The air in the old villa felt thin, like it couldn't hold the weight of what Ethan had become. In the nursery, the quite breathing of Thomas and Athena was the only sound that mattered. Ethan stood over them, watching the way their little chests rose and fell.
He didn't feel like the man who had dropped a grease filled wrench in a mechanic shop just a few weeks ago. He felt like an architect. The system had given him three billion dollars, but it was the children who gave him a purpose to use it.
"We're leaving, "Ethan said as Marcus entered the room.
"Everything is packed ,sir," Throne replied, his voice shaking just a little. He still couldn't get used to how Ethan moved.
"The Obsidian Palace is ready?"
"Yes, sir. Four hundred million dollars well spent. The black marble is reinforced, and the security team from Iron Shield is already at the gates."
Ethan nodded. He picked up Thomas, while a nurse picked up Athena. They walked out of the house for the last time. As he stepped into the sunlight, he looked at the black Mercedes car waiting for them.
"I bought the palace because it's a fortress, "Ethan said to throne as they drove. "It's made of black marble glass that can even stop sniper bullets. It has a private dock, a personal helipad for a custom made helicopter that has already been ordered and a dock where two 25 Million USD each yacht was docked. I don't want my children to ever walk on a street where someone can look down on them.
"The Cerberus Key project is moving fast, Mr. Benjamin, "Throne said, looking at Ethan through the rearview mirror. "The under water foundation are set. We are ready to start the holographic park."
"Good, "Ethan replied, his voice cold. "Cerberus is for the future. But today, my children need a home that cannot be touched by the world".
The car pulled up to a massive gate made of reinforced carbon steel' This was the Obsidian Palace. As the gate open, a vast 50,000 square-foot masterpiece of black marble and bulletproof glass appeared.
Ethan stepped out, carrying Thomas, while Throne followed with Athena. The tour of the 400 million USD estate began.
The palace sat on 10 acres of prime costal land which was surrounded by seas by 3 sides. It featured two Olympic-sized infinity pools that seemed to flow into the ocean. The lawns were meticulously maintained by a team of gardeners to look like green velvets.
At the private dock, two Benetti GALAXY yachts, worth 25 Million USD each, swayed in the water. On the roof the Obsidian Palace, a custom-painted black Airbus ACH160 helicopter sat bon the helipad. It had cost Ethan 14Million USD.
Beneath the house lay a garage for fifty cars. It was filled with a fleet worth hundreds of millions, including a Bugatti Chyron,BugattiVeyron, KoenigseggOne:1,Pagani Huayra and a rows of Rolls-Royce Phantoms for his staff to use.
The interior featured three professional-grade home theaters, five state-of-the-art gyms, and a medical wing better than most hospitals.
After that Ethan met the staff in the main hall. There were a total of 24 maids, all dressed in clean black-and-white uniforms. Two Russian Women standing in the back caught Ethan's eye.
[System Scanning...]
[Candidate 3: Sasha (Russian). Appearance: 88. Vitality: 85. Compatibility: 82%.]
[Candidate 4: Natasha (Russian). Appearance: 87. Body: 89. Compatibility: 80%.]
[Candidate 5: Elara (House Manager). Appearance: 85. Intelligence: 14. Compatibility: 88%.]
Ethan noted them down mentally. To him, they weren't just employees; they were potential breeding partners for upgrading the system.
As he was being introduced to the palace staff, Ethan suddenly heard the sound of heavy boots echoing on the marble. A team of twenty men in tactical gear marched in. This was Iron Shield, the security company Ethan now owned forty percent of.
Their commander, a scarred man named Vance, stepped forward. "Sir, the area is locked down. No one gets in without your permission.
Ethan handed the baby to a nanny and stepped toward Vance. Without warning, Ethan launched a fast round house kick towards Vance's throat. The commander barely blocked it with his hand. Ethan followed up with flurry of hook punches and a side-pressing kick that sent the solider sliding back five feet.
"Your reaction time is slow, Vance, " Ethan said, his 8.5 strength making the air hum. "My children's lives depend on you. If you fail, I won't just fire you. I'll end you.
Vance straightened his vest, sweating. "Understood, Mr. Benjamin. It won't happen again."
While Ethan settled into the Palace, Mei Ling's sister, Lina, was experiencing a different kind of shock.
She moved into the Azure Horizon Apartments in downtown Miami, a luxury penthouse worth $3 million. In the driveway sat a gift from Ethan: a white Porsche 911 ($150,000).
Lina sat on the Italian leather sofa, looking at the view. "Mei Ling," she whispered into the phone. "Who is this Mr. Benjamin really? No one just gives away penthouses and Porsches. Is he a criminal? A mob boss?"
"He's a businessman, Lina," Mei Ling replied, though her own voice lacked confidence. "Just enjoy the life. Don't ask questions."
But Lina was smart. She looked at the expensive car keys and the empty apartment. She felt like she was being bought, and she began to wonder what the price would eventually be.