Ethan sat comfortably in a luxurious private room, nestled into a soft leather chair. The room was tastefully decorated, with dim lights on the polished mahogany table before him. He glanced at the sleek clock on the wall—it was almost time.
He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to David Turner.
Ethan: [I'm in Private Room No. 5. I'll be ready when you are.]
Feeling satisfied, he leaned back, his mind alive with excitement. He thought about how this meeting could lead to funding other projects for David or his network.
Ethan also considered how to successfully complete the first two missions assigned to him by the Unlimited System. He was eager to increase his status and build a network swiftly.
He mused, 'I wanted to test the Ascension Points. I'm curious about the effects of all the items in the shop...'
While he waited, his phone buzzed with a notification. It was an email from Charles Weston at Novan Bank. 'He's quick,' Ethan thought with a hint of admiration.
To pass the time, he opened his inbox and looked through the promotional materials Charles had sent. The email included a polished presentation on the benefits of becoming a Premier client and a video explaining the advantages.
As Ethan watched the video, he learned about the exclusive perks for Premier clients, such as personalized financial services, better deals, priority support, and exclusive events with some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the region.
"This seems good…" Ethan thought, intrigued by the idea of mingling with influential figures, especially now that he was fully committed to his new life.
After going through the materials, he quickly replied to Charles.
Ethan: [I'm in. Let me know what's needed to finalize everything.]
Charles: [Sure, Mr. Cole. I'll get it done straight away.]
***
Charles pondered, "Who is this young man…"
He was puzzled by how Ethan suddenly appeared, securing an investment from a large corporation that could threaten their bank.
"I need to learn more about him."
Closing his laptop, Charles left his office, planning to organize an event to reintroduce himself to Ethan and connect him with other wealthy individuals. Perhaps their bank could benefit from this relationship.
***
Ethan felt another surge of satisfaction. Becoming a Premier client would elevate his status even more, opening new doors for him.
Then, the door clicked open. David Turner entered, looking around like he expected someone else to be there.
His gaze settled on Ethan, and he looked surprised. Clearly, he hadn't expected Ethan's transformation.
Now dressed with confidence and professionalism, Ethan made David question his expectations.
"Ethan," David said, his voice polite but curious. "I was expecting your professor. Isn't he coming?"
Ethan stood up to greet him, smiling. "Actually, I made up the story about the professor," he revealed smoothly.
David was taken aback, his eyes narrowing as he reassessed Ethan. "What do you mean?! Are you playing games with me?"
Despite his skepticism, David stayed. Ethan seemed different—more refined than before. But something was still off.
"What's this about making up stories? It doesn't seem right," David thought. Yet, here they were, in one of the city's most expensive hotels.
"I want to fund this project," Ethan said calmly.
David sighed heavily and sat down, crossing his arms. "Look, Ethan, no offense, but I'm not sure you can afford this investment. Are you sure you're not just… playing around?"
David decided to listen to the end, keeping an open mind. He'd encountered overly ambitious financiers before, but Ethan was the youngest to approach him like this.
Feeling the tension, Ethan knew he had to convince David. He reached down, unzipped his duffel bag, and pulled out stacks of cash—neatly bound piles of bills, showcasing his financial capability.
"What do you think now?" he asked, laying the cash on the table, making a bold statement about his readiness to invest.
David's expression was disbelief as he looked at the money before him. "What the…?" he uttered in astonishment.
With a calm tone, Ethan explained, "This is $500,000. I only mentioned the professor's story to grab your attention. And this is just the beginning of what I can do."
For a brief moment, the room was filled with the sound of a ticking clock, marking a pause in their conversation. David leaned in, his gaze fixed on the money as if trying to understand what lay before him.
After a short silence, David finally spoke, his voice low and serious. "You're serious about this."
"Absolutely," Ethan assured him. "If you have any doubts, this money should put them to rest. And you can check with Charles Weston; he knows I can deliver more if needed."
"Charles Weston... the manager at our Novan Bank?" David inquired.
Ethan nodded, signaling that Charles's identity wasn't the issue. "The real question is, are you ready to take the next step with me?"
David leaned back, contemplating, his initial skepticism now shifting to a mix of admiration and opportunity.
He hadn't anticipated such a move from Ethan, but now, seeing Ethan's commitment, David started to think bigger.
"You know, I've been considering. This project could be just the start. With your talent and resources," David mused, glancing at the cash and then back at Ethan, "why not think bigger? How about starting a company?"
Ethan, taken aback, responded, "A company?"
"Yes," David's voice grew more excited. "A tech company focused on creating innovative, community-driven apps that make a difference."
Ethan seemed to ponder this new idea, asking, "What's the catch?"
"There's no catch," David replied earnestly. "You would have the majority stake, of course. Let's say 80% for you, 20% for me."
David clarified his position, emphasizing that he did need enough to live on while he wasn't after the money. His main passion was using such initiatives for charitable purposes.
Ethan, who wasn't particularly focused on the financial gain, was initially fine with a 50-50 split. However, the idea of owning a more significant share and starting a company appealed to him, especially considering his future plans for the money.
Upon seeing Ethan's hesitation, David added, "With you leading, we could build something monumental. Think about it."
Starting a tech company hadn't crossed Ethan's mind before, but now it seemed like a perfect plan. It offered a legitimate way to explain his wealth without arousing suspicion, especially from his parents.
Successful programmers making millions was a familiar story; this could be his chance to live that narrative.
A smile slowly formed on Ethan's face. "A company... That's an interesting idea. Let's do it."
David nodded, pleased. "Perfect. You'll be the chairman, and I'll manage the operational and charitable aspects. This will allow you to focus on expansion."
Ethan felt a rush of excitement. With David's experience and his own resources, the possibilities seemed endless.
"I like it," Ethan said, energized by the plan. "Let's get started."
David grinned, satisfied with their agreement. "I'll start on the paperwork. You won't regret this, Ethan. We're going to change the game."
As they shook hands, Ethan felt the future's possibilities weighing on him - not as a burden, but as empowering potential. The power he had always dreamed of was now within his reach.
=====
[Number of connections (2/2)]
=====
[Mission Completed: Expand Your Network]
Reward:
1. 2,000 EXP
2. 10 Ascension Points
=====
And with that, Ethan realized how smoothly things were falling into place.