I Am Not A Loser, But A Quadrillionaire!

Chapter 3

The private jet landed smoothly on the tarmac of Eagle Industries’ secluded airstrip. As Jun stepped off, the city skyline stretched before him, shimmering under the evening lights. Tomorrow, everything would change.

"Sir, the takeover is scheduled for tomorrow morning," Katherine Hayes informed him as she walked beside him. "Coincidentally, it aligns with the company's annual anniversary gala. Every major player in the city will be in attendance—including Tozer Group."

Jun’s eyes narrowed. Tozer Group. He had read about them in the briefings Katherine provided earlier. A family-run conglomerate, known for their ruthless business tactics and political ties. If they were going to be there, it meant more than just a business event. It was a show of power.

"So the entire city elite will be there?" he mused.

Katherine nodded. "Exactly. It’ll be the perfect moment for your official introduction as the new head of Eagle Industries."

Jun smirked. Let them see who they’re dealing with.

Katherine—his designated bodyguard—drove him to a villa nestled in the hills overlooking the city. The estate was massive, its modern architecture blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest.

"Your father had this prepared for your return," Katherine said as she pulled up to the entrance. "It has top-tier security, an underground training facility, and direct access to a private airstrip."

Jun stepped inside, taking in the sleek furnishings, state-of-the-art technology, and a towering display case filled with historical artifacts. The weight of his new identity settled deeper on his shoulders.

He turned to Katherine. "I need to start training immediately."

Katherine’s expression didn’t shift. "Understood. What do you need?"

Jun exhaled, recalling the cultivation methods imprinted in his mind after the ring’s activation. "A specific herb. Without it, I can't properly refine my energy flow."

Katherine was already tapping on his tablet. "Which herb?"

"Dragonroot. It should be available at the city's largest herbal store."

Katherine nodded. "That would be Emerald Apothecary. They specialize in rare medicinal herbs. We can leave now."

The drive into the city was quiet, the luxury SUV cutting through traffic effortlessly. Jun stared out the window, watching pedestrians bustle along the sidewalks. Less than 24 hours ago, he was nothing but a discarded orphan. Now, he was about to step into one of the most powerful roles in the country.

"Your mind seems occupied," Katherine noted.

Jun didn’t look away from the window. "Just thinking about tomorrow. The people I’ll meet. The people I’ll have to deal with."

"Tozer Group?"

Jun glanced at her. "You know them?"

Katherine gave a slight nod. "They control a significant portion of the financial market. Your father has kept them at a distance, but with you taking over, they’ll either try to form an alliance… or eliminate you."

A dark chuckle escaped Jun’s lips. "Let them try."

Katherine smirked but said nothing as they pulled up in front of Emerald Apothecary.

The soft chime of the bell signaled Jun’s entrance into Emerald Apothecary. The store’s scent—earthy herbs mixed with aged sandalwood—was oddly calming, but he wasn’t here to enjoy the ambiance. He needed Dragonroot. Now.

“Katherine, wait outside,” he said as he stepped through the entrance.

Katherine raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”

“I won’t take long.”

She gave a small nod but didn’t move far. Jun knew she’d be watching from the shadows, ready to step in if necessary.

Inside, the shop was dimly lit, its shelves stocked with ancient remedies. A well-dressed clerk stood behind a polished wooden counter, running his fingers over a ledger.

“I need Dragonroot,” Jun said flatly.

The clerk’s expression shifted slightly. “A rare item, sir. We only have one left.”

Perfect.

As the clerk carefully retrieved a jade box from the back, Jun could already feel the pulsating energy coming from it. But before he could even reach for his purchase, the front door swung open.

A sharp, nasally voice sliced through the air.

“We need Dragonroot. Now.”

Jun’s mood soured instantly. Not now.

He turned his head slightly and saw two unwanted faces entering the store—Madeline Radcliffe and her precious daughter, Samantha.

His ex-fiancée’s mother and sister.

Just great.

The clerk hesitated. “Ah, Madam Radcliffe… unfortunately, the last Dragonroot has already been purchased.”

Madeline’s perfectly shaped eyebrows lifted. “Oh?” Her gaze flickered toward Jun. The moment recognition struck, her lips curled into a slow, amused smirk.

“Oh dear, look who it is.”

Samantha, practically her mother’s mini-me, took one look at Jun and let out a dramatic gasp. “No way! He’s the one who took it?”

Madeline feigned concern, resting a manicured hand over her chest. “Jun, darling, you’re still in the city? I thought after my daughter dumped you, you’d have crawled back into whatever hole you came from.”

Samantha giggled, hiding her mouth behind her hand. “Right? I mean, he was barely good enough to be Sarah’s pet. Now he thinks he can afford rare herbs? What’s next, pretending to own a private jet?”

Jun clenched his jaw but didn’t respond. Not worth it.

He turned back to the clerk. “I’ll pay for it now.”

Madeline wasn’t done. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t embarrass yourself,” she cooed, stepping forward as if speaking to a slow-witted child. “This isn’t some street market where you can haggle for leftovers. That herb is worth more than your entire wardrobe.”

Samantha leaned against the counter, inspecting her nails. “Seriously, do you even know what Dragonroot is for? It’s not instant ramen. Maybe you should stick to, I don’t know, eating cheap takeout?”

Jun exhaled sharply, keeping his composure. They’re irrelevant. Pay and leave.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the black card his father had given him and placed it on the counter. “Charge it.”

Silence.

Then Madeline laughed—a sharp, piercing sound that could shatter fragile egos.

“Wait—wait—” she gasped between cackles. “Did he just pull out a black card?”

Samantha wiped fake tears from her eyes. “Oh my God, is this one of those plastic novelty cards? Maybe he got it from a vending machine!”

The clerk hesitated, clearly conflicted.

Madeline crossed her arms, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Look, I don’t know whose purse you stole that from, but let’s be real. You? A black card? That’s like giving a pigeon a palace. Utterly ridiculous.”

Samantha sighed dramatically. “Poor guy, still trying to impress us. It’s actually kind of sad.”

Jun finally turned, his eyes cold. “If you’re done flapping your beaks, I have a purchase to complete.”

Madeline snorted. “Oh, honey, this isn’t a charity. The clerk isn’t going to risk his job processing a fake card.” She turned to the man behind the counter. “Be a dear and hand the herb to someone who can actually afford it.”

The clerk, clearly sweating now, cautiously reached for the card.

Jun smirked. “Go ahead. Swipe it.”

The man gulped and inserted the card into the terminal.

Processing…

…

Approved.

Silence.

Dead.

Silence.

Madeline blinked. Samantha’s mouth fell open like a fish gasping for air.