I Am Not A Loser, But A Quadrillionaire!

Chapter 6

Sarah leaned back against the plush Italian leather, her fingers lazily tracing the rim of her wine glass. Tomorrow, everything would fall into place.

"Mother, everything is proceeding exactly as planned," she said smoothly, her voice carrying the arrogance of someone who had never known failure. "After tomorrow's Group A anniversary celebration, Jun won't be a problem anymore."

Madeline’s voice crackled through the phone, her tone laced with doubt. "Are you certain? After what happened at Emerald Apothecary—"

Sarah clicked her tongue, irritation flickering in her gaze. That? That was nothing.

"One embarrassing incident doesn't change anything," she cut in, inspecting her freshly manicured nails, painted the same shade of blood-red as her ambitions. "Marcus's father has everything under control."

The soft sound of approaching footsteps made her lips curl. Right on time.

Marcus entered the penthouse, his stride confident, cocky, as if he already owned the city. His expensive suit was slightly loosened, his smirk one of a man who had never known consequence.

"Speaking of control," Sarah purred into the phone, her gaze locked on Marcus, "I need to go. We have preparations to make for tomorrow."

She ended the call without waiting for a response. Her mother had always been a little too cautious. But not Sarah. She understood what real power was. And tomorrow, she’d be sitting at the top of it.

"Your father received the confirmation?" she asked as Marcus loosened his tie, a slow grin spreading across his lips.

"Everything's set," he replied, settling beside her. "The board is practically eating out of his hand. Tomorrow's celebration is just a formality before they sign off on the project."

Sarah’s eyes gleamed. Finally. Finally, they would rise above the rest.

"And what about our little… pest problem?" she mused, swirling the wine in her glass, thinking of Jun’s boldness at the herbal shop.

Marcus let out a cold chuckle, one that held no amusement. "Dad's already arranged for special security. If Jun shows his face tomorrow, he won't be leaving under his own power."

Sarah nodded, satisfaction curling through her veins like fine silk. The fool had played his role perfectly. Believing he was special. That she ever cared.

"He needs to learn his place once and for all," she murmured.

Marcus pulled her closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Trust me, after tomorrow, your ex-donor won't be anyone's problem anymore."

She smiled at that, leaning into his embrace. Everything was falling into place.

"Tell me again," she whispered, eyes half-lidded with satisfaction, "what happens after the chairman signs?"

Marcus's smirk widened. "Once the project’s approved, my family moves up to second-tier status. The other families will have no choice but to acknowledge us. And you…" he traced a finger along her jaw, "you’ll be right there at the top with me."

Sarah closed her eyes, savoring the moment. All those years of pretending. Playing the perfect, grateful patient. Letting Jun fawn over her like some lovesick puppy. All of it, leading to this.

"Our families will prosper together," she murmured. Her mother and sister had nearly squealed with excitement when she told them.

"No more looking up at the elite," Marcus added. "We'll be the ones looking down."

Sarah smirked. Exactly.

"And Jun?" Marcus poured them both a glass of champagne, tilting his head. "Any specific requests for how security should handle him?"

Her expression hardened. "Make sure he understands the consequences of challenging his betters. I want him to really feel it this time."

She raised her glass, the crystal catching the light like a blade. "To tomorrow night – when everything changes."

Marcus clinked his glass against hers. "To putting nobodies in their proper place."

The store owner bowed so deeply it was almost pathetic.

"Please, take this as our sincerest apology," he pleaded, pushing the jade box toward Jun. "The Dragonroot is yours, free of charge. Your payment will be refunded immediately.” His hands trembled slightly as he took Jun's black card.

Jun glanced at the jade box, then at the trembling man. What a shift in attitude. Fear really did wonders.

"Fine," he said flatly, picking up the box.

"Thank you! Thank you!" The boss's relief was almost comical. He bowed deeply again before rushing out to process the refund.

Jun and Katherine stood quietly, unbothered by the flurry of activity.

In less than two minutes, the boss scurried back, presenting the black card to Jun with both hands, his head still slightly lowered. "Here, sir. The payment has been returned."

"Let's go, Katherine," taking the card from him, Jun simply said.

The ride back was silent, the city lights flickering past in a blur. Jun held the jade box in his lap, feeling the pulsating energy within, something ancient, something waiting to be unlocked.

He could feel Katherine watching him from the driver’s seat. 

"Will you need anything else tonight, sir?" she finally asked as they pulled up to the villa.

Jun shook his head. "No. But be ready for tomorrow."

Inside, his private chamber was already prepared. He set the jade box down carefully, the weight of its contents more than just physical. 

His fingers moved methodically, preparing the Dragonroot as knowledge poured into his mind from the ring. The herb glowed faintly as he ground it into powder, the air thick with its earthy scent, the weight of history pressing in on him.

This wasn’t just a technique. This was a foundation for power.

He mixed the fine powder with spring water in a crystal bowl, the liquid swirling as if alive. The moment he drank, a surge of pure energy coursed through his veins.

Jun’s breath hitched. It was overwhelming. Almost too much.

The ring pulsed with his heartbeat, syncing with something deep inside him. His body trembled—not with weakness, but with growth. Transformation.

Hour after hour passed, yet fatigue never came. Only power. Strength. Clarity.

When dawn finally broke, Jun felt sharper. Stronger. More alive than ever.

His senses had changed. The air felt different. The world seemed clearer.

Downstairs, Katherine waited, her presence as unreadable as ever.

"The car is ready, sir," she reported as he descended the grand staircase.

"Let's not keep Eagle Industries waiting," Jun replied.

Across Eagle Industries' plaza as Jun's car pulled up to the entrance, as if fate itself had orchestrated their meeting, Jun spotted Sarah and Marcus loitering by the glass doors, their expressions a mix of entitlement and disdain.

Sarah's perfectly manicured hand froze mid-gesture as she saw him step out. It can't be, she thought, bile rising in her throat. He wasn't supposed to show up here. Not today. Not when everything is so close.

Marcus instinctively moved closer to her, his confident smirk wavering slightly. Dad's security better be ready, he thought, noting Jun's transformed appearance. Something about his ex-rival's bearing seemed different, dangerous even.

"Well, if it isn't the charity case," Marcus called out, masking his unease with mockery. "Lost your way to the servant's entrance?"

Sarah forced a laugh, though inside her stomach churned with unexpected anxiety. He looks... different. Stronger. 

Jun walked toward them, each step measured and purposeful. 

Marcus fought the urge to loosen his collar. Something's wrong. He's supposed to be broken, weak. "You've got some nerve showing up here," he said, but his voice lacked its usual conviction.