Ten minutes had passed since the meeting had officially concluded.
The Proposition group had already departed under the guidance of assigned personnel, and most of the recording equipment had been shut down.
Most.
Marcus, one of the lottery winners, continued recording.
His camera remained active as he spoke candidly, offering his thoughts on the meeting, his impressions, and his opinions. At the same time, he engaged directly with his audience, addressing them as though the moment had been crafted for them alone.
Rachel Peerny found herself briefly in awe of his boldness, as speaking so freely while the Proposition group and even Grace Piao remained present required a level of confidence she could not easily ignore.
She lifted her gaze slightly, her thoughts drifting as she wondered how she had even ended up in such a situation.
If it wasn't for that damn Ad. She thought in her mind with quiet disbelief.
If someone had told her, just two days prior, that she would be attending a meeting alongside high elites, participating in discussions that could influence decisions across the continent… she would have laughed it off without hesitation.
Yet here she was.
Two days ago, she had been in her shop testing arrangements and experimenting.
Attempting to refine a new form of flooring, one that could replicate the appearance of wood while being constructed from cement-based materials. It was delicate work, requiring precision not only in appearance but in safety. Texture, balance, and durability all had to align without compromising the user's well-being.
She had been close to a breakthrough.
Close enough that she had ignored everything else.
Including the notification that appeared on her Airtight device.
At the time, she had assumed it was another forwarded call.
A troublesome client, most likely. The kind her staff could not manage on their own.
Without much thought, she accepted the call.
"…Accept."
Silence followed.
No voice came through, and no one spoke.
No introduction.
Nothing.
Rachel frowned slightly.
After a moment,
Perhaps Rachel assumed, it could one of those high-ranking clients. She thought, the kind who refused to speak unless the interaction was conducted face-to-face through visual projection.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
But not uncommon, Rachel thought, not all elites behaved this way, some do have their eccentricities, but given their value as clients, she usually complied without resistance.
After washing her hands and clearing the residue from her workspace, she made her way to the communications room.
The room was designed for immersive interaction. A large projection system allowed for full-scale, three-dimensional rendering of the other party, creating the illusion of presence. It was often used for entertainment, particularly interactive media.
While such technology was often used for immersive entertainment, Rachel utilized it as a practical tool, as it allowed her to observe body language, facial expressions, and subtle behavioral cues, all of it became clearer through the system.
She walked over toward the only sofa in the room, sat down, and spoke calmly.
"Connect."
The system activated, projecting the incoming display onto the large screen.
But what appeared before her was… not a call.
It was an advertisement.
Rachel stared at it, her expression flattening.
Worse, she had already accepted it.
And once accepted, it could not be undone.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she instructed her device to begin recording, intending to document the interaction for potential legal action.
If necessary, she would report the misuse of ad placement and any fraudulent activity to the authorities.
Before proceeding further, she checked her assets to ensure nothing had been taken.
When she confirmed that everything remained intact, her confusion deepened.
"It looks like a front, yet nothing has been taken," she murmured. "That's… interesting."
Returning her attention to the display, she selected the option to view more details.
The advertisement described a lottery system that offered a free entry for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid vacation.
Rachel's expression remained unimpressed.
"That's not reassuring."
it sounded very fabricated. Carelessly so.
Despite her skepticism, she continued reading and soon realized that further information required accessing an external link.
She instructed her device to open it.
The interface changed.
A system message appeared:
[Congratulations for joining the Piao Lottery System, Version 1.]
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Using the Piao family name for a scam?
"These scammers are getting bold," she thought. "Using the Piao family name so casually… they must not understand the consequences."
Determined to investigate further, she chose to sign in rather than register, wanting to confirm whether the system already possessed her information.
It did.
[Good day, Ms. Rachel Peerny.]
Rachel blinked once.
Interesting.
The system continued, outlining benefits tailored specifically to her situation as a business owner.
Shop management would be handled in her absence.
She would receive compensation equal to her highest annual profit within the past ten years.
Specialized personnel, described as top-tier talents under the Piao family, would oversee operations.
All expenses during the vacation would be covered.
Any personal spending would be reimbursed in full.
Rachel let out a quiet breath through her nose.
Impressive.
Detailed.
Still completely unbelievable.
[Are these benefits to your liking?]
She nearly laughed but held it back.
"Yes," she said instead, her tone carefully controlled. "I'm very satisfied."
If nothing else, she would see how far this went.
[You will be informed of the results within thirty-eight hours.]
Rachel leaned back slightly, processing the timeline.
Thirty-eight hours?
"And the vacation begins in three days?"
Ridiculous.
She shook her head faintly.
"I'll report this later."
With that, she returned to her work and continued late into the night.
Nothing unusual happened that day.
Which was precisely why she forgot about it.
The next morning, she woke slightly fatigued from her extended work session but continued as usual.
She took her siblings to school.
Returned home.
Then headed to the shop.
Ms. Peerny had already moved into a leadership role, managing the business while her parents stepped back to enjoy their later years.
Everything had long been going on as routine.
Until she saw someone waiting at the entrance.
"Oh— I'm sorry," Rachel said quickly as she approached. "Let me just open—"
"I'm here for Rachel Peerny."
She paused briefly before responding.
"That would be me."
This is curious. Rachel thought, why would someone be here for me this early in the morning? We haven't even started to take orders yet.
The man reached out for a handshake in greeting, before speaking.
"Did you participate in a lottery advertisement associated with the Piao family?"
"Oh. That!" Rachel exhaled lightly. "I assumed it was fraudulent. I recorded everything, if you need—"
"It was not a scam."
She blinked.
"…I see."
A short pause followed.
"Then… why are you here?"
"You have won."
Rachel stared at him, her thoughts momentarily stalling.
"…What?"
"You have been selected as a winner of the lottery," he spoke calmly, beginning to explain the next steps: The procedures, arrangements, financial confirmations and operational transitions for her shop.
Rachel's thoughts lagged behind his words.
This was real.
Entirely real.
"…Are you alright, Ms. Peerny?"
She took a breath.
Then another.
"This… is actually happening?"
"Yes."
She hesitated.
"…There are conditions, aren't there?"
"There are obligations," he corrected. "Including your presence in discussions related to the Male Protection Act."
Rachel frowned.
"Why would someone like me be involved in that?"
The man paused briefly before asking, "…Surely you are not unaware of recent events?"
"Completely unaware" She shook her head in response.
"…There have been public disturbances. The necessity of the Act is now under review." He explained lightly.
"I see…" Rachel absorbed this information slowly.
"So, to ensure transparency, selected individuals—such as yourself—will be present during the process."
She hesitated before speaking again, trying to find a way to refuse without creating a feud between the Peerny and Piao families.
"I have younger siblings to take care of."
The man made a call.
Within minutes, arrangements were confirmed.
Certified caretakers.
Full supervision.
No gaps.
"Arrangements will be made, including certified caretakers to ensure your family is properly looked after during your absence." The man added, "…Is that acceptable?"
Rachel hesitated.
Then nodded slowly.
"I… suppose it is." She really had little to no room to refuse.
There wasn't really a way out anymore.