The morning light filtered through the curtains, gently pulling Stephen from the depths of sleep. For a moment, he lay in the plush bed, the softness a stark contrast to the harsh reality of the previous day. Was it all a dream? The betrayal, the wealth, the system?
He sat up, the luxurious room greeting him, confirming the truth of his new reality. His heart raced as he reached for his phone to check his bank balance. The screen lit up, showing $300 million remaining. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived as the system's hologram flickered to life before him. "Mission reminder," the hologram intoned, the countdown ticking ominously. "Location: Rio 5-star hotel inauguration today." The doorbell rang, snapping Stephen out of his trance. "Enter," he called. The hotel manager stepped in, a respectful nod in Stephen's direction. Behind him, caterers wheeled in a cart brimming with exotic foods, their scents wafting through the air. "And this," the manager said, presenting a package emblazoned with the 5G logo, "was delivered for you, Mr. King." Stephen eyed the package, his curiosity piqued. "Thank you," he said, dismissing the staff with a wave. Once alone, he carefully opened the package to reveal a red suit with a staggering price tag of $5 million, a pure gold wristwatch, and a car key—the emblem unmistakable. It was the key to a Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, the most expensive car in the world. * * FEW MINUTES LATER Stephen emerged from his bath, the steam swirling around him as he dried off and dressed in the red suit. The fabric hugged his frame, transforming his appearance into that of a man who commanded respect and exuded power. The wristwatch was a statement piece, its gold gleam catching the light with every movement. He studied his reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the man who looked back at him. With a spritz of the rich, earthy perfume from the box, he felt ready to face whatever the day held. The elevator descended smoothly, and as the doors opened, he stepped out into the crisp morning air. His eyes scanned the lineup of luxury vehicles before pressing the key in his hand. The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail responded, its lights flashing discreetly. As he approached the car, its beauty was undeniable—a perfect blend of elegance and engineering. That's when he saw him—the old man from before, his gaze intense and knowing. "It chose you," the man had said. They locked eyes, a silent conversation passing between them, until a bus rolled by and the old man was gone, as if he were never there. "Who was that old man?" Stephen whispered to himself, a chill running down his spine. But there was no time to dwell on the mystery; his mission awaited, and with a turn of the key, the Rolls-Royce purred to life. Stephen's grip tightened on the steering wheel, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail responding to his every command with grace and power. The city blurred past him, a tapestry of light and shadow as the sun climbed higher in the sky. The old man's words echoed in his mind, a cryptic message that seemed to hold the key to this entire enigma. "It chose you," but what did it mean? As he navigated through the bustling streets, Stephen's thoughts were a whirlwind of strategy and anticipation. The inauguration event would be teeming with the city's elite, all eyes on the grand opening of the Rio's newest jewel. He had to be careful, play his cards right. Pulling up to the hotel, the valet rushed to open his door, his eyes wide with awe at the sight of the Boat Tail. Stephen stepped out, the red suit making him look like royalty among the crowd. Murmurs rippled through the onlookers as he made his way to the entrance, his presence commanding attention. As Stephen made his grand entrance, whispers fluttered around him like leaves in a breeze. "Who is this man?" someone murmured, their eyes fixed on his attire. "That watch... it's worth a fortune," another voice added, admiration lacing their tone. Stephen paid them no mind, his focus razor-sharp on the mission at hand. He approached a tray of champagne, the bubbles dancing in the glass. Taking a sip, he savored the taste, a luxury he had been denied in his previous life with Marianne. They had kept him from such indulgences, relegating him to scraps while they feasted. His reverie was broken by a voice, rich and aged like fine wine. "That's quite the timepiece, young man," said the voice. Stephen turned to find himself face-to-face with Marianne's father, whom he decided to call Mr. Harrington. "And that suit... must have set you back quite a bit. What business are you into?" Stephen met Mr. Harrington's gaze, his expression unreadable. "I didn't," he replied coolly. "But let's just say I've had a recent... windfall. Investments, you might say." Mr. Harrington raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Is that so? Well, it seems you've invested wisely," he said, his tone a mix of curiosity and a hint of respect. Stephen nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, Mr. Harrington. Sometimes life offers us a second chance to make a first impression. Today, I'm simply enjoying the returns." Inside, Stephen's mind raced with silent contempt for Mr. Harrington. **Greedy old vulture,** he thought, **always sniffing around for money and gold.