Breaking news shocked the entire world. Everyone got the notification from their phones, including both groups.
JacQuarius immediately went to the living room and turned the TV on watch the news, with social media nowadays, you can't trust anything, he needed a trustworthy source to confirm the information.
"Good Morning Everyone, this is Sheila Martinez from Box News with a nationwide emergency report! Just hours ago, the Prime Minister of Japan was assassinated! Japan has accused our nation of the assassination and issued a dire ultimatum—if we fail to prove our innocence within the next three months, World War 3 will commence! This concludes our emergency broadcast. I'm Sheila Martinez from Box News, signing off until next time!"
The broadcast switched off abruptly, replaced by a more lighthearted program: two and a half niggas. Despite the gravity of the news, JacQuarius found himself surprisingly elated. The prospect of war excited him, envisioning the chaos as an opportunity to exploit and plunder.
With the world engulfed in conflict, attention would be diverted, allowing him to seize whatever he desired. His sights were set on Figueroa's Shop Of Wonders and its coveted Qi Wyrm, but he begrudgingly acknowledged the need for restraint. Any unlawful actions now could jeopardize his chance to enlist in the US Military, a crucial step in using them as a buffer against the FBI and Japan.
As a US soldier amid World War 3, JacQuarius plotted his move to infiltrate Japan during the crisis, planning to kill either Daniel, Ian, or Selena. Regret lingered for not eliminating Daniel during the tournament. His emotional misjudgment backfired, fueling Daniel's resolve instead of breaking it.
Little did JacQuarius know, Daniel's loss to him had shattered his psyche, rendering him psychologically unstable. Exploiting this vulnerability, the GEI groomed Daniel into a strategic asset, unbeknownst to JacQuarius and his group.
JacQuarius remained vigilant and cautious about the GEI, especially after discovering their surveillance tactics in Japan. He had unwittingly been monitored by a Diamond Rank cultivator, who eavesdropped on their conversations and maintained constant surveillance until meeting his demise. Although unsure if another operative was tailing him, JacQuarius relied on his heightened senses—augmented by his Dragon Eye Amulet and Dragon Heartstone—to detect any potential threats.
Focusing on the current situation, JacQuarius recognized the need for a stable source of income beyond his existing funds from the auction. After thoughtful consideration, he devised a clever plan. Using Bamazon, he ordered several items with expedited next-day delivery, anticipating their arrival tomorrow. With this initiative in motion, he dedicated the remainder of the day to cultivation alongside Kiyomi and Tela, maximizing their time to strengthen their skills and readiness before the upcoming tournament.
The Next Day
JacQuarius walked into a new store, it was actually more than a store. It was a shop mixed with a restaurant, the base floor was the restaurant serving a wide range of food from breakfast to dinner, and the basement was a cultivation shop! It is called Garden Grill & Grow, due to every item being organic.
JacQuarius approached the cashier and asked to speak to the manager. In a span of 45-60 seconds, the manager came from the back and asked JacQuarius a question.
"Hello sir, how can i help you? As a heads up, for any complaints regarding our food, staff, or environment. You can email our HQ directly, with the email listed on our website!" The manager spoke with a smile on his face.
"I'm here with an offer, so go call your Boss or whoever in HQ and tell him meet me here, I'll be here for the next hour. I have billions in cash on me, and would like to make a business offer." JacQuarius replied.
JacQuarius then pulled out a stack of cash and dropped it on the table!
"This is 100k in cash, feel free to count it and/or check if it's real. I'll give you this as a tip if you can convince your Boss to come here and accept my business offer." JacQuarius said as he stacked the stacks of 10k USD into one stack.
The man immediately left and made the call, showing his sincere need for the money.
Seventy-five minutes later, a short woman in professional attire entered the restaurant, she immediately came to JacQuarius's table and sat next to him.
"Hello Sir, I'm Sophia Williams, Jonathan Smith's assistant, the CEO and main share owner of this restaurant. I'll be speaking on behalf of him as he can't make it here now." She spoke.
"15 Billion in Cash right now for 100% ownership of this restaurant. I'll throw in 1 million cash right now as well as a tip to you, if you accept the deal and sell me the business on his behalf." JacQuarius spoke straightforwardly, not trying to hide his intentions at all.
"I'm sorry sir, but we can't accept that, we've already received way higher offers...." Sophia spoke before JacQuarius cut her off, he simply got up and left the restaurant.
Sophia waited for a while, before walking out the store, finally realizing that he wasn't going to return. Upon leaving the restaurant, she approached her car when two Police Officers stopped her.
"Excuse me ma'am, we have a warrant for your arrest. We listened in on your conversation with that man in there, and he informed us of your situation, you're going to be charged with attempted fraud, extortion, attempted theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and breach of trust! You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Now with your rights being read to you, would you like to speak with the man again to clear anything up?" The female cop asked her, as the male cop handcuffed her and stopped her from entering the car.
"I don't understand what's going on but yes, I would like to speak to him once more. Maybe he can clear this mess up, I'm completely innocent!" Sophia spoke.
The cops then sat her on the curve and left. JacQuarius then came to her a few minutes later.
"So are you willing to accept my offer now? I'm dropping my offer to 10 billion, and raising my tip for you to 5 million in cash right now. If you don't accept that, then you'll be serving life in prison with no bail or chance of parole! Make your choice quick or I'm leaving!" JacQuarius spoke with a huge smile.
She didn't say anything, she actually just cried and signed the contract, signing the business over to JacQuarius! He is now the CEO and 100% Share owner of Garden Grill & Grow. He successfully played them into his hand.
"Sir, now that I've signed the restaurant over to you, can I at least receive the money you promised me? I've now lost my job, and might even go to jail for this, at least with that money I can get myself a good lawyer." Sophia Asked.
"I'll make you a better offer. You can take over as the CEO of this business on my behalf, and I'll grant you 10% ownership of the shares," JacQuarius proposed.
"I accept!" She said loud and proud with a smile.
Everything fell right into JacQuarius's plan. He had to makedo with the sudden changes, but it all still turned out well. His original plan was to do the same thing he did to Sophia, to the CEO which would of been easier. But assistant came instead, so now he'll probably have to fight a legal battle to maintain ownership of the business but he's 100% confident in winning.
JacQuarius appointed Sophia as the CEO to operate behind the scenes, ensuring the business wouldn't be targeted out of spite against him. With full ownership of the shares, he allocated 10% to Sophia. Additionally, he negotiated with the FBI, trading 30% of the shares in exchange for business protection and a steady supply of artifacts and resources to sell. This arrangement left JacQuarius with 60% ownership of the shares.
After finishing there, JacQuarius went and did the same for a cultivation shop called Timeless Treasures. It was easier this time since the Shopkeeper was the actual owner, he refused JacQuarius's 20 billion offer, and outrageously exclaimed that he was taking nothing less than 50 billion.
JacQuarius left and had the Police officers, who are Kiyomi and Tela in disguise, arrest the man immediately and read him false charges as well. He still refused to sell over, so JacQuarius had the "Police Officers" began seizing "stolen evidence" which caused the man to immediately sign the contract, accepting the 20 billion!
Similarly, JacQuarius managed the shares at Timeless Treasures, distributing them to Sophia and the FBI in exchange for their contributions, while retaining 60% ownership. This strategy allowed him to consolidate control over these businesses while leveraging external support and resources.