"System, how much to buy the entire city?"
Selene's voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet hum of the street as she walked towards the cab. A few pedestrians gave her strange looks.
But she paid them no mind.
The scent of coffee clung to her worn-out shirt. A bitter reminder of the humiliation just moments ago. She could still feel the cold disgust in William Sinclair's eyes as he turned her away like she was some street beggar trying to barter with pennies.
Her uncle. Her own flesh and blood.
Treating her like an outsider.
The word burned like acid in her veins.
She had been raised in that family. Groomed, trained, and prepared to take over empires. But the moment her stepmother had whispered her venom into her father's ear, Selene had been thrown away like trash.
The Sinclairs had cast her out, yet still controlled where she lived, where she worked, and what doors she could walk through.
Not anymore.
'If they won't let me in through the front door… I'll just buy the whole damn building.' Selene swore silently.
She did not believe it, but the frustration and anger that had built up over so many years was almost suffocating.
The system took a moment to respond. Then, with infuriating precision, it answered:
[Purchasing 100% of high-value real estate in Atlantis City would require approximately Three Trillion Dollars. Estimated time to process such transactions cannot currently be determined.]
[It also comes with a 78% probability of triggering federal intervention.]
Selene's expression faltered.
What the hell?
Then, she raised a suspicious brow.
"Wouldn't spending a hundred dollars also trigger some investigation?"
The system denied this through a simple statement.
[Both scenarios are different.]
Her lips curved into a small frown as she thought.
'William would not sell me the company no matter what… if I can't buy the city then I need to play my pieces right. But how will I get the time to buy everything in such a short time?'
As if on cue, the system responded.
'Instant Transactions can be arranged. Just finalize your purchase, and the System will complete the transaction!'
Selene paused, "There is paperwork for big purchases, you know."
[They can be overridden.]
Came the monotonous response.
Selene was having a hard time understanding how the system truly worked. Was it going to brainwash people, hack into their database or something else?
"Fine. What's the maximum amount of property I can buy without setting off any serious alarms across the city?"
[Approximately 40% of the city's high-end properties, including the business partners of Sinclair Group. Finalizing the purchase can take up to six hours.]
Selene's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Then let's start there."
Sinclair Group had many business partners, but none were as critical as the Hamilton Group—a once-powerful real estate conglomerate now drowning in debt.
For years, the Sinclairs had kept them afloat, ensuring their properties remained under Sinclair influence.
But William Sinclair had made a critical mistake:
He offended the heir of the Hamilton Family. And now, their business ties were in a fragile state that could snap at any moment. If that happened, Sinclair Group could lose billions.
So when Selene came knocking—not as the fallen Sinclair heiress but draped in a white designer dress and elegant jewels—no one dared to point a finger at her.
Whispers spread among the company staff.
"Has Selene been taken back into the family?"
"No way! This must be a relative!"
"Shhh! Don't gossip! The Sinclairs can get us fired!"
Selene gently rasped on the CEO's office. Reynold Hamilton was there, surrounded by the heavy scent of cigars and expensive perfumes.
As she stepped inside the office, the gathered executives—all men in their 50s and 60s, with decades of real estate dominance under their belts—paused mid-conversation.
And Reynold? Seeing a member of the Sinclair family instantly made his expression turn cold. The air around the room suddenly turned dark and hostile.
Selene's heart skipped a beat.
Her legs felt cold in an instant.
Ding!
[Charisma Buff Has Been Activated!]
[Confidence is oozing out of you like sunshine! All eyes are on you! Every word you speak will sound like a decree from the gods of finance themselves!]
[Bonus Effect: A thirty percent chance to make them sweat before they even know why!]
Selene stared at the hologram before her in disbelief.
What the hell?
Another message popped up.
[Buff timer: Thirty seconds.]
"Perfect…" Selene mumbled.
The nervousness had already flown from her heart. There was a confident warmth suddenly filling her mind that left Selene more wary than confident.
But time was running out.
"Greetings," Selene smiled as she took a chair. No one stopped her. No one questioned. She crossed her legs and continued. "I'm here to make an offer you can't refuse."
The executives exchanged confused glances.
One of them even reached for the security calling button.
"I am here to buy a stake in the Hamilton Group. Forty percent."
Reynold narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "I was not aware the Sinclairs were interested in investing further in our group."
Selene simply smiled.
Not confirming. Nor denying. Just letting them think whatever suited them best.
"I'm offering fifteen billion. You have five seconds to decide." Selene added calmly. Her gaze calmly and confidently brushed over everyone present in the room.
No one could respond for a moment.
Selene would become the strongest person in the company if the deal were to be finalized. Moreover, fifteen billion dollars was a huge amount. The group had rarely received investments that high.
Everyone grew tense within moments.
Reynold asked with a raised brow. "And if we refuse?"
"Well," Selene laughed, "If I can offer 15 billion dollars then I can surely buy your competitors. Your debtors. And soon, this company will be mine anyway. But by then, you won't get this sweet price."
The room went utterly silent.
It was a lie.
Selene might lose everything the next morning.
She could not simply spend one hundred billion dollars with a tap of her finger. There were unspoken rules—expensive things were never so easy to get.
And despite the system reducing the time significantly, Selene was not sure how else she would be able to buy other things.
But she had to give this her all.
And just like that.
The time was over.
Selene dropped her smile and, with a cold, uncaring look, got up.
Until—
"WAIT!" One of the executives shouted.
Selene paused.
The board members looked at each other. Then at Reynold. The CEO said nothing. But one by one, the board members and executives began clearing their throats.
"Well… if I'm to be honest, this will be great for our company."
"We will be able to expand our reach beyond Euronova. That's what we have been planning for years, haven't we?"
"Our value is only ten billion, so this offer is far too tempting…"
And at that moment, as the murmurs and doubtful words spread across the office, Reynold had a terrifying realization.
He already lost.
Ding!
[Time over! Charisma Buff Deactivated!]
Ding!
Transaction Complete!
Fifteen Billion Dollars has been deducted!
'Ding! One hundred and fifty Star Coins received!'
With one transaction, Selene seized control of:
Eighth Avenue—the most prestigious commercial street in the city.
Dozens of luxury penthouses, including the entire Crystal Avenue.
Key commercial properties tied directly to Sinclair assets.
And the best part?
She didn't need the Sinclairs' approval.
She owned the ground they walked on.
Ding!
[Quest Progress: Fifteen Percent Complete]
[Time Remaining: Five Hours]
Raynold's expression soured as he saw Selene sign the last document. All this time, he had been silent. Watching. Wondering.
'Just what were the Sinclairs planning?'
'First, William invited him to a freaky party and now…'
Now, Selene Sinclair has successfully become the largest shareholder of Hamilton Group. The silence around the office was so sharp it could cut glass.
Feeling the burning gaze on herself, Selene glanced up to see Reynold glaring. Was that anger? Annoyance? She was not sure. She could not care less.
Ding!
[Side Quest Available]
[Slam the vintage cigar from Reynold's desk to assert dominance!]