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THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 1 - Author's Prologue
[New Task >> Get the information from the man. Either by negotiation or by Physicality] "What?" The tall, muscular man muttered to himself. "Get the information from your witness," The computerized voice said. "You have two options to do it. Negotiate, or use Physical contact." The man paced the dark room. "What does Physical contact mean?" He muttered to himself again. No answer. The system remained silent. "Did you hear me?" The man asked in a fierce whisper. The system remained silent. The man's bodyguards shuffled on their feet uncertainly, wondering why their boss was muttering to himself and leaving their witness – who was the chief of staff of the Salvatore Empire – seated with a smug smile on his lip. "You can't do anything," The witness said. His name was Hobie Galdin, the chief of staff and major controller of the Salvatore Empire. The tall man stopped his pacing and faced Hobie, "What did you say?" He asked. Hobie chuckled, "You think you are something. You think
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 2
FIVE YEARS AGO... The Salvatore Mansion, Connecticut. "Arthur, don't be an ass." The shrill voice rang through the whole room. Arthur took a deep breath. He completely loathed family dinners such as this. He plastered a fake smile on his face and nodded before looking down and chewing on his food. "So tell me again, Arthur," His stepmother said again in her nerve-scratching voice. Arthur groaned inwardly. He just wanted to eat his food in peace, give a few nods and shakes of his head, and then disappear from this mansion for as long as he could. "Tell me, What is it that you're doing in New York again?" His stepmother asked. He knew exactly what she wanted to hear and her aim – to embarrass him even further – and he wanted to tell her to go to hell, but he did not have the guts or courage to voice out his mind, so with some difficulty, he swallowed snd said in a small voice, "Well, you see, right now, I am working two jobs…" "Hmm," His stepmother said, playing around with her f
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 3
ARTHUR PUSHED THE hood of his jacket to cover his head as he beat furiously against the rain. He was pedaling furiously, wanting to deliver his last package and then call it a night.He jumped off the bike before it stopped and hurried up the stairs of the house he was to deliver to. He rang the bell urgently. No answer. He pressed it again, longer this time. Still no answer. He grumbled and looked up at the sky, the clouds were gathering even more. It was going to be a thunderstorm and he did not want to be here when it came.He was just about to pound on the door when it opened."Didn't you see the bell over there that you were about to put your filthy hands on my door?" The slob of a man said.Arthur snapped his hand to his side, plastered a smile to his face, and said, "I came to deliver your meal, sir." He pushed the box forward.The man collected it and said, "My wallet is inside the house somewhere. I will be right back." He slammed the door in Arthur's face.Arthur shifted his
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 4
HE DID NOT know who sent the text as he got on the next flight leaving for Connecticut. He could barely afford the economy seat and had to borrow some money from some of his friends at school.As the plane took off, Arthur started the calculations in his head and figured that he would have to work for two months before he would gather up the money to pay back. Luckily, it was unlikely that his friends would embarrass him for the money, but he did not like to be in debt so he planned to pay back as soon as possible.He rubbed his eye socket and tried to sleep amidst the clutter going on around him on the plane. He was packed between a woman with a kid and an old woman. When he approached the air hostess for a seat change, she had scoffed. Then she gave him a once-over glance and walked away without answering. Arthur had resigned to his fate and since it was not a really long flight, he was prepared to endure it through.He closed his eyes and his mind went back to the text, "Your grand
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 5
ARTHUR REMAINED DUMBSTRUCK for almost 5 minutes. Then the house became stuffy and he hurried back inside to pack his things and leave immediately.He saw Logan in the music room, gently playing a classical tune. He looked angelic. No one would know that behind that calm demeanor and blonde hair, the boy was a demon in disguise.He entered his room, stuffed his few clothes into the room, and hurried out. He saw Clarence, still sulking in the sunroom. He ignored her and went out.He stopped by his grandmother's grave first. He had not been here when she was buried because he could not stand the harsh and stony gaze of his family.A gentle wind blew around, rustling the large oak tree and making some leaves fall gently around him.He felt a strong choking emotion rush into him and found it hard to swallow the large lump in his throat. He knelt beside the headstone and rubbed it fondly."I don't know why you did what you did by willing majority of the properties to me, Grandma," He said s
