Ring of Power: The Billionaire's Secret

3 - Dragon's Heart Crystal

"You'll need it," Marcus said. He walked back to his desk and pulled out a tablet. Tapped on it a few times. "Tomorrow you're taking over Titan Enterprises. It's one of the largest companies in the city. Real estate, tech, entertainment, hospitality. Annual revenue sits around fifty billion."

Jake's head was spinning. Like actually spinning. He gripped the armrest of the chair.

"Tomorrow? That's... that's way too fast. I don't know anything about running a company. I barely passed high school business class and that was because the teacher felt sorry for me."

"You'll have help." Marcus swiped something on the tablet. "Sora will be your assistant. She knows everything about how we operate. The company also has a board of executives who handle day-to-day operations. Your job is to be the face. Make strategic decisions. And most importantly, establish your presence."

"My presence," Jake repeated. The words felt foreign in his mouth.

"Power isn't just about money or strength." Marcus set the tablet down. "It's about perception. Tomorrow, the city's elite will gather at Titan's anniversary celebration. Every major company will be there. You'll walk in as the new CEO and show them you're not someone to mess with."

Jake picked up the black card. It was heavier than it looked. Smooth. Cold. "And what if I screw it up? What if people see through me?"

"They won't." Marcus's voice was firm. "The ring chose you. That means something. Trust yourself."

'Easy for him to say,' Jake thought. 'He didn't grow up washing dishes and dodging bill collectors.'

"There's something else you should know." Marcus pulled up a document on the tablet. Turned it to face Jake. "This is the guest list for tomorrow. Take a look."

Jake scanned the names. Most of them meant nothing to him. Tech companies. Real estate firms. Hotels. Then his eyes caught on one name near the bottom.

Mitchell Group.

Derek's family company.

His jaw clenched. The ring on his finger pulsed warm.

"They're invited?" he asked.

"They're one of the major players in the city." Marcus watched him carefully. "Does that bother you?"

"No." Jake's voice came out flat. Cold. "It doesn't bother me at all."

Actually it did the opposite of bother him. A smile tugged at his lips. Not a happy smile. The kind of smile that said 'oh this is gonna be fun.'

"Good." Marcus nodded. "Then we're done for tonight. Sora will take you to your new home. Get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day."

***

The villa was stupid.

Like, actually stupid. Jake had seen houses like this in movies. The kind where celebrities lived or tech billionaires or whoever had more money than sense.

It sat on a hill overlooking the city. Three stories. Modern architecture with lots of glass and sharp angles. The driveway alone was bigger than his old apartment building.

"This is mine?" Jake asked as Sora pulled up to the entrance.

"It's yours," she confirmed. "Your father had it prepared last month. Just in case."

"In case what?"

"In case we found you." She parked the car. "He never stopped looking. Never stopped hoping."

Jake got out. The air smelled different up here. Cleaner. Less car exhaust and garbage. More trees and whatever rich people's air smelled like.

The front door had one of those fancy keypads. Sora punched in a code and the door swung open.

Inside was even more ridiculous. Marble floors. High ceilings. Furniture that looked like it came from some designer showroom. Everything was white and cream and probably cost more than Jake had made in his entire life.

"The master bedroom is upstairs," Sora said. "Kitchen is fully stocked. There's a gym in the basement and a pool out back. Security system is already set up. If you need anything, my number is programmed into your phone."

"Right. Cool." Jake walked into the living room. His footsteps echoed. "This is... a lot."

"You'll get used to it." Sora headed for the door. "Get some sleep. I'll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning."

After she left, Jake just stood there. In the middle of this massive house that was apparently his now. The silence was weird. Too quiet. He was used to thin walls and neighbors fighting and sirens outside.

His body suddenly felt heavy. Like someone had flipped a switch.

The ring on his finger was getting warmer. Not burning but close. The blue glow was brighter now. Pulsing faster.

Then the pain hit.

It started in his chest. Sharp. Like someone had shoved a hot poker between his ribs. Jake doubled over. Gasped.

'What the hell—'

Energy surged through him. Not the smooth, controlled power from before. This was wild. Chaotic. Like electricity jumping through live wires with nowhere to go.

His muscles spasmed. His vision blurred. He stumbled toward the couch and collapsed onto it.

'Too much,' he thought. 'It's too much. My body can't handle this.'

Information flooded his brain again. Not fighting techniques this time. Something else. Knowledge about the ring. About what it was doing to him.

The ring was awakening his dormant power. Unlocking potential that had been sleeping in his DNA for twenty three years. But his body was too weak. Too unprepared. He needed something to stabilize it. To help him absorb the energy without burning out.

A crystal. Dragon's Heart Crystal.

The name appeared in his mind like someone had whispered it. Rare. Incredibly rare. Only found in specific mountain ranges and usually sold for insane prices to collectors who had no idea what it actually did.

