Divorced on Monday, Bought the City on Tuesday: The Infinite

The Eye of Insight

Chapter 4

The interior of The Obsidian Club was a sensory overload of wealth. The floors were cut from seamless black marble, veined with veins of pure gold. Overhead, a chandelier made of thousands of Swarovski crystals cast a warm, fractured light over the plush velvet booths and the sprawling mahogany bar.

Arthur walked through the grand foyer, his wet boots squeaking faintly against the polished stone. Three hours ago, he would have felt like an imposter here. He would have kept his head down, apologizing to the waitstaff for dripping rainwater on their pristine floors.

Now? He owned the floors. He owned the chandelier. He owned the air they were breathing.

"Mr. Vance," Elias said, trailing half a step behind Arthur in a posture of complete deference. "I have ordered the kitchen to prepare the Wagyu tasting menu for you. I also have the club's financial ledgers, employee dossiers, and syndicate transition papers ready for your review in the owner's suite."

"Hold the food for a moment, Elias," Arthur replied, pausing near the bar. "I need a minute to process the transition."

"Of course, sir. I will stand by." Elias bowed his head and stepped back, giving Arthur space.

Arthur leaned against the bar, staring at his reflection in the mirrored wall behind the top-shelf liquor. He looked like a drowned rat in a denim jacket, but his eyes... his eyes were different. They were sharper. Colder.

System, Arthur thought. Open the System Store.

Instantly, the translucent blue interface materialized in his field of vision.

[Opening System Store...]

[Current System Points (SP): 500]

[Available Categories: Physical Combat | Passive Abilities | Intelligence & Information | Consumables]

Arthur quickly scanned the list. He saw things that made his heart race. Master-Level Krav Maga (1,000 SP). Advanced Genetic Healing Serum (5,000 SP). Invisibility Cloak Prototype (50,000 SP). The items were completely absurd, bending the laws of physics and reality.

But with only 500 SP, his options were limited. He navigated to the Passive Abilities tab. His eyes landed on a skill that glowed with a faint gold border.

[Skill: The Eye of Insight (Level 1)]

[Cost: 400 SP]

[Description: Allows the Host to view the hidden data of any individual or physical asset. Displays current market value, hidden flaws, and a person's Loyalty/Hostility metric toward the Host. Essential for empire building.]

That’s the one, Arthur decided. Strength was great for breaking Julian’s jaw, but if he was going to navigate the shark-infested waters of the ultra-rich, he needed to know who was holding a knife behind their back.

Purchase.

[400 SP deducted. Remaining Balance: 100 SP.]

[Skill Acquired: Eye of Insight. To activate, concentrate on your target.]

A sudden, sharp cooling sensation washed over Arthur’s eyes, like mint being rubbed into his corneas. He blinked hard, clearing his vision. He turned his head and focused on Elias, who was standing quietly near the entrance.

Instantly, a small, elegant text box appeared hovering just above the manager's bald head.

[Target: Elias Vance]

[Status: General Manager, The Obsidian Club]

[Loyalty to Host: 85% (High. Bound by fear of the Host's wealth and syndicate backing.)]

[Hidden Secret: Embezzled $50,000 from the previous owner to pay for his daughter’s leukemia treatments. Currently terrified the Host will find out.]

Arthur raised an eyebrow. An 85% loyalty rate was exceptionally good for a guy he had met ten minutes ago, but the secret was fascinating. It gave Arthur absolute leverage.

"Elias," Arthur called out.

The older man practically teleported to his side. "Yes, Mr. Vance?"

"I don't care about the previous owner's ledgers," Arthur said softly, pouring himself a glass of sparkling water from a crystal pitcher on the bar. "The Thorne Syndicate's money is their problem. If, hypothetically, fifty thousand dollars went missing under their watch... it's wiped clean under mine. I only care about loyalty from this day forward. Do we understand each other?"

Elias froze. The color drained from his face, and then, slowly, a look of overwhelming relief and pure awe washed over his features. The System updated Elias's stats in real-time.

[Loyalty to Host increased to: 99% (Absolute devotion).]

"I... I understand completely, sir," Elias choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "You have my life. Whatever you need."

"Good," Arthur smiled. "Now, is there anyone else in the club right now?"

Elias cleared his throat, recovering his professional composure. "Actually, yes, sir. There is one guest in the Diamond Lounge on the top floor. She arrived an hour ago. She was supposed to have a meeting with Julian Sterling during his engagement party."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. "A friend of Julian's?"

"No, sir. Quite the opposite," Elias said, lowering his voice. "It's Serena Sterling. Julian’s half-sister."

Arthur recognized the name. Eleanor used to gossip about the Sterling family drama. Serena was the illegitimate daughter of the Sterling patriarch. Despite being a certified tech genius, she was treated like a leper by the main family. Julian absolutely despised her.

"Why was she meeting him here?" Arthur asked.

"Word on the street is that her tech startup is going bankrupt," Elias explained. "Julian bought out her debt. He invited her tonight to force her to sign the company over to him in front of his friends, just to humiliate her."

Arthur swirled the water in his glass. A slow, wicked grin spread across his face.

Julian had tried to humiliate Arthur in front of his ex-wife. Now, Julian’s desperate, genius sister was sitting upstairs, waiting for a savior.

"System," Arthur thought. "Does buying corporate debt count as an asset acquisition?"

[Affirmative. Acquiring high-value corporate assets qualifies for System Points.]

Arthur set his glass down with a sharp clink.

"Elias," Arthur said, buttoning his damp denim jacket. "Take me to the Diamond Lounge. I think it's time I made my first investment."