The Last Billionaire Candidate

New Face of Great Businessman

The rich aroma of Cuban cigar smoke drifted lazily through the air, blanketing the ceiling of the exclusive VIP lounge on the top floor of Davidson Tower. Behind a polished mahogany desk, Robert Davidson leaned back comfortably, a glass of single malt whiskey resting in his hand. An arrogant smile never left his lips.

Seated across from him, the Ashford family sat stiffly in silence. Mike Ashford—Alice's father—kept wringing his hands nervously as cold sweat trickled down his temples.

"What if Vero didn't kill himself, Robert? What if he's hiding because he discovered our real plan?" Mike asked, his voice trembling slightly. At this point, all he cared about was winning Robert's favor so his family's social status could rise alongside his.

Alice, elegantly seated beside Robert in a silk gown that hugged her figure, crossed her legs and let out a scornful snort as she glanced at her father.

"You're making too much of that sewer rat, Dad," she said coldly. "Vero didn't disappear because he found out about our plan. He disappeared because he completely broke down mentally. Besides, where could a poor nobody with no connections possibly run? He probably crawled back to the filthy orphanage where he grew up."

Robert chuckled softly. The clinking of ice cubes inside his whiskey glass echoed sharply through the room. Casually, he rested a hand on Alice's thigh as though she already belonged to him.

"Alice is right, Mike. Vero's disappearance actually makes our plan perfect," Robert said calmly. "Now everyone—including the police—believes he fled because he felt guilty after embezzling company funds. He dug his own grave."

Rose, Alice's mother, smiled so broadly that the wrinkles around her eyes became even more pronounced. She looked at Robert with open admiration.

"Oh, Robert... I can't wait to call you my son-in-law. My daughter has suffered long enough living in that cramped apartment with that loser. It's finally time for her to be with a man worthy of her... a man like you."

Robert smirked, unable to hide the cunning gleam in his eyes.

"The moment the police officially declare Vero a fugitive and close the case, our company will be safe from any audit. The cash flow from our underground business can start moving freely again," Robert murmured before taking another sip of whiskey.

"Don't worry, Mr. Robert," Mike quickly interrupted, eager to please. "I'll send my people to search every corner of the streets. If we find him, we'll make sure he never has the chance to open his mouth again."

The room erupted in laughter.

A group of people enslaved by greed, completely unaware that the monster they had created was already preparing to devour them alive.

---

Seven Days Later

Inside the Presidential Suite of a five-star hotel—where a single night's stay cost more than Vero's annual salary—the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

Vero stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the dazzling city skyline. He wore a perfectly tailored dark gray Brioni Bespoke suit that fit him flawlessly. His hair was slicked neatly back. The scar on his forehead from the impact beneath the bridge was now barely visible, looking more like the mark of a second birth than an old wound.

The despair that once filled his eyes had vanished.

All that remained was cold arrogance... and deadly calculation.

[DING!]

A blue holographic screen illuminated before him.

[Survival Mission Completed!]

[Status: Successfully invested 10 million USD anonymously within 7 days.]

[User's heart is now stable. System upgraded to Level 2.]

Vero let out a slow breath.

During the past week, he had hired an international law firm along with several shadow brokers to spend the entire ten-million-dollar investment limit by purchasing shares in nearly bankrupt technology companies.

He abandoned his old identity.

To the law, Vero was still a wanted fugitive.

But within the international banking and business world...

He was known by only one name.

Mr. V.

[DING!]

[New Mission Available: Enter the Elite Circle]

Main Objectives:

1. Acquire shares worth 100 million USD in multinational corporations.

2. Attend one high-profile investors' gathering.

3. Establish your first holding company.

Reward: Business Insight Lv.1 & account balance limit increased to 500 million USD.

"One hundred million dollars..." Vero murmured with a faint smile.

Not long ago, he had gone hungry just to keep up with the mortgage payments on the apartment he shared with Alice.

Now...

The System expected him to throw around hundreds of millions of dollars as if they were pocket change.

Without the slightest hesitation, Vero walked toward his desk.

