Let's Start A Company

Ethan settled into the soft embrace of the leather chair, letting its luxurious comfort lull his restless thoughts.

The private room was a marvel of understated elegance—dim lighting cast a warm glow on the polished mahogany table before him, and the subtle hum of the hotel's ambiance seemed to soothe the air.

His gaze wandered to the sleek clock on the wall. Almost time.

He retrieved his phone and tapped out a quick message to David Turner.

Ethan: [I'm in Private Meeting Room No. 5. I'll be ready when you are.]

Satisfied, he placed the phone down and leaned back, allowing his mind to wander. Excitement simmered beneath the surface as he considered the opportunities this meeting might unlock—not just for David's project but for others in his network as well.

The thought of weaving connections and securing influence sent a spark of ambition through him.

But there was more than ambition driving him now. The system's missions hung in his mind like a subtle whisper, urging him forward. Two goals—expand his network and improve his status—seemed tantalizingly within reach.

'If this meeting goes as planned…' he thought, the words trailing off into a realm of possibilities.

His thoughts turned briefly to the system itself. 'And the Ascension Points…' A faint smile played on his lips as he recalled the shop's offerings, each item promising a kind of transformation he could scarcely fathom.

'What would it feel like to unlock one of those upgrades?' The curiosity lingered, tinged with the same wonder one feels standing on the brink of something extraordinary.

The soft vibration of his phone brought him back to the present. A notification. Opening it, he saw an email from Charles Weston at Novan Bank. Ethan couldn't help but smile. 'He doesn't waste time.'

To pass the moment, Ethan opened the email and scrolled through its contents. Attached was a polished presentation outlining the benefits of becoming a Premier client, accompanied by a sleek video detailing the program's exclusive perks.

The visuals were immaculate, the tone carefully tailored to appeal to someone of means—someone like him, now.

As the video played, Ethan found himself drawn in. Personalized financial services, priority access to exclusive deals, and invitations to events attended by the region's wealthiest and most influential figures.

It was all there, laid out like an invitation to a new world. And Ethan, already half a step through the door, found the prospect both thrilling and oddly surreal.

"This is good," he murmured to himself, his voice quiet in the stillness of the room. He could almost see it now—the conversations, the connections, the opportunities that lay ahead.

It wasn't just about wealth; it was about stepping into a life of influence, where the right word spoken at the right moment could shape futures.

His fingers moved instinctively, crafting a reply to Charles.

Ethan: [I'm in. Let me know what's needed to finalize everything.]

The response came almost immediately.

Charles: [Sure, Mr. Cole. I'll get it done straight away.]

***

Charles leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as his eyes lingered on the faint glow of his laptop screen. "Who is this young man…" he murmured aloud, the question lingering in the air like an unfinished melody.

There was something about Ethan Cole—something that defied explanation. It wasn't just the sudden appearance of immense wealth or the ease with which he secured backing from a corporation formidable enough to pose a challenge to even the most established institutions.

No, it was the air of quiet confidence that surrounded him, a confidence that seemed entirely natural yet utterly mysterious. If he knew the truth, that was all pretense from Ethan.

Charles closed his laptop with a quiet click, the sound breaking the stillness of his office. Rising to his feet, he straightened his tie and smoothed his jacket, his mind already spinning with plans.

'I need to learn more about him,' he thought, the weight of curiosity settling over him.

If there was one thing Charles Weston understood, it was the value of relationships. And this young man—whoever he truly was—had potential, not just as a client but as a connection.

Perhaps, Charles mused, the bank could benefit from this association. More than that, perhaps he could create an opportunity for Ethan to step further into their world—and for himself to understand just how Ethan Cole fit into it.

With a quiet resolve, Charles decided to organize an event, a gathering of the city's most influential figures. A carefully orchestrated evening where introductions could be made, alliances formed, and Ethan reintroduced—not just as a client, but as someone worth knowing.

***

Ethan felt a quiet surge of satisfaction. The Premier client status wasn't just a label; it was a key—one that could unlock doors he had never dreamed possible. With each step forward, the world around him seemed to widen, revealing paths he hadn't even considered.

