In one of the dark rooms, a girl sat in front of her computer, the only light coming from the screen. Her fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard. "Alex Schober grew up in an orphanage and was adopted at the age of twelve. A carefully crafted fake file. If someone else were here, they would easily believe it. But I... I am the best hacker."
She continued working with focus, hacking websites with ease, but suddenly, the screen stopped working, and an annoying message appeared:
[Data Error! Data Error! Error $##%##^%#%]
Then the computer suddenly shut down. "Damn! It's a virus!" she said angrily, gritting her teeth.
She stood up briefly, then restarted the computer. "I won't stop until I uncover the truth behind this person... Hmph," she said with determination, ready to face any challenge in her way.
••••••••••
The Magic City
Alex woke up in a spacious room at the Mo family hotel, enjoying the calm surrounding him. After taking a refreshing shower and dressing carefully, he grabbed his phone and called Rose.
"Good morning, Miss Rose."
| "Good morning, Mr. Alex!"|
"Have you finished the design?"
| "Yes, everything is ready. When can we meet so I can show you the work?" |
"Where do you prefer to meet?"
| "Have you had breakfast?" |
"No, not yet."
| "Okay, let's meet in half an hour. I'll send you the location."|
Alex hung up the phone and browsed through the messages to find the meeting location:
6th Street, "Shining Stars" Restaurant
After leaving the hotel, Alex drove to the restaurant, arriving after half an hour. When he entered, the conversation in the place suddenly quieted, and everyone began to stare at him in admiration. His attractive appearance and elegant clothing drew attention in an undeniable way.
Confidently, he walked to the table where Rose was waiting for him. Rose was stunned and couldn't hide her amazement.
"Is there something on my face?" Alex asked with a slight smile.
Rose blushed a little with embarrassment and replied, "No, nothing... You just look amazing today."
"Thank you," Alex responded with a smile.
Rose, who saw his smile, muttered to herself, "How can he become more attractive in one night?"
After Alex sat down, they ordered coffee along with an assortment of delicious pastries. Moments later, Rose presented a file containing the designs.
"I prepared these designs carefully. I hope you like them."
Alex opened the file and admired the designs. "Your design is excellent. How much is the cost?"
"50,000."
Alex paid the amount without hesitation, then stood up, ready to leave. "It was a pleasure working with you, Miss Rose. I hope you'll visit me when I open my new café."
Rose smiled and replied, "I'd be happy to do that. Good luck!"
After paying the bill, Alex left the restaurant and breathed in the fresh air, feeling optimistic about his new project. He got into his car and called the "Sho" Construction Agency.
| "Hello, Sho Construction Agency, how can we help you?" |
"I'd like to build a café and need a team of workers. Can you send them to the site?"
| "Of course, send us the location, and we'll be there as soon as possible." |
After hanging up, Alex sent the location of the land via messages. He drove to the site, and when he arrived, he noticed a car bearing the "Sho Construction Agency" logo and contact numbers.
Alex approached the worker who was wearing a blue work uniform and said, "Hello, I'm Alex. Are you the person sent by the agency?"
The worker turned around with a professional smile and said, "Yes, I'm here to serve you, sir."
Alex pulled out the architectural design and handed it to the worker. The worker examined the design carefully and checked the required materials.
After a minute of reviewing, the worker said, "The total cost will be 20 million won, not including the workers' wages."
Alex nodded in agreement, "Money is not an issue. How long will the construction take?"
The worker replied seriously, "If you choose a third-tier team, it will take a week. A second-tier team will finish the work in three days. As for the first-tier team, they will complete the construction by tomorrow."
Alex thought for a moment, then said firmly, "I'll go with the first-tier team."
The worker smiled and said, "That will cost you 25 million won."
Without hesitation, Alex paid half of the amount upfront. "I'll pay the other half after completion."
The worker took the money and said, "I'll start immediately by sending the materials and workers to begin construction." Then he called via radio to organize the delivery of materials and workers to the site, while Alex stood looking at the land with optimism, imagining his new café coming to life.
After finishing the arrangements, Alex prepared to leave, but his attention was caught by a beautiful flower shop next to his place. He decided to visit and entered the shop, surprised by the stunning arrangement and the variety of flowers that filled the place. From red and white roses to sunflowers, orchids, and even cacti, the colors and scents filled the air with the spirit of life.
