MONARCH OF BILLIONS: CAPITAL CONQUEST

CHAPTER 3: ANOTHER SYSTEM USER

Christopher had barely on the sidewalks of 3rd Avenue, when two men walked up to him. He immediately recognized them. They were Zander and Aaron, his two best friends.

“Chris, finally chosen to show your face today.” Zander said with a smile, and Aaron immediately chimed in, “What happened? You got tired of Helene's arms around you, that's why you remembered your bros?”

Christopher simply smiled, “Guys, there's something I want to tell you.” He immediately saw Zander’s eyes lit up.

“Don't tell me, I think I know. Helene’s finally pregnant, right? That's why you're taking us out for lunch. To celebrate.”

Aaron's mouth suddenly turned an O shape, “Really? Chris, you're going to be a Dad!?”

Christopher couldn't help but shake his head his friends jabbering. “What I wanted to say was, Helene and I got divorced.” And for a moment, neither of his friends said anything, then the usually quiet Aaron spoke up, “Chris? What did you just say?”

“I said Helene and I got divorced.” Christopher replied with absolute calmness.

“Di..divorce? Doesn't that mean you left with nothing? We all know very well that almost everything you own got transferred to Helene and her family, all your assets! Why then are you taking us out for lunch!?” Zander spoke up.

“You know what? Let's go to Madame Hallo’s restaurant. Order whatever you want. We'll pay.” Aaron said with extreme seriousness that left no room for joke.

Christopher simply smiled. His friends hadn't changed one bit. They'll always have his back, even at his lowest. “No need, I've got money. Come, let's go.”

As they approached the Michelin restaurant, frantic steps sounded at the entrance.

“Call 911, Ms Mellah is choking on a fishbone. It's stuck deep. She can't breathe.”

Christopher saw lady on white suit being held by two waitresses. She was literally choking, and it was no joke.

“I already called them, but the ambulance won't arrive till fifteen minutes.” Someone said from the background. At that moment, Mellah fell, though she was caught by waitresses before she hit the ground, but it was evident she won't survive the fifteen minutes wait.

Christopher immediately rushed forward, “Move aside, I know first aid.” He said, and they all made way for him. He turned to one of the waitresses, “Do you have long tweezers, or hemostats? Sterilized ones.”

She immediately nodded, “Yes, in the kitchen. I'll hurry and get them.”

“Good, also, bring a flashlight.” he said as the waitress hurry off. He then turned to Mellah, “Listen to me. Nod if you can.”

She nodded.

“Can you still breathe a little?” he asked her gently.

She nodded again.

“The fishbone didn't fully block your airway. Am going to get it out now. It might be a little uncomfortable, just relax and don't struggle.” he reassured her.

“Shine the light,” he said to the waitress who had brought the tools he asked for. Then using the tweezers, he gently brought out the fishbone from inside her mouth. The moment it was removed, Mellah began coughing and sucking in air. The waitress immediately brought her a glass of water.

“Thank you.” Mellah thanked Christopher. He simply nodded.

“I suggest you go to the hospital for a checkup to avoid infection.” He said.

“Are you a doctor?” Mellah asked him, her tone weak from the prolonged lack of air.

Christopher shook his head, “No, I used to take care of the elderly back home. I specifically learned the Heimlich maneuver, and how to remove things from the throat.” This was actually when he used to take care of Helene's grandmother back then. “My ex-wife's grandmother often got fishbone stuck in her throat. So I practiced.”

Mellah was a bit floored. She nodded in understanding. Opening her purse, she brought out a wad of hundred dollar bills. “Thank you for today, here's your payment. You may not be a doctor, but you indeed just saved my life, so I'll treat you like one.”

Christopher smiled and pushed the cash back to her, “No need. It was nothing. I'd have helped anyone.”

Seeing the seriousness in Christopher's eyes, she knew he wasn't being pretentious. She put the cash back into her purse and brought out a pen and paper instead. “I didn't bring my business card today, so please leave me your contact info, surely you won't refuse me this.”

Christopher nodded, and wrote down his phone number. At that moment, Mellah’s secretary reminded her of the reason they had been in a hurry to leave before the fishbone incident. Apparently they were late for a meeting. She nodded, stood up and left with her secretary.

As she walked out of the restaurant, she couldn't help but turn her head back to Christopher. She couldn't deny it, at that point when she was at the brink of death, he had appeared and saved her, and refused payment.. a handsome man with such personality is rare.

“Find out all you can about that young man.” Mellah said to her secretary in an authoritative tone.

“Yes Ma'am.”

*

Christopher’s friends were looking at him with bright eyes.

“Bro, you just barely got divorced, and your charm is already picking up a super hot lady.” Zander said.

“Don't be ridiculous, come, let's go in and eat.” Christopher retorted.

“Am certain the Sebastians will regret this divorce sooner or later. We all know the kind of life you've had these past few years. Cooking, cleaning, waiting on people. Yet Helene always wanted more, knowing how much you loved her and would give in to her. If you ask me, I think this divorce is a good thing.” Aaron said.

Zander clamp a hand on Christopher’s shoulder, “Don't worry about Allison's bills. Aaron and I will certainly help you anyway we can. You won't have to shoulder everything alone.”

“Thanks Bro. But I asked you two out today, not to complain about being broke, but to have a good time.” He walked in ahead of them.

As they sat and checked the menu, Zander couldn't help but praise Christopher, “Chris, you're so great. Did some rich lady make you her sugar baby.”

“What rich lady.” Christopher said and gently hit Zander at the back of his head.

At that moment, a young man, his arm entwined with that of a beautiful young lady walked in.

“Robins, tonight, Pamela’s Pharmaceutical is hosting a business banquet in Oakville. Are you really going to take me?” The young lady asked coyly.

“Of course I will. The chairwoman of Pamela Pharmaceutical is going to pick three companies to invest in. Your company's algorithm is cutting-edge. Your company is definitely getting that investment.” He said smugly, “I have ties with her, so I'd definitely link you up.”

They both stopped by Christopher's table.

“Oh Christopher, what are you doing here? You're totally broke now, and you still have the nerve to dine in a fancy restaurant like this.” The young lady, who was none other than Helene sneered at Christopher.

At the same moment she finished speaking, Christopher sharply turned his head towards them, not facing Helene, but staring at the young man beside her. It wasn't out of anger, but out of shock and confusion, because at that moment, the system had sent him a message.

«Ding!

Host has detected another system user.

??? System User: Robins Thorne.»

The young man was also staring at Christopher, but it wasn't shock or confusion on his face, no, it was anger and the need to dominate.

For at this moment, two system users were now in the same world, the same city, and in the same restaurant.