After a modest lunch, Daniel observed his mother, Kristina, preparing for her afternoon shift. She worked as a hotel housekeeper, a position she had taken up recently to supplement the family's income. The economic downturn had made finding stable employment challenging, and this job, though demanding, provided some financial relief.
His father, Robert, a construction worker, had the afternoon off due to a project delay. Sensing an opportunity, Daniel approached him.
"Hey, Dad, got a minute?"
Robert looked up from the newspaper, curiosity piqued. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
"There's this school project," Daniel began, choosing his words carefully, "about understanding business structures. They encourage us to experience the process firsthand. I was thinking, maybe we could set up a small LLC together? It'd be a great learning experience."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "An LLC? Isn't that a bit advanced for a school project?"
Daniel shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Maybe, but I thought it could be fun. Plus, it might be useful knowledge for the future."
Robert considered this for a moment. "Alright, if it's for your education. What do we need to do?"
"Well," Daniel said, trying to contain his excitement, "we'd need to visit a lawyer to get things set up. I did some research, and forming an LLC in Delaware is cost-effective. The state filing fee is about $110."
Robert nodded. "Okay, let's do it. When do you want to go?"
"How about now? I found a local attorney who can help us with the paperwork."
They arrived at the modest office of James Thompson, a local attorney known for his reasonable rates. The waiting room was simple, reflecting the no-frills approach that kept his services affordable.
After a brief wait, they were ushered into James's office.
"Good afternoon," James greeted them with a warm smile. "How can I assist you today?"
Daniel took the lead. "We'd like to form a Limited Liability Company, preferably registered in Delaware."
James nodded, adjusting his glasses. "Delaware is a popular choice due to its favorable business laws. Are you aware of the costs involved?"
"Yes," Daniel replied. "The state filing fee is $110, and we understand there might be additional expenses."
"Correct," James confirmed. "My fee for assisting with the formation and acting as your registered agent in Delaware would be $500. This includes preparing the necessary documents, such as the Articles of Organization and the Operating Agreement."
Robert glanced at Daniel, impressed by his son's initiative. "That sounds reasonable. What do we need to proceed?"
"I'll need some basic information," James said, pulling out a form. "The name of your LLC, its purpose, and the management structure. Also, since Daniel is a minor, we'll need Robert to act as the organizer and initial member. Once Daniel reaches the age of majority, ownership will be transferred."
Daniel had anticipated this. "We'd like to name it Haizen Holdings LLC. Its primary purpose will be to manage investments and other financial ventures. As for management, we'd prefer a member-managed structure."
James made notes. "Very well. I'll prepare the necessary documents. Once signed, I'll file them with the Delaware Division of Corporations. The process typically takes a few weeks."
Robert reached for his wallet. "Do you need payment upfront?"
"A deposit of $300 would suffice," James replied. "The balance can be settled upon completion."
Daniel handed over the deposit, feeling a surge of accomplishment. The foundation was being laid.
As night fell, Daniel prepared for his next challenge—a higher-stakes poker game at a local venue known for its serious players. The dimly lit room buzzed with murmurs and the shuffling of cards.
Taking a deep breath, he approached the table. The dealer, a stern-faced man in his fifties, eyed him skeptically.
"Buy-in is $5000," the dealer stated.
Daniel nodded, counting out the bills. "I'm in."
The players around the table sized him up, underestimating the teenager before them. But Daniel's confidence was unwavering. He had a plan, and this was just another step.
As the cards were dealt, he glanced at Claude's reflection in the polished surface of the table.
"Ready to clean them out?" Claude's voice echoed in his mind.
A subtle smirk tugged at Daniel's lips. "Always."
In the dim glow of the poker room, Daniel's thoughts drifted to the years ahead—a future he was determined to rewrite.
The 2008 financial crisis didn't just ruin portfolios—it broke people. And Robert was one of them. Once a proud, calloused-hands construction worker who built homes with quiet dignity, he watched everything collapse like the very frames he used to raise. One day, he was pouring concrete under the morning sun; the next, he was staring blankly at a pink slip and a foreclosure notice. The housing market had imploded, and with it, the industry that defined him. He didn't just lose a job—he lost identity. Purpose. Pride. He tried to stay strong, to keep smiling at the dinner table, but the weight of invisible failure pressed deeper each day. At night, he lay awake, listening to the silence of a house he might not afford to keep. And slowly, the bottle became a ritual. A numbing agent. A substitute for hope. Each drink wasn't celebration—it was surrender. The man who once lifted beams like they were feathers now carried a kind of heaviness no one could see.
Kristina, ever the resilient matriarch, had faced her own battles. A rare form of Multiple Sclerosis had struck her unexpectedly, stripping her of strength in cruel increments. The disease brought debilitating fatigue, memory lapses, and constant pain. Treatment options were scarce, and the medical bills piled up, adding to the family's financial strain. It wasn't until 2038 that a breakthrough treatment emerged, offering hope and relief to countless sufferers, but it was to late for her.
But in this moment, Daniel saw a chance to alter their fate. By establishing Haizen Holdings and seizing control of their financial future, he aimed to shield his family from the hardships he knew lay ahead. The poker table was just the beginning—a stepping stone toward a future where his parents wouldn't have to endure the pain and loss he had witnessed.
With renewed determination, he refocused on the game, he has to win.