He looked at the phone screen, then back at Yuna, who was starting to stir in her bed.Yuna woke up, blinking at the sunlight filtering through the curtains. She called out, "Stephen?" There was no response. The entire suite was silent. She got up, rubbing her eyes, and walked to the living room. "Where did he go?" she sighed. This reminded her of her father, who was rarely around on her birthdays. Now, it seemed Stephen was doing the same thing.Yuna sighed again and took the elevator downstairs. She passed by the hotel staff easily; they were busy with customers or other tasks. Stepping outside, she looked at the morning sun and felt a pang of loneliness. She watched kids playing and making noise in a huge school bus. She had never been in one of those before. Back in her hometown, she used to walk to school. Since moving to the city with her father, things had changed. Her mother had left them for some rich man, leaving her and her father to fend for themselves.Lost in her though
They arrived at the hotel where Stephen had booked a suite. As he parked the car, he turned to Marianne, his expression unreadable. "Follow me," he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Marianne nodded silently, her heart pounding in her chest as she followed Stephen into the lobby and up to the elevator. The ascent felt like an eternity, each floor passing in suffocating silence until they finally arrived at the top floor. Stephen led her down the plush corridor to the penthouse suite. He stopped before the ornate double doors, his hand hesitating over the handle. "There are a few ground rules while you stay here," he began, his voice clipped and businesslike. "No touching or going through my personal belongings. And lastly, you shouldn't be harsh to Yuna." Confusion flickered across Marianne's face. "Who is Yuna?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. Stephen ignored her question as he pushed open the door, his gaze immediately falling on the chaos that await
---Yuna stepped out of the building, clutching the money Marianne had given her. The city was overwhelming, its lights and sounds a stark contrast to the safety of the penthouse. She hesitated on the sidewalk, unsure of which direction to go. Her heart pounded as she tried to recall the way to the fries shop Marianne had mentioned, but everything seemed to blur together.Yuna wandered down the street, the noise of the city growing louder with each step. People brushed past her, barely noticing the small, anxious girl among the throngs of city dwellers. She looked around, searching for any sign that might point her in the right direction, but nothing seemed familiar.After what felt like an eternity, Yuna spotted a small shop that sold fries. Relief washed over her as she walked in and placed her order, using the money Marianne had given her. She clutched the warm bag of fries tightly, hoping that the smell of fried food would provide some comfort.But as she stepped out of the shop,
Stephen quietly exited Yuna's room and walked toward the balcony, needing a moment to clear his head. The morning air was cool, a welcome contrast to the tension that had filled the penthouse. He leaned against the railing, staring out at the city's glittering skyline. The view was breathtaking, but this morning, it felt like a backdrop to his worries.With a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and opened the system, his mind turning to the practical aspects of his life. His current stats appeared on the screen:- **Name:** Stephen- **Surname:** King- **Level:** Penicia One- **Net Worth:** $10.8 Billion- **Personal Health:** 80%- **Security Threat Level:** ModerateStephen's eyes lingered on the "Security Threat Level" metric. Was that recently added? He knew it was an area that needed his immediate attention. The events of last night had made it clear that despite his business acumen, he still had a lot to learn about balancing his responsibilities and ensuring Yuna's safety.J
Yuna stood frozen, staring at the intruder with wide eyes. Fear gripped her heart as the man's cold voice cut through the silence of the apartment."Where's your Stephen?" His words hung heavily in the air, filling the room with an ominous tension. Yuna's mind raced, trying to process the danger she was in.Marianne, still unaware of the unfolding crisis, remained seated in the kitchen, absorbed in her book. Yuna's thoughts darted to Stephen, hoping desperately that he would come to her rescue.Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, the apartment door burst open with a sudden shout, "Surprise!"Yuna's confusion mingled with relief as the scene before her transformed in an instant. The intruder's menacing presence dissolved into a whirl of colors and joyful voices. Standing before her were familiar faces, friends, and family members she hadn't expected to see."Happy birthday, Yuna!" The chorus of voices erupted in unison, accompanied by the lively melody of "Happy Birthday." Confe
The next morning dawned bright and clear, casting a golden hue over Stephen's apartment as sunlight streamed through the windows. Stephen, disciplined in his routine, rose with the first light. His mornings were sacred, a time for physical upkeep and mental clarity.With determination, he moved through his morning tasks. The aroma of coffee filled the kitchen as he brewed a strong cup, marking the beginning of his day. Sipping the hot liquid, he savored its warmth, letting it awaken his senses.Outside on the balcony, the morning air was crisp and invigorating. Stephen performed a series of stretches, his muscles flexing and relaxing with practiced ease. His commitment to fitness was evident in each deliberate movement, a way to keep his body in peak condition.As he finished his stretches, Stephen glanced over the cityscape spread out before him. The skyline stood against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, a sight that never failed to inspire him. He took a moment to appreciate the be
Stephen chuckled softly, though there was an edge to his amusement. "I see what you're playing at, Marianne," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "You want me to abandon Yuna and suddenly be fully present for Ariane, just like old times, huh?" Marianne's expression hardened, her gaze locking onto Stephen's with intensity. "It's not about that," she retorted sharply. "It's about balance, Stephen. Yuna needs stability, but so does Ariane. And where's Yuna's father in all of this? Why must you be the one to bear all this burden alone?" Stephen sighed, a mix of frustration and sadness crossing his features. "Yuna's father is... not around," he said quietly. "He's in jail. I can't just leave her alone in this cruel world, Marianne. She needs someone." "And Ariane doesn't?" Marianne shot back, her voice rising slightly. "You think she doesn't need her father after everything she's been through?" Stephen ran a hand through his hair, his eyes troubled. "Of course she doe
Marianne took a deep breath, steeling herself as she approached Ariane's door. She knocked firmly, and Ariane's voice, filled with anger, demanded to know who it was. "It's Mom," Marianne replied quietly, opening the door cautiously. Ariane sat on the edge of her bed, arms crossed defensively, her eyes challenging."Mom, what's going on?" Ariane asked sharply, suspicion in her tone as Marianne entered and closed the door behind her."We need to talk, Ariane," Marianne began, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside her daughter. She looked into Ariane's eyes, trying to gauge her daughter's emotions. "Stephen isn't trying to get rid of Yuna," Marianne continued, choosing her words carefully. "Yuna's father is in prison, and until he comes back, Yuna has to stay with us."Ariane's eyes widened slightly at the news. "Wait, Yuna's real father is in jail?" she asked, a hint of satisfaction creeping into her voice. "Good riddance," she muttered under her breath.Marianne nodded, her expre
Stephen sat in the corner of a dimly lit café, staring out the window. He had sat there for hours, sipping cold coffee and watching the rain trickle down the glass. The café wasn't crowded-just a few people scattered about, lost in their conversations. His foot tapped impatiently under the table. Enoch was late. Very late. The waiter had been by twice, offering Stephen polite smiles, asking if he needed anything else. Each time, he waved him off, too intent on what was to come. His mind was reeling, questions, doubts, and a growing sense of frustration building inside him. Enoch was never this late. The doorbell above the entrance jingled, and Stephen looked up. His heart stopped at the sight of Enoch stepping inside, shaking rain from his coat. He glanced briefly around the room before his eyes fell upon Stephen, and he hastened to him, an apologetic smile on his face. "Sorry to have kept you waiting," Enoch said, reaching for the chair opposite of Stephen. Stephen did not sa
Stephen sat in the corner of a dimly lit café, staring out the window. He had sat there for hours, sipping cold coffee and watching the rain trickle down the glass. The café wasn't crowded-just a few people scattered about, lost in their conversations. His foot tapped impatiently under the table. Enoch was late. Very late. The waiter had been by twice, offering Stephen polite smiles, asking if he needed anything else. Each time, he waved him off, too intent on what was to come. His mind was reeling, questions, doubts, and a growing sense of frustration building inside him. Enoch was never this late. The doorbell above the entrance jingled, and Stephen looked up. His heart stopped at the sight of Enoch stepping inside, shaking rain from his coat. He glanced briefly around the room before his eyes fell upon Stephen, and he hastened to him, an apologetic smile on his face. "Sorry to have kept you waiting," Enoch said, reaching for the chair opposite of Stephen. Stephen did not say an
Stephen sat in the corner of a dimly lit café, staring out the window. He had sat there for hours, sipping cold coffee and watching the rain trickle down the glass. The café wasn't crowded-just a few people scattered about, lost in their conversations. His foot tapped impatiently under the table. Enoch was late. Very late. The waiter had been by twice, offering Stephen polite smiles, asking if he needed anything else. Each time, he waved him off, too intent on what was to come. His mind was reeling, questions, doubts, and a growing sense of frustration building inside him. Enoch was never this late. The doorbell above the entrance jingled, and Stephen looked up. His heart stopped at the sight of Enoch stepping inside, shaking rain from his coat. He glanced briefly around the room before his eyes fell upon Stephen, and he hastened to him, an apologetic smile on his face. "Sorry to have kept you waiting," Enoch said, reaching for the chair opposite of Stephen. Stephen did not say an
