The Ding Of Destiny: Cole Walker's Revenge

Chapter 3: The Villa and the Viper

The night air was cool against Cole Walker’s face as he stepped out of the gala. The sound of applause and gasps still echoed in his ears. 

He had humiliated Derek Stone in front of half of Dallas’s elite, and it felt good.

Ding. The glowing blue panel appeared again, crisp against the darkness.

[Reward Granted: Ownership of Dallas Highland Villa]

[Value: $50,000,000]

[Keys and documents transferred to Host]

Cole’s phone buzzed. An email notification blinked at the top of his screen. He tapped it open.

Congratulations, Mr. Walker. Ownership papers have been signed electronically. Your villa awaits at Highland Park. Security staff and personal chauffeurs are on standby.

Cole stared at the words, his breath caught between disbelief and exhilaration. He had gone from “worthless” to villa-owner in less than twenty-four hours.

A black limousine rolled to a stop before him. The driver stepped out, bowing slightly. “Mr. Walker, your car.”

Cole raised an eyebrow. “My car?”

“Yes, sir. Courtesy of the property management. I’ve been instructed to take you to your new residence.”

Cole slid into the backseat, the leather wrapping around him like a throne. As the limo glided through the city.

Cole watched the familiar streets of Dallas pass by, streets he had once trudged down broke, forgotten, invisible. Not anymore.

The car turned into Highland Park, where sprawling mansions glittered under the moonlight. 

Security gates lifted automatically as if welcoming royalty. Finally, the limo stopped before a villa that looked more like a palace.

Marble steps rose to massive double doors. Floor-to-ceiling windows gleamed. The lawn was a perfect sea of emerald green, and fountains gushed silver under floodlights.

Cole stepped out slowly, drinking in the sight. “This… is mine,” he whispered.

[Ding. Reminder: The stronger the humiliation, the greater the reward]

[Next Suggested Task: Humiliate Vanessa Walker. Minimum audience: 50]

[Reward: Fleet of luxury cars]

Cole’s lips curved. “Perfect.”

Inside, the villa was even more breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers glowed above polished oak floors. 

A spiral staircase swept upward like something out of a movie. Rooms stretched endlessly, game rooms, wine cellars, home theaters.

Cole walked through in silence, his footsteps echoing. He paused before a wall of glass overlooking the city skyline. Dallas sparkled in the distance.

He raised a glass of champagne, already waiting for him in a chilled bucket, and whispered, “Not bad for trash.”

His phone buzzed. A call. The name flashing across the screen made him freeze. Vanessa.

Cole let it ring twice before answering. His voice was cool, flat. “Vanessa.”

There was silence on the line for a moment. Then her voice, soft, trembling. “Cole… can we talk?”

Cole chuckled. “Now you want to talk?”

“Please,” she said quickly. “What you did tonight… I don’t understand. How did you, how did you buy Derek’s company? Where did you get that kind of money?”

Cole leaned against the glass, smirking at the city lights. “Money comes easy to a man who’s not worthless. Isn’t that what you called me?”

Her voice cracked. “I, I didn’t mean it, Cole. I was angry. Confused. Derek pressured me.”

Cole’s laugh cut her off, cold and sharp. “Don’t lie to me. You wanted him. You wanted his money, his status, his bed. You thought I’d always be nothing. And maybe I was.” He swirled the champagne in his glass. “But not anymore.”

“Cole, please,” she whispered. “We can fix this. We can start over. I made a mistake.”

His eyes narrowed. “A mistake? Watching you with him was no mistake. It was a choice. Your choice.”

“Don’t throw away five years of marriage.”

“Five years?” Cole barked out a laugh. “Five years of you leeching off me, belittling me, treating me like dirt? Vanessa, those five years are my biggest regret.”

There was silence. He could almost hear her trembling through the phone. “Cole… I still love you.”

The words made him laugh so hard he nearly spilled his drink. “Love? You don’t even know what love is. You know what you do know? Humiliation. And trust me, Vanessa, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

He hung up before she could answer. Cole set the phone down, his eyes glittering with cold fire.

[Ding. Task Updated: Public humiliation of Vanessa required]

[Deadline: 7 days]

[Reward: Fleet of luxury cars]

Cole’s smirk deepened. “Seven days, huh? I’ll make sure she never forgets it.”

The next morning, Cole was already at work. He sat in his villa’s private study, laptop open, System panel glowing beside it.

New Mission Opportunities Available:

1. Acquire controlling shares in Harlan & Co. | Reward: $10 Billion.

2. Publicly humiliate Vanessa Walker | Reward: Fleet of luxury cars.

3. Crush Derek Stone socially and financially | Reward: International connections upgrade.

Cole tapped his chin. “One step at a time.”

His phone buzzed with a notification. Local Dallas news. He clicked it.

Headline: Scandal at Charity Gala! Derek Stone Loses Control of Family Business to Unknown Player.

Cole scrolled through the article. Photos of him, standing tall with glass raised. Derek’s pale face froze in shock. Vanessa’s stunned expression. 

The comments section buzzed with speculation. “Who is Cole Walker?”

“From nobody to a billionaire overnight.”

“The Stone family was humiliated, this is huge.”

Cole leaned back, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. This was only the beginning.

That evening, as the sun sank over Dallas, Cole stood on the balcony of his new villa. The city lights flickered below. His phone buzzed again, another message from Vanessa.

Vanessa: Please, Cole. Meet me. Just once. Let me explain.

Cole typed a reply, his fingers steady. “You’ll get your chance. On my terms.”

He slipped the phone back into his pocket, his jaw set. Vanessa thought she could use him. Derek thought he could mock him. Harlan thought he could fire him.

They all thought wrong. Cole raised his glass once more, the System’s glow reflecting in his eyes. “To trash,” he whispered, “becoming a titan.”

[Ding. Upcoming Event Detected: Harlan & Co. Annual Banquet]

[Attendance: 300+]

[Opportunity for multiple humiliations]

Cole’s grin widened. Perfect.