There was only one place in the city that might have it. Celestial Gems. The biggest and most expensive jewelry store downtown.

Jake pulled out his phone. Looked up the store. Yeah, it was open until eight. He checked the time. Seven fifteen.

'I can make it,' he thought. 'If I leave now.'

He forced himself up. His legs shook but held. The pain was still there but manageable. Barely.

***

Sora answered on the second ring.

"Young master? Is everything alright?"

"I need to go somewhere," Jake said. He was already heading for the door. "Can you drive me?"

"Of course. Where?"

"Celestial Gems. Downtown."

There was a pause. "The jewelry store?"

"Yeah. I need something they have. It's important."

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

She made it in eight.

The drive downtown was quiet. Jake could feel Sora glancing at him but she didn't ask questions. Professional as always.

The ring kept pulsing. The energy in his body felt like it was building. Pressure mounting. He needed that crystal and he needed it soon.

They pulled up outside Celestial Gems. The storefront was all glass and gold trim. Looked expensive even from the outside.

"Wait here," Jake told Sora.

"Are you sure? I can—"

"I need to do this alone." He got out of the car before she could argue.

The store's interior was exactly what Jake expected. Polished floors. Display cases full of diamonds and gold and things that sparkled under perfect lighting. Classical music played softly through hidden speakers.

A clerk stood behind one of the counters. Young guy. Maybe mid-twenties. Styled hair. Suit that probably cost a month of Jake's old rent.

The clerk looked up as Jake entered. His eyes did a quick scan. Took in Jake's jeans and plain t-shirt. The beat-up sneakers. His expression shifted. Not quite a sneer but close.

"Can I help you?" The words were polite but the tone wasn't.

"Yeah." Jake walked up to the counter. "I'm looking for a Dragon's Heart Crystal."

The clerk's eyebrows went up. "A what?"

"Dragon's Heart Crystal. It's a—"

"I know what it is." The clerk crossed his arms. "That's not something we just show anyone. It's a collector's item. Very expensive."

"I can pay."

The clerk actually laughed. "Sir, with all due respect, that piece costs three million dollars. It's not—"

"I said I can pay." Jake pulled out the black card Marcus had given him. Slid it across the counter.

The clerk stared at the card. His smug expression faltered. Black cards like that weren't common. They meant serious money. The kind of money that made even expensive jewelry stores pay attention.

"I... see." The clerk's tone changed. Still condescending but trying to hide it now. "Let me speak with my manager."

He disappeared through a door behind the counter. Jake could hear muffled voices. Then the clerk came back with an older woman. Fifties maybe. Pearls around her neck. That look that said she'd been dealing with rich people for decades.

"Good evening," she said. Her smile was professional. Practiced. "I understand you're interested in the Dragon's Heart Crystal?"

"I am."

"It's quite a rare piece. We've had it for three years and honestly, we weren't sure we'd ever sell it. Most people don't even know what it is."

"I know what it is," Jake said. "And I need it. Can I see it?"

The woman studied him. Trying to figure out if he was serious or wasting her time. Finally she nodded.

"Of course. Please wait here."

She disappeared into a back room. The clerk stayed behind the counter, watching Jake like he might bolt or steal something.

Jake ignored him. Focused on keeping his breathing steady. The energy inside him was getting worse. His hands trembled slightly. He shoved them in his pockets.

'Just hold on,' he told himself. 'Few more minutes.'

The manager returned carrying a small black box. Velvet. Expensive looking. She set it on the counter and opened it carefully.

Inside was the crystal.

It was about the size of a golf ball. Deep red. Almost looked like a frozen droplet of blood. But when the light hit it, colors swirled inside. Crimson and gold and something else Jake didn't have a name for.

The moment he saw it, the ring on his finger pulsed hard. The crystal responded. A faint glow emanated from its core.

"Remarkable, isn't it?" the manager said. "According to the documentation, it's over five hundred years old. Found in the Himalayas by—"

"I'll take it," Jake interrupted.

"The price is three million, as I'm sure you're aware. We also have—"

"I'll take it," he repeated. "Now."

The manager blinked. "Of course. Let me just process—"

A voice cut through the store. Sharp. Female. Annoyed.

"Excuse me? What's taking so long?"

Jake turned.

Two women stood near the entrance. One was older, maybe late forties. Designer clothes. Too much jewelry. Her face was tight in that way that said she'd had work done.

The other was younger. Early twenties. Pretty in an obvious way. Long hair. Short dress. Bored expression.

Jake's stomach dropped.

He recognized the younger one. He'd seen her at Maya's apartment once. Maya's sister. Chloe.

Which meant the older woman was Maya's mother.

"I apologize, Mrs. Torres," the manager said quickly. She actually sounded nervous. "We're just finishing with another customer."

"Well, hurry it up." Mrs. Torres walked toward the counter. Her heels clicking sharp on the floor. "We're here for that crystal. The red one. I saw it in your catalog."