As he admired the flowers, a quiet voice came from behind: "Hello, sir. Do you need any help?"
Alex turned towards the voice and saw a girl with long white hair cascading over her shoulders, green eyes resembling emeralds, and small lips. But what caught his attention the most was that she was sitting in a wheelchair. With a warm smile, Alex replied, "Hello, my name is Alex Butcher. I'm opening a café next to your shop, so I wanted to say hello."
The girl smiled brightly, igniting something in Alex's heart, and said, "Welcome, Alex. My name is Hon Ira. I hope you take care of me as your new neighbor."
Alex returned her smile and said, "I'd be happy to do that. Are you the owner of the shop?"
Hon Ira looked at him and answered calmly, "Yes, I'm the owner of the shop."
Alex wondered, "You seem young to run such a wonderful place."
Hon Ira's expression changed slightly, and a sad smile appeared on her lips, "After my father passed away, there was no one else to manage the place, so I took on the responsibility."
Alex felt sorry for asking this question and said sympathetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of your pain."
Hon Ira smiled gently and raised her hand to reassure him: "It's okay, you didn't mean it."
Silence fell between them for a moment, and both of them looked at each other as if trying to understand something. Alex felt a little embarrassed, so he coughed lightly to break the silence and said, "Do you have flower seeds? I'd like to buy some to plant at home."
"Sure, what kind of seeds are you looking for?"
"Do you have lily and bird of paradise seeds?"
Hon Ira smiled and said, "Yes, I do." Then she went and returned with a small bag containing the seeds and handed it to Alex.
"Here are the lily and bird of paradise seeds."
Alex asked, "How much do they cost?"
Hon Ira replied with a smile, "No need to pay, consider it a gift to celebrate our meeting."
Alex smiled back and said, "Thank you. I'll make sure to invite you for coffee at my café when I open it."
Hon Ira answered with a warm smile, "I'll look forward to that with anticipation."
Just as Alex was about to leave, the door suddenly burst open. Five people entered the place, all with colored hair and aggressive features, and began shouting loudly: "Where's the protection fee, girl?!"
Hon Ira froze for a moment, then responded sharply while trying to hide her fear: "I paid yesterday already!"
One of them, with a flat face and lemon-yellow hair, laughed mockingly and said, "Why don't we remember that?" But before he could finish his words, a cold voice cut through the silence from behind him: "I'll give you one minute to leave, or I'll beat you up."
The five men slowly turned around to find themselves facing an extremely handsome young man, as if he had stepped out of a painting. His good looks provoked them, stirring feelings of envy and jealousy. The yellow-haired one shouted arrogantly: "Shut up, you pale-faced...," but before he could finish his threat, he received a swift and precise punch that shattered his teeth.
The others were stunned, standing in place like statues, while the yellow-haired one writhed in pain, clutching his mouth. He tried to gather his courage and shouted at them: "Hit him, you fools! What are you waiting for?!"
The four snapped out of their shock and rushed toward Alex, but he moved lightly and gracefully, dodging their strikes with ease. Alex grabbed one of them by the head and drove his knee forcefully into his abdomen, then quickly turned to the second and struck him with his elbow in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground with a thud.
The third person tried to attack him from behind, but Alex skillfully avoided him and kicked him hard in the face, sending him flying a meter backward. Finally, he pounced on the fourth and punched him in the leg, forcing him to kneel before delivering a powerful blow to his head that knocked him unconscious.
As the yellow-haired one looked at his comrades lying on the ground, their eyes swollen and bodies battered, he felt panic and fear creeping into his heart. He tried to hide his confusion and said with a trembling voice: "Do you know who we are?"
Alex smiled coldly and replied, "I don't care who you are, nor do I want to know."
The yellow-haired man tried to muster up his courage again and said, "We are members of the Snake Gang. If you mess with us, we'll get our revenge!"
Alex stepped closer to him, until their faces were just inches apart, staring into his eyes with an intensity that made the yellow-haired man's blood freeze. His words came out in stammers, "Wha... What... are you... going to do?"
Alex replied calmly, but with a voice full of menace, "Take your men and leave now."
The yellow-haired man couldn't believe his ears, but he saw the seriousness in Alex's eyes, so he quickly gathered his men and rushed out, leaving the place in a terrifying silence.