Phoenix

01.

​June 1999, Gloucestershire, England.

​A large crowd gathered in front of Kingswood Electronics, a common sight at the end of the workday. While the street was packed with people, one couple stood out, their presence undeniable.

​They seemed like the perfect couple, a rare sight in today's world. It would surprise you even more to learn they were married with a seven-year-old daughter. At first glance, they looked like college students, though both had celebrated their twenty-ninth birthdays last year and had recently embarked on their professional careers.

​Michael Walden was a strikingly young man, almost six feet tall, with curly hair and bright eyes. He possessed a constant, confident smile as if nothing in the world could shake him. His features held an irresistible charm, but those who knew him understood his intellect was far sharper than his good looks.

​His wife, Debby, was his intellectual equal. She could easily compete with him in the talent department, but her beauty was often what captivated people first.

With long blond hair and deep blue eyes that held an ocean of depth, she could leave anyone speechless. Her delicate lips, small nose, and round face seemed sculpted by a master artist. At five-foot-five-and-a-half inches, her height was a perfect match for her husband.

​Despite their physical wealth and the attention they received, neither Michael nor Debby had ever been interested in toying with others' interests. They were loyal and sincere, perfectly content within their small household.

Their romance had begun in school; they were, in every sense of the word, "high school sweethearts." While many say young love doesn't last, they had proven them wrong. Their relationship was built on understanding and compromise, and they mended their differences through open, honest communication.

​They were a testament to the idea that there is a perfect match for everyone, and they were among the lucky few who found it.
They realized their connection early and were ready to build a life together from the start. When Michael turned twenty-one, with no legal age restrictions to hold them back, they exchanged vows on his birthday. Within a year, their lives were blessed with a little princess.

​But their relationship wasn't just about romance. Both were extraordinary in their fields. They had entered Oxford University on full scholarships and earned their degrees in computer engineering. Their academic success was matched by remarkable inventions in the rapidly advancing field of technology, quickly earning them recognition as emerging computer scientists. It was a miracle how they managed to balance such demanding careers with a child at home.

​Before they had even finished their studies, they were offered countless lucrative job opportunities. But they refused to surrender to the lure of early wealth. They persisted, finished their doctorates, and only then sought jobs they genuinely wanted.

​Kingswood Electronics was one of the largest and most famous companies in the country. To secure the Walden couple, they offered a substantial paycheck and agreed to various conditions, including letting them work independently.

It had only been a year and a half, yet the couple had already helped Kingswood Electronics leapfrog ahead of its competitors in several fields.
​After a long day, they left the office in the late summer afternoon. They avoided the crowd and walked to the parking lot, climbing into their Toyota.