Clara froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
Jace looked at her and smirked. He had been waiting for this moment. It had been his plan all along, ever since he saw Clara's corruption.
"Clara," he said, voice calm, "would you like to join us—"
A system screen cut him off.
"Investment complete."
"$200,000 funds were authorized. Your performance exceeded expectations. The refund will be increased from triple to four-fold."
His phone buzzed.
Bank Balance: $910,000.
Another screen appeared, this one flashing with animated celebratory effects.
"Congratulations on completing the Trial Mission: Vanessa, and the three Level 1 Missions: Maribel, Camila, Ava."
"The system will now upgrade to Level 2."
"Note: Please enter a closed room as soon as possible to adjust to the upgraded system and new features."
"Tch," Jace muttered. "It was just getting fun."
He pushed Ava's head aside and stood up, adjusting his clothes.
Then he looked down at her. "I already instructed the restaurant staff. Call them and get this cleaned up."
Ava nodded while wiping her lips with the napkin.
Jace stepped away and stopped next to Clara.
He leaned close, his breath brushing her ear. "Be ready," he whispered. "I'll call you to my office soon."
His tone softened into a sly murmur. "We have a lot to talk about."
Clara swallowed and gave a small nod. Fear tightened in her chest, but heat stirred low in her belly.
Then he left the room and drove home.
He unlocked the apartment door with a spare key and stepped inside.
The low sound of a movie played in the background. Camila was curled up on the sofa. She glanced back.
Maribel stepped out from the kitchen at the same time, apron tied around her waist. "Jace, you're home early tonight."
He smiled, walking in and closing the door behind him. "There was less work at the office today."
Camila beamed. "Then come watch with me. It just started."
Maribel scolded. "He just got home. Let him rest."
Jace waved it off. "Ah, it's okay. Don't scold her."
He turned to Camila. "But sorry, I can't watch tonight."
As he rushed toward his room, hand on the doorknob, he added, "I've got some important work to handle. Just leave dinner on the table. I'll eat later."
The door shut behind him.
Camila blinked. "Mom, did something happen? Dad looked like he was in a hurry."
Maribel's brows drew together. "I… don't know."
Inside his room, Jace sat on the edge of the bed and called out, "System."
"Would you like to start the upgrade?"
"Yes." he said with mix of confidence, and nervousness.
"Initiating upgrade."
1%... 11%... 22%... 44%... 88%... 100%
"Desire Investment System [V.2]"
"New Features Added: Profile Feature, Target Risk Selection, and Character Customisation."
A new window opened.
[ Explanation ]
[ Profile Feature: View profiles of selected targets. Viewing non-target profiles or accessing detailed information requires additional funds. ]
[ Target Risk Selection: Choose a mission difficulty level. Low, Medium, or High. Higher risk gives shorter time but higher returns: double, triple, or quadruple. ]
[ Skill Investment: Use funds to unlock or upgrade skills for yourself or completed targets. ]
Jace leaned closer. "Skill Investment."
A fresh menu appeared.
[ Skill Investment ]
[ Acting: $200,000. Medical Knowledge: $400,000. Business Strategy: $600,000. Body Language Reading: $50,000. Firearm Handling: $80,000. Fashion Sense: $120,000. High Society Etiquette: $10,000… ]
His eyes lit up. He leaned closer, heart quickening. All these possibilities thrilled him.
But before he could choose, another screen appeared.
[ New Target Selected ]
[ Profile of Juliana Everen: She's 36 years old. A TV actress tied to L.V. Entertainment, though not under exclusive contract. She's married but unable to conceive a child. (Pay to unlock more details) ]
[ Please choose Risk Level: High – Time Limit: 1 Year. Medium – Time Limit: 2 Years. Low – Time Limit: 4 Years. ]
[ Funds Authorized: $10,000,000. ]
Jace smirked, and without hesitation he chose: "High."
[ Target: Juliana Everen. Time Limit: 1 Year. Reward: Quadruple of $10,000,000. ]
He narrowed his eyes. 'L.V. Entertainment.'
The same company where Elaria Allen, the woman who hurt Camila, was CEO.
His fists clenched.
"I'll make you pay for everything."
A knock broke the silence.
Jace stood and opened the door.
Maribel stood outside, her face soft with concern. "It's almost midnight. You haven't eaten dinner..."
He sighed and pulled her into a hug.
She stiffened for a second, caught off guard, then eased. Her arms slowly wrapped around his waist.
"Did Camila eat?" he asked.
Maribel nodded. "She did. But hasn't slept yet. Still watching her movie."
"Let her. Don't be too strict."
She rested her head on his chest.
"Did you eat?" he asked.
"...No."
"Then let's eat together."
Maribel smiled. "O-Okay."
They sat together at the table. She served him rice while he poured her a glass of water.
They talked a little. Quiet things, how his day went, what she cooked at work, nothing special. But everything felt nice.
After dinner, he went to check on Camila, but seeing her focused on the movie, he didn't disturb her and just went to sleep.
The next morning, he woke early. After breakfast, he sat both Maribel and Camila down.
"I won't be home for a while."
Maribel's face tensed. "What do you mean?"
"A business trip. It might last one or two months."
Camila looked down. "So suddenly?"
He nodded. "It's important. I'll call whenever I'm free."
They hesitated, but in the end, they agreed.
Maribel hugged him tightly. Camila tried to act cool, but her eyes glistened.
The first thing he did when he stepped out was sort things out at the company, giving instructions to Ava and informing her of his leave.
Next, he booked a nearby hotel room and opened the skill investment menu.
But before spending, he checked his bank balance one more time: $10,808,000.
Ten million. An amount he could never have imagined, not even in his dreams. It was so astronomical that even if he added up every dollar he had ever spent since childhood, it wouldn't come close.
"I shouldn't be shocked by this." He grinned at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. "The only thing left is to climb higher."
Then, he used the [ Skill Investment ].
And now, Jace stood before the sleek glass doors of K.F. Entertainment.
The rival of L.V. Entertainment.