Cass rose early. The house was quiet, sunlight striping across the polished floorboards of his study. He poured coffee and checked the papers. His name was still threaded through their pages, woven with words like potential, promising, and arrival.
He set the paper down.
'They still underestimate me. Good. They'll give me space to build before they realise what I've already taken.'
When his parents appeared in the dining room, he was ready. Elaine wore a simple dress, her hair pulled into a bun. Thomas had already folded his newspaper under one arm.
"Eat quickly," Cass said. "We're going out."
Elaine blinked. "Where?"
"Shopping," Cass said. "Anything you want."
Her lips parted, but she said nothing at first. Thomas chuckled, shaking his head.
"You'll regret saying that, son."
"No," Cass said. "I won't."
The Bentley had been delivered that morning, gleaming black and perfect. Cass gestured for them to step inside. The interior swallowed them with leather and silence. Elaine's hand smoothed over the stitching as if she couldn't believe it would stay real beneath her fingers.
London streets parted for the car. Drivers slowed, pedestrians turned. Cass ignored them. He had an itinerary.
They stopped first at Bond Street. A shop assistant opened the door as though expecting royalty. Cass stepped through with his parents at his side.
Elaine hesitated. "This is too much."
"It isn't enough," Cass said.
He guided her to displays of jewellery, watches, and gowns. When she tried to demur, he silenced her with a look.
She tried on pearls that glowed like soft light, a dress that made her straighten her back as though her body remembered a pride she had set aside years ago.
"I can't," she whispered.
"You already are," Cass said.
Thomas lingered near the watches. Cass pulled him forward.
"Pick one," he said.
Thomas shook his head. "They're all worth more than the mill."
"Exactly," Cass said.
At last, Thomas lifted one with quiet weight. The assistant wrapped it swiftly, sensing he was not to haggle.
The bill was presented discreetly. Cass did not even look before handing over his card. The assistant's eyes widened when the transaction cleared without a blink.
[Quest Complete: Provide for Parents]
[Reward: Family Loyalty +10. Passive Buff — Family Pride: +5% Morale when family is present.]
They moved on.
A tailor measured Thomas, muttering about shoulders and posture, while Cass chose three suits himself.
Elaine was fitted for gowns that would make her unrecognisable at the next event. When she looked at herself in the mirror, tears threatened her lashes.
"You've always deserved this," Cass told her. "You only needed someone to make the world admit it."
By afternoon, they carried more boxes than the car could reasonably hold. Staff hurried forward, bowing and nodding as they carried the boxes.
As they left the last boutique, Cass caught sight of two women across the street. His aunt Miriam, and beside her, a cousin who had once laughed at his parents at a family wedding. Their expressions were priceless. Shock, envy, disbelief.
Miriam hesitated as though to call out, then stopped. The cousin whispered quickly, glaring at Elaine's pearl necklace.
Elaine froze. Cass stepped closer, his voice quiet.
"Smile," he said.
She did. A calm, perfect smile.
Miriam faltered, turned away, and hurried off.
'Good. Let them choke on what they never gave.'
The ledger would mark it later, he knew.
The evening drew them into a private gallery that Cass had arranged that morning. Cass had arranged it that morning. A collection of modern art had been set aside for him to view. The dealer hovered nervously, sweat beading under his collar.
"These pieces are sought after," the man said. "Difficult to secure."
"I'll take them," Cass said simply.
The man stammered. "Yes, of course. If you wish."
"I do," Cass said.
The cheque was signed. Paintings worth more than most streets changed hands.
[Quest Complete: Establish Cultural Presence]
[Reward: Reputation +1 (Art World). Passive Skill Unlocked: Artistic Eye Lv.1.]
Elaine shook her head in disbelief as they left. "Art, Cass? You've never cared before."
"I do now," Cass said. "It isn't about the art. It's about who talks about owning it."
They stopped for dinner in a restaurant with a six-month waiting list. Cass had booked the entire private room that morning. When the manager greeted him by name, Elaine looked startled.
"They already know you?" she asked.
"They do now," Cass said.
The meal was flawless. Plates carried in silence, wine poured at just the right moment. Elaine relaxed slowly. Thomas leaned back, finally wearing the watch like it belonged.
"People will hate you for this," Thomas said after dessert.
"They already did," Cass said. "Now they'll have to pretend to admire me."
He meant it as reassurance. It worked.
Later that evening, Cass walked alone through the city, leaving his parents' home to rest. He wanted to test the air.
A group of students passed, whispering his name. A businessman at a corner table in a hotel bar raised his glass in silent recognition. A journalist tried to approach but hesitated at the weight of his presence.
He stopped at the river and let the lights ripple across the water.
'They're learning quickly. The city bends faster than I expected.'
His phone buzzed. A new message appeared.
Unknown Number: 'We have heard of your recent movements. The Blackthorne family wishes to discuss an opportunity.'
Cass smiled faintly.
[Quest Triggered: Enter the Blackthorne Circle]
He pocketed the phone and turned back toward the Jaguar. Tomorrow would not wait.
'Let them send their invitations. Each one is another acknowledgement that I am already seated at the table.'