Norman bolted upright, gasping for air as if he had just broken through the surface of freezing water. His hands flew to his throat and ribs, bracing for torn flesh, but his fingers met only smooth, unbroken skin. He tumbled off the sofa onto the polished floorboards, staring at his palms in disbelieving silence.He pulled up his pant leg with shaking fingers, finding clean skin without a single tooth mark or rusted wound. The air in the apartment smelled of fresh roasted coffee and crisp autumn wind, completely free from the stench of rot. On the glass table, his phone screen lit up with the date: October 24, 2026, exactly 9:00 AM.Seven days remained before the severe flu mutated into the nightmare that drowned the entire world in blood. The realization struck his chest like a physical blow, leaving him trembling on the floor in absolute shock. He was not dying in the street; the heavens had truly dragged him back to the start.With trembling fingers, Norman grabbed the phone and im

The glass towers of Zenith Plaza gleamed under the morning sun, reflecting the busy streets of Southport’s financial heart. Norman stepped out of his truck, holding a leather folder packed with his verified bank receipts. High above the city sat Mount Pinnacle Villa No. 1, an isolated fortress built into solid granite that he was determined to own before the day was out.He walked through the revolving doors into the grand marble lobby, where the air was cool and smelled of polished stone. Before he could reach the reception desk, a sharp, familiar laugh echoed across the tiled floor. Standing near the central lounge was Elena, dressed in a brand-new designer dress, flanked by Damian and Beatrice.Damian adjusted the cuffs of his expensive suit, holding a sleek black portfolio under his arm. He was loudly telling Beatrice about his upcoming interview for the regional directorship of Horizon’s parent group, boasting that the six-figure salary would put him in rooms Norman could never d

Down in the dim living room of the rented apartment, the air was thick with smoke and panic. Damian paced across the worn floorboards, his fingers trembling as he checked the glowing screen of his phone. Only eight hours remained before the loan shark Red Viper came to collect his two million dollars, and there was nowhere left to run.A fresh text message popped up with a photo of their front door, followed by three chilling words: See you soon. Damian’s knees went weak, cold sweat soaking straight through his wrinkled undershirt. He slammed his fist against the kitchen counter, his bloodshot eyes darting toward the two women sitting across the room."We have to go to Mount Pinnacle right now," Damian rasped, his voice wild and frantic. "Norman bought that twenty-million-dollar mountain villa with cash, which means he has millions hidden away up there. He's just an uneducated laborer who followed Elena like a faithful dog for three whole years."Beatrice nodded quickly, her greedy ey