The Homeless Man Who Knew The Future

Chapter 3

The rain came down harder as the glass doors of the Imperial Crown Hotel slid shut behind Marcus.

For a long moment, he stood on the marble steps without moving. The cold drops soaked through his tailored suit, but he barely noticed. Less than an hour ago, dozens of powerful businessmen had been fighting for a chance to shake his hand. Now, the same people walked past him as though he were invisible.

A black Rolls-Royce pulled up at the entrance.

The valet hurried over and opened the rear door with a respectful smile.

"Congratulations, Mr. Cross."

Damien stepped out of the hotel with Victoria on his arm, laughing as photographers surrounded them.

"Mr. Cross! How do you feel about becoming the new CEO of Hale Capital?"

"Is it true you've already secured new investors?"

"When is the wedding?"

Damien adjusted his tie and smiled at the cameras.

"Tonight isn't about me. It's about restoring confidence in Hale Capital. The company has entered a new chapter, and I promise our investors they'll never have to worry about another Marcus Hale."

The crowd laughed.

Marcus watched from a distance without saying a word.

Victoria noticed him standing in the rain. For a brief second, their eyes met.

Instead of guilt, she wore a smile.

Not a warm smile.

A victorious one.

She leaned closer to Damien and deliberately kissed him while the cameras flashed wildly.

The reporters erupted with excitement.

Marcus turned away.

Some betrayals deserved tears.

This one deserved revenge.

A taxi slowed beside him.

Marcus reached for the door, but before he could get inside, another businessman rushed forward.

"I'll pay double."

The driver glanced at Marcus's soaked clothes before nodding to the businessman.

"Sorry."

The taxi drove away.

Marcus let out a quiet laugh.

"So it begins."

His phone vibrated.

Your premium banking status has been revoked.

Another notification appeared.

Your Platinum Credit Card has been permanently deactivated.

Then another.

Your health insurance policy has been cancelled.

One after another, every privilege he'd earned over the past six years disappeared from his life with a single notification.

Marcus slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"If you're trying to scare me, Damien..."

"You should've tried harder."

Half an hour later, Marcus stood in front of the towering glass building that housed his penthouse.

The doorman, Henry, had greeted him every morning for four years.

Tonight, Henry stepped in front of the entrance.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Marcus smiled faintly.

"You don't have to call me sir anymore."

Henry lowered his head.

"They've changed the ownership documents."

"I know."

"They told me not to let you inside."

Marcus nodded.

"I only need ten minutes."

"I'm sorry."

Marcus looked at the older man.

Henry's hands were trembling.

The man genuinely felt bad.

Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You've got a family to feed."

"Do your job."

Henry's eyes turned red.

"I never believed those news reports."

Marcus smiled.

"I know."

As Marcus turned to leave, a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Oh, look who it is."

He didn't need to turn around.

He recognized that irritating voice immediately.

Ethan Brooks.

The son of one of Hale Capital's investors.

Marcus had rejected Ethan's proposal to become a regional director just three months ago because he was completely unqualified.

Ethan strolled toward him with two beautiful women on his arms and a smug grin on his face.

"I heard you were arrested."

Marcus remained calm.

"I was questioned."

"Same thing."

Ethan laughed loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.

"I guess karma finally caught up with you."

Marcus looked at him.

"Finished?"

Ethan's smile widened.

"You know what my father told me today?"

Marcus didn't answer.

"He said the biggest mistake he ever made was investing in a fraud."

Marcus couldn't help but chuckle.

"You believe that?"

"I don't need to believe it."

Ethan spread his arms dramatically.

"The whole country does."

One of the women beside him covered her mouth and giggled.

"So this is the billionaire everyone used to talk about?"

She looked Marcus up and down.

"He looks... ordinary."

The other woman laughed.

"I've seen better suits at discount stores."

Marcus glanced at the wrinkles in his soaked jacket.

"They're probably right."

His calm response confused them.

They had expected anger.

Not indifference.

Ethan stepped closer until they were almost face to face.

"You know what?"

"I've always hated you."

Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"You walked around like you were better than everyone."

Marcus smiled slightly.

"I was."

Ethan's face darkened.

Marcus continued calmly.

"I built a billion-dollar company before I turned thirty."

"What have you built?"

The smile vanished from Ethan's face.

The two women exchanged awkward glances.

Marcus took one step forward.

"You inherited your father's money."

"You inherited his name."

"You inherited his connections."

His eyes became sharp.

"If your father hadn't been rich..."

"You'd still be begging someone like me for a job."

Ethan's cheeks flushed with rage.

"You..."

Without thinking, he shoved Marcus hard.

Marcus stumbled backward, his shoulder hitting the wet pavement.

The women gasped.

People nearby immediately stopped to watch.

Ethan straightened his expensive jacket and sneered.

"That's where you belong."

"On the ground."

Marcus slowly looked up at him.

Rain trickled down his face.

His expression remained unreadable.

"If pushing me makes you feel powerful..."

"...enjoy the feeling."

"Because it won't last."

Ethan burst into laughter.

"Listen to yourself!"

"You don't even have a home!"

Marcus stood up, dusted the rainwater from his sleeves, and quietly walked away.

He didn't look back.

He didn't argue.

That irritated Ethan even more.

"What?"

"No comeback?"

"No threats?"

Marcus stopped without turning around.

"I don't argue with temporary people."

Then he disappeared into the rain.

An hour later, Marcus sat alone beneath the roof of a deserted bus stop.

The city buzzed around him, but for the first time in years, nobody knew his name.

His stomach growled.

He reached into his pocket.

Seven dollars and forty-three cents.

That was all.

Across the street, a convenience store glowed beneath bright fluorescent lights.

Marcus walked inside and picked up a bottle of water and a sandwich.

As he placed them on the counter, the cashier looked at the television mounted above the shelves.

Marcus's face filled the screen.

BREAKING NEWS

Former billionaire Marcus Hale accused of stealing over $800 million.

The cashier slowly looked from the television to Marcus.

Recognition flashed across his face.

Without a word, he snatched the sandwich off the counter.

"We don't serve thieves."

Marcus blinked.

"I have money."

"I don't care."

"Leave."

Several customers began whispering.

"That's him."

"The fraud."

"I knew rich people were all the same."

Marcus quietly placed the bottle back on the shelf. "You're making a mistake."

The cashier folded his arms.

"Get out before I call the police."

Marcus nodded once.

Then he walked back into the rain.

As the automatic doors closed behind him, thunder rolled across the dark sky.

He looked up.

Lightning flashed between the clouds.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

A strange feeling settled deep inside his chest.

It was as if the storm wasn't coming for the city.

It was coming for him.