Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 209: Plotting

Within the imposing obsidian walls of the Neo-Luminara Parliament, the Grand Assembly Hall buzzed with life.

Footsteps echoed off marble floors, whispers flitted through the air like butterflies, and papers rustled as political figures, ministers, lobbyists, and regional powerholders settled into their seats.

The dome overhead shimmered with a rotating projection of the Osborn Mega Commercial Plaza, glowing in soft azure hues, a dazzling technological marvel that was alive with activity.

Yet beneath this spectacle lay an undercurrent of unease.

Speaker Ren Orlan struck his ivory gavel and surveyed the grand hall with a serious gaze before clearing his throat to command attention.

"Order! Today we gather to discuss Bill 1409: The Sovereignty and Public Governance of Superstructures within National Territory. At the heart of our economic landscape lies the Osborn Mega Commercial Plaza, its private control raises critical questions we cannot overlook." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Senator Lavelle from the Central Regulatory Council rose to her feet, her reputation for sharp intellect matched only by her piercing words.

"Speaker, colleagues," she began passionately, "let’s call it what it is: an economic sovereign city-state controlled by a single family! This entity has the power to redirect trade routes, influence migration patterns, and even control digital data flows! Such immense influence in private hands is nothing short of dangerous."

Her statement ignited a spark among attendees, whispers morphed into light applause.

Minister Daevon from the Department of Private Property and Commerce leaned into his microphone with calm composure.

"And yet," he countered smoothly, "we must remember that the Osborn family acquired that land legally. They paid taxes and followed zoning procedures while employing thousands of our citizens! They’ve accomplished what no government has managed in decades, are we really going to punish success simply because it worked?"

Nods rippled through parts of the assembly in agreement.

General Marek, head of National Security Command, interjected forcefully. "This isn’t just about success; it’s about security! That plaza boasts its own police force, AI surveillance systems—even autonomous defense protocols! If, God forbid, the Osborns decided to shut down access or cut power to certain sectors... we’d be at their mercy!"

The projection shifted dramatically on screen; images flashed showing massive transport hubs, towering data centers, and drone-operated logistics zones.

"So what do you propose? Should we nationalize the entire plaza?" Senator Rami shot back sharply. "Do we seize their achievements simply because they’re powerful? What precedent does that set for future innovation?"

"We don’t need to seize anything," Lavelle replied coolly. "We require regulatory leverage, government representation on their board! National oversight over their AI core! Public stakeholding in profit channels, we need a solid framework!"

"And what if they refuse?" Minister Daevon challenged.

A heavy silence fell over the chamber as everyone exchanged glances filled with uncertainty.

Speaker Orlan rubbed his temples, frustration etched across his face. "Are we really willing to risk a divide between the governed and the powerful who build beyond governing?"

Just like that this Parliament meeting came to ane end as they weren’t able to come to conclusion as to how handle the Osborn Family.

Behind the scenes, factions were forming, whispers floated through lounges like smoke.

Encrypted threads buzzed with messages that hinted at a brewing storm. Some rallied behind Arthur Osborn’s vision, believing innovation should remain untouched and free.

Others, however, shuddered at the thought of unchecked power spiraling out of control.

And in the shadows? Plans were already taking shape, proposals for national intervention began to surface.

Drafts for covert audits were being crafted, while some even plotted ways to sway public sentiment against the Osborns.

As this intense debate unfolded, one undeniable truth loomed over Neo-Luminara like an ominous storm cloud: The plaza was no longer just a piece of real estate; it had transformed into something much more significant, sovereignty wrapped in silicon and steel.

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Location: Vault Room Zeta-9, Beneath Grand Veritas Club, Neo-Luminara.

In the neon-lit heart of Neo-Luminara, the Grand Veritas Club sparkled like a jewel steeped in mystery.

But beneath its polished floors and grand orchestral halls lay a hidden world, a winding staircase known only to a select few led to a chamber untouched by sunlight or dust: Vault Room Zeta-9. Here, there were no surveillance cameras, no echoes, only silence wrapped in signal-jamming fields.

Tonight, ten of the city’s most powerful figures gathered within its walls.

They didn’t wear name tags or exchange pleasantries; that would have been laughably beneath them.

They were not friends or allies but fierce competitors whose interests had finally converged for the first time in decades.

At the center of an obsidian table sat Rowena Lyrix, ageless and commanding, sipping blood-red wine as if to remind everyone present that she had once bankrolled a civil war and emerged victorious.

"To be perfectly clear," she began, swirling her glass with deliberate grace, "we are not here to debate what Arthur Osborn built; we are here because we permitted him to build it."

A hush enveloped the room.

Victor Hale, with arms like forged steel and a mind sharp as a blade, scoffed. "We thought the Osborns were finished, bankrupt and humiliated, but who could have guessed they’d rebound like this?"

"A commercial plaza the size of a sovereign city," murmured Ragnar Vos, head of Neo-Luminara’s largest media empire.

"With projected earnings in the trillions per year! It’s not just about money; it’s about influence, data control, logistics... infrastructure. This isn’t merely a business empire; it’s an entire kingdom."

"Built by one man," spat Councilor Daeven Mordek, his lined face twisted in disdain. "Owned by a family we could have bought out for pocket change just months ago."

Madame Virellia Lune, the embodiment of luxuriousness, finally spoke up. "Now that it’s done, I ask you plainly: Do we allow one man to wield more economic power than half of Parliament? Or do we take action?"

Her question reverberated through the room like the beat of war drums.

Rowena set her glass down with a soft clink. "Arthur may carry the Osborn name," she continued coolly, "but he is unlike any other in his family. There’s no paper trail detailing how he achieved this success, no loans or government backers, and no known benefactors either.

He emerged from ruins and turned our city upside down; tell me that isn’t suspicious."

The room fell silent as they absorbed her words.

Rowena took a deep breath before adding, "Sure, they made some waves last year in medical technology, heavy industry and many more but nothing compared to this."