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 6
HIS EYES OPENED slowly. His vision was blurred as he tried to sit up but felt a sharp pain jolt on his side. He gasped and laid back down as a nurse hurried in. "Lay back down," she snapped. "Where am I?" Arthur asked, twisting his neck to look around.The nurse propped her hands on her supple hips and stared at Arthur, "You are in New City Hospital. A good Samaritan brought in your broken body." She picked up the chart beside his bed and looked at it, then she adjusted the drip that ran into the veins of his right hand.Arthur looked around. The monitor beside his bed was beeping at steady intervals. "What happened?" Arthur asked. The nurse scoffed and walked out without answering. She could not see any reason why she was assigned to look after the scrawny-looking young man. "Excuse me, miss," Arthur called to her just before she walked out. "Who brought me here?""You will know soon," the nurse snapped. "Now, go back to resting, and do not disturb me. I have much more important
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 7
ARTHUR TOOK AN uncertain step backward as he watched the gang approach. "What do you want?" He called out. The men sniggered as they walked forward. "Toss your wallet!" One of them said. Arthur raised his hand innocently and said, "I don't have a wallet, please." "That's too bad," One of the men said. Arthur looked left and right, and then he took off in unsteady steps. But he barely got 10 yards before he was pulled back and down. He covered his head with his hands as the heavy kicks hit his body from every angle. After what seemed like forever, the kicks stopped and the men walked away. Arthur felt like he was about to die. His breath was coming in wheezing sounds. He rolled over on the hard ground and stared at the dark skies. He could feel blood streaming from his mouth as he blacked out. "Oi, get up!" The toe of a boot poked Arthur's side. He coughed, gasped awake, and opened his eyes to see a cop standing over him. "You alright, there?" The cop asked.Arthur nodded, sa
THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes. CHAPTER 8
[New Task>>> Put your ex-girlfriend in her place] Arthur's brows furrowed together. "Ex girlfriend? I dated her?" He asked himself. He muttered under his breath as he turned around to look at Sophia. "I'm not sure I should waste my energy on… that," He started to walk away and ignore the system's task. [Reward >>> an amount of your memory will be regained. Additional 10,000 USD and increase in ego. Punishment >>> Compatibility with the system will be reduced by 5 percent. Remember, if the system Compatibility reduces by less than 35 percent, it will cause a slow and painful death.]The cold robotic voice in Arthur's head made him shiver with fright. A slow and painful death. Goosebumps. "And what are you standing there ogling at me?" Sophie's voice snapped him back to reality. Arthur shook his head. "You're not worth my time." That took Sophie by surprise. She gasped. "What?!" "I said you're not worth my time. That's what I said," Arthur said lazily. Sophie looked like she
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- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 38
HIS NEXT STOP was a fashion store. He glanced at the clock on the car's dashboard, the time was 8.56 a.m.He chuckled. He still had time. He trapped his fingers on the steering wheel slightly as he cruised the street, looking for the best fashion store around. A glass and chrome budding caught his attention and he drove to the parking lot. His car was getting the attention of some nearby people, and they stared as they walked by. A girl quickly took a selfish in front of the car. She was going to post it on her Instagram and pretend that she knew who owned it. With a smile on his face, Arthur got out of the car, and the people around gasped. They could not believe that such a shabby-looking man could own such a wonderful car. Arthur pressed the key button to lock the doors and the car responded with the flash of lights. He walked into the store and was welcomed with pleasant cool air. He could immediately see his type of clothes – a regular shirt and baggy jeans – lined on a shel
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 37
ARTHUR WOKE UP to a call from his secretary, Helen. She basically ran his whole life schedule now from his gym sessions to meetings with dignitaries and governors of the state to even press conferences. He rolled over in his bed and groaned when he looked at the caller ID. He tried to recall if she had told him about any meeting for today, but he could not think of anything so he picked up the call."Yeah?" He answered gruffly. "Morning sir," Helen said brightly. Sometimes Arthur wondered how she did it. When he wanted nothing more than to collapse back on the bed and sleep as long as he wanted, her voice was always sharp. It was like she did not sleep. "Hello, Helen," Arthur muttered. He swung his leg over the side of his bed and stood up. He might as well fix himself a cup of coffee to wake up. "Yes, sir," Helen said. He could hear the sound of traffic in her background and realized that she was on the road already, this early. What time is it? He glanced at the digital clock.
