From Shrimp Boy to Slapjack: System Activated

Tude

The symphony of the club throbbed around us, a cacophony of flashing lights, booming bass, and the excited chatter of the wealthy elite. Curry, my unlikely companion for the night, practically vibrated with nervous energy. He kept glancing at me, a mix of awe and disbelief etched on his face.

"Man," he finally blurted out, raising his voice to be heard over the pounding music, "I still can't believe you did that! Who are you, some kind of billionaire playboy?"

I chuckled, downing the expensive champagne a waitress had just materialised beside us. "Something like that," I replied, the irony of the statement not lost on me. Just a few days ago, I'd been embroiled in a power struggle with one of the most powerful women in the city. Now, here I was, playing the part of the carefree spender in a world that felt both exhilarating and utterly alien.

The rest of the night unfolded in a blur. Champagne flowed like water, accompanied by a steady stream of exotic cocktails and hors d'oeuvres tha