Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 237

After leaving the coffee shop, Felicia made her way to the business district.

Her first-ever investment—a two million infusion into Hexagon, a small gaming start-up—had already been transferred as promised. Today, she decided to check on the company's progress. This wasn't just about the money; it was her first step into the world of venture capital, and she couldn't help but take it seriously.

Word of her visit spread quickly, and Vincent, along with the five other founding members, was already waiting for her in the lobby.

The moment Felicia walked in, Vincent, a young man with renewed energy, stepped forward and greeted her enthusiastically, "Ms. Fuller, welcome! We're honored to have you here for an inspection!"

It took Felicia a moment to recognize him.

At the venture capital conference weeks ago, he had been a completely different person—disheveled, glasses askew, and radiating despair. He had looked like a wilted plant, brought to life only when passionately presenting his game.

Now, he was unrecognizable—clean-shaven, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit and tie, and his hair neatly combed. He finally looked like someone who could lead a company.

Felicia teased, raising an eyebrow, "Well, you're starting to look like a real leader."

Vincent laughed, his face reddening with embarrassment. He quickly turned to introduce the five other founders, each of whom greeted Felicia with nervous excitement.

After a brief round of introductions, Felicia followed them upstairs to their office.

Just two weeks ago, Hexagon had been a tiny studio struggling to stay afloat. With Felicia's investment, they had transformed into a proper company, renting an entire floor in a sleek office building.

Vincent eagerly led the way, explaining as they went, "We've hired 35 employees so far, and HR is still recruiting. We're focused on finding top-tier game architects and programmers to strengthen our development team."

He gestured to different sections of the office. "Over here is the development team and the operations department. The maintenance team is in the corner."

Felicia took it all in, nodding approvingly. The energy and excitement in the office were palpable, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

The six founders exchanged smiles, their relief and pride evident.

What Felicia didn't see was the sheer anxiety they had endured during the game's launch. That first night, they had stayed awake, staring at the backend analytics as their hearts pounded. They kept their eyes on the numbers as they climbed or, at times, stagnated.

They finally allowed themselves to celebrate when the metrics took off with a sharp spike in downloads and engagement. Their joy had been raw, almost surreal. They shouted, laughed, and hugged each other as the weight of their fears lifted.

Vincent, now calmer, took a breath and added, "Ms. Fuller, while we're thrilled with the results, the company's operational costs are still a challenge…"

Felicia understood immediately.

Rent, salaries, bonuses, game development costs, and marketing campaigns were eating through their funds. Two million dollars had been a lifeline, but it wasn't enough to sustain their momentum.