A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )

When Damianturned five, the Pine family had quite the spectacle. Elbert Pine, down at the local casino, crossed paths with a man. Try as he might, he couldn't best the young genius and ended up being

escorted out by Sheldon Pine, stripped down to his boxers.

Sheldon, much like Bernard Laurence when disciplining Damian, clutched a stick firmly and gave Elbert a good thrashing. Humiliated, Elbert swore off gambling dens for good.

But, the tricks of the trade he did possess, he passed on to Damian in secret. Initially indifferent to most things, Damian, under Elbert's guidance, developed a fascination not with gambling per se, but with the art of cracking codes.

Every puzzle Elbert brought, Damian accepted without a word. He'd sit cross-legged on the study carpet, engrossed in his new toys. Elbert would watch and blame Bernard for clobbering the boy's sense out.... Bernard told him to get lost back to the Pines and keep his nose out of his son's business.

Elbert, stubborn as a mule, refused to leave Fiord Roundabout until Bernard's slap sent him packing back to his roots. Crestfallen, Elbert ran crying to Sheldon, earning himself another beating for his troubles. To straighten him out, Sheldon handed the Pine family's shady dealings to Elbert. After a few brutal run-ins with gangs abroad that left him half-dead, Elbert wised up. He ditched the thuggery and took over the family's legitimate businesses, realizing it came with the perk of not getting beaten up...

Meanwhile, Robin Spencer was leading the charge for the Spencer Group to carve out a place in the North Funland market. But, as luck would have it, Taylor Laurence of the Laurence clan was also vying for the same turf. The Sharps, owing a debt to Bernard, tipped the scales in Taylor's favor.

Robin, fuming at the sight of Taylor clinching deals in North Funland, took a trip up to Canada to have a 'chat' with Peterson Sharp.

Peterson, having spent five years rising through the ranks, had taken over as the head of the Sharp Group and the Sharp family. His decisive leadership pushed the family's influence in North Funland even higher.

The fact that he deigned to meet Robin personally was a testament to their shared history, despite the fact that someone of his stature could've easily sent a secretary in his stead.

Robin didn't care for formalities. "At the last tender," he burst out, "it was clear that my family's Al robots were superior. Yet, you handed the project to Taylor. There's favoritism, and then there's blatant bias!" Peterson, sipping his coffee with a smirk, met Robin's ire with a cool gaze. "The Spencer Group's robots are indeed impressive, but they lack the commercial appeal of the Laurence family's prototypes. Giving Taylor the project was perfectly justified."

Robin scoffed. "Cut the crap. You keep giving projects to the Laurences, helping them storm into the North Funland market because Eleanor married Bernard, right?" Peterson set down his cup, dropping the formalities. "You know my cousin married Bernard. Shouldn't I help my own family instead of an outsider?"

Robin rolled his eyes. "If it weren't for the fact that you only have one girl in your family, I'd marry one right now. Then we'd see whom you'd support-Bernard or me!"

Peterson raised an eyebrow, half-joking, "I've got several adopted sisters. Fancy taking one of them?"

Caught off guard, Robin hastily declined, "My marriage is my father's decision, let's leave it at that."

Peterson's playful demeanor faded. "What's the matter, Mr. Spencer? You think my sisters don't measure up?"

Robin forced a laugh. "Of course not..."

"So, let me introduce you to them," Peterson suggested with a meaningful look.

Before Robin knew it, he was lined up for an impromptu beauty parade, with potential brides seated before him. What started as a business meeting had bizarrely turned into a matchmaking session. Robin, exasperated, tried to backpedal. "They're all beautiful, but none quite like Eleanor. I'm not into it, let's just let it slide."

Peterson studied him closely. "Is it beauty you're after, or is it Eleanor?"

Robin paused, his coffee cup midway to his lips, memories of his first encounter with Eleanor flashing before him... Cornering her against the wall, looking down at her-what was he thinking back then?

For him, there was a moment of awe that strikes deep. It's that kind of stunning that pierces right through to his heart. It's because she's drop-dead gorgeous, the type of beauty that leaves a permanent imprint on your soul after just one glance.