The soft click of the door broke his reverie. David Turner stepped inside, his sharp eyes scanning the room as though expecting someone else. When his gaze finally landed on Ethan, there was a flicker of surprise—quickly masked, but not before Ethan caught it.

David's eyes narrowed, taking in the transformation. Gone was the casually dressed young man from the bookstore. In his place stood someone who could easily be mistaken for a rising entrepreneur or even a seasoned professional.

For the first time, David hesitated in his assumptions.

"Ethan," David greeted, his tone polite but tinged with curiosity. "I was expecting your professor. Isn't he coming?"

Ethan rose to greet him, his handshake firm, his smile calm. "Actually," he began, his voice steady, "I made up the story about the professor."

David blinked, his expression hardening into one of wary disbelief. "What do you mean?" he demanded, his voice sharper now. "Are you playing games with me?"

Ethan held his ground, unflinching under the scrutiny. "I needed a way to get your attention," he admitted, his tone measured. "And it worked. I want to fund this project."

David's brow furrowed as he crossed his arms and sat down, clearly unconvinced. "What is this about, Ethan?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "No offense, but this doesn't seem… serious. Are you even capable of funding a project like this?"

Ethan could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken challenge hovering between them. He had expected doubt—it was only natural. But he also knew how to erase it.

Without a word, Ethan bent down, unzipped the duffel bag at his side, and lifted it onto the table. From within, he drew out neatly bundled stacks of cash, each one a silent but undeniable statement.

"What do you think now?" he asked, his voice calm, though his heart thudded in his chest. He placed the money on the table, the quiet rustle of paper filling the room like a ripple in still water.

David's jaw tightened as he stared at the stacks of bills, disbelief etched into his face. "What the—" he began, his voice barely a whisper. Then, louder, "Where did you get this? If it's from anything shady, let me make this clear—I don't want any part of it."

Ethan met his gaze evenly, his own voice steady and deliberate. "This is $500,000," he said. "And no, it's not from anything illegal. I mentioned the professor's story because I needed to establish credibility. Nobody would believe someone like me otherwise."

David leaned back in his chair, the weight of the moment settling heavily between them. The soft ticking of the room's clock seemed to grow louder, marking the pause in their conversation.

"And this," Ethan continued, gesturing to the cash, "is just the beginning. If you need more proof, you can speak to Charles Weston at Novan Bank. He'll confirm that I can deliver."

David's eyes narrowed at the name, his mind clearly working to connect the dots. "Charles Weston," he repeated slowly. "The manager at Novan Bank?"

Ethan nodded, the gesture steady even as his thoughts swirled beneath the surface. "The real question," he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity, "is whether you're ready to take the next step with me."

Truthfully, Ethan felt far from the confident persona he was projecting. Every word and action had been rehearsed in his mind during those restless moments of waiting for David to arrive.

Yet now, standing at the edge of something unknown, he realized that no amount of preparation could ease the nervous energy bubbling within him.

David leaned back in his chair, his expression softening into one of contemplation. The initial skepticism in his eyes had given way to something warmer—a blend of admiration and the flicker of opportunity.

He hadn't expected such resolve from Ethan, but now, seeing the younger man's commitment, he began to imagine what more might be possible.

"You know," David began, his tone thoughtful, "I'm thinking. This project could be just the beginning. With your talent in programming and the resources you clearly have…" His gaze shifted briefly to the cash on the table before returning to Ethan. "Why not think bigger?"

Ethan blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. The nervousness that had gripped him moments ago gave way to curiosity. "What do you mean by that?"

David's lips curved into a small smile, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Why not start a company?"

Ethan straightened in his chair, his brow furrowing slightly. "A company?" he echoed as though the word carried a weight he hadn't anticipated.

"Yes," David said, leaning forward now, his excitement growing. "A tech company. Something focused on creating innovative, community-driven apps—projects that don't just make money but make a difference."

The idea hung in the air between them, alive with possibility. Ethan's mind raced, weighing the enormity of such a step. "What's the catch?" he asked cautiously.

David chuckled softