Mentioning "Zappy," some people couldn't help but raise concerns.
Aubree explained, "Zappy shares a lot of similarities with Playzy. From a professional standpoint, once it’s developed, it might surpass Playzy. Aren’t we just undermining our product by investing in Zappy?"
Aubree smiled. "If even you can see Zappy’s potential, don’t you think others will too? It’s only a matter of time before someone takes what we’ve done with Playzy, builds on it, and turns it into a direct competitor."
She continued, "The core philosophy behind Playzy isn’t complicated. Financial media outlets are already analyzing it. And soon, similar or even more advanced platforms will emerge. Eventually, livestreaming platforms will compete based on the influence of their top creators."
She concluded, "And when that time comes, Zappy will lead the next wave."
In other words, let everyone else focus on dissecting Playzy. By the time they figure it out and start celebrating their piece of the pie, Aubree and her team will have already moved on one step ahead.
Aubree said, “Now, let’s talk operations strategy for Zappy.”
There was no way the Wilson family would sit by and watch her continue to rise. A cornered animal would still bite, let alone a wealthy, powerful family like the Wilson family.
Even with support from the Turner Group, if the Wilson family decided to go all in and burn bridges, Aubree would be caught in the crossfire.
Ronald’s complete 180 in attitude toward her could only mean one thing: Bree Technology had become valuable in his eyes.
He never cared about the club. He probably still looked down on it.
But now that Aubree had publicly rejected the Wilson family, Ronald was bound to retaliate. Let him. She’d already cashed out her shares and was ready to walk away.
Aubree announced, “I’m not just talking about short videos and streaming. I plan to launch a gaming division too. We’ll develop our own games.”
Hearing that, everyone exchanged surprised looks. It wasn’t easy to make a successful game these days.
The market was saturated. The most popular titles, like League of Legends, had already cornered the industry. Turner Group had invested in most of them. Any new game either copied League of Legends’s MOBA gameplay or fell into the same gun-and-shoot formats.
Aubree replied calmly, “Right now, the types of games on the market are fixed and saturated. The big profits always go to the same few companies. I understand all your concerns. What I’m suggesting is to develop a new category of game entirely.”
MOBAs were long-standing and profitable, but large open-world games or female-oriented fantasy adventures could take off too.
Right now, those types of games barely existed.
If the current market was saturated, then they had to create something new. They needed to carve out a new path.
After laying out her vision, everyone in the room was visibly stunned.
“Miss Miller, how does your brain even work like that?”
Compared to apps like Zappy, game development had a much longer production timeline and higher technical demands. They needed to start now. If they waited, someone else would be the first to take the leap.
Aubree was pleased with the team’s confidence. “Then it’s settled. From today on, we’re launching a game division. HR can begin recruiting immediately. Pay is flexible. If someone has the skills, we’ll make it work.”
Since Playzy’s launch, it sparked countless online discussions about its business model and livestream ecosystem.
Aubree didn’t waste the opportunity. She hired media professionals and influencers to spread the word. Of course, some of the analysis pieces had come from independent financial writers who saw the value in what she was building.
Her name began popping up in financial reports across the web.
A high school student. A startup founder. Daily revenues in millions of dollars. An international math competition bronze medalist.
Each of those achievements was impressive on its own. Put together, they created a media storm.
[A genius entrepreneur.]
[The youngest business leader in Rithol City.]
[A possible successor to the legendary Bowen Turner.]
The praise came pouring in like there was no tomorrow. The word “genius” was starting to feel overused.
But the result was undeniable: Playzy’s earnings reached record-breaking highs.
After the meeting ended, Aubree’s secretary, Vincent, brought her an invitation.
It was for Rithol City’s Outstanding Young Achievers Forum.
Almost everyone from the Wilson family had received this kind of invitation. No matter what else was said, those four siblings were objectively impressive. Even Carmen had received one many years ago, after a painting she “made” stunned the Rithol City art world and earned her the title of “Most Promising Young Artist.”
Of course, that painting had actually been Aubree’s.
Back then, as a member of the Wilson family, Aubree had always stood silently behind them. She was out of sight, filled with envy. Now, she couldn’t believe she was the one receiving an invitation.
Vincent gushed. “Miss Miller, you are amazing. Everyone knows these invitations usually go to rich kids to pad their resumes. For you to be chosen… that’s pure merit!”
His eyes sparkled with admiration.
He used to idolize only Bowen, but now, the person he respected most in the world was Aubree.
Vincent was certain that, given the same amount of time, Aubree’s achievements would far surpass even Bowen’s.
Aubree smiled. She was truly proud of the recognition. “Then let’s go.”
Meanwhile, at the Wilson family residence, Ronald slammed the table. “Where the hell is Emery? Does he think he can never come back?”
Alice quickly tried to calm him. “He’s working. He’s not avoiding the family on purpose.”
Trevor was off filming, so he couldn’t attend. Other than him, only Daxton was busier than Emery.
Ronald sneered. “Busy? He’s busy running a club. That’s not work. Call him. If he doesn’t show up for dinner tomorrow, then tell him never to bother coming back.”
His outburst silenced the whole table.
Carmen tried to lighten the mood and asked the housekeeper to turn on the TV. Unfortunately, the channel switched to a financial news segment.
Aubree’s image filled the screen, and the temperature in the room dropped sharply.
“Rising star Aubree. While still a high school student, she has launched a successful livestreaming platform and pioneered a new frontier in digital media…”
Aubree was standing confidently on stage. Her accomplishments were listed behind her.
It’s Aubree. The Wilson family members couldn’t help but all think the same thing.
Wearing a suit, Aubree stood out among the crowd of high-level executives and dignitaries.
The camera cut to the audience, and in the front row sat Bowen.
He was clapping proudly, smiling at her from the very front.
Watching this on TV, Ronald was filled with regret. He was now sure there was something between Aubree and Bowen.
Ronald thought, ‘That ungrateful brat! I’d taken her in for three years, and this is how she repaid us? No gratitude at all!’
If he’d known she’d be this successful, he would’ve never let her go, no matter what.
Ronald snapped, “Bryan, Playzy is growing fast. If Aubree refuses to work with the Wilson Group, don’t hold back. Use whatever means necessary.”
Bryan was quiet for a moment. “Dad, I don’t think we should. No matter what, Aubree is still part of this family. Since when does a brother sabotage his own sister?”
That pushed Ronald over the edge. “You didn’t seem to care about that when you were helping suppress her before! Just because you’re chairman now doesn’t mean you can ignore me. Refuse my demands, and you’re out!”
Bryan’s heart sank. Yes, he had once failed to treat Aubree like family.
But Aubree was his sister, and he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her again.
He stood up and bowed slightly. “In that case, I’ll leave the company to you. You can take back control.”
“You! You!” Ronald slapped him, knocked over a bowl, and stormed away from the table.
Alice gasped and rushed after him.
Carmen stared at Bryan, who said nothing and quietly left. Then she looked at Daxton, who kept eating as if nothing had happened. The television continued playing praise after praise for Aubree.
She murmured, almost to herself, “Aubree is so amazing now. No wonder the family’s been ignoring me lately…”
Suddenly, Daxton gently placed a shrimp into her bowl. “Don’t overthink it. Just eat,” he said softly.