A week later, at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, the streets of Los Angeles were alive with the usual energy. People moved quickly under the scorching sun, some with sunglasses shielding their eyes, others carrying umbrellas to fend off the intense heat. But for Tony, sitting in his BMW, none of it mattered. His mind was consumed by a simmering frustration.Tony sat behind the wheel, gripping it tightly, his fingers tight with anger. He glanced at the phone pressed against his ear, his other hand twitching with impatience. Maya was supposed to be meeting him, but right now."What? Silverstone Enterprises is closing its doors too? Are you kidding me? How is that even possible when things were going so well?" Tony’s voice was sharp. He ran a hand through his hair, a mix of confusion and fury playing across his face.Silverstone Enterprises had been one of the top performers out of the 80 companies he had invested in. It was a golden opportunity, consistently making a strong profi
Maya was genuinely taken aback, her expression reflecting surprise. "Miss Walport, I’m curious—why do you remember Ethan's birthday so clearly?"In her mind, Ethan was nothing more than Clara’s bodyguard, someone she didn’t expect Clara to take such a personal interest in. It seemed strange that she would remember such an insignificant detail about him.What Maya didn’t know, however, was that Clara had been keeping a close eye on Ethan for some time now. Given the way Clara felt about him, it was only natural that she would remember his birthday with such precision.Clara, sensing the confusion, calmly explained, "Well, it's actually a bit of a coincidence. Ethan’s birthday happens to fall on the same day as my father's. Also, I’ve seen Ethan’s ID at one point, so it just sort of stuck in my mind.""Mrs. West, Ethan is your ex-husband, and you were once in love, right? Don’t you think it’s a little thoughtless to plan your wedding on his birthday? Or perhaps you simply forgot that it
Tony should have been full of excitement, given that today marked one of the biggest days of his life. But the string of financial disasters had drained him, leaving him looking like a man burdened by decades of hardship rather than someone in his twenties.In addition to the failed investments, Tony had hemorrhaged money in other risky ventures throughout the week. Stock index futures, commodities, even high-stakes underground gambling—all had contributed to the rapid disappearance of his fortune.Beside him, a young man holding a best man’s corsage studied him with an expression of deep concern. “Tony, something isn’t adding up here. Did you cross someone powerful? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re being deliberately sabotaged. Even if you made a few bad choices, the odds of everything crashing down like this are practically zero.”Tony let out a hollow laugh and rubbed his dark-circled eyes. “You’re spot on. It’s no coincidence; someone’s playing me. This isn’t
A cab pulls up to the grand entrance of the Sunset Tower Hotel, its sleek exterior gleaming under the golden rays of the afternoon sun. The hotel's majestic billboard, adorned with the iconic Sunset Tower Hotel logo, proudly stands guard over the entrance.**"Sir, we've arrived at the Sunset Tower Hotel!" A soft, calming voice filled the air, courtesy of Ethan Sinclair, the taxi driver. His words gently broke the steadiness that enveloped the luxury establishment."Thank you," the stranger replied, a hint of relief in his voice. "Could you please help me with my luggage out of the trunk?""Of course," Ethan responded promptly, exiting his cab and assisting the stranger in retrieving his belongings. As he closed the trunk, the stranger inquired, "How much do I owe you?""Two hundred bucks!!" Ethan replied, referring to his standard fare."Here, I'll give you five hundred bucks for the extra effort I put in for you today!!" the stranger said, reaching for his wallet. However, upon exam
Without any warning, the caller abruptly terminated the call, leaving Ethan in a state of bewildered curiosity. He questioned the identity of the mysterious "Young Master" and wondered how an unfamiliar voice had obtained his private phone number.Despite the pain of his wife's betrayal, he pushed it aside and eagerly pressed the down-floor button, longing for the safety of the lobby.As the elevator doors glided open, Ethan stepped out into the vibrant and bustling lobby. His thoughts were consumed by the painful scene of his wife's betrayal, playing on a loop in his mind.Lost in thought, Ethan accidentally collided with a stylishly attired man adorned with sleek black glasses."I'm sorry," Ethan mumbled apologetically. However, the man, his expression concealed behind an inscrutable mask, adjusted himself with composure and silently walked away, leaving Ethan unsettled and unanswered.Moving toward where he parked his cab, Ethan's mind became a whirlwind of apprehension.The unkn
In Ethan's mindscape, digital chimes formed a symphony, harmonizing with the emergence of a serene voice."New Host Founded. Welcome, esteemed Master. I am Amanda, your Ancestral heir System. It is my pleasure to guide you through this grand initiation?""Let's see what you got?," Ethan replied, his voice tinged with both curiosity and trepidation."Initiating system loading sequence. 100%... 90%... 60%... 40%... 20%... 10%... Congratulations, Master! You have successfully unlocked the Ancestor System."The ethereal voice accompanied a mesmerizing display of code materializing before Ethan's eyes. As if guided by an unseen force, the code coalesced into an intricate screen, presenting two distinct options:"Grand Master Legacy.""New Mission""Please select your desired starting point, Young Master."Ethan, his heart thrumming with anticipation, made his choice. "Let's begin with the Grand Master Legacy.""An excellent decision, Young Master. The Grand Master Legacy unveils the rewards
The iron gates slammed shut with a clang that echoed through Ethan's bones. Adrenaline still thrumming, he stood up, brushing off the dust that clung to his clothes like a mocking taunt. "You'll regret this," he spat.A guttural laugh from one of the guards cut through the air."Get out of here, loser! No one wants you or your threats."Ethan swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. His mind, a frantic kaleidoscope, ticked away the seconds. 9:46 PM. 59 seconds left. The weight of the timer on his wrist was a physical ache.He stumbled towards his cab, the world blurring into a smear of neon and honking horns. Every stop sign and every red light felt like a personal attack.His mission, once a thrilling gamble, was now a desperate scramble for survival.As he weaved through the city, a flicker of hope caught his eye. A tiny storefront, its window aglow with the warm light of a single bulb. A woman, her face etched with the weariness of a thousand closed doors, sat huddled inside.Et
"I got this for you, Julia," a woman's voice rang out from across the table, belonging to Lena Reynolds, Ms. Julia's sister-in-law. "It cost thousands of dollars!" Lena exclaimed, presenting a gift containing a set of bracelets with a net worth of $400,000.Meanwhile, Ms. Julia's siblings surrounded her, each adorned with unique birthday artwork on their heads, while Maya entered the room carrying a cake with her mom's name elegantly written on it. "Happy birthday, Mom!!!" Maya exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her mother as she sat, her excitement evident on her beaming face."Let's blow out the candle by spelling your name! Ms. Julia" Sophie spoke out, appearing behind Ms. Julia and placing a hand on her shoulder. With her long black hair cascading down her back, Sophie looked stunning at just twenty-five years old.Suddenly, the clink of a spoon against a glass echoed through the room, breaking the excitement that filled the air."More age, my love, in more money?" Old Ms. Mimi