I sat across from the two men, still holding my bag of metal parts. I didn't bother changing my clothes. In this room, the power wasn't in my outfit; it was in my bank account.
"So," I said, leaning back. "What do I owe this sudden visit?"
The CEO cleared his throat, his face pale. "Mr. Venan, it's nothing much. We are here to officially upgrade your status to VVIP in our system. But also... we want to discuss some business transactions, if you are interested."
"I'm listening," I said calmly. "Give me your proposals."
"First," the CEO said, "we can use your current balance for our internal investments. In return, we will pay you an annual interest of 25%."
I stayed silent. 25% was high, but it meant they were desperate.
The General Manager leaned forward, his voice shaking. "Two: We will sell the entire bank to you for 10 million Star Cash. We are in desperate need of liquid funds. Although we aren't a global giant yet, with your backing, we could rival the biggest banks in the world. What do you say?"
I narrowed my eyes. "What is actually happening to your bank?"
"It's the crisis with the Soloan Kingdom," the CEO confessed, his shoulders slumping. "People are panicking. They've withdrawn almost everything. Any bank without massive financial power is facing liquidation. Right now... you are the only one holding us up. If you don't help, we will be closed by next week."
Suddenly, a voice echoed in my mind.
UIA: Master, buy it. A bank is the heart of any empire. This institution has the potential to grow into an S-level bank worth 10 billion to 40 billion Star Cash in the next five years. You are getting a diamond for the price of a pebble.
I suppressed a smile. I was buying a future multi-billion-dollar bank for just 10 million Star Cash. It was the heist of the century, and it was perfectly legal.
"Okay," I said, looking the CEO in the eye. "I will buy it. But I have conditions."
"Anything!" the CEO gasped.
"I want the ownership structured this way," I declared. "Transfer 30% of the shares to my mother, Lina Venan. These two," I pointed to Doah and Tersa, who were watching with wide eyes, "will get 10% each."
"And the rest?" the Manager asked.
"The remaining 50% stays with me under SIGLAV CORP," I replied. "From today, the bank works for us."
The girls stared at me, completely stunned. They had gone from having 1,000-cred phones to owning 10% of a national bank in the span of five minutes.
"Sadd..." Doah whispered. "Does this mean we own the bank where we keep our allowance?"
"Yes," I said with a wink. "So if you ever lose your card, you can just tell the manager to find it for you."
New Ownership: The National Bank
Lina Venan (Mother): 30%
Doah Venan (Sister): 10%
Tersa Venan (Sister): 10%
SIGLAV CORP (Sadd): 50%
The air in the room changed instantly. The two men weren't just looking at a "lucky kid" anymore; they were looking at their new King.
"From today," I announced, my voice firm and steady, "the National Bank of Galena is dead. It will be rebranded as SIGLAV Bank. Everything—the signs, the cards, the digital apps—must be updated immediately."
"Yes, Chairman!" they both shouted, standing straight.
"Also," I looked at my sisters. "Doah and Tersa have officially taken my surname. We are the Venan family now. No more hiding behind old names."
The girls nodded, their faces glowing with pride. The name Venan was now a symbol of power in the country of Galena.
I turned back to the officials. "I am giving you the authority to continue managing the bank. You know the systems better than I do for now. But I need to know—what is your current annual salary?"
The CEO hesitated. "As the CEO, I earn 20 million creds a year, Chairman."
"And I earn 10 million creds," the General Manager added.
I leaned forward, a small smile playing on my lips. "That's too low for the men who represent the Venan family. From now on, the CEO will receive 80 million creds and the General Manager will receive 50 million creds."
The room went silent. The General Manager's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. They had come here begging to save their jobs, and instead, they had just become some of the richest employees in the nation.
"Thank you, Boss! Thank you!" they stammered, bowing deeply.
"Don't thank me yet," I said, my voice turning cold. "This money comes with a price. Your work won't be limited to just the bank. You will handle every private transaction for me. You will be my eyes and ears in the city. If I need a company bought, a building destroyed, or information gathered, you will do it without question. Do we have an agreement?"
"We are yours, Chairman Venan," the CEO replied solemnly. "Our lives are tied to SIGLAV Bank now."
As the men left to begin the rebranding process, the house felt different. It wasn't just a mansion anymore; it was the headquarters of a growing shadow empire.
Doah walked over to me, looking at the silver bank card in her hand. "Sadd... you just gave them more money than we ever dreamed existed. Are you sure we can trust them?"
"In this world, Doah," I said, looking out the window at the city lights, "people are loyal to two things: power and money. I gave them both. As long as we have the most of it, they will never look away."
"Now," I continued, turning to her. "Tomorrow we go back to Imperial High Academy. We have a bank to run, a research fair to scout, and a country to change. Let's get some rest."