After buying the Bugatti, Jay went home, feeling a swell of pride as he admired his newest acquisition gleaming in the driveway. He slipped into the finely tailored suit he had recently bought, and as he adjusted the cuffs, he felt an undeniable shift. The suit hugged his form perfectly, and with the sleek, powerful car waiting outside, Jay's aura transformed—he exuded confidence, sophistication, and the quiet assurance of a man who knew his worth.
Descending to the hall, Jay noticed his family waiting for him, all dressed in their best. He approached his grandfather, a man he deeply respected, and requested that he accompany him to the party while the others would join separately.
Seeing the brand-new Bugatti, his grandfather raised an eyebrow, both amused and curious. "Did you buy this car with your own money?" he asked, his tone a mix of surprise and a hint of pride. Jay could tell his grandfather was evaluating him, as he often did, to see if he was using his success wisely.
"Yes, Grandpa," Jay replied with a smile. "I've been careful with my earnings, and I wanted to invest in something unique. This model is rare, so it'll hold its value. I promise, I didn't buy it on a whim." Jay's words held a blend of pride and respect; he wanted to show he was responsible with his new wealth.
His grandfather chuckled, clearly proud. "Ha ha ha... I see, you're justifying it, huh? You've passed my test, and you don't need to explain yourself to me. It's your money—enjoy it, my boy!"
"Maybe it was a bit impulsive," Jay admitted, chuckling softly. "But I'm careful with my finances."
Soon, they reached the yacht, where the grand party was being held. Jay handed the Bugatti over to the valet, glancing back for a moment, knowing the car would turn heads all evening. As they stepped onto the yacht, they were surrounded by Italy's elite—business magnates, politicians, celebrities, and renowned doctors. Jay could feel the weight of their gazes, studying him as his grandfather proudly introduced him as someone who had finally "proven himself."
While he exchanged greetings and handshakes, a familiar voice called out, "Look at you, Jay—grown up and all successful!" It was his uncle, Luca, who held the position of president. Though Luca held such a powerful title, Jay recalled him as the uncle who had always made time for him when he was a child.
"Uncle Luca, you made it! I thought you'd be too busy," Jay said, pulling him into a warm embrace.
Luca's eyes sparkled. "You passed the test and came back after all these years. Of course, your old uncle had to be here!"
Luca laughed and, spotting the drinks, waved his hand toward the bar. "Enough formalities—let's grab a drink and catch up!" But just as he reached for a glass of wine, another hand caught his wrist.
"For heaven's sake, Luca, remember you're the president! You can't risk tomorrow's headlines just for a drink." It was Jay's aunt, Adrianna Giovanni, her sternness softened by the warm smile she gave Jay.
"And how's my favorite nephew?" she asked, looking him over approvingly.
"Fit and fine, as you can see, Aunt Adrianna," he said, smiling back.
"Good, good. And now that you're in Italy, you'd better come by the house sometimes."
"Of course, Auntie," Jay promised with a wink.
Nearby, Jay's friends, Amelia and Celia, were awestruck as they took in the crowd. Celebrities they had only seen on TV were mingling around them. Just then, a young man approached them with a smug grin. "Hello, ladies. How are you? Are either of you single?" he asked, his eyes scanning them a bit too confidently.
Before they could respond, Jay joined them, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. "How are my girls doing?" he asked, casting a friendly, protective arm around Amelia and Celia.
The young man's face stiffened—it was Lorenzo De Luca, a member of the De Luca family, the Giovanni family's biggest rival in Italy. Lorenzo forced a smile. "Jay, it's… been a while. How was your little trip?"
Jay smirked. "Better than just throwing money around here in Italy," he replied, each word a thinly veiled jab.
Lorenzo's jaw tightened, but with so many eyes on them, he restrained himself. He let out a strained laugh. "Well, now that you're back, let's see how much money you throw around." With that, he stalked off, his irritation barely concealed.
A faint beep in Jay's mind notified him: +1000 negative points awarded.
He realized that Lorenzo's resentment had activated the system reward. He smiled inwardly, but as he looked after Lorenzo, he knew this encounter was just the beginning. A rivalry was brewing, and their clashes would only escalate in the coming days.