He opened a military-grade encrypted laptop.

His fingers danced effortlessly across the keyboard.

Through an overseas investment network, he quietly acquired majority ownership in thirteen declining global logistics companies.

One press of the Enter key.

BAM!

One hundred million dollars changed hands in mere seconds.

[First Objective Completed.]

That evening, Vero had another engagement.

He had received an exclusive invitation to the Global Investors Association Gala Dinner, where legendary tycoons and the world's economic elites gathered.

The ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers. The scent of expensive perfume filled the air, blending with conversations about business deals worth billions of dollars.

Then...

The grand golden doors slowly opened.

The orchestra gradually fell silent.

Every head instinctively turned toward the entrance.

Vero stepped inside with such overwhelming presence that the air itself seemed to grow heavier.

His footsteps were calm.

His expression unreadable.

Yet the invisible pressure radiating from him unconsciously caused even billionaires to hold their breath.

"Who is that man? I've never seen him before," whispered the heir to a real estate empire.

"You don't know? He's the one who bought controlling stakes in thirteen multinational companies this afternoon—all in cash," his companion replied, eyes wide with disbelief. "People call him Mr. V. His company, Vanguard Zenith, appeared out of nowhere with what seems to be unlimited capital."

Whispers spread throughout the ballroom.

Not long ago, Vero had been nothing more than a low-level employee who was constantly ordered to make coffee for his superiors.

But tonight...

CEOs of major corporations lowered their heads respectfully as he walked past.

Suddenly, an elderly man with an imposing aura stepped forward.

It was James Carrington, president of the country's largest investment bank.

"Mr. V, it's an honor to finally meet you. I'm James," he said, extending his hand. "Your moves in today's stock market... were absolutely ruthless. And absolutely brilliant."

Vero shook his hand firmly.

Not too strong.

Not too weak.

Perfect.

"It was merely coincidence, Mr. James," Vero replied calmly, his deep voice carrying quiet authority. "I simply enjoy picking up valuable things that fools choose to throw away."

James burst into laughter.

"Not only do you possess what seems to be limitless wealth, but you're incredibly sharp as well. Come—many of my colleagues are eager to meet you and share a drink."

That night, Mr. V became the center of attention in the business world.

Not a single person realized that the man they admired was, in reality, a wanted fugitive accused of embezzling funds from his former company.

[Objectives 2 and 3 Completed.]

[Mission Complete. Business Insight Lv.1 Activated.]

The instant the notification appeared in his mind, the way Vero viewed the people around him completely changed.

Every time he looked at a businessman, concise data about their company's weaknesses, financial vulnerabilities, and probability of bankruptcy materialized before his eyes like lines of code from The Matrix.

"Incredible..." Vero thought.

Close to midnight, he returned to his hotel suite.

After removing his suit jacket, he poured himself a glass of ice water.

The moment he opened his laptop, a high-priority email arrived in Vanguard Zenith's private inbox.

Sender:

Executive Secretariat – Davidson Group

Subject:

Request for a Private Meeting with Mr. V

The email was written with remarkable courtesy—even carrying a tone of humble pleading.

Robert Davidson requested just fifteen minutes to present his company and sincerely hoped Mr. V would consider becoming Davidson Group's primary investor.

Vero leaned back in his chair.

A cold laugh escaped his lips, echoing through the silent luxury suite.

Thanks to Business Insight Lv.1 and the information he had gathered during the gala, Vero now knew Robert's greatest secret.

Davidson Group stood on the brink of collapse.

Their diamond mine in Africa was nothing more than a front for laundering money.

Robert was desperately searching for fresh capital to erase every trace before the government's audit exposed all of his crimes.

Once...

Robert had used the five million dollars stolen by framing Vero to cover up his lies.

Now...

Without realizing it, Robert was begging for help from the very man whose life he had destroyed.

"So..."

Vero whispered while staring at the laptop screen.

"You're inviting me into your cage, Robert?"

His eyes narrowed.

A devilish smile slowly spread across his face.

"Very well..."