I Made $1,200 Trillion in 24 Hours

Eyes Everywhere

Chapter 4 

Jericho's POV 

I woke to the sound of my phone buzzing relentlessly. It was still dark outside, the city barely awake. Usually, I enjoyed mornings like this—quiet, private, mine. But not today. Not anymore.

The screen lit up with dozens of missed calls, messages, and notifications. Government agencies. Investors. News outlets. Even some of my old enemies from the tech world. Everyone wanted a piece of Jericho Matthew—or rather, the man they knew as Richard Matson.

I rubbed my eyes, running a hand through my hair. The system had warned me this would happen. “Suspicion Level Rising.” That phrase had replayed in my mind like a warning bell. I hadn’t thought it would be this fast.

I tapped my phone and scrolled through the messages. The first one made me chuckle—a headline from a financial news outlet:

“Richard Matson: Genius or Ghost? Mysterious Billionaire Dominates the Market Overnight.”

Ghost. Genius. Both felt fitting. But I knew better. The truth was hidden behind a veil of surgical masks, secret accounts, and algorithms that worked faster than any human could follow.

Then my email pinged. A government inquiry letter addressed to Matthew Global Holdings. They requested a “full explanation of financial sources and recent asset acquisitions.”

I smiled faintly. Let them come. Let them try.

I stepped out onto the balcony of my new penthouse, looking down at the city below. The streets glittered with early morning traffic, unaware that their lives were now connected to me in ways they could never imagine.

I could feel eyes on me—some hungry, some fearful, some curious. The kind of attention I had always craved in the past, but this time, I had earned it in a way they couldn’t touch.

And then, as if the universe had timed it perfectly, Clara arrived.

I didn’t hear her come in—only the faint click of the elevator, the soft tread of her heels on marble floors. I knew before I even turned around.

“Jericho…” Her voice was soft, cautious, trying to sound casual.

I didn’t turn. I didn’t need to. Her presence alone carried the scent of arrogance and desperation—the same mix I remembered all too well.

“I—um—I thought maybe we could talk,” she continued.

I finally turned, slowly, deliberately. Her eyes widened the moment she saw me. Not Jericho Matthew—the man she left—but Richard Matson, the confident, flawless, untouchable figure who now towered over her with quiet authority.

“You found me,” I said calmly, studying her expression. “That’s impressive, given that you’ve been trying not to.”

She swallowed. “I… I didn’t know it was you. I mean—I think it is, but… I couldn’t be sure.”

I smiled faintly. “You’re always too late, Clara. Always too late.”

Her lips trembled. “Richard—Jericho… I need your help. My family’s properties… everything is at risk. Please. I only need a chance to… fix things.”

I leaned against my desk, crossing my arms. “And what do I get out of it?”

Her eyes darted nervously. “You… you’ll benefit too! Partnerships, shares… everything.”

I chuckled. “Funny. That’s exactly what I *didn’t* have when you laughed at me for being poor. Funny how the world changes.”

Her expression faltered. “I… I didn’t mean to—”

“Enough,” I said sharply. “I don’t deal with mistakes anymore, Clara. You had your chance when I had nothing. Now… you’re too late.”

Her face fell, but I could see the wheels turning in her mind. She wasn’t giving up—not ever. And that made me smile, because while she was dangerous, she was predictable.

***********************

By noon, the government agents arrived in force. I had been expecting them. Three black SUVs parked outside the building, and two men in suits were escorted into my office by my security team.

“Mr. Matson,” the taller one began, flipping open a badge. “We’re with the Department of Financial Security. We need a full account of your company’s activities.”

I gestured for them to sit. “Please, have a seat. Coffee?”

They didn’t smile. Their eyes scanned the room, the walls, the furniture, and finally settled on me. “We have reports of extremely irregular transactions,” the second agent said. “You’ve acquired multiple companies in weeks. Your net worth is… unprecedented.”

I nodded calmly. “I’m aware.”

He raised an eyebrow. “We need to know the source of your funds. This is a matter of national security.”

I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled. “Gentlemen, you’re not the first people to notice my rise. But I assure you, everything is legal. Matthew Global Holdings operates within the law.”

“Then explain this,” he said, sliding a thick folder across the desk. It contained screenshots of bank transfers, stock acquisitions, and offshore accounts—each more impossible than the last.

I glanced at it casually, as if I were reading a grocery list. “I don’t need to explain anything to anyone. If the law questions me, I’ll answer in court. But until then, I suggest you consider who’s really in control.”

The men shifted uncomfortably. I could see the doubt creeping into their faces. They had heard of Richard Matson, but none of them were prepared for Jericho Matthew—the man who had risen from nothing to own more wealth than most governments.

“You’ll be hearing from us again,” the taller agent said, closing his folder.

I smiled faintly. “I’ll be waiting.”

*********************

By late afternoon, Clara returned. This time, she came alone, wearing a simple dress and a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I thought about what you said,” she began carefully. “You don’t deal with mistakes. But… maybe you can make an exception.”

I raised a brow. “An exception? For what?”

“For me,” she said softly. “I… I still love you. And I know you’re powerful now. I need you.”

I chuckled low. “Power? You think this is about power? I didn’t need to change to get revenge. But I admit… it’s convenient.”

Her hands trembled slightly. “Jericho… please. Give me a chance. I won’t let you down.”

I leaned back in my chair, pretending to consider it. “I don’t know, Clara. You left me when I had nothing. Why should I trust you now?”

Her lips quivered. “Because… because I learned my lesson. I want what’s right. And I know only you can help me now.”

I studied her for a long moment, letting the tension build. This was exactly what I wanted—her desperation, her fear, the shift in power dynamics.

“Fine,” I said finally. “We’ll talk… but on my terms.”

Her eyes brightened, hope flickering. “Yes! Thank you, Jericho. I won’t.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I interrupted sharply. “You’re here to show value, not to plead. If you can’t prove you’re useful, you leave. Understood?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

I leaned forward, voice low. “Good. You’ll start tomorrow. I have people watching everything. Fail, and you’ll regret it.”

She nodded quickly, swallowing her pride. But I could see the fire in her eyes—the same fire she had used to break me once. It made me smirk.

That night, I returned to my private office and checked the system. Alerts had been piling up all day:

 Suspicious inquiries from rival businessmen.

Media trying to trace my early investments.

 Government surveillance flagged multiple accounts.

I activated the system’s new security protocol. Every transaction, every server, every employee was now monitored in real-time. No one would touch Matthew Global Holdings—or me—without my knowing.

Phase Three Progress: 65% Complete

Recommendation: Influence Expansion.

I leaned back, stretching. The thrill of power was intoxicating, but so was the danger.

Clara wasn’t my only problem. The government and competitors were closing in, and I could feel the digital eyes tracking every move I made.

Yet, deep inside, I knew one truth: they could try all they wanted, but I was ready.

I activated a holographic map of my assets, watching the city light up with my influence. My fingers tapped the glass surface lightly.

“Let them watch,” I muttered. “Let them try to stop me. I’m Jericho Matthew. And no one… not Clara, not her family, not the government… is taking this away.”

Outside, the city thrummed with life. I smiled, feeling invincible. The man who was once mocked, ridiculed, and abandoned had become the puppet master of his own fate.

And the best part? This was only the start of my strike.