The morning of the city center redevelopment project bid announcement arrived with heavy tension hanging over the entire financial district. Every newspaper, news channel, and business platform in the city had been speculating for days—would the young upstart Leo Carter pull off the impossible, or would the giant Blackstone Group crush his new empire before it truly began?
By 9 a.m., the government conference hall was packed full. Politicians, journalists, wealthy investors, and industry leaders filled every seat, their eyes fixed on the stage where the mayor and city development officials sat with solemn expressions. The room hummed with whispers, bets, and quiet judgments. Most people still believed Blackstone would win. They thought Leo was too young, too new, and too untested to defeat a multinational corporation with decades of power.
In the front row, Leo sat calmly, his posture straight and his expression unreadable. Kane stood quietly behind him, holding the final proposal folder, his face professional and focused. Not far away, Mr. Black of Blackstone Group stared daggers at Leo, his face tight with suppressed rage and overconfidence. He had already spent a fortune on connections, bribes, and backroom deals—he was certain the bid was already his.
Half an hour later, the mayor stood up and tapped the microphone. The room fell completely silent.
"Thank you all for coming today," the mayor announced. "After careful review of all bids, detailed financial analysis, and evaluation of long-term public value, we have made our final decision."
Mr. Black leaned forward, a victorious smile already forming on his lips.
Leo remained completely still, his eyes steady.
[Ding!][Host has entered the final mission stage.All system buffs activated: Business Mastery, Negotiation Max, and Luck Boost.Success rate: 100%.]
"The winner of the city center redevelopment project," the mayor declared, pausing for dramatic effect, "is—Leo Carter, representing Morgan Real Estate!"
The room exploded.
Reporters jumped to their feet, cameras flashing wildly. The audience gasped, shouted, and whispered in shock. Mr. Black's face turned from confident to crimson in an instant. He slammed his fist on the table, making the people around him jump.
"This is impossible!" he roared. "You've been bribed! This is rigged! I demand a recount!"
The mayor's expression turned cold.
"Mr. Black, your bid was higher in cash, but your plan offered nothing to the citizens of this city—only profit for your corporation. Mr. Carter's proposal includes affordable housing, green energy, public services, and over 5,000 local jobs. His vision is what this city needs. Your greed is not."
A low cheer spread throughout the hall. Even some government officials quietly nodded in approval.
Leo stood up slowly and walked onto the stage. He took the microphone, his voice clear and powerful enough to silence the entire room.
"Today is not just a victory for me," he said calmly. "It is a victory for everyone who believes in building a better future, not just a richer one. The Carter Tower will become the new heart of this city—and it will belong to the people, not just the wealthy."
The crowd erupted into genuine applause.
[Ding!][Main quest: City Center Redevelopment Project completed!][Rewards unlocked:][$500 million investment fund deposited!][Global Investor Reputation permanently increased!][System Level Upgraded to Level 3!][New function unlocked: Real-time Industry Prediction!]
As Leo stepped off the stage, Mr. Black blocked his path, his eyes wild with fury.
"You think you've won?" he snarled quietly. "I will ruin you. I will destroy your company, your reputation, and everything you care about. You have no idea who you're messing with."
Leo looked down at him coldly, no hint of mercy in his eyes.
"You had your chance to compete fairly," he said. "You chose greed and threats. Now you will face the consequences."
He nodded slightly toward Kane.
Within seconds, several men in suits—federal investigators—approached Mr. Black.
"Mr. Black," one of them said, showing his badge, "you are under arrest for fraud, political bribery, and illegal market manipulation. Please come with us."
Mr. Black's face went pale. He struggled, but it was useless. The investigators dragged him away, his shouts echoing through the hall as his empire collapsed in front of everyone.
Leo didn't spare him another glance.
By afternoon, the news had spread across the entire city.Leo Carter — the once-poor abandoned orphan — had defeated Blackstone, won the biggest project in the region, and become the most talked-about billionaire in the country.
That evening, Leo returned to his penthouse and stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring at the skyline he would soon reshape. The city lights stretched out endlessly below him, a canvas waiting for his legacy.
Kane knocked gently and entered, holding a tablet.
"Sir, the construction team is ready to begin. Carter Tower will break ground in one month. The entire world is already calling you the youngest self-made genius in history."
Leo smiled faintly.
This was only the beginning.
He had defeated the Morgans.He had crushed Blackstone.He had won control of the city's future.
But his ambition was far larger than one city, one building, or one fortune.
[Ding!][New main quest unlocked: Global Business Empire.Objective: Expand your corporation across three countries within six months.Difficulty: Very High.Rewards: System Ultimate Privileges, $2 billion cash fund, and Global Overlord Title.]
Leo's eyes glinted with determination.
The world stage was waiting.And Leo Carter was ready to conquer it all.