Becoming A Tech Tycoon Begins With Regression

Chapter 241 241: In The Simulation With Lillian [3]: Ethan's Memories

Was Ethan a hundred percent certain that he wanted to show Lillian memories of his past life?

No.

He wasn't sure what the outcome was going to be, was she going to realize that she was only by his side because she was useful?

Still, he'd prefer if she knew now, especially given the fact that they were about to face a technologically advanced alien race.

If he had been able to create a memory extraction helmet, he wouldn't be surprised if they had the same tech but a lot more advanced.

So he'd rather tell her himself, than have his memories extracted and shown to her, though the chances of that happening were extremely low, they weren't zero.

"Alright then," he muttered as he summoned the simulation's control panel, "let's show you my memories, shall we?"

Lillian was a bit surprised, especially given the fact that she expected them to exit the Simulation and prepare for the incoming alien.

"Don't worry," Athena said, reading Lillian's expression, "according to the data we managed to collect, the alien scout shouldn't reach the solar system for about four months."

"I see," Lillian nodded before turning to Ethan who seemed a bit hesitant about something before he tapped on the control panel.

The vast space around them started changing and the starts and Nebula started being replaced by the sky and building.

Again, the three stood on the sky as the ground with the buildings and people above them.

The world soon realigned itself and the three slowly descended towards the top of a high rise building.

Lillian felt that the environment they were in was familiar and at the same time, not.

"Welcome to 2025's California," Ethan said causing her to freeze.

Right before her, was another high rise building with the name, Carter Corp on it.

"This is?" She asked, a bit confused.

When Ethan said he was showing her his memories, she expected to discover a secret about him, but traveling to the future was not one of those secrets.

"My original timeline," Ethan answered before extending his hand to her, "let me show you."

Lillian, still confused, extended her hand into his before they stepped forward.

Their surrounding suddenly changed and they were now in what seemed to be an office at the very top of a high rise building.

"Welcome to Carter Corp," Ethan said again, "my company in this timeline."

As if on cue, the door behind them soon opened and a man soon walked in.

Lillian's eyes widened as she immediately recognized who that was. Although he looked a lot older and tired, his black hair and blue eyes were enough for her to identify him.

"Ethan?" She asked as the older man passed through them and walked towards the desk.

"That was me," Ethan muttered, "fifteen years into the future....well, the future that I came from."

The future Ethan walked heavily to the desk, loosened his tie, and dropped a thin tablet onto the polished surface.

The glass walls behind him overlooked a sunlit California skyline, but the office felt dim regardless.

"Play report," the older Ethan said.

A holographic projection sprang to life.

Market share: 61%.

Global Internet defense systems: 48%.

Defense contracts: Classified.

"I see," the older Ethan muttered as he massaged his forehead.

His company had recently accepted a contract from the government to help in the county's online defense, especially since the hacking attempts had increased.

Now, normally, this was a good thing for the company.... Problem was, this would just put him in Nathaniel's line of fire.

Rather than being contracted, Nathaniel very much preferred if Ethan was their puppet.

Something which Ethan wasn't going to happen allow.

"You seem...alone," Lillian said as she slowly walked towards the older Ethan.

"Ironic isn't it," younger Ethan muttered with with chuckle, "considered that in this timeline, I was married."

Lillian froze and slowly turned towards him as she asked, "married?"

"Hmm," Ethan nodded with a smile that didn't exactly reach his eyes.

Lillian looked at older Ethan's hands that were folded together and only then did she notice a ring on it.

That's when the door opened again, and in walked a woman that was familiar to Lillian.

"Her?" She asked, completely surprised.

"Hmm," again, Ethan nodded, "Olivia."

The older Olivia, walked towards older Ethan's desk before asking, "what's wrong?"

Instead of a reply, older Ethan just passed her a couple of files which she read quickly and handed back.

Although it was only for a fraction of a second, Lillian thought she saw a change in Olivia's expression, but it was masked so quickly that she doubted if she actually saw anything.

Older Ethan, on the other hand, was too tired to notice anything amiss, so he just took the files back and laid them on the table.

"And I'm guessing the problem is," Olivia asked.

"Nathaniel Langley," Older Ethan said, "he has only been subtly trying to sabotage Carter Corp till now, but I have a feeling this contract would push him to extreme means."

There was silence between the two, as they were completely unaware of their three observers.

Well, not like they would, since they were nothing but memories.

"T—then why not just deny the contract?" Olivia asked, almost as if she was trying to prevent something.

"I would've," Older Ethan said, "but this one wasn't optional, after all, it'd help me gain something important back."

He then leaned back in his chair, exhaustion evident in the way his shoulders sagged.

Olivia seemed she wanted to say something but was hesitant, so all she could let out was, "be careful."

The younger Ethan couldn't help but let out a chuckle at how ironic her words were, she was saying one thing, and her actions were the complete opposite.

"You were married to Olivia?" Lillian asked, still a bit surprised by the reveal.

"Yes," Ethan nodded before placing a hand on her head, "you'll understand everything soon enough."