Drake took another sip of champagne letting the moment with Richard Hale sink in. One goal was finished. Two more left. But he still needed a moment to understand what had just happened. A billionaire tech mogul had his contact information and wanted his advice.
The system was right. The $2,500 ticket was already paying off.
He drifted through the ballroom still holding his champagne, no longer feeling quite so out of place. The key was to move with purpose, even if that purpose was just observing. He stopped in front of a painting that contained some strange modern art—and watched the room's dynamic unfold.
Power moved through the room like current. You could see it in how people position themselves, who approached whom, who waited to be approached. A woman in a red dress stood near the musicians while three men tried hard to get her attention, and an old man talked quietly on his phone while two others hovered nearby, waiting for him to finish.
Then drake eyes found her.
Stacey lapis stood on the far side of the ballroom, and she was absolutely stunning.
She wore a midnight blue gown that somehow managed to be both elegant and modern, her long dark hair was pulled back, revealing a face that belonged only on magazine covers. But what struck Drake most was the contrast between her appearance and her expression. Just like the lady in red, she herself was also surrounded by at least five men, who were all putting on perfect tailor suits with stricking designs on their collars.
All of them which seemed to be trying very hard to impress her—and she looked completely bored by it.
The system interface activated:
[ Stacey lapis/Age - 22/ Net worth - $400M(personal) /Family worth - 3.6B+
Venture capitalist, Stacey Capital Wharton MBA, Top class Influence - very high ]
[ Analysis - very intelligent. Not fooled by fake compliments. Many men try to date her only for her money and mostly her connections. ]
[ Recommended strategy - Act like you are not interested, do not approach her first. She is used to man chasing her - be different. ]
Drake watched as one of the men said something that was clearly meant to be impressive. Eva gave him a polite smile that didn't touch her eyes and took a step back. Another man immediately filled the space and began talking like he was giving a business pitch.
They all wanted her. Not as a person, but as a doorway — to influence, more money, and political power.
Drake turned away.
He walked to the opposite side of the ballroom where several art pieces also hung along the wall. He stopped in front of a particularly striking abstract painting with sharp red and gold lines on black background. Up close, he could see the thick texture of the paint.
He wasn't pretending to be interested. He actually was. There was something about the wildness of the painting that felt compelling to the eyes Unlike the other paintings.
"Rothko-inspired," a voice said beside him. "Though the artist is trying too hard to imitate without understanding the original meaning of the master piece."
Drake turned.
Stacey lapis was suddenly standing next to him, holding her champagne and studying the painting with an expression of genuine interest. Up close, she is even more striking—dark eyes that missed nothing. A small smile played at the edge of her lips.
"You're the only person here under forty who isn't trying to talk to me," She said, glancing at him. Her tone was light, almost teasing. "I will guess either you don't know who I am, or you are married."
Drake met her gaze, keeping his expression neutral.
"I know who you are. Your father is the senator. You graduated top of your class at Wharton with an MBA at twenty. You turned five million dollars into fifty million through a series of aggressive plays in crypto and biotech that most people would call reckless." He paused." And you look bored because everyone here treats you like a trophy, instead of a person. And, also I'm not married."
Stacey's eyes widened just a little and for a split moment, silence hung between them. The expression on Staceys face shifted to surprise giving way to something that looked like genuine interest.
"Well," She said finally, with a real smile forming on her lips. That was... Very direct."
"You said I was either someone who didn't know you, or someone who was married," Drake replied, turning back to the painting. "I was just clearing that up."
Stacey let out a soft laugh. "Most people spend their first ten minutes with me talking about their startup or investment portfolio before they even ask my name."
"Well...If you'd ask me, I am guessing they already know your name like I do, so what's the point of asking?" Drake said.
"Fair enough." She studied him for another moment before asking. "And what's yours?"
"Drake....Drake Wayne."
"Drake Wayne," She repeated, as if testing how it sounded. "And what do you do, Drake Wayne, when you're not ignoring venture capitalist at fancy parties?"
"I Invest and Trade cryptocurrency." He said, keeping his tone casual, not trying to impress. "Nothing much."
"You know you are a weird one, right. Drake Wayne. She said,
" Why did you say that? Drake asked.
"Well, because most people would start exaggerating at this point by telling me about their revolutionary idea that's going to change the world."
"Well, those most people are trying to impress you." Drake said.
"And you're not?"
