Act - 64: "Birth of a Future Titan"

As we pulled up to Oslo Gardermoen Airport, the vast terminal loomed ahead, its sleek, modern design a testament to the gateway it represented—both to the world and to the future I was about to seize. The car rolled to a stop at the drop-off zone, and I stepped out, feeling the cool breeze of the early morning air brush against my face.

I turned to Mr. Erik, who had been our steadfast driver. "Thanks for the drop-off, Mr. Erik," I said, appreciating his punctuality and calm demeanor.

He gave a nod, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "No worries at all. Just let me know when you'll be back, and I'll be here to pick you up."

"Absolutely. I'll keep you posted," I assured him, before closing the car door.

With our bags in tow, Mom, Evelyn, and I made our way into the terminal. The automatic doors slid open, welcoming us into the bustling world of Oslo Gardermoen Airport. The place was alive with movement—a sea of travelers flowed around us, each person heading toward their own destination. The polished floors reflected the glow of overhead lights, while the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of jet fuel that hinted at the excitement of travel.

Announcements echoed in the background, and the distant roar of departing flights added to the symphony of sound. Large digital screens displayed flight information, ticking away the minutes to departure. We navigated through the crowd, the sense of purpose and anticipation building with every step.

After a quick check-in process, we headed to the lounge reserved for first-class passengers. The contrast to the main terminal was immediate—soft, plush seating replaced the hard airport benches, and the ambiance shifted to one of relaxed luxury. The hum of conversation was softer here, the clinking of glasses and the muted rustle of newspapers creating a calming atmosphere.

We found a cozy corner with large, comfortable chairs. A server promptly appeared, offering drinks. I ordered a cup of coffee, craving the familiar warmth and bitter edge, while Mom and Evelyn each opted for a glass of wine. The rich, deep red of the wine contrasted beautifully with the soft lighting of the lounge, and the sight of them sipping their drinks brought a smile to my face.

Mom swirled her wine thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I still can't believe we're going to the USA," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "What's the first thing we're going to do when we get there?"

I leaned back, cradling my coffee. "Well, I was thinking we could start with a bit of sightseeing—maybe visit some of the iconic places like Times Square and Central Park. But honestly, I'm more excited about the food. I've heard so much about the street food in New York. What do you think, Evelyn?"

Evelyn smiled, her glass of wine resting elegantly in her hand. "I'm all in for the food adventure. But we definitely need to do some shopping too. I mean, it's our first trip all together, so we should make the most of it."

Mom nodded enthusiastically. "Shopping sounds perfect. And I've always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty up close. Maybe we can squeeze that in too?"

"Absolutely," I agreed. "We'll make sure to hit all the must-see spots. But let's not forget to just enjoy being there—taking in the atmosphere, the people, the energy. It's going to be something special."

We continued to chat, excitement building with each passing minute. The lounge around us buzzed with quiet conversations, the clatter of cups and glasses a gentle backdrop to our plans.

Finally, I looked at my watch, feeling a sense of resolve settle over me. The time was drawing near. This wasn't just a vacation—it was the start of something bigger. As I sat there, surrounded by the people who mattered most, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation for what lay ahead.

Soon, it would be time to board the plane. And as we stepped into the world of first-class comfort, I knew that the next chapter of my life was about to begin. The knowledge I'd accumulated from my old life, the mistakes and the lessons learned—they were all tools I was ready to wield. The bear and bull markets, the strategies, the timing—I remembered it all. And this time, I was prepared to take on the financial world with a vengeance.

As I stepped into the restroom, the sound of an angry voice echoed off the tiled walls. A man stood near the sinks, clutching his phone, his expression a mix of frustration and desperation. He was speaking rapidly in English, his accent distinctly American.

"I told them the projections are solid, but they're pulling out!" he hissed into the phone. "No, we can't afford to lose them now. This deal has to go through, or we're sunk."

I couldn't help but overhear, and something about his demeanor, the tension in his voice, piqued my curiosity. As he hung up, he noticed me standing by the sinks. For a moment, we just looked at each other, the air thick with whatever storm had just passed through his call.

I approached the sink next to him, turning on the tap, and casually asked, "Rough day?"

He managed a polite smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, you could say that. Really rough day."

I nodded, drying my hands. "Anything you want to talk about? Sometimes it helps to unload on a stranger."

He chuckled, the sound bitter. "Well, if you must know, I'm trying to keep my company from going under. Investors are getting cold feet, and I'm running out of time."

"What's the company?"

"It's called BookJungle," he said, almost as if he didn't expect me to care. "We're trying to build a global library, a place where people can buy books online. But it's not exactly profitable right now."

BookJungle. The name triggered something in my memory, and suddenly, I knew exactly who this man was. James Besos—future billionaire, founder of the company that would one day evolve into the behemoth Amazon. This wasn't just a random encounter; this was fate handing me a golden opportunity.

I decided to push my luck. "What if I wanted to invest?"

He glanced at me, skepticism written all over his face. "You? Invest? No offense, but do you even know what you're talking about?"

I smirked, unphased. "Two million kroner for 20 percent of your company."

For a moment, he just stared at me, as if trying to figure out if I was joking. When he saw I wasn't, his expression turned serious. "Are you for real?"

"Dead serious," I replied, pulling out my checkbook. As I scribbled the amount and signed my name, I could see the disbelief in his eyes. When I tore the check from the book and handed it to him, his hand hovered over it, hesitating.

"This... this is real?" he stammered, finally taking the check.

I nodded and pulled out my phone, dialing Evelyn. "Evelyn, could you bring a contract template to the lounge? I've just made an investment."

James looked at the check, then at me, and back to the check. He finally realized I wasn't some teenager talking gibberish. "Two million kroner... for 20 percent. Are you sure that's not too little?"

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Is it? If you need more, we can talk."

"No, no, it's fine," he said quickly, the reality of the situation sinking in. "Deal. You've got yourself 20 percent of BookJungle."

I clapped him on the shoulder, sealing the agreement with a firm handshake. "Great. Why don't you join us in the lounge? I'll book a first-class ticket for you. We can go over the details properly."

He blinked, still processing what had just happened. "You... you'd do that?"

"Of course," I said with a grin. "It's the least I can do for my new business partner."

As we left the restroom together, I couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration. I'd just made a move that could alter the course of my future—and all because I happened to walk into that restroom at the right time. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, and I could hardly wait to see where this new path would lead.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 15

Skill Count: 3 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze) (Global Monitoring System)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:28

Endurance:21

Charm:23

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 3.6 Million Kroner

Associate - 9

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers -50

Company - 1