The Last Billionaire Candidate

System Update

From the top of Vanguard Zenith Tower, Jakarta's lights pulsed like endless electronic veins stretching across the horizon, never sleeping for even a single moment. Yet to Vero, the breathtaking view was nothing more than a reminder of the suffocating loneliness that consumed him.

A glass of mineral water trembled gently in his hand. Not because of the cold night breeze, but because his heartbeat had begun to feel strangely erratic, as if an ancient machine were being forced to turn inside his chest.

"Out of all the people in this world... why did it have to be me?" he thought bitterly.

Suddenly, his vision blurred.

An icy sensation pierced straight through the center of his heart.

Vero dropped to his knees. The glass slipped from his hand and shattered across the polished marble floor, its fragments scattering like the dignity his wife had destroyed.

[DING!]

[CRITICAL WARNING: Heart Synchronization has dropped to 28%.]

[Analysis: Your recent expenditure (Nightlife Indulgence) has been classified as "Emotional Waste." The Billionaire System does not tolerate spending without strategic returns.]

Vero had just returned from one of the city's most prestigious entertainment venues—a place he had dreamed of visiting for years. However, the System judged it as an act that damaged his body and health because of the alcohol he had consumed.

"Urgh...!"

Fresh blood trickled from the corner of Vero's mouth.

This pain was far more agonizing than Alice's betrayal.

It was the pain of an existence rejected by fate itself.

"So... I'm not even allowed to enjoy life?" he whispered hoarsely. "Do I have to become a monster that never stops growing?"

[Childhood Trauma Detected...]

[Accessing Sealed Memory: Subject 004.]

The luxurious office vanished.

In its place appeared the blinding white lights of a laboratory.

Eight-year-old Vero lay motionless on a freezing operating table.

Standing before him was his grandfather—the only person who had ever loved him unconditionally.

The old man wept until tears mixed with blood.

"Forgive Grandpa, Vero," he whispered with trembling hands as he implanted a silver metallic chip near the boy's aorta.

"This world is far too cruel for kind-hearted poor people. Become the ruler... or you'll be devoured. If you ever fall into complete despair, this chip will automatically activate by responding to the rhythm of your heartbeat."

A massive explosion engulfed the entire laboratory.

Vero jolted awake, gasping for air.

A new line of data shimmered across the golden holographic screen.

[Active Candidates: 4]

[Final Candidate: Vero (Status: System Initialization Phase)]

[Active Feature: Attempting Further System Synchronization.]

Vero wiped the blood from his lips with a silk handkerchief.

"That vague memory... Was it merely a dream, or did it really happen? The truth is, I can never remember where I spent my childhood... or where I originally came from."

---

Two Days Later...

That morning, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom came to a stop directly in front of Vanguard Zenith Tower.

Robert Davidson stepped out first, followed by Alice in an elegant, expensive red gown.

Both of them looked up.

The skyscraper towered majestically above them, far more luxurious than Davidson Group's headquarters.

Alice swallowed nervously.

"Does Mr. V really own this entire building?" she whispered.

Robert nodded slowly.

"According to the information I've received, Vanguard Zenith has been expanding at an astonishing pace. In less than a week, they've already acquired more than a dozen multinational corporations."

Alice became even more anxious.

"He's truly an extraordinary man. I just hope... we haven't made a mistake."

They entered the lobby.

The white marble floor gleamed brilliantly beneath enormous crystal chandeliers. Dozens of employees dressed in black uniforms worked in elegant silence.

A receptionist approached them.

"Good morning. Do you have an appointment with Mr. V?"

Robert immediately handed over his business card.

"I'm Robert Davidson. Mr. V agreed to meet us at ten o'clock. We've already communicated via email."

The receptionist checked the schedule.

"Please have a seat while you wait."

Robert frowned.

"Wait?"

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. V is currently finishing a meeting with investors from Switzerland."

Robert clenched his fists.

Never in his life had anyone dared make him wait.

