From Zero To Trillions

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Scarlett had been a content creator on TikTok for a while, but her streams were, to put it kindly, as exciting as watching paint dry. Sure, she had a pretty face, but beyond that, it was mostly just… well, her face. Unlike other TikTokers, she didn't chase after the wealthy viewers, and frankly, she rarely received any gifts. So, when that colossal lion gift popped up on her screen, it was like a UFO landing in her living room.

Scarlett’s eyes practically popped out of her head. She blinked, rubbed them, then blinked again. Was this real life? Her viewer count, which had been trickling down faster than a leaky faucet, suddenly shot up like a rocket.

“Holy guacamole! A gift worth over three thousand dollars?” she gasped, though no one on the stream could hear her.

The comment section exploded. “Is this Scarlett’s sugar daddy?” “’A. Jok’ who the heck is that?” Everyone was buzzing, trying to unmask the mysterious gifter. Austin, watching from his phone, smirked. He wasn’t about to spill the beans.

Austin believed Scarlett wasn't just beautiful but also genuinely kind. Despite her sometimes-aloof expression, he knew the truth. If it weren't for her, he might be sleeping on a park bench right now. Sending her that Lion? That was chump change compared to what she’d done for him.

Scarlett was still staring at her live stream, wide-eyed and a little breathless.

Suddenly, a comment from a familiar name, Mr. Fisher, flashed across the screen. “‘A. Jok,’ you’re quite the bold one, aren’t you? I clearly stated I was going to bring her down, and here you are, showering her with huge gifts. What are you trying to imply?”

Austin saw the message and puffed out his chest a little, a proud smile on his face. No response needed. Actions speak louder than words, right?

Mr. Fisher wasn't done. “Hey, rich boy, feeling confident with your pocket change? How about a showdown today? I’ll spend on the other girl’s live stream, and you spend here. Whoever loses has to send their real photo for everyone to see!”

“Go for it, ‘A. Jok,’ if you’ve got the guts!” someone egged on.

“Yeah, don’t chicken out if you’re actually capable!” another chimed in.

The viewers were practically salivating for drama. They continued to cheer Austin on, hoping for a spectacle.

Scarlett, seeing the escalating challenge, quickly jumped in. “A. Jok, I think you’ve already done more than enough by giving me a Lion. And I want you to know I’m truly grateful. Please don’t engage with this kind of person or let the comments make you do something… well, something silly.”

Just then, a notification popped up: Mr. Fisher has sent twenty-five TikTok Universes to Mandy Beauty Life. He was literally throwing money at someone he didn't even know. Scarlett didn’t mind too much; her own live stream was still strangely quiet after the initial Lion.

Mr. Fisher’s taunts continued. “‘A. Jok,’ weren't you all high and mighty just now? Why so silent all of a sudden? Scared? Why don’t you try to match my gift?”

“Can’t even type, hahahaha… a broke guy like you thought he could compete? I’d crush people like you to crumbs! If you have no money, just send a picture of yourself so we can all see the broke guy behind the anonymous name.”

Seeing Austin remain silent, Mr. Fisher really laid it on thick. More and more people joined in, hurling even worse insults.

Then, out of nowhere, a notification boomed across the platform: A. Jok has just sent forty Lions to Scarlett! An enormous message floated across everyone’s screens, and the entire comment section went dead silent. Forty Lions! That was a ridiculous amount of money. After a few stunned moments, Scarlett’s viewing rate skyrocketed, and countless disbelieving comments flooded in.

Scarlett stared at her phone, completely dumbfounded. Her jaw was practically on the floor.

“Where’s Mr. Fisher? Wasn’t he supposed to compete with A. Jok?”

“It’s your turn, Mr. Fisher! Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Mr. Fisher, keep it up!”

The once-loud, mocking Mr. Fisher had seemingly vanished into thin air after Austin’s unexpected, jaw-dropping gift. He was nowhere to be found.

Austin’s phone began buzzing incessantly. Countless beautiful streamers and their fans were sending him message requests. Even without a picture or video, his follower count was exploding beyond belief. Some women even started sending him explicit videos and pictures, but Austin, ever the gentleman (or perhaps just too tired), had absolutely no interest.

“A. Jok… I don’t know what more to say, but I want to thank you very, very much,” Scarlett’s voice tensed slightly, her composure completely gone.

Austin typed out his final message: “I want you all to know that having money doesn't give any of us the right to try to make anybody feel low. The wheel of fortune turns very fast… do not underestimate the poor.” He sent it, then logged out, turning his phone off, ready to sleep.

As he closed his eyes, memories of his nearly twenty years of life flooded his mind. He never thought he'd ever be able to spend such an amount on a woman, let alone have women practically throwing themselves at him. All of this, every bit of it, was because of money.

“Sabrina, you loved money so much,” he sighed softly. “If you had only waited a few more hours before breaking up with me… you might have become the richest woman in the world because of how much I would have spoiled you. But unfortunately, you missed that chance.”

Ding!

At that moment, Austin’s phone vibrated again. He picked it up. It was another message from Scarlett.

“Hey, are you asleep?” the message read.

Why was Scarlett messaging him now? Austin's heart did a little flutter. Had she figured out he was A. Jok? He jolted in surprise and quickly replied, “No, not yet.”

“Come to my room, I want to treat you to something. Hurry up.” Scarlett’s message came back almost instantly.

Austin swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat. Scarlett had invited him to her room. What was she up to? His confusion only deepened as he reread her message. This was definitely not what he expected.

After much internal debate, he finally left his room. Austin honestly thought Scarlett was attractive, but he truly didn’t have any ulterior motives. Just curiosity, mostly.

Knock, knock.

Austin gently rapped on her door. Softly, the door pulled open. “You made it… why don’t you come in? I have a surprise for you.”