The next morning, Victor woke up groggily and dragged himself into the kitchen. He began to prepare coffee, but this seemed gigantic. His head throbbed, his body pained, the sunlight was far too bright through the window, and the usual hum in the house sounded like a roar in his ears.Ariane swept past him, her steps light, and carefree, and he fumbled with the coffee maker. She was already dressed for school, her hair neatly drawn back, and slung a backpack over her wiry shoulder. "Good morning, Dad," she replied with an air, hardly glancing at him as she poured herself a glass of orange juice.Absently, Stephen nodded as he turned on his phone. There, the mission notification flickered across the screen: *Protect your daughter.* From what? He wished he knew. Then, his train of thought was interrupted by Yuna's soft voice, overflowing with concern."Good morning, Mr. Stephen," she greeted him with a smile. "You're okay, aren't you? You look sick."Stephen smiled belligerently, his un
Stephen's heart raced as their eyes connected. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice both steady and urgent.The waiter's nervous glances sent shivers down his spine as the man shifted on his feet. "I was hired for this event," he muttered, "we need to chat someplace private."Before Stephen could say a word, the head of security walked up—a large man with a brutal face. "What has happened here?" he asked, observing them with a superstitiously condemnatory eye.Stephen turned around to face him, trying to keep his voice composed. "Does this guy work here?" he asked, gesturing at the server, who still held his arm.The security guard nodded, gazing at the server. "Yeah—they're on the list."Stephen connected the dots. If this server was legitimate, Stephen couldn't have poisoned the drink unless he was under threat or force. "Where did you get the drinks from?" Stephen pressed, letting go but not of suspicion.The server pointed to another area where drinks were being served, a kind of
Stephen presided at the dining table, nursing his cup of coffee, while morning sunlight filtering into the kitchen window blended with his thoughts. Well, they were all about Victor. It was too easy, too clean. Some part of Stephen felt that something in Victor's surrender did not fit—like a jigsaw puzzle piece. He leaned back, rubbing his temples. Persuasion wouldn't work on Victor; he knew the system. But Charles? Ah, Charles was an entirely different matter. If he could get Charles to talk, perhaps he could discover what was really going on.This reverie was broken by an impatient cry from Ariane. "Mom, I'm going to be late for school!"Marianne's voice drifted down the hallway. "I'm coming!" A moment later, the scent of her perfume preceded her as she squeezed past Stephen. "I'm dropping Ariane at school," she said, settling her purse onto her shoulder.Stephen's face darkened. "Just Ariane? What about Yuna?"Marianne, much fatigued by the display of emotions, sighed. "Yuna refuse
Stephen sat back in his chair in the doctor's office as relief washed over him with the doctor's reassurance: "Everything is fine. Ariane didn't get burned by the fire at all. She's going to be okay. It was just the fear that made her pass out."Stephen let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank God. And Marianne?""A small burn on her arm, nothing serious," the doctor replied. "We will monitor her for a while, but she should be fine."Stephen nodded, and then the mind began to put forth questions concerning how that fire started. He glanced outside the office—the glass door—over at Marianne sitting with her eyes lost in thoughts in the waiting area. He thanked the doctor and promised he would see to the payment before leaving the office.Relief washed over him as he approached Marianne, mingling with a flush of anger. "How did it start?" he asked, trying to modulate his voice and failing to mask his agitation.Marianne's gaze rose to his—her eyes red and perplexed. "How a
By the time Stephen, Marianne, Ariane, and Yuna got back to the luxury penthouse, it was night. Stephen took Ariane to her room and demanded she rest, considering what had transpired at the doctor's office. Marianne delayed in the hallway with Yuna, her attitude suddenly changing.She spun on Yuna, her eyes flashing with an anger that made the young girl step back. "Don't flatter yourself for one second that you're from anywhere good to come in and try to take over my family," Marianne growled, her voice slicing through the quiet of the hallway.Yuna's wide eyes stared up at Marianne as the girl was clearly shaken by the sudden hostility. "I-I don't want to control anything, Mrs. Stephens," Yuna stuttered nervously.Marianne's eyes narrowed. "Don't play innocent with me. If you ever try to meddle again, get out for it. Stephen won't tolerate it." The voice was so low, threatening; Yuna did not feel a single line of defense was left on her.Turning her back--and so rudely at that--Yuna
Stephen stormed in the corridors of the empire, his head swimming with so many things. That was when Enoch intercepted him in great concern. Stephen had known Enoch for a long time; he was a very close associate and confidante."Stephen, I was beginning to get worried you wouldn't show up," he admitted, concern trickling in his tone.Stephen nodded hardly at Enoch's words as he pushed open the door to his office—the weight of recent happenings bearing heavily on him. Enoch followed quietly, picking up on the weight in Stephen's mood."What would you do when your family is threatened, and the prime suspect happens to be your ex-wife?" Stephen asked suddenly, looking into the distance.Enoch was startled by this but saw how solemn Stephen's face was. "Well, I would thoroughly question her and put her on absolutely strict observation for a while," he said cautiously."Strict observation," repeated Stephen, testing how the words felt in his mouth. Inside, his mind raced at the thought of
Stephen could not help smiling at Ariane, who was screaming with enormous excitement as the luxurious boat was arriving tenderly to the harbor. "It's beautiful, Daddy!" she said, her eyes wide with wonder at the yacht as it came to dock very gracefully.Here Stephen nodded, taking in the fine vessel before holding still as it came to a stop. A set of stairs was lowered for passengers to embark, and as the captain announced that all were welcome aboard, other travelers began to arrive.Among them was the radiant Marianne in her holiday best, laughing gaily with the young people around her. Stephen's look by her was one of scorn and despair, from the time past, yet now resolute to have this family vacation work.Pacing just behind her, flushed with nervousness despite the act he put on to the contrary, Yuna was right on Marianne's heels. He kept insisting that it would be good for her to tag along, and that he knew she was wary of Marianne, of all people, so he hoped that this trip wou
Enoch smiled to his satisfaction as the trucks belonging to the new furniture company arrived in front of the Empire Building. Large containers were filled with sleek new office furniture and all the latest equipment to bring transformation into that old space. Enoch felt a deep sense of accomplishment."Be careful with that," he called out to the movers as they began unloading, his firm but friendly tone belying his excited pacing around the delivery. "This stuff isn't cheap."One of them looked up at him then and nodded. "We'll take good care of it, sir."Enoch's chest swelled with pride. Stephen was out of town on holiday, so Enoch took the reins, and this big office refurbishment was a giant step to stamp his authority. It had cost a staggering 30 million dollars, though he felt every cent well worth it. The upgrades would reflect his taste, but more than that, they would symbolize his new role as the head of the empire.As the last of the items were signed for, and the delivery c
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