The Rebirth Of A Titan

CHAPTER 2

I sucked in a breath so deep it felt like my lungs might actually burst. My heart was thumping against my ribs like a hammer.

It felt like I had been underwater for a lifetime.

I sat bolt upright, my hands flying to my stomach. I was searching for the cold steel Marcus had driven into me.

But there was nothing. No blood, no hole, just the smooth fabric of a crisp white shirt.

I looked down at my hands. They weren't shaking, and they weren't covered in that dark red stain.

The last thing I remembered was the cold floor and the smell of my own blood. But now, I smelled something different.

It was the scent of expensive sandalwood and fresh coffee. I recognized that smell anywhere.

"What the hell?" I whispered, my voice sounding scratchy but very much alive.

I looked around the room. This was my office from years ago, before I lost everything to those snakes.

I was sitting in my old leather chair. My hands were resting on the polished mahogany of my office desk.

My fingers were shaking as I reached for the smartphone sitting next to my keyboard. I hit the screen and stared at the numbers.

July 12, 2020. It was exactly five years ago.

The air in the room suddenly felt thick. I checked the time again, thinking my brain was playing a cruel joke.

The date stared back at me in bright numbers.

This was the day it all started to fall apart.

"No way," I muttered, rubbing my eyes hard. "This has to be some kind of sick dream."

I stood up and walked to the window. The city below was bustling, and the sun was shining bright.

I pinched my arm as hard as I could. The sharp pain made me yelp, and I realized this was very real.

I quietly sat back down.

Suddenly, a flash of blue light blinded me for a second. I stumbled back, nearly tripping over my rug.

A glowing screen was floating right in front of my face. It looked like a high tech hologram from a movie.

[Business Emperor System Initialized. Synchronization complete.]

I almost fell out of my chair. I swiped at the air, but my hand just went right through the screen.

"What the hell is this?" I whispered. My voice sounded younger, stronger, and full of life.

[Welcome, Victor. Your second chance has been granted based on your final desire for vengeance.]

The words scrolled across the blue interface like a computer program. I stared at them, my mind racing a mile a minute.

[System Mechanics: Your Level is tied to your Net Worth and Corporate Influence.]

[Current Status: Level 1.]

[Influence: Low.]

I let out a shaky laugh.

"Am I finally going crazy?" I asked the empty room. "Did that bastard Marcus scramble my brain?"

But the System wasn't done yet. Another window popped up, flashing a bright, warning red.

[First Mission: Prevent the Incident. Location: Shareholder Gala. Time remaining: Six hours.]

My blood turned to ice as I read those words. The gala.

In my first life, tonight was the night my mother collapsed. We all thought it was a stroke caused by stress.

I spent years blaming myself for pushing her too hard. I spent a fortune on doctors who couldn't fix her.

But I knew the truth now. Sarah and Marcus had poisoned her right in front of everyone.

A soft knock came at my office door. My body stiffened, and my skin began to crawl.

"Victor? Honey? Are you busy?"

It was her. That sweet, melodic voice that I used to think was the most beautiful sound in the world.

Now, it sounded like the hiss of a snake. I took a deep breath and tried to keep my face neutral.

"Come in, Sarah," I said. My voice was steady, but I was gripping the edge of my desk so hard my knuckles were white.

The door opened, and she walked in. She looked so young and innocent in her floral sundress.

She had that fake, doting smile on her face. The same smile she wore when she watched me die.

"You've been in here all day," she said, walking over to me. She leaned down and kissed my cheek.

I had to fight every instinct in my body not to pull away and wrap my hands around her neck.

Her skin felt cold to me. Her perfume, which I used to love, made me want to gag.

"Just finishing up some paperwork for the gala tonight," I said. I forced a small smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"You work too hard," she cooed, brushing a lock of hair away from my forehead. "Are you excited for the party?"

"You have no idea," I replied. I was thinking about the look on her face when her plan failed.

"Marcus called earlier," she said, watching me closely. "He said he’ll meet us there with the guest list."

"Great," I said, my voice dripping with fake warmth. "I can't wait to see my little brother."

She didn't notice the sarcasm. She was too busy playing the part of the perfect, supportive fiancée.

"I picked out your black suit," she said, heading toward the door. "Don't be late, okay?"

I watched her walk out and close the door. The moment she was gone, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I looked back at the blue screen floating in the air. It was still there, waiting for me.

[Mission: Prevent the Incident. Failure will result in permanent loss of target: Elena.]

I wasn't going to let that happen. Not this time.

In the old timeline, I was a fool who trusted everyone. I was a man who thought love and family meant something.

But that Victor died on the bedroom floor. The man sitting in this chair now was someone else entirely.

I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out a small recorder. I had used it for meetings, but now it was a weapon.

I needed evidence. I needed to see exactly how they did it.

I stood up and walked over to the window. The city looked bright and full of possibilities.

For Sarah and Marcus, tonight was supposed to be the beginning of their victory.

But for me, it was the beginning of their funeral. I felt a cold, hard knot of rage settle in my gut.

"System," I said, testing the word out loud. "Show me the rewards for this mission."

[Reward: +Fifty Thousand Dollars. +New Skill unlocked: Market Intuition.]

I didn't care about the money yet. I cared about the power.

I needed to be so big that they couldn't even touch me. I needed to be a titan.

I checked my watch. Five hours left until the gala started.

I had to get to the hotel early. I had to see the kitchen and the bar.

I had to find the man Marcus hired. The doctor who provided the poison.

I grabbed my coat and headed for the door. My assistant, Davis, looked up from his desk.

"Leaving early, sir?" he asked, looking surprised. "The car isn't scheduled for another three hours."

"I have some personal business to handle first, Davis," I said. I looked at him and felt a pang of guilt.

In my pastthe old life, Davis stayed loyal until the very end. Marcus had him fired and blacklisted.

"Davis," I said, stopping at his desk. "Keep an eye on the internal accounts today. Don't tell anyone."

He looked confused, but he nodded. "Of course, sir. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is going to be just fine," I said. "In fact, things are about to get very interesting."

I walked out of the office and into the elevator. As the doors closed, I saw my reflection in the chrome.

I was going to save my mother. 

And I was going to make sure Sarah regretted the day she ever met me.

The elevator reached the lobby with a ding. I stepped out into the sunshine, feeling the weight of the second chance.

What should be my next move? Should I head to the hotel or find the doctor?