... It's not my thing."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Skipping already? You just started college."
"It's not skipping if it's pointless," Sophia retorted, crossing her arms.
Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "Fair point. But at least think about it. College isn't just about studies. It's about meeting people and building connections. You never know who might surprise you."
Sophia rolled her eyes playfully. "Like I need connections when my brother's the trillionaire superhero scientist-businessman who can solve all my problems."
Ethan grinned. "Touché. But I won't always be around to shield you, Soph. You've got to build your own empire one day."
"Empire?" Sophia scoffed, feigning nonchalance. "I'm more interested in just living a simple life."
"Simple, huh?" Ethan said, leaning forward. "With your brains, you could revolutionize chemistry, maybe even outdo me. Are you really going to settle for simple?"
Sophia hesitated, her playful demeanor fading. She looked at Ethan, her brother who was more of a mentor, protector, and sometimes even a drill sergeant. "I don't know," she admitted softly. "But I'll figure it out... someday."
Ethan smiled and ruffled her hair, earning a half-hearted glare. "Take your time, but don't sell yourself short. You've got potential, Soph. More than you realize."
Sophia batted his hand away, laughing. "Okay, okay. Now stop being all motivational. It's weird."
As the siblings shared a light-hearted moment, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over Ethan's Los Angeles beachside villa. It was a stark contrast to the high-tech fortress of Peace Island, where Ethan spent most of his time overseeing NTI's groundbreaking projects.
For now, though, this was home—a place where Ethan could set aside the weight of the world and focus on what mattered most: his little sister, Sophia.