** "How did you come to know my name?" Mr. Harrington inquired, a hint of suspicion in his voice. Stephen, aware that he needed to keep his true identity hidden, replied with a practiced ease, "Mr. Harrington, your name is well-known in these circles, especially as the in-law to the Woods family." His smile was polite but didn't reach his eyes. Mr. Harrington seemed satisfied with the answer, his smile widening. "Well, thank you. And between us," he leaned in closer, lowering his voice, "I must say, I'm quite pleased with how I handled that useless son-in-law of mine, that jobless fool called Stephen. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say." The insult stung, fueling a fire within Stephen. He wanted to lash out, to reveal himself, but he held back, knowing the importance of staying in character. "And what did you say your name was?" Mr. Harrington asked, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Stephen. With a calm that belied his inner fury, Stephen looked Mr. Harrington straight in the eye and said, "My name is Stephen. Stephen King."Stephen's nod was small, but his eyes were alert. Above him, a screen lit up, counting down quickly. It seemed he was the only one who could see the numbers falling away. Time was running out for him to act. In the middle of the room, a man stepped onto the stage. It was time to open the new hotel. "We need your help," he said to the crowd. "Please, give what you can." All eyes turned to Mr. Harrington. He was famous for giving away big money, and today looked no different. Reporters and cameras crowded around him, waiting. Mr. Harrington stood tall, soaking in the attention. "My friends," he boomed, "I believe in this place." He paused, making sure everyone was listening. "And I will give $10 million to make it shine." The room burst into cheers, clapping filling the air. But the hotel owner had a surprise. "Wait," he said, and the room went quiet. "We have a new friend who just gave $25 million." The crowd whispered, "Who could it be?" Stephen, holding a glass of champagne
Stephen turned to leave, his voice carrying a final message. “I’ll be back soon,” he said, each word a promise. The room’s tension was palpable as he walked away, his steps unhurried, controlled. Outside, a few hotel security guards eyed him warily. Stephen ignored their curious glances, focusing on the satisfaction coursing through him. He had disgraced the Harringtons, and they were now left to face the consequences. The head security guard, a burly man with a stern face, handed Stephen his car key. “Here you go, sir.” “Thank you,” Stephen said, his voice steady. He approached his Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, the sleek car gleaming under the morning lights. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he took a moment to appreciate the luxury surrounding him. It was the opposite lifestyle to the way his in-laws had always seen him. As he started the engine, a sense of triumph settled over him. The car purred to life, and he drove through the hotel’s driveway, glancing once more at the buil
The next morning, the sun rose over King's Empire, casting a golden hue across the expansive land. Victor's sleek black SUV rolled through the gates, heading towards the grand white mansion nestled amidst the greenery. Marianne sat beside him, her excitement barely contained. "Isn't it magnificent?" she said, gazing out at the vast acre of land, known for its rich gold mines. "I can't believe this will all be ours." Victor smiled, his grip on the steering wheel firm. "It's been a long time coming, but today, it's finally happening." As they approached the mansion, workers in the fields paused to wave at the passing car. Marianne waved back, her mind already racing with plans for their future. "Victor, I was thinking we could host a huge celebration here. Invite everyone important. Show them what we have." Victor nodded. "Of course. This place deserves to be shown off." The SUV came to a stop in front of the mansion, and a valet hurried over to open the doors. Marianne step
