Gilded Order of Infinite Wealth

In a softly lit hospital room, the air hummed with the sterile scent of antiseptic, the steady beeping of medical monitors creating a rhythm of life amidst the hushed surroundings. Pale sunlight filtered through partially closed blinds, casting soft golden rays across the room.In the center of the room, a patient lay propped up on the crisp white hospital bed, his features etched with the lines of experience. The pale blue hospital gown contrasted with his weathered skin, and his closed eyes hinted at a battle being waged within. An IV snaked discreetly up his arm, a lifeline connecting him to the world beyond his dreams.At his side sat a woman, with brown hair, and large eyes, puffy from being up all night, her presence a soothing reassurance amidst the clinical surroundings.She leaned forward slightly in an overstuffed chair, her fingers intertwined with the patient's frail hand. "Two hundred and fifty dollars is not enough to keep him under our care, Mr. Charlie. You will ne

Inside his modest, weathered wooden abode, Charlie's living space was a patchwork of low-budget pieces. A simple bed lay on the floor, its tired frame showing years of use. A worn wooden crate, draped with a patchwork of old blankets, served as a side table, supporting a plate of apple cores he'd salvaged. A lone painting, its rusty frame accentuating its age, and the fading white paint on the walls were the most striking features of the room, apart from the fact that the floor was bare."Why don't we go and see Taylor? A friend in need is a friend indeed," Charlie said to his grumbling stomach as he shifted his weight to his feet.As Charlie swung open the door to the single room, which stood alone at the back of a large house, the figure of his friend came into view. Sitting directly opposite the door, their eyes met in a moment of recognition."Looks like I met you at the right time. Get me a spoon right away."Taylor chuckled as he adjusted the stool that supported the weight of

The sleek shape of the limousine glided to a stop at the side of the busy street. As the door swung open, Charlie and Taylor stepped out onto the sidewalk, a motorcycle missing Taylor's legs by a hair in the thick traffic."Isn't the street big enough for you? You fool!""Taylor, I think you have a message.""So do you. Your phone beeped."Charlie looked at his phone. "Oh, my God!" He squinted his eyes and rubbed them with his fists. "Taylor, check yours! This can't be real!""No way!...""A hundred thousand dollars?" Charlie whispered, grinning from ear to ear. "These old men are not kidding!""Lower your voice, man," Taylor's brow furrowed, his grin growing wider. "Let's get out of here before we get robbed. Even a blind man can sense your ecstasy.""What are you doing?""What does it look like I'm doing? I'm getting us a ride home. It seems this money has made you a little stupid."Charlie chuckled. "You're still thinking like Taylor. It doesn't surprise me though. You're used to

Charlie and Taylor stood in the glass-bottomed pool, thirty stories above the ground. As they looked down, the miniature forms of passing traffic created an overview of the ever-bustling Maplewood. Dressed in black swimsuits, they held glasses of wine and savored the surreal experience of being VIP guests at the Diamond Heights Hotel.Amidst the hushed conversations, the glass door overlooking the swimming pool slid open, revealing a slender figure with dark hair, round red lips, large almond-shaped hazel eyes, and raised narrow eyebrows, wearing a bikini and holding a glass of Redwine.She sat at the edge of the pool, setting her cup of Redwine on the side of the pool, her legs making ripples in the water."When are you two going to finish your chitchat?" She rolled her eyes. "You think ordering the most expensive dishes for me is enough? I'm lonely and bored inside.""Bethany has grown taller than I last remembered," Charlie said, his eyes never leaving the slender figure at the ed

The door swung open behind the doorman, revealing the figure of Mr. Thorne. "Good morning, Mr. Thorne. I've resumed work as you requested yesterday," Charlie said.A piercing stare came from Thorne's eyes as he examined Charlie's somewhat extravagant dress from top to bottom."Why are you so late?"Charlie exchanged an accusing look with the doorman. "He wouldn't let me in."A superficial smile crept across Thorne's face at the doorman. "Good job. You can let him in now." He shifted his eyes to Charlie. "Go wait for me in my office.""Gil... Bert," Charlie read aloud, his eyes fixed on the name tag on the doorman's shirt. He smiled at the slender figure before letting himself into the building."Charlie!"His eyes darted around before finally settling on the approaching figure of the cleaner, Elliot, Charlie's lips curling into a smile. "Good morning, Elliot. I'm back.""I see you took the offer," Elliot said, his eyes fixed on the bracelet on Charlie's wrist. "What do you mean, you'