Chapter 146: Stage Two Cleared

Three days later.Hana approached with silent steps, a sealed envelope in hand, her pulse hammering in her throat. She had read the contents already—twice, then a third time just to confirm she wasn’t hallucinating.

She didn’t knock.

Timothy sensed her the moment she opened the door.

"You look pale," he remarked.

"Sir," she whispered, voice tight. "We got it."

Timothy set down his pen. "CFIUS?"

She nodded.

"They responded."

He stood immediately. "Show me."

Hana handed him the envelope.

Timothy broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

[UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)

Stage Two Review Findings:

No Unresolved National Security Concerns.

Helios Strategic Holdings is cleared to proceed to Stage Three (Mitigation and Final Approval).

CFIUS expresses no objection to the proposed acquisition of NuScale Power Corporation.]

Timothy read it once.

Then twice.

Hana held her breath.

Slowly, deliberately, Timothy folded the letter.

"It’s done," he said quietly.

Hana blinked fast. "Sir... this is effectively approval. Stage Three is just formality. Mitigation conditions, standard filings, handoff to NRC for tech-transfer oversight. This means—"

"It means," Timothy finished, "Fluor no longer has a shield. They can’t stall."

For the first time in days, Hana let herself exhale fully.

She expected him to sit down, to relax.

Instead, Timothy grabbed his coat.

"Prepare the acquisition signing," he said. "We finish this within forty-eight hours." And tell Michael Lau."

"Yes sir!"

***

Two days later.

Dallas, Texas.

The fluorescent lights of the 23rd-floor boardroom buzzed softly as Fluor Corporation’s senior executives gathered around a long mahogany table. No one spoke. No one even shifted in their seats.

On the polished surface lay a printed document that seemed to radiate its own gravity:

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Helios Strategic Holdings LLC → Fluor Corporation

$1.1 billion — all cash

Executive Vice President Daniel Offerman steepled his fingers, staring at the bold numbers.

Across from him, CFO Victoria Nash reviewed the financial modeling one more time.

Beside her, Senior VP Harold Strickland drummed his fingers in a slow rhythm—nerves poorly concealed.

"Never thought I’d see the day we offload NuScale cleanly," Nash whispered.

Strickland didn’t look convinced. "Or stupidly. One of the two."

Offerman pressed a button. "Bring him in."

The door opened.

Michael Lau stepped inside.

Crisp suit. Steady posture. The kind of ordinary, dependable face that never attracted suspicion.

Which was exactly why Helios chose him.

"Mr. Lau," Offerman greeted. "Thank you for coming in person."

Michael shook his hand with a polite corporate smile. "Helios appreciates Fluor’s efficiency. We’re prepared to complete the transaction."

He took his seat.

Behind him—no one else.

Just Michael.

Exactly as Timothy wanted.

Nash slid the signature packet forward. "Helios understands the terms?"

"Yes," Michael replied. "Full assumption of majority stake. No layoffs. Dr. Reyes retains full scientific authority. Helios provides cash within forty-eight hours."

He spoke clearly, confidently. Not a hint of hesitation.

Offerman studied him.

"This is a nuclear technology company, Mr. Lau. This isn’t... a small venture investment."

"I’m aware," Michael said. "Helios is committed."

Strickland scoffed. "This is a billion-dollar bet."

Michael didn’t blink. "It’s a billion-dollar future."

A silence followed.

Finally, Offerman nodded to the attorneys. "Proceed."

Page after page slid before Michael.

He signed every one.

Ink flowed in a steady hand.

Fluor’s executives watched, some in disbelief, others in relief. When Michael set the pen down, Offerman exhaled deeply.

"Very well. Helios now owns a majority of NuScale." Nash extended her hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Lau."

Michael shook it. "Thank you. Helios intends to honor its commitments."

Strickland muttered, "God help us all." The attorneys collected the executed documents.

A small chime sounded from Michael’s phone. He glanced down at the message.

