Dave leaned back in his chair, the soft leather cradling his weight as he watched the numbers on his screen grow steadily larger. The stock market fluctuations and his calculated investments had paid off in a big way. In just a few weeks, he had accumulated the $50 million needed to buy Horizon Estates. With the system's assistance, each transaction had been smoother and more profitable than he could have imagined. It felt as if nothing could stand in his way now. Today was the day he would make his move, the day he would take control.
The deal itself went through quicker than he had expected. A few phone calls, some paperwork, and Horizon Estates—the very real estate company that had dismissed and disrespected him—was his. Sitting in the plush executive office that once belonged to Mr. Reynolds, the previous owner, Dave took a deep breath and allowed a smile of satisfaction to spread across his lips. It wasn't the money that brought him satisfaction—it was the thought of what he was about to do next.
His fingers moved deftly across the keyboard as he pulled up the company's employee records. Scanning the long list of names, he quickly found the two individuals he was looking for: the receptionist who had dismissed him out of hand and the real estate agent who had thrown him out of the building, believing he couldn't possibly afford the property he wanted. They were still working at the company, completely unaware of the storm that was about to hit them.
Dave picked up the phone, dialing a direct line to the HR department. "Hello, I'd like to call for a meeting with both Cynthia Doyle and Mike Preston. Can you have them report to the executive office immediately?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—a quiet intensity that hinted at what was to come.
It wasn't long before the two arrived at the office, confusion etched across their faces. Cynthia, the receptionist, looked around nervously as if trying to figure out what she had done to warrant being summoned by the new owner. Mike, the real estate agent, appeared more annoyed than anything else. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, clearly uncomfortable at being called in like a schoolchild.
"Good afternoon," Dave greeted them, his voice carrying a hint of steel. "I'm sure you remember me."
Their eyes widened in unison as recognition dawned on them. Cynthia's face turned a shade paler, while Mike's expression shifted from annoyance to disbelief. They remained silent, unsure of what was about to happen.
"I just bought this company," Dave continued, leaning back in his chair with a calm yet commanding presence. "And I have to say, I'm not pleased with how certain employees have treated potential customers in the past."
Cynthia opened her mouth, then closed it, her face a mask of panic. "Sir, I—I didn't mean any disrespect. I just… I didn't know who you were."
"Save it," Dave cut her off sharply, his gaze piercing. "You had your chance to treat me with respect, and you failed. Both of you did."
Mike stepped forward, a look of outrage crossing his face. "You can't do this!" he blurted, his voice tinged with desperation. "You can't just fire us because—"
"Oh, but I can," Dave interrupted, his tone icy. "And I just did." He motioned to the door. "Security will escort you out. I suggest you collect your things and leave immediately."
The silence that followed was deafening. Cynthia looked as if she might burst into tears, while Mike stood there trembling with suppressed fury. But there was nothing they could do. They turned and walked out, their heads hung low as security guards appeared to guide them out of the building. Dave watched them go, feeling a surge of satisfaction wash over him. This wasn't about petty revenge—it was about showing them the consequences of underestimating someone based on appearances alone.
Once they were gone, the system's familiar voice rang in his head. "Congratulations, Host. You have successfully acquired your first company. As a reward, you have earned 50,000 system points."
Dave chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling. "Of course, the system never lets a moment go unrewarded," he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. He took a moment to revel in the victory, then stood up, straightening his suit jacket. "Alright, that's one thing taken care of. Time to take a look at what's next."
With his business at the company wrapped up, Dave decided it was time to visit his parents. He hadn't seen them in a while, and he could already hear his mother's voice scolding him for not calling more often. But before he headed out, he realized he needed a car that truly represented his newfound status. His old, beat-up sedan wouldn't cut it anymore.
Heading to a luxury dealership, Dave browsed the high-end models, each one a masterpiece of engineering and design. His eyes settled on a sleek, black sports car—a perfect blend of elegance and power. After a quick discussion with the wide-eyed salesperson, Dave made the purchase. The car was expensive—more than he'd ever imagined spending on a vehicle before—but it was nothing compared to what he could afford now.
As he sat in the driver's seat, admiring the craftsmanship and inhaling the faint scent of new leather, the system's voice rang out again, cutting through his thoughts.
"Host has purchased a vehicle for the first time. Reward: $200,000 and a Supercar."
Dave blinked, sitting up straighter. "A supercar? What now?"
Suddenly, the sound of roaring engines filled the air. To his astonishment, a car—a supercar that looked like it had come straight out of a futuristic dream—materialized right in front of him. Its design was aggressive, with sharp lines and a metallic blue finish that shimmered under the sunlight.
Dave stepped out of his newly purchased car, jaw dropping as he inspected the supercar. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered under his breath. "Another car? Really?"
The system remained silent for a moment, and Dave could almost sense it holding back a laugh. Then, to his utter disbelief, the system's voice spoke again, this time with a mischievous tone.
"Enjoy your ride, Dave."
He stared at the supercar, feeling a mixture of gratitude and exasperation. "Is the system playing with me now?" he wondered aloud. And for just a split second, he could have sworn the system was teasing him.
With a sigh, Dave climbed into the driver's seat of the supercar, feeling the surge of power beneath him. As he gripped the steering wheel, a grin spread across his face. "Well, I guess I can't complain. Let's see what this baby can do."
He revved the engine, the sound reverberating through the air like thunder, and then, with a swift movement, he shot forward, leaving the dealership—and his old life—far behind.