Hearing her silly question, Drake turned to look at her directly. "I am not trying to impress anyone or rather someone who has been impressive her whole life.
Stacey eyes narrowed a little, but her smile grew. " You're either very smart or very honest. I'm not sure which."
"Why not both?"
"Ha ha ha. She let out a genuine laugh, not trying to mask it. "How old are you, Drake Wayne?"
"Twenty - three.
"And where did you study?"
"State University. Dropped out in my third year."
Most people would have hidden that information and make other excuses. But Drake... Drake said it like it was nothing.
"Why would you drop out?" Stacey asks now, more curious.
"Well, it's because books are cheaper than tuition."
Stacey took a sip of her champagne, studying him with undisguised curiosity. "Now I think you are really weird."
"Is that good or bad?"
"I haven't decided yet," She said with a small smile. "You know what. Give me your number, maybe we could have a more real conversation like this."
Drake let out a small smile and in no time he started reciting his WhatsApp number, watching as she typed it into her phone with her dark red nails catching the light, each one perfectly shaped.
"Alright, I'm going to...."
"Stacey!?"
The voice came from behind them, smooth but with a sharp edge. Drake turned to see a man walking towards them—he looks maybe in his late twenties, tall, wearing a tuxedo that probably cost more than Drake's entire outfit including the rental fee. His hair was perfectly styled, he had a strong jaw line, and the expression on his face was somewhere between amused and territorial.
The system interface flickered across drake vision.
[ jack cross/ Age - 29 / Net worth— $700M (Family trust) / Managing director, cross capital Partners.
[ Warning: has a romantic history with Stacey AKA - ex boyfriend. Possessive personality. ]
"Jack," Stacey said, with her tone noticeably cooler than it had been moments before.
"Jack's eyes slid from Eva to Drake, measuring him as if checking for a price tag. " And who's your new friend?"
"Someone interesting," Eva answered, without saying anything more.
Jack extended his hand to Drake, with his a little bit strong, " Jack cross. Cross capital Partners."
"Drake Wayne," Drake answered, meeting the grip evenly, before pulling back.
"And what do you do, Drake?" Jack asked in a friendly voice that wasn't friendly at all. Drake could get the hidden message behind the question—what makes you good enough for her?
"I Invest independently." Drake replied.
"Ah," Jack's smile didn't reach his eyes. "you invest i see, Which firm?"
"No firm. like I said I invest Independently."
"I see." The two words were heavy with judgment. "Where did you do your MBA?"
"I didn't."
Jack's eyebrows rose. "Undergraduate degree?"
"No, State school. Didn't quite finish."
There was a short silence, and jack glanced at Stacey with a look that said, this guy? Really?.
But Stacey didn't react. In fact, she almost looked amused.
"Well," Jack said, turning back to Drake. "That's.... Unusual, so what kind of investments are you making without institutional backing or formal education?"
"The profitable kind."
Jack's smile tightened at the edges. He was used to people being intimidated by him—his background, his family name, his net worth. But Drake's complete lack of reaction was clearly frustrating to him.
"You must have had some interesting opportunities come your way," Jack pressed. "What's your biggest win so far?"
"Recent pharmaceutical play. FDA approval."
"Which one?"
"Helix."
Jack's eyes flickered with recognition. "Helix jumped up to 140℅ last week. You were in before the announcement?"
"Yes I was. Drake replied with a small smirk.
Stacey watched them like she was watching a fun match, and Drake could see the faint smile playing at her lips. She was clearly enjoying this.
Jack seemed to realize he wasn't getting the reaction he wanted. Drake wasn't intimidated by him so he decided to change tactics.
"stacey and I were just heading for a drink," he said, making sure the stacey and I part stood out. "Would you like to join?"
It was a trap. If Drake said yes, it would confirm Jack's dominance over him and if he said no too quickly, he would look scared.
"Actually, I was just heading to find a friend," Drake said smoothly. "But thank you for the offer."
He turned to Stacey. It was good talking with you."
"Likewise," Stacey said, her eyes bright with amusement. "I'll text you."
Drake gave Jack a polite nod and walked off, heading to the far side of the ballroom with slow, steady confidence. And God, he could feel Jack staring at his back the whole time.
[ Quest progress - 2/3 target completed ]
[ Richard Hale contact - check ]
[ stacey lapis contact - check ]
[ senator jame lapis not yet - pending ]
The system said, notifying him of his current process so far.