The following week, Fortune Brew Café was busier than ever.
What started as a curiosity became a phenomenon — customers flooding in for the coffee, the atmosphere, and the mystery of its young owner.
Henry sat in the corner booth, dressed in a dark navy blazer, scrolling through system notifications between sips of espresso.
[Supreme Tycoon System — Business Performance]
Daily Revenue: $19,800
City Favorability: +12%
Mission Reminder: Public Image Route (Gain Recognition in 3 Media Outlets)]
He smiled faintly. "Media recognition, huh? Guess it's time to let Detroit know who's running the show."
As if on cue, the doorbell chimed.
A young woman stepped inside — confident, graceful, with sharp hazel eyes behind light glasses. Her auburn hair framed her face perfectly, and a press badge hung from her neck.
"Excuse me," she asked the barista, "is the owner of this café around?"
Henry looked up, intrigued.
The barista nodded toward him. "That's Mr. Cole, ma'am."
She approached, offering a bright, professional smile. "Henry Cole? I'm Amelia Grant, business correspondent for the Detroit Daily. Do you have a moment?"
Henry set his cup down, returning her smile. "Depends on what for."
"I'm working on a feature about young entrepreneurs shaking up Detroit's economy," Amelia said. "Your café has gone viral on local social media — modern design, luxury pricing, but down-to-earth service. People want to know who built this."
[Favorability Detected: Amelia Grant +4%]
Henry's expression stayed calm, but his mind raced. Perfect timing.
"Alright," he said after a pause. "You want the story? Have a seat."
Later That Afternoon
They sat across from each other in a quiet booth.
Amelia recorded as Henry spoke — about his journey from poverty, his vision for a new kind of café, and his belief that money should follow value, not greed.
She listened carefully, her eyes softening as he described his struggles.
"So you started this with your own savings?" she asked.
"Every cent I had," Henry said truthfully. "I didn't want investors owning my dream."
She wrote something quickly, then looked up with admiration. "That's rare these days — someone who still believes in self-made success."
[Favorability +8%]
[Charisma +2]
Henry smiled. "Maybe Detroit just needs a reminder that dreams don't have an expiration date."
Amelia chuckled softly. "That's a quote I'm stealing."
[System Alert: Media Recognition Route — Step 1 Progress 80%]
They talked for nearly an hour — about ambition, hardship, and Henry's vision for American entrepreneurship. When Amelia finally closed her notebook, she smiled warmly.
"You're not what I expected, Henry Cole."
"Oh? What did you expect?"
"A spoiled investor's son. Instead, I found a man rebuilding the American dream."
Henry smirked. "Then write it that way."
[Favorability +12%. Potential Heroine Flag Detected.]
As Amelia stood to leave, Henry asked, "When's the article coming out?"
"Tomorrow morning," she said with a wink. "Front page — if my editor doesn't faint from how good this story is."
"Make sure he doesn't cut my best lines," Henry joked.
Amelia laughed. "Don't worry, Mr. Tycoon. You'll thank me later."
[Mission Update: Media Publication Pending.]
Henry watched her leave, the bell above the door chiming softly.
He smiled to himself. "Step one complete. Time to see how far one story can go."