Steven returned home just as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon. His arms were full of fresh ingredients he had bought from the market—plump prawns, vibrant vegetables, and seasoned chicken thighs. He slipped into the kitchen, tied on his apron, and got to work. Soon, the aroma of fried spicy prawns and stir-fried chicken with veggies filled the villa. He poured himself a chilled can of beer and reclined on the balcony, savoring the sunset and his feast.
The next few days passed in a smooth rhythm. Steven returned to his disciplined routine—waking early, intense workouts, attending classes, then home in the afternoon. After a power nap, he would dive into technical discussions about the piezoelectric tiles project.
The results were beyond promising.
The tiles generated substantial power. On regular days with decent foot and vehicle traffic, they could power street lamps and nearby houses for three days, and in high traffic, they reached five days' worth of energy—with surplus still accumulating. It was a revolutionary leap toward sustainable urban power.
Word spread. Institutions, powerful families, and corporate syndicates all wanted a slice. But investment was closed for the time being.
Steven had other plans.
He browsed his system for additional tech. One item caught his attention:
LIQUID3 (Photobioreactor) – a biotechnological marvel that purified air and produced oxygen using microalgae in a 600-liter water tank. Through photosynthesis, it cleaned the air like 10 fully grown trees. It functioned as a bench, included USB phone chargers, and had a solar panel for producing energy.
Steven's eyes gleamed with interest. A city plagued by pollution could be transformed with just a few hundred LIQUID3 units.
He contacted Star Power Corporation, ordering them to begin installation across sidewalks, parks, malls, train stations—anywhere foot traffic was high.
He transferred 400 million in funds, but registered it under Natillie's name. She was now the face of the green-tech revolution.
To stir the waters further, he instructed the company to host an investment gala. An exclusive, closed-door event that would invite titans of industry, political figures, and influential investors.
The night sparkled with grandeur. The Rosewood Hotel was transformed into an arena of power, elegance, and wealth. Closed to the public, entry was by invitation only.
Steven, dressed sharply in a custom midnight-blue tuxedo, arrived with Alex in a limited edition Aston Martin Valour—its Buckinghamshire Green finish glinting under the floodlights. The car's muscular vintage build and modern menace made heads turn.
A few meters behind them, Arnold White and his father Regulus White stepped out of a Sodalite Blue Mercedes GLS.
Arnold's jaw clenched when he saw Steven get out of the Aston Martin. That bastard again!
Regulus, however, was composed. The man didn't rise to the top of Charlestown's elite by being rash.
He approached Alex with a polite smile."Mr. Alex, how are you this evening?"
Alex's expression remained neutral. "Do you know me?"
Regulus blinked. That cold, indifferent tone... It wasn't just rudeness—it was dismissiveness. For someone like Regulus, who was used to being respected and flattered, it was jarring. It was the same kind of pressure he'd only ever felt from the underground lord Veron Black or old-money dynasties like the Rothschilds or Adams.
Still, he kept his posture. "You may not know me, but I know of you—Silverbyte Studio. Dominating the gaming scene in just months. Remarkable."
Alex gave a small nod, then gestured to Steven, "Oh, thats all thanks to this young individual here. It was his idea to create Silverbyte Studio."
Regulus was even more surprised. There was a noticeable hint of respect and admiration in Alex's tone, which meant Steven wasn't just a simple face as he had initially thought. Regulus quickly turned to Steven and extended his hand.
"You must be Steven Blake. My son speaks quite a lot about you."
"I hope he says good things," Steven said, shaking his hand calmly.
Regulus chuckled. "Of course. Your restaurant—The Ember Room—is a jewel in this city. I dined there last week. Superb cuisine."
"It's always a pleasure to serve, Mr. White."
Regulus studied Steven for a beat longer. "But why gaming? Your family's not in tech. It's... an expensive field."
Steven shrugged, nonchalant."I'm just exploring. Who knows? Maybe I'll make it big."
Regulus couldn't help but admire the composure. There was something offbeat—like standing before a deep lake that looked calm on the surface but hid titanic waves underneath. Steven was remarkable—courageous, ambitious, and driven. For a second, he thought, if only Arnold had half this kid's traits...
Before Regulus could contemplate further, a sleek black Porsche Cayenne glided to a stop at the venue's entrance. To Steven's astonishment, Veronica stepped out—radiant in a luxurious, form-fitting evening gown that accentuated her graceful figure, making her appear even more breathtaking than usual. But what truly caught Steven off guard was the man accompanying her: none other than the retired military titan, General William Adams—a revered legend in Baltimore, Charlestown, and the greater region.
A sudden realization struck Steven like lightning: Veronica was the general's granddaughter. Her mother was the daughter of the distinguished war hero. As the venue buzzed with the arrival of dignitaries and influential figures, General Adams strode toward Steven with measured authority.
"Young man, may I have a word in private?" he asked.
"Of course, sir," Steven replied respectfully, nodding.
The two stepped away from the crowd to a quieter corner. General Adams leveled his piercing gaze at Steven, his voice low and precise. "So, how does it feel to hold the reins from the shadows—pulling strings while letting the world see you as just another ordinary boy?"
Steven blinked, caught slightly off guard. "I'm not sure I follow, sir."
"Don't play dumb," the general said firmly. "I know exactly who you are. SilverByte Studio is just one piece of the puzzle. Sky Pearl, Rosewood, Griffin Tech, Star Power Corporation, Odin Industries, that villa in Crimson Hills, and multiple holdings in Chestervale—they're all yours, aren't they? I may not know how you acquired them, but I know you control them."
Steven's demeanor shifted; his voice turned cold. "Are you spying on me?"
"Call it due diligence," General Adams replied evenly. "Especially when my granddaughter seems unusually invested in someone like you."
Steven's frosty edge melted into a warm, charismatic smile as he adjusted his tone, effortlessly radiating charm. "Then tell me honestly, sir—do you think I'm worthy of her?"
The general blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden transformation. Steven's command over his aura was unlike anything he'd ever seen. It wasn't just charisma—it was a refined, chameleon-like energy, changing its color and intensity with precise intention.
An army general exudes dominance—his presence forged in fire and steel, meant to suppress and command. A scholar radiates wisdom. A man of great wealth gives off the scent of refinement and aloof pride. The poor tend to emit hesitation or quiet desperation. And those in power always leak a certain weight, whether they hide it or not.
But Steven defied all those molds.
He could shift effortlessly—icy and intimidating when necessary, warm and magnetic when disarming, and authoritative when needed. His aura bent to his will like a finely tuned instrument. It wasn't just control—it was mastery. And in that mastery, General Adams recognized something very rare. Perhaps something greater than what even he had possessed in his prime.
After a moment of contemplation, the general chuckled quietly. "You have my approval. But winning her heart? That's on you. Just remember—if you hurt her, you'll answer to me."
"That's all I needed to hear," Steven said with a confident grin.
Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and walked back toward the others. As he approached Veronica, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her eyes widened in shock, cheeks blooming crimson.
"W-What are you doing?" she stammered.
Steven smirked playfully. "What else? Claiming you as mine."
"My grandfather is standing right there!" Veronica protested, her voice a mix of shock and embarrassment.
Steven leaned in, lowering his voice. "Relax. He already gave me his blessing."
Trailing just behind, General Adams paused mid-step, momentarily stunned. He gave an exasperated shake of his head, muttering under his breath. "This boy… he's something else."
Steven, Veronica, Alex, and General Adams made their way to their reserved table. As they settled in, murmurs rippled through the grand ballroom.
"Who's sitting with General Adams?" someone whispered.
"I recognize the girl—that's Veronica Bennett, his granddaughter."
"And the two guys?"
"No idea."
"I do—they're from a gaming company. The young one is the CEO, I think."
"A gaming studio? How did they end up at a table with a war legend like General Adams?"
"I heard the boy is close with Veronica. That might explain it."
All around, the curiosity intensified. But Steven sat unbothered, calmly sipping his wine, immune to the speculation buzzing in the air.
[Ding! Super Growth System x Rich Lord System: Claiming the beauty. Stunning dozens. Truly impressive. Achievement Unlocked: Grace Sovereign. Reward: 100 million. Charisma +10. 200 SP]
Steven paused mid-sip as the system alert appeared.
A hundred million… just for claiming Veronica?
He glanced sideways at her. She's more than just beautiful—she's a walking mine of luck and fortune.
And tonight, she was by his side. He leaned back in his chair, swirling the wine in his glass.This was just the beginning.