The God of Wealth's System

Chapter 8

The atmosphere inside the cabin of the Rolls-Royce carrying Sean back to the St. Regal Hotel was profoundly silent, yet filled with an unspoken tension. Isabella Moretti sat beside him, still motionless, gazing at the profile of Sean’s face illuminated by the rapidly passing streetlights. This man was no longer the courier she had met by the roadside yesterday. There was an aura of power that felt tangibly radiated from his every movement.

"You just robbed Viktor Vane of half his pride and secured a half-million-dollar check in a single night, Sean," Isabella finally spoke, breaking the silence with a slightly raspy voice. "I have never seen any man make Viktor look that pathetic in front of his own colleagues."

Sean turned, the corner of his lips curling into a thin, mysterious smile. "The world is merely a stage, Isabella. I just happened to hold a better script tonight."

The car slowed to a halt in front of the luxurious St. Regal lobby. The chauffeur stepped out to open the door, but Isabella gave a subtle signal for him to wait. Inside the narrow, soundproof space, Isabella suddenly leaned her body closer. The scent of her exclusive black rose perfume filled Sean’s senses.

"Thank you for that port contract, Sean. That dull bowl truly changed everything for my family," Isabella whispered.

Before Sean could reply, Isabella wrapped her arms around his neck and landed a soft yet passionate kiss on his lips. It was more than just a thank you; it was a deep claim of interest. Their breaths mingled for several seconds before Isabella pulled back, her eyes flashing as she looked at him.

"Do not stay at this hotel for too long," Isabella said in a low, seductive tone. "I have a penthouse apartment in the central tower that I rarely occupy. It is yours if you decide to check out. I prefer my business partners to be in a place that is safe and... reachable for me."

Sean touched his lips, which still felt warm. "I will think about it, Isabella," he said, playing a bit hard to get. He wanted to erase every trace of Sean the poor courier whose pride was always trampled. Now, he wanted to be seen as a man who was perfect and desired.

After stepping out of the car and returning to his luxury suite, Sean immediately locked the door. He leaned his back against the heavy wooden door, trying to steady his slightly racing heart. The victory earlier was indeed sweet, but the immense fatigue and the strange sensation in his palm hit him once again.

He walked toward the desk and placed the check from Mr. Henderson there. The system’s blue light immediately flickered in his pupils without being asked.

[Deposit Successfully Verified.]

[Remaining Debt: $991,000.]

[Consciousness Status: Stable.]

Sean sat in his leather chair, but he did not go to sleep immediately. He unbuttoned his shirt and stared at his right palm. There, the coin symbol now emitted a faint golden glow that pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat.

"System," Sean whispered. "Tell me, who is the actual creator of all this?"

[Data Protected. Your current Authority Level: User Level 2.]

[Fragmentary Information: Legacy Protocol developed by Peter Alexander. Status: Unknown.]

That name. The name of his father who had long disappeared since Sean was only ten years old. Sean’s memory drifted back to the dull metal coin he used to wear as a necklace pendant. His father once said that the coin was a sole inheritance that might look like trash, but would become a divine savior for Sean in the future.

Sean laughed bitterly remembering it all. He had thought his father’s words back then were nothing more than nonsense. But it turned out... it turned out that the destruction of the coin under the boots of Viktor’s bodyguards last night was not a mere accident. Sean’s pressure and blood had activated something stored within the metal. An experiment of micro-technology that merged with his nerves, a secret legacy Peter left for his son before he vanished.

"So you never really left me, Father. I still feel like this is all a dream. If only you were here, perhaps we would enjoy this process of wealth together."

The Next Day

The morning sunlight illuminated Sean’s suite, but he had been awake since dawn. The system seemed to have optimized his metabolism, allowing Sean to feel refreshed without needing much sleep.

Sean had a hundred thousand dollar reward from last night’s mission that was free to be used as starting capital. He knew that he could not continue being just an antique consultant if he wanted to destroy Viktor completely. He needed a legitimate business empire.

"I need structure. I need a company that can strike Vane Logistics from below," Sean thought logically.

[System Suggestion: Star Link Logistics Firm is on the verge of bankruptcy due to internal sabotage by Vane Logistics. Acquisition Price: $85,000.]

Sean smirked. Buying the enemy of his enemy was the perfect first step. He immediately contacted an independent lawyer named Marcus Vance, an honest man whose career had once been destroyed by Viktor.

At 11 AM, Sean met Marcus in a small cafe. Marcus looked skeptical seeing Sean, who appeared very sharp yet had no clear business record in the public database.

"Why do you want to buy Star Link, Mr. Alexander? That company is dead. Viktor Vane has locked down all their contracts at the port," Marcus said hesitantly.

"That is because they do not have the data I possess, Marcus," Sean replied calmly while turning his laptop toward the lawyer. "Star Link holds the distribution license for the eastern sector of the port which is nearly expired. Viktor thinks the license is garbage, so he is letting it die. However, in three days, the government will announce an expansion of that route. If we buy it now, we hold Vane Logistics by the throat."

Marcus was stunned as he checked the data. His eyes widened. "How could you know about a government plan that has not even been published yet?"

"Let us just say I have a very reliable source of information," Sean sipped his coffee calmly. "I want you to handle the acquisition this afternoon. Use the shell company name Alexander Sovereign. Do not let my real name surface before I am ready."

After the meeting, Sean walked through the city’s business district. Under the gaze of Appraisal Eye Level 2, the world looked different. He saw buildings not as concrete, but as piles of debt, secrets, and opportunities.

He touched his chest, right where the pendant used to hang. The pulse in his palm grew stronger every time he made a risky business decision. It was as if his father, Peter, was guiding him from behind the rows of digital code within his body.

"I will find out where you are, Father," Sean whispered amidst the crowd. "But before that, I will make sure there is no longer a place for the Vane family in this city."

To be continued...