"Status?" — Hana.

Michael typed back with one hand:

"Done. Connecting now."

He stood.

"If you’ll excuse me, I need to brief our principal."

Fluor’s execs didn’t question it. Big money meant bigger instructions.

Michael stepped into an empty side-office, closed the door, and opened his laptop.

A secure Helios call link blinked. He clicked it. The screen went black— Then Timothy appeared. Not in person. Not in the U.S.

BGC skyline behind him. Dark suit. Sleeves rolled. Eyes sharp.

Hana stood just off-frame, tablet in hand.

Michael straightened instinctively. "Sir," he greeted. "It’s done."

Timothy’s expression didn’t change. "Show me."

Michael angled the camera toward the signed documents spread across the desk.

Timothy nodded once. "Good. Walk me through it."

Michael inhaled. "Fluor signed all required pages. Executed copies are being scanned now. They’ll email the full set within ten minutes."

"They asked questions?" Timothy asked.

"Some," Michael admitted. "Mostly about CFIUS. They were impressed by the speed of our Stage Two clearance."

Hana lifted her tablet. "Washington sent us a follow-up request this morning. They flagged nothing major."

Michael continued, "They also asked whether Helios plans to restructure NuScale."

"And you said?" Timothy asked.

"Exactly what we planned. No restructuring. Expansion. Retention of engineers. Reyes remains CSO."

Timothy’s jaw eased slightly. Approval.

Michael wiped a thin sheen of sweat from his forehead. "Sir, if you don’t mind me saying—Fluor was close to backing out at the last minute. But the cash offer... it’s what broke them."

"People never think clearly when they’re bleeding," Timothy said calmly. "Fear makes decisions faster than logic."

Hana added, "The moment they saw the premium, their fiduciary duty forced their hand."

Timothy refocused on Michael. "You did well."

Michael’s shoulders relaxed. "Thank you, sir. I... did my best."

"You did more than that," Timothy said and added. "You made Helios real."

Michael ducked his head, embarrassed. "I just followed your instructions."

"There’s no script for this," Timothy replied. "Only pressure. And you handled it."

Michael nodded. "So what’s our next move?"

Hana stepped forward. "First, we coordinate with NuScale’s internal counsel to initiate the shareholder notice. Then we prepare the Stage Three submission for CFIUS."

Michael blinked. "Stage Three?"

Timothy explained: "Stage Two cleared suspicion. Stage Three clears intention. Now Washington wants to verify that Helios can responsibly control a nuclear technology asset."

Michael swallowed. "And... can we?"

Timothy smirked slightly. "We already are."

Hana nodded. "With Fluor officially out, regulators must deal with Helios. They can’t push Fluor to retain control anymore."

Michael exhaled in relief. "So we’re past the hardest part."

Timothy shook his head. "The hardest part is convincing the world this was inevitable."

Michael frowned. "Sir?"

"Announce too early," Timothy said, "and we trigger political backlash. Announce too late, and rumors fill the gaps."


He turned to Hana. "We wait for Stage Three acceptance."

"Yes, sir."

Michael asked, "And Dr. Reyes?"

"He gets a call tonight," Timothy replied. "A private one."

Hana was already typing. "Scheduling it."

Michael finally sat down, shoulders sagging. "Sir... I still can’t believe they actually signed."

Timothy leaned in slightly. "Believe it," he said. "You were the right face."

Michael blinked. "Face?"

"Helios needed someone Washington would trust," Timothy said. "Not a mogul. Not a tycoon. Someone who looked like he belonged in a lab coat, not a throne."

Michael rubbed the back of his neck. "I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or—"

"It’s a compliment," Hana assured him. "We couldn’t have done this without you."

Timothy nodded. "Your signature rewrote the nuclear map."

Michael stared at the stack of signed agreements again, awe settling over him.

"So... what happens now?"

Timothy leaned back in his chair. "Now? We are going to use their technology of course."