Stephen sat in the corner of a dimly lit café, staring out the window. He had sat there for hours, sipping cold coffee and watching the rain trickle down the glass. The café wasn't crowded-just a few people scattered about, lost in their conversations. His foot tapped impatiently under the table. Enoch was late. Very late.The waiter had been by twice, offering Stephen polite smiles, asking if he needed anything else. Each time, he waved him off, too intent on what was to come. His mind was reeling, questions, doubts, and a growing sense of frustration building inside him. Enoch was never this late.The doorbell above the entrance jingled, and Stephen looked up. His heart stopped at the sight of Enoch stepping inside, shaking rain from his coat. He glanced briefly around the room before his eyes fell upon Stephen, and he hastened to him, an apologetic smile on his face."Sorry to have kept you waiting," Enoch said, reaching for the chair opposite of Stephen.Stephen did not say anythi
Stephen stood by the door, watching as Victor’s car grew smaller in the distance. The rumble of the engine slowly faded, leaving nothing but the usual quiet that hung around the small neighborhood. He let out a breath, resting his hand on the doorframe. The last two months had been tough—tougher than he ever imagined.Without the system—the network of contacts and favors that once made his life easy—Stephen had to figure out a way to survive on his own. And it wasn’t glamorous. Every day was a grind, a constant scramble for enough money to cover the basics. Work wasn’t easy to come by, not when you’d burned as many bridges as he had. But he’d managed to find some odd jobs here and there—just enough to scrape by, though never enough to truly get ahead.He closed the door softly, the sound echoing through the small room. Glancing around the cramped space, he couldn’t help but think of the penthouse he once called home. The stark difference between his old life and this one weighed on hi
Stephen stood in the door and watched as Victor's car dwindled to a dot on the horizon. The rumble of the motor died out, leaving only the silent night air hovering over the little neighborhood. He exhaled a breath, his hand falling to rest on the doorframe. The last two months had been rough-tougher than he ever imagined.No system to fall back on now-the network of contacts and favors that oiled his life-Stephen was forced to scrounge some means of survival for himself. Not quite glamorous, the daily fight, the eternal hustle just for the real basics. Jobs were not easy to find, not when one had burned bridges as he had. But he'd been able to find odd jobs here and there, enough just to scrape by, never enough to get any further ahead.He closed the door behind him with a quiet click. The softness echoed inside the tiny room. Glancing around at the cramped quarters, his mind strayed to the penthouse he once called home. The stark dissimilarities between where his life used to be and
Two months later, Victor stared at the address on his phone, then at the small, run-down building in front of him. It didn’t look like a place Stephen would be living. The paint was peeling off the walls, and the grass in front was overgrown. This was far from the sleek, modern apartment Stephen used to own.Victor killed the engine, stepped out of his car, and walked toward the house. It was a self-contained unit—cheap, cramped, and barely enough for one person. He checked the address again. Room number 9. It matched. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.When he reached room 9, he knocked hard. The wood felt thin under his knuckles, like the door could break if he wasn’t careful. He knocked again, louder this time.After a moment, the door creaked open. Victor’s eyebrows shot up. Standing in front of him was Stephen, but he was almost unrecognizable. His hair was longer, his face covered with a scruffy beard, and he’d gained weight—his old sharp features now s
Standing beside Ariane's bed, his mind was spinning as he stared down at the screen of the system on his phone. His fingers trembling, he hit the icon for healing skills. He muttered under his breath, "Why can't this work on her? Why can't I save her?The system kept mum-no explanation, no solution. The shallow breathing of his daughter echoed in the room; every weak breath made him helpless. Stephen swallowed hard as his throat went dry. He could fix deals, he could manipulate numbers, but here in this hospital room, he was powerless.The door creaked open, and Stephen turned to see Enoch step in. Gone was Enoch's usual smug expression, replaced with a concerned frown. "What are you doing here?" Stephen's voice was low, edged with suspicion.Enoch shrugged, glancing over at Ariane. "Heard she was sick, so I decided to come by. How's she doing?"Stephen stared at him for a long moment, unsure of how to reply. His mind flashed back to his earlier doubts. Ariane wasn't his daughter, at
Stephen sat cross-legged on a soft mat, his eyes closed to focus on the calm voice of the guru. The air around him was scented with burning incense; a low hum of chanting echoed softly from the walls. He had called in the guru in a last-ditch effort to clear his mind, escape the relentless pull of the system. It had started to devour him, bit by bit, till it was all he could think of, all he could perceive.He was losing his grip, and he knew it.The guru's voice came, calm: "Breathe in. breathe out. let your thoughts flow like water. Do not cling to them."Stephen sucked in an enormous breath, then let it slowly out again, as if to expel everything at the same time: the market crash, the system, the deals that went right past him. The tension between him and Enoch was endless. He'd gotten pulled into something so much bigger than he was that he couldn't possibly control it himself, and however hard Stephen fought his way free of it, he felt ensnared.Then, though, as his breathing st