POV: Time Variance Authority

Even though Elias's dream-based plan to confirm the deposit box combination had failed, he discovered a new path along the way. That revelation alone was worth the trouble.

He felt that, at this moment, he had transformed from a leaf carried by the current to a butterfly flapping its wings—able to cause a whirlwind of change in the distant future. If his dream truly lay 600 years ahead, then perhaps a small action now could reshape an entire era.

"Could I really do that?" Elias flexed his empty right hand into a tight fist.

"Well, guess I'll find out."

He slid the window shut, letting the bedroom's warmth slowly return. With a yawn, he realized exhaustion was rolling back over him like a wave.

"I'll think more on it tomorrow," he murmured. "It's Monday morning, and I've got that meeting to attend."

He switched off the lamp and burrowed under the covers. A dreamless sleep claimed him.

***

At MH Cosmetics, on the 10th floor, the executive conference room was packed with more than twenty mid-to-senior-level managers. Every Monday, Ms. Harrington insisted on a Morning Meeting, requiring all department heads and group leaders to attend—everyone would summarize last week's achievements and discuss the plan for the week ahead.

In the past, Elias had been just another staffer with no access to such high-level gatherings. But now, as the newly appointed head of the Rhine Cat IP Development Team, with a rank equivalent to full department leads, he was seated at the long conference table—albeit at the furthest seat.

At the head of the table sat Ms. Miranda Harrington herself, flanked by her three deputy executives, with all department heads down each side. Elias, the youngest and least experienced group leader, sat at the very end.

Suddenly, the leader of the Marketing Team, Mr. Wilson, slammed his fist on the table.

"I can't accept this!"

"Ms. Harrington, the entire new product launch for the Rhine brand hinges on Professor West's breakthrough. How can we just give up now?"

"All the major cosmetic companies are still vying for his technology—nobody's landed it yet, so we still have a chance. We can't just quit this early!"

He paused, looking around, and the rest of the room nodded with varying degrees of agreement. Even the three deputy executives exchanged glances, clearly caught off guard. The tension was palpable.

Minutes earlier, Ms. Harrington had announced a major decision:

For the new 'Rhine' brand launch, the company would abandon its plan to incorporate Professor West's groundbreaking compound in its first product line. This was a bombshell—everyone had been preparing a global campaign around that concept, convinced that West's "miracle moisturizer" was the key to dominating the entire skincare market.

Now Ms. Harrington was discarding the entire plan without detailed explanation. The shock was immense. But MH Cosmetics was her company—founded independently. She had the power to overrule any dissent.

Still, Mr. Wilson was bold enough—being a founding member with his own strong convictions—to speak out.

"Without Professor West's formula, how do we expect to compete?" he challenged. "With just that cute cat character? We might as well pivot to being a toy manufacturer if that's the direction we're going!"

Some department heads murmured agreement, while the three deputy executives tried more diplomatic language:

"Ms. Harrington… maybe reconsider? If Professor West wants more money, we could offer more. It'll pay off in the long run, right?"

"Yes, once we license that compound, we'd essentially control the global moisturizing market. It's so lucrative!"

Thus Ms. Harrington found herself the target of everyone's dismay. Everyone but Elias, who sat quietly, scribbling in his notebook. He alone understood the true reason for walking away from West's chemical. The professor had stated unequivocally that he'd never sell it. Ms. Harrington realized it was a waste of time and resources to keep trying.

Yet hearing West's name stirred something in Elias. He recalled the unshaven, meticulous scientist who'd lost almost everyone he loved but refused to surrender his winter-sleep research. Maybe there was a new angle here for Elias's plan to "rewrite the future."

If West's cryogenics advanced centuries earlier than it otherwise would, that might prompt a sea change in Elias's dream world—proving the dream was truly a future reality shaped by his present actions.

He drummed his pen thoughtfully. I might be the only one who can actually help West, he mused.

Bang!

All heads swiveled as Ms. Harrington slammed a folder onto the table. Silence fell.

"This discussion is over," she declared coolly, her voice carrying finality. "If the Rhine brand can only impress the market with one moisturizer, then there's no point in the brand existing at all. We aim to build a comprehensive cosmetics label, not a single product. Suppose we got one favor from West—would he do it twice, thrice? The moment we rely on him for everything, we become vulnerable. We need our own R&D to stand on our own feet."

She stood, high heels echoing in the hushed room. "Meeting adjourned," she said curtly.

At the door, she paused. The entire room tensed; Ms. Harrington was clearly still upset. No one wanted to draw her ire.

Her gaze traveled to the far end of the table.

"Elias, come to my office," she said.