​The autumn wind in Riverdale City carried a sharp, bitter chill, but nothing felt colder than the scene unfolding in front of the luxury Grand Hyatt Hotel. ​Ayan stood near the entrance, holding a slightly crumpled paper bag containing a hot matcha latte—Riya’s favorite drink. His knuckles were pale, frozen from the biting wind, but his eyes were fixed on the girl standing just ten feet away.​Riya was wearing a brand-new designer trench coat that Ayan had never seen before. Her long, dyed mahogany hair swayed gracefully in the breeze. But she wasn't alone.​Her arm was tightly wrapped around the arm of a tall young man wearing an Italian tailored suit, casually tossing a set of Porsche car keys in his hand. That was Richi—the notoriously arrogant heir of the local Billionaire Construction Group. ​"Riya..." Ayan’s voice was barely a whisper, catching in his throat. "What is this? You told me you were studying at the library tonight."​Riya stopped in her tracks. Seeing Ayan stand

​The double glass doors of Vogue & Co. slid open automatically, welcoming Ayan into a world of polished marble, crystal chandeliers, and subtle perfume. The store was massive—two stories of high-end Italian suits, designer streetwear, and limited-edition leather goods.​Ayan walked in, his faded sneakers making a soft squeak against the pristine floor.​At the central desk, two sales associates were whispering to each other. One of them, a woman in her late twenties wearing a sharp blazer and a thick layer of makeup, glanced up. Her name tag read Veronica.​Veronica’s eyes took in Ayan’s faded denim jacket, his unbranded jeans, and his worn-out canvas shoes in a fraction of a second. The welcoming smile on her face withered instantly, replaced by a subtle pout of irritation.​"Can I help you?" Veronica asked, stepping forward without a shred of enthusiasm. She didn't bother using a greeting. "Just so you know, our ground floor features our basic line, and prices start at $2,000 per pi

The afternoon sun blazed over Golden Plaza Mall's premier luxury boulevard, casting long shadows across the pristine marble walkway. Ayan walked with measured, unhurried steps. His tailored charcoal suit caught the light with a subtle silk sheen, and his sharp, enhanced gaze absorbed every detail of the high-end shopping district around him.​Having over $276,000 sitting in his bank account was only the beginning. To escalate his System level and expand his influence, he needed to make massive, eye-watering financial transactions. ​Ayan stopped in front of Gilded Crown, the most extravagant multi-story flagship store in the city. Known for housing exclusive haute couture, limited-edition diamond-encrusted accessories, and custom leather goods, the store served as a playground for Riverdale’s most influential families. ​Through the massive floor-to-ceiling display windows, Ayan spotted two familiar figures inside near the VIP jewelry section.​It was Richi and Riya. ​Richi was le

​The afternoon sun blazed down on the glass facade of Apex Motors, the city’s premier luxury and exotic supercar dealership. Inside the air-conditioned, two-story showroom, multi-million-dollar Ferraris, McLarens, and Lamborghinis gleamed under warm indoor spotlights, reflecting off the polished white tile floor.​Ayan arrived in a high-end luxury taxi, stepping out right in front of the showroom's glass doors. He adjusted his tailored charcoal suit, checking his watch. His bank balance stood at a staggering $29,976,222.50. ​Just as Ayan approached the glass doors, the sharp screech of high-performance tires echoed from the parking lot. A deep blue Porsche Panamera pulled aggressively into the VIP spot right near the entrance.​The car doors swung open. Out stepped Richi, wearing a casual designer hoodie, holding a set of Porsche keys in his hand. Beside him was Riya, carrying several shopping bags from their earlier outing, though her expression was still visibly shaken from the hu

The green Lamborghini Aventador SVJ carved through the winding mountain highway, its dark-green matte finish gleaming under the afternoon sun. As the noisy city streets faded into the distance, the air grew crisp, clean, and quiet.​Ayan adjusted his grip on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. With over $105 million sitting in his bank account, driving back to his cramped, humid attic room in the slums was out of the question. He needed a residence that matched his rising status—a place offering total security, complete privacy, and unyielding grandeur.​He tapped the touchscreen console on his dashboard, setting his destination to Starlight Villa Estate.​Starlight Villa was Riverdale City’s most prestigious residential mountain sanctuary. Built along the crest of Mount Solitude, it was a gated paradise reserved exclusively for top-ranking political figures, international business moguls, and hereditary wealthy tycoons. Every property within the estate spanned thousands of square fee