Stephen raised his hand, halting the old man's declaration. "No, Mr. Harrington. We shouldn't be too hasty. Perhaps Victor should just be suspended for today." He walked closer to Victor, a glint of determination in his eyes. "I can't let you out of my sight, Victor. I'd like to see you serve me and show me the respect I deserve." Victor chuckled bitterly, his voice laced with scorn. "Respect? Is that what all this is about, Stephen? If that's what you're looking for, you'll never get it. I'll never show respect to a poor loser like you." Stephen's expression hardened. "We'll see about that." Victor stormed out of the room, his jaw clenched in frustration. Marianne hurried after him, her steps quick to catch up. As they reached the garden, Victor slumped onto a bench, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He chuckled bitterly to himself, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "I'm sure my father would be so proud of me, losing my rightful place to a loser like Stephen." Marian
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Stephen as he stretched out on the bed. It had been a while since he'd slept so soundly. Standing up, he made his way to the bathroom, the routine of brushing his teeth and taking a shower bringing a sense of normalcy to his otherwise chaotic life.Dressed in a crisp suit, Stephen checked his reflection one last time before heading downstairs. He slipped into his car and drove towards the empire, the weight of his responsibilities settling on his shoulders.Upon arrival, he was greeted by the expectant faces of his colleagues. "Sorry I'm late," he said, taking his seat at the head of the table. He noticed Victor's cold stare but chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the matters at hand."We're losing miners over pay," one executive reported. "It's affecting production.""How much to bring them back?" Stephen asked, ready to solve the problem with a swift transfer of funds. “And I want all the 6 gold mine sites a
Stephen stepped out of the elevator into the top floor of the hotel, his mind inside a whirlwind of ruminations on the weird dictum of the system. He neared his penthouse door, fumbling in his pocket for his keycard. Bringing it out, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. To his surprise, Marianne was there, seated in his sofa in a striking red gown that hugged provocatively her curves. Stephen's eyebrows rose in a frown. "Marianne, what are you doing here?" he enquired, trying to keep a suspicion from springing into his voice. Marianne smiled at him carnally, her eyes shining with some kind of scheming. "I thought we could spend some time together, sweetheart," she purred, her words dripping with honeyed sweetness. Stephen's ire was continuing to burn, but he was still trying to maintain his cool. "I am not in the mood for games, Marianne," he said firmly. "What have you really come here for?" Marianne's smile flickered again, and her mask slipped. "I. wanted to see you," she ad
Enoch leaned in closer, his voice barely a whisper. "I know someone—a cybersecurity expert. They can hack into the system, remove the malicious software, but..." He hesitated, glancing around cautiously. "We'll need to keep Stephen close. Real close." Victor's brow furrowed in thought. "Stephen won't just waltz into our trap. He's too clever for that." Enoch nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "We'll have to bait him. Make him believe there's something valuable for him." Victor's mind raced with possibilities. "The company's confidential files. He's been after those for years." Enoch's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Exactly. We leak false information about a big data breach. He'll come running." Victor's expression hardened with determination. "Then we'll be waiting for him. Ready to strike." Enoch clapped a hand on Victor's shoulder. "Together, we'll take him down and reclaim what's rightfully ours." Victor nodded, a steely resolve in his eyes. "Let's do it. For our
Victor's entrance startled everyone in the room, his voice echoing with disbelief. "Marianne, what are you doing?" he demanded, his eyes searching hers for recognition. But Marianne's response left him stunned. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion as she looked at him blankly. Victor's frustration bubbled to the surface, his jaw tensing. "How can you not remember me?" he exclaimed, his tone a mixture of anger and hurt. The doctor stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "Mrs. King has suffered memory loss due to her accident," he explained, his words carrying weight in the tense atmosphere. Victor's brows furrowed in frustration. "I don't care," he retorted, his gaze unwavering. "She's my wife, and she's coming home with me." But Mr. Harriganton's voice interrupted, his tone decisive. "It's Marianne's decision," he stated firmly, his gaze steady as he looked at his daughter. Victor turned to Marianne, his heart aching at the thought of her not recognizing him. "