CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34. FIRST WORDS

Jason stood on the balcony, the city stretched wide beneath him like a maze of ambition. Wind cut clean through his shirt, but he didn’t flinch. His eyes stayed locked on the skyline—where new names were rising, and old ones were getting too comfortable.

He pulled out his phone, launched the Software App, and navigated through the industry categories.

Points Available: 2,800

Skincare & Dermatology Subsection R&D Innovations

He stopped at a file labeled:

"MoistureLock Complex – Unreleased Formula"

Includes full ingredient breakdown, synthesis process, testing protocols, and packaging guidance.

1,200 points.

Jason tapped purchase.

Instantly, a new blueprint spread across his screen—dozens of chemical components, step-by-step emulsification processes, and proprietary mixing timelines.

The app even flagged:

Projected effectiveness: 3x hydration vs. market standard. Use with cleansers, masks, and serums for max synergy.

Jason’s mind clicked faster than the scroll.

Why stop at moisturizer? Let’s go full line: cleanser, face mask, exfoliating scrub, brush applicator.

He pressed the intercom. "Daisy. I need a full deck built off what I’m about to send you."

Her voice came through fast. "Product or pitch?"

"Both."

—

A few hours later, Jason stepped into Eversage Biolab, a high-tier research subsidiary NovaForm had quietly absorbed. Floor-to-ceiling windows, brushed steel, and spotless floors—perfect for what came next.

Six scientists sat waiting—chemists, dermatological engineers, and skincare veterans with patents to their names. They all knew Jason was the one signing checks now, but none of them said it aloud.

He could see it in their eyes: Another spoiled heir. Here to play executive.

He took his seat at the head of the table and clicked the first slide on the massive monitor.

C&B DermaSeries: PrimeSkin Moisturizer – Phase 1

Muted interest flickered. A few leaned in. Most stayed guarded—clipboard in hand, polite but skeptical.

Jason stood with ease, posture relaxed but voice clear.

"First off," he began, "thank you all for making the time."

His gaze moved across the table. "I know I’m not from your world. I didn’t study chemistry, and I’m not going to pretend I know more than you do. What I do have is perspective—one shaped by market patterns, user behavior, and what people are really looking for but not finding."

He paused, letting the tension soften slightly.

"I’m not here to tell you how to do your job. I’m here to show you something I believe has the potential to shake the market—and meet the clinical standard we’ve set for C&B."

He clicked the remote. The screen lit up.

C&B DermaSeries: PrimeSkin Moisturizer – Phase 1

"This isn’t another perfume-heavy cream for pretty packaging. It’s functional hydration. Clean, layered absorption. Sustained results."

He advanced to the formula slide.

"This is where we begin."

He switched to the formulation slide.

Ingredients – PrimeSkin Moisturizer

HydroHexyl Glycerate – traps moisture deep into dermal layers

Biosmooth X9 – botanical compound for silky skin texture

SilicaFlex Base – enhances durability without residue

Niabright B12 Complex – reduces discoloration over time

AminoSeal S-Complex – promotes collagen activity

Microzyme Yeast Culture – exfoliates dead cells and renews surface

AirFusion Oil – microdelivery system, no greasy feel

Aquamine-R – nutrient-dense sea extract to lock water in

Jason gestured toward the second slide.

"This formula is cold-emulsified. Process breakdown’s unique. Specific."

Process Summary:

Mix under vacuum at 37°C to preserve compound integrity

Activate Microzyme yeast culture in isolation for 12 hours

Slowly add to base after air-tight nitrogen infusion

Emulsify at 400 RPM, with final blend step using reversed oscillation

Cold-seal in nitrogen containers—no preservatives

Now the murmurs started. A few of the scientists leaned closer. Someone tapped notes into a tablet.

Still, the energy was uncertain.

Jason noticed. But didn’t flinch.

"We start here," he said. "One product. Then scale into a full skincare ecosystem: toner, cleanser, mask, and serum."

Daisy distributed printouts while Jason added, "You’ll see on page five — I’ve outlined expansion concepts for the full DermaSeries. But let’s make this one right first."

—

In the lab, tension turned into momentum.

The team suited up and moved into the sterile white workspace. Stainless steel mixers and airtight dispensers sat lined up across long tables. Beakers. Cold-storage. Microblades. Everything was on hand.

Jason stood back, eyes sharp.

The first batch came together fast.

But twenty minutes later, under the microscope, the emulsion broke down. A slight separation. Invisible to the eye, fatal to performance.

They reviewed the footage.

The Microzyme culture had been added too early. It hadn’t completed its 12-hour activation and reacted poorly with the Niabright complex.

Jason didn’t get angry.

He pointed. "Reset. Follow the sequence. Again."

The second batch left behind a greasy residue on test strips.

Third time? Almost perfect. Soft, cool, absorbent in ten seconds. Hydration levels spiked 34% after application.

One of the formulators blinked in disbelief. "You’re not playing around with this."

Another nodded slowly. "I’ve worked in R&D for fifteen years. I’ve never seen a startup get this close to ready on day one."

Jason’s answer was calm. "It’s only the beginning."

He turned to Daisy.

"Scout five warehouse contracts. Freelancers only. Enough to pilot but stay flexible."

Daisy nodded. "On it."

"Everyone else," Jason said to the team, "go home. Rest. We’ll reconvene tomorrow. Tonight’s about pressure-testing the sample."

—

Jason slipped into the back of his car as the sun set over the city. He loosened his collar, glanced at the sky.

He checked his phone for notes from Daisy, feedback, early market testing queries—

It rang.

Liying.

His brow furrowed. He answered immediately.

"Hello?"

There was no response at first. Just the sound of shallow, uneven breathing. Then, soft sobs—fragile, barely holding together.

"Liying?" he asked, voice suddenly quiet.

She was crying.

No typing. No texts.

Just the sound of her grief.

He sat up straighter, eyes sharpening. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Still nothing.

Until—

"...Jason."

A whisper. Fractured. Raw. Spoken.

Her voice.

Jason froze.

He had never heard her speak—not once. But now, it was her voice calling his name through tears.

He didn’t hesitate.

"I’m coming," he said. "Stay where you are."

He leaned forward. "Turn the car around. Fast."

The driver didn’t ask questions.

Jason stared out the window, jaw clenched. His pulse had shifted—no longer about formulas, strategy, or victory.

Now, it was personal.

And someone had made her cry.