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 36
"WE REALLY NEED to talk," Liam said again, starting to walk into the restaurant. "Uh, we can't talk in there," Arthur said, pointing at the restaurant.Liam stopped. "Aren't you the owner?" Arthur sighed and nodded. "You saw it on the news." "Yeah, we all did," Liam said. "Including your father." "Did he recognize me?" Arthur asked. "We need to talk," Liam repeated. "Well, we can't talk in there," Arthur said. He did not want anyone including his staff or his customers to see him with Liam. Some nosy person might go and start an investigation and connect the dots. "Let's go to my house." "Downtown?" Liam asked, entering his Porsche. "I know it. I'll race you there."Arthur chuckled and shook his head as he climbed his bike. "I've moved." "Moved? To where?" Liam asked. "And where the hell did you get that monster bike?" Arthur snapped on his helmet and kickstarted the bike. "I moved to Beverly Hills. Follow me." He screeched off the parking lot. Liam sat in his car for some s
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 35
"Mr. Cole Snr.?" Arthur asked. He was surprised and wondered to himself what Mr. Cole was doing here. He looked at Mr. Lambert and asked, "Didn't you tell him that you're the one in charge?""Someone like Mr. Cole…" Lambert said. "... when he asks for the owner of the restaurant, it's better for 'The owner of the restaurant' to meet him… not just the manager or one in charge."Arthur rolled his eyes. He hated this fear and reverence that they showered on the Cole family. He hated the entire Coles too. The oven made a Ding! sound. "Yep, that's for me," Arthur said. "But sir, Mr. Cole is waiting," Lambert said. "Phillipe would get really cross if these get burnt," Arthur said, stuffing his hand into the mitten, he turned and added, "If Mr. Cole cannot wait, he had better leave. I am running a business here." He opened the oven and took out the tray lined with golden brown-crusted delicacies. "I will, um, go and delay him for a while," Mr. Lambert said, shuffling away. Arthur took
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 34
"THE GRAND REOPENING of Le Savoureaux restaurant is a great success. The new owner, Mr. Arthur (surname not provided) graced the event with his million-dollar one-of-a-kind bike and his handsome looks. He did not have much to say to the press, but the manager and previous owner, Mr. Jean Lambert said that le Savoureaux will continue to serve the best French meals in the city, and that is without a doubt. Mr. Arthur has told the press that he will complete the renovation of the restaurant's kitchen and higher the staff's salary resulting in better customer service and better meals. There are talks to introduce English and even Italian meals to the restaurant, as rumor has it that Mr. Arthur is learning his chef skills from one of the best. The grand opening is one that will definitely be remembered by the city for a long while due to its success and the amount of money spent. And it's all thanks to the mysterious billionaire, Mr. Arthur. From left to right in the image below; The
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 33
THE OWNER OF GERMAINE real estate was called Mr. Germaine. Yes, he named the company after himself. He was a short pudgy man with a tiny voice. He came out to meet with Arthur in front of the company. "Mr. Salvatore," Mr. Germaine said, extending his hand for a handshake which Arthur accepted. "I am Germaine." Arthur nodded. "Your staff, Helen, said something about you wanting to sell the place," Mr. Germaine looked at the building and nodded. "Yes. I want to move on to another phase of life. Understand?" Arthur nodded. "How much is the place worth?" Germaine chuckled and stroked his mustache. "The company is worth a lot, I assure you." He looked at the building again. "We are not running at a loss or anything like that. The company's future is secured. I just want to move on."Arthur smiled. He knew that Germaine was lying. The company was almost on the verge of bankruptcy, He remembered that Helen had said something like that. "So how much do you want to sell it?" Arthur aske
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 32
THE LADY, HELEN, was stunned. Her mouth fell open. "What did you say, sir?" Arthur looked around the company. "Yeah, I'm sure you heard me well. I want to buy the place." He turned to the man, "Call your boss and tell him that there is an interested buyer. Do it now!" The man was called Fraser, he chuckled uneasily. "I don't want to disturb the boss for something that is –""Just do it, Fraser!" Helen snapped. Fraser shook his head. "You believe that this thing can buy a house in Beverly Hills and also the company?" He laughed. "You are even more stupid than I thought, Helen." He walked to a leather chair and sat down. "Don't worry about him, sir," Helen said. "He is just having a bad day." She tried to cover up for her colleague, but it was a lie. Fraser had always been like that, rude and impatient. She repeated, "I will call the boss myself, Fraser is just having a bad day."Well, his day is just about to get much worse, Arthur thought to himself. He simply smiled at Helen and
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 31
IT WAS THE ringing sound of the system that roused Arthur 5 hours later. [Ding! Ding! Ding!] "Huh?" Arthur lifted his chin from the floor. There was a drool of saliva running from the side of his mouth. He wiped it with the edge of his shirt as he stood up. [The host succeeded in doing an almost impossible feat, and the host must be rewarded] [Compatibility with system >>> 70%][Numerous good deeds completed][Liver health has been restored to maximum][Host general health upgraded >>> 80%][New skills unlocked][Rational thinking unlocked][Credit alert of 20,000,000 dollars credited into bank][Level upgraded >>> Class A economy man] [New Task ]The system reeled all those out in the space of 3 seconds. Arthur was still disoriented and his brain was still fuzzy and he was struggling to catch up. "What does all these mean?" He asked. The system replied to him, "It means that you have been healed. Your liver will not give you any more problems."Arthur did not believe it. He im
- THE URBAN PHOENIX: Arthur Salvatore's rise from the ashes.
CHAPTER 30
"OH SHIT!" DANTE muttered. He looked around the men who shuffled back nervously. "Who did this?" He yelled at the men. Arthur rushed to Ethan's side. His clothes were soaked in blood and he could tell that Ethan was quickly bleeding to death. "Someone fucking call 911!" Dante yelled at the men. Arthur knew that the ambulance would not get here in time, before they did, Ethan would be dead. "What do I do? What do I do?" He murmured to himselfThe system suddenly came to life. [New Gifts unlocked][Gifted surgical hands and knowledge unlocked][Gifted hands and surgical knowledge activated]Suddenly it all became crystal clear to Arthur. He knew what to do. He turned to one of the men, "Oi, you. Go to the bar and get a bottle of alcohol. The strongest one available." The man sneered. "You want to drink your way out of this misery?" Fire and anger flashed in Arthur's eyes and the man mellowed and hurried away. Arthur turned to another. "Go and get a flame blower from the other bar