But this time...

He had no choice.

Forty minutes later...

The private CEO elevator doors slid open.

Several bodyguards stepped out first.

Then...

A man emerged wearing a dark navy Brioni suit, walking with calm confidence.

Robert, who had been preparing to greet him with a friendly smile, suddenly froze.

Their eyes met.

Instantly, a transparent holographic interface appeared at the edge of Vero's vision.

[DING!]

[Target Identified.]

[Name: Robert Davidson.]

[Status: Enemy.]

[Threat Level: Low.]

[Analysis: Target is experiencing financial pressure and has a high probability of becoming dependent on the Host's assets.]

[Maintain psychological dominance. Do not be provoked emotionally.]

Vero remained perfectly calm as the blue holographic interface continued displaying its analysis.

Meanwhile...

Robert stared at him in stunned silence for several seconds.

Then...

He burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

Several people in the lobby turned toward them.

"What are you doing here, Vero?!" he laughed mockingly.

Robert slowly shook his head.

"You should be rotting in prison."

A faint smirk appeared on Vero's face.

"Haven't you received the police report yet?" he asked calmly. "I already filed a defamation lawsuit against you."

The System screen flickered once again.

[Target Emotion Analysis.]

[Anger: 82%]

[Arrogance: 96%]

[Panic: 71%]

[Conclusion: The target is desperately attempting to maintain a false sense of superiority.]

The corner of Vero's lips curled upward once more.

Robert and Alice froze.

"What do you mean?"

Vero didn't answer.

He simply attempted to walk past them.

"There's no way you've become a billionaire in just a few days."

Vero let out a quiet sigh while glancing at the two people he wished to leave behind forever.

"Tell me, Vero."

"Which rich woman took you in?"

"Where did all this luck come from?"

"Did some billionaire widow make you her kept man?"

Alice smiled faintly as she gently squeezed Robert's arm.

"Is that true, Vero? Hmm... it actually sounds believable."

[DING!]

[Temporary Mission Triggered.]

Objective: Crush Robert Davidson's pride without using violence.

Reward: System Synchronization +2%.

Bonus: Random Investment Package.

Alice remained silent.

But deep inside, she found herself beginning to believe Robert's words.

To her, it was simply impossible for Vero to have achieved all of this entirely on his own in such a short amount of time.

Vero remained calm.

His expression never changed.

He simply looked at Robert as though he were watching a child throwing a tantrum.

"So?" he asked flatly.

Robert hesitated.

"What exactly are you doing here? I don't have much time to entertain all your questions."

Robert stared at him.

"I... I came to meet Mr. V," he stammered.

Vero looked at him expressionlessly.

"I am Mr. V."

Robert's face instantly paled.

[Psychological Dominance Successful.]

[Host Reputation Increased.]

[System Synchronization: 31% → 33%.]

[Reward Received.]

"Your secretary was the one begging for an appointment with me," Vero said calmly.

"If you're allergic to meeting your former employee, you're free to leave."

"I'm extremely busy."

Robert was suddenly caught in a dilemma.

He couldn't understand how Vero had transformed into the very investor he desperately needed within only a matter of days.

Yet his pride was too great to swallow.

In the end, he chose to let Vero walk away.

Vero proceeded toward the conference room with his assistant, where numerous top business leaders were already waiting.

Just as the meeting room doors were about to close, the System screen lit up once again.

[DING!]

[New Mission Unlocked.]

[Primary Target: Acquire Davidson Group.]

[Progress: 0%.]

Reward: Market Prediction Feature Lv.2 & Platinum Asset Package.

Alice hurried after Robert as he strode toward the exit.

"Robert, why? Don't you desperately need Mr. V? We don't have any other choice, do we?"

"Enough, Alice! I'll never humiliate myself by bowing to your ex-husband!" Robert growled as he walked back toward his car. "Damn it... why did it have to be him? What on earth did he do to obtain all of this in such a short time?"