The dining hall of the Li hotel gleamed like a museum. Crystal chandeliers reflect light over polished oak tables, silverware arranged like soldiers on a line up and faces twisted in smug superiority.In the middle of it all stood Rafe Miller, the family’s disappointment and disgrace.He was the only one not wearing a designer suit because he was wearing a plain white button up shirt, to match his black cheap suit pants, which was similar to what the carters wore, because he was waiting tables, not sitting in one.He knew something was wrong when his beloved ‘wife’ forced him to come to the business meeting saying it would be “a great way to start the year.”He should have known it was another scheme to humiliate him.He stood next to the table where his in-laws, wife, and highly respected guests sat, attending to their needs, like a perfect nobody.“Pass the red wine.” One of the high valued guests called out to Rafe. He grabbed the wine from the tray he held up and handed it to the

Click. Click. Click.The shutters began.Reporters, at least a dozen of them, had gathered near the entrance. Their flashes pierced through the rain.“Rafe Miller!” One shouted. “Do you have any comments on the embezzlement scandal?!”“Did you really steal from Li Holdings?”“Your wife just declared she’s filing a divorce. How do you feel?”He didn’t respond to a single question.The reporters kept shoving microphones toward him.“Such a pity, Rafe,” Jacob said mockingly in the midst of all the chaos, his voice smooth and loud enough for the cameras. “You had everything – a powerful and beautiful wife, a rich family, and you blew it.”Rafe stared, his fits tightening. “Did you plan this?”Jacob tilted his head, amused. “Oh? You think you’re that important?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough for Rafe to hear. “You were always a stain on the Li family, and now you’re gone. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to slip in.” He patted Rafe’s shoulder. Rafe’s jaw clenched.

Rafe cursed under his breath, “Who the hell are you?” and chased after him.The rain hit the pavement in silver sheets as he burst through the cafe door.“Rafe? Where are you going?!”He ignored Amara’s calls, his attention drilled to one person. The system user.“Hey!” Rafe called out. The man didn’t stop.He moved fast, dancing through the crowd like smoke, slipping between pedestrians and puddles with so much precision.Rafe followed, shoving past people, ignoring their protests. His shoes splashed through puddles, breath clouding in the cold air.The man turned down a narrow side street, glancing back once, his eyes glowing faintly blue.Rafe’s pulse spiked. He really is a System user too.“Stop!” Rafe shouted. “You— you know about it, don’t you?”The man didn’t respond. Instead, he darted across the street as a car honked, brakes screeching inches away.Rafe barely cleared the next lane, his jacket sleeve brushing against a side mirror. His lungs burned, but adrenaline drowned mo

The bell above the door chimed softly as Rafe turned toward the voice.Jacob Levi stood near the entrance of the luxury store, grinning like he owned the place. His navy suit was crisp, his tie knotted perfectly, and his eyes carried that same glint of entitlement Rafe remembered too well.“Rafe Miller,” Jacob drawled, walking closer with that slow, confident stride of someone who never once doubted the ground beneath him. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Lost, are we?”Rafe didn’t respond. He simply adjusted the jacket he was holding, his fingers brushing the fine wool fabric.Jacob laughed, shaking his head. “You always were full of surprises. From begging your wife for lunch money to browsing Hartmann suits? What’s next, a yacht?”Rafe exhaled through his nose, calm. The insults didn’t sting anymore. They just sounded small.“I heard about you,” Jacob continued, stepping closer until their reflections shared the same mirror. “The disgrace of the Li family. Raising a small dying cafe

Rafe finally stood up and dragged himself toward the sink and splashed cold water on his face, watching the pink-tinted drops fall into the basin. His reflection stared back, hollow eyes, bruised lip, jaw tight with exhaustion.He had almost died a few minutes ago.He pushed away from the mirror, pacing.It wasn’t just humiliation anymore. They actually wanted him gone.Then, a faint chime.The air in the room seemed to hum. Rafe froze. The reflection in the window flickered, then the System appeared again, lettering glowing faint blue across the glass.[SYSTEM ALERT: USER EXPOSED TOO EARLY] Threat Level: Critical. Observation Detected – Multiple Entities.Recommendation: Relocation Required.Rafe blinked hard, his breath catching. “What do you mean exposed?” he muttered. “You’re saying people know… about you?”The text pulsed.System: “Attention has been drawn to your sudden rise, Rafe Miller. Visibility threatens continuity.”Rafe rubbed his temples, forcing himself to think. His