In summary, Bob's plan - promoted as Valentine - for "The Future of Humanity" Project was currently as follows:
1 Complete Transparency
2 Any willing and consenting woman of legal age could apply for the program regardless of genetic quality. Valentine would also advertise or reach out to people about the opportunity but in the end, of course the decision would be up to them as to whether they would be interested or not.
3 First in best dressed, since despite everything, his wealth and resources were not unlimited.
4 Vetting systems to ensure that responsible women were chosen who truly wanted children and were ready to make that commitment to hopefully become a mom.
5 Commitment to ensure the best education and opportunities for mothers and children based on the latest Epigenetic research, so they could live fulfilled lives. Incentive-based, more resources potentially available to those who show interest and or aptitude for particular areas - basically scholarship funding.
6 Framed as an alternative to, or possible improvement on, existing family models and to give people, particularly women and children, access to more encouragement and opportunities.
7 Self-Evolving. Gradually, sperm-banks for men with means would be rolled out to the public so that everyone could potentially have access to empower their own lives. As it became public domain, this model would naturally optimise thanks to all of Humanity working to refine and optimise it.
Regarding point 7, this was the insight Bob had gained from his [Dream State] breakthrough. He would ultimately let go of the process, creating a system that would ultimately outlive and outgrow him anyway and become part of his historical legacy!!!
He would lay out his terms…
and the choice would be theirs.
__
All this is to provide us with an insight into Bob and Valentine's current thinking and the complexity of his task... during the course of which, he at this point, received an… invitation.
It was from none other than Lucy, who had asked if he might be free to meet him for lunch to discuss the "Future of Humanity" project and a possible collaboration.
Lucy knew she shouldn't mix business with personal life, but as part of her training, she understood her assets and strengths, and would use them to her advantage if she could.
Valentine was potentially the future, the Investment that her father was looking for, and well… she also admitted he might not be a bad catch.
If they could work things out, then the Family Interests and her own Personal Happiness could be assured!
But she wanted to play her cards right.
Her idea was simple. She wanted to see just exactly how much chemistry and compatibility that she and Valentine had… and if he… did the right things… then she naturally would be able to bring up her father, how he would love to help him, take him under his wing, and essentially the Oversons would have a plausible 'excuse' to invest in Valentine's project. In other words, Lucy was a willing backup plan. Even if they didn't invest, or Valentine declined the offer of business assistance, they could still reap benefits by simultaneously bonding their future together through a close relationship, such as marriage…
"Hehehe"… Lucy's eyes shone.
A girl was entitled to dream, after all…
But then the glow in her beautiful eyes dimmed and faded back to their impassive, cool and yet quietly intelligent beauty.
All this was just her own thinking. In the end, it would be up to Valentine's performance, and positioning herself as the prize, she would test and assess him… ruthlessly, to see if he really was the Man he appeared to be.
"Valentine… I hope you're ready…"
She murmurs.