The day after Vincenzo "Vince" Barone had purchased his secret house with a hidden basement, he was more determined than ever. The foundation of his future empire was set, and now he needed to ensure that he was powerful enough to protect it. His stats had surged once more, showing significant growth.
[Character Stats]
Strength (STR): 35 (+6)
Agility (AGI): 37 (+6)
Stamina/Endurance (STA/END): 38 (+4)
Vitality/Health (VIT/HP): 40 (+5)
Intelligence (INT): 46
Wisdom (WIS): 33
Luck (LCK): 49 (+1)
Perception (PER): 50 (+4)
Charisma (CHA): 65 (+2)
Dexterity (DEX): 46 (+5)
Spirit (SP): 30 (+3)
Control: 48 (+3)
Reputation/Infamy: Locked
[Martial Arts Proficiency]
Lethal Hand-to-Hand Combat: Expert
Weapon-Based Martial Arts: Expert
Counter-Based Defense System: Expert
Situational Awareness (Combat): Advanced
Firearm Disarmament and Control: Expert
Despite the leaps in power, Vince wasn't satisfied. He craved more strength—not just to get his revenge but to protect the few he held dear. His mother, Rosa, and his sister, Sofia, who had been the victims of his past life's failures, deserved better.
Just as he was mentally preparing for the next stage of his plans, his phone rang. It was Sofia, and her voice carried a nervous edge.
"Vince, where are you? Mom's been worried, and... our father's side of the family is here. Uncle Marco and Aunt Carla, and... their son. They're demanding to see you."
The moment Vince heard the names, old memories crashed over him like waves. In his previous life, Uncle Marco and Aunt Carla had not only abandoned his family when they were in dire need but had also contributed to their misery. His cousin had forced Sofia into marriage, which led to her tragic death. The anger simmering in Vince's chest threatened to boil over, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"I'm on my way," Vince replied, his voice ice-cold.
When he arrived at their new flat, Vince took a deep breath, stepping into the scene. Inside, the air was thick with tension. His Uncle Marco was shouting at Rosa, belittling her and accusing her of mismanaging Vince's newfound wealth.
"Do you think he's mature enough to handle that kind of money? The boy is nothing but a bastard, born from a family of failures!" Marco's voice dripped with venom.
Vince's eyes narrowed as he silently approached. His mother, Rosa, stood defiant yet trembling, while Sofia looked helpless, standing by her mother's side. Before Marco could continue his verbal assault, Vince made his presence known.
"Is there a problem here?" Vince asked, his voice like steel.
Marco turned, sneering. "You think you're some big shot now because you've got some cash? Let me tell you, you don't know the world, kid. You should be grateful we're even here—"
"Grateful?" Vince interrupted, his voice barely containing his rage. He stepped in front of his mother, shielding her from Marco. "Where were you when my family needed help? When my mother was nearly beaten to death by thugs? When my sister—" He cut himself off before he could reveal too much, his mind flashing back to the horrors his cousin had inflicted on Sofia in his past life.
But as the memories swirled, Vince's thoughts strayed to the one family member who had stood by them in their darkest times: his mother's brother, Uncle Giovanni. When Vince's family had been at rock bottom, Giovanni was the only one who had come to their aid. Unlike the rest of the vultures, Giovanni never asked for anything in return, helping out of genuine care for Rosa and her children.
Giovanni had been a quiet man, humble, working his own small business, and yet he was there when no one else would lift a finger. Vince felt a pang of guilt for not reaching out to his uncle in his past life. This time, things would be different. Giovanni had been a true ally, and Vince vowed to repay him, helping him rise alongside the empire Vince was building.
The atmosphere in the room shifted back to the present, where Marco and Carla's insults continued to rain down. Carla stepped forward, her tone smug.
"Our son works for Vanguard Global Holdings, a company that could wipe your little family out like dust. But, we're willing to forgive all this... unpleasantness if your sister agrees to marry him. Oh, and we'll take that $40,000 you owe us."
Vince's blood ran cold, his hands tightening into fists. Vanguard Global Holdings. A multinational conglomerate deeply tied to corrupt politicians—one of the many companies Vince knew inside out from his past life. It was a company he had once crossed paths with during his rise to power. And now, they thought they could threaten him?
A sinister smile curled on Vince's lips.
"How much do you want?" Vince asked, his tone deceptively calm.
Marco puffed his chest. "$40,000, and we'll forget about all this nonsense."
Vince reached into his pocket, pulled out a fat wad of cash, and threw it at Marco's face.
"There's your money. Now get the fuck out of my house. And if you ever insult my family again, I'll kill you where you stand."
Marco sputtered in shock, but before he could say a word, Vince's cousin, smirking with arrogance, spoke up. "This isn't over. You'll pay for this embarrassment."
As the door slammed shut behind them, Vince turned to his mother and sister, who were both shaken but relieved. He comforted them, reassuring them that they were safe. But in his mind, he was already plotting his next move.
He needed more power, more influence. He couldn't rely solely on his fists or even his knowledge of the future. To truly secure his position, he would need money—lots of it. Enough to buy his way into the highest echelons of society.
That night, after his family was asleep, Vince slipped out. He had a plan in mind—a big one. With $10 million, he could become a major shareholder in one of the genuinely good companies he knew from his previous life: Aurelia Innovations, Virtu Corp Industries, or Silver Horizon Investments. These companies were ethical, driven by principles that would make them useful allies in the future.
As he prepared for the next phase of his plan, Vince couldn't help but smirk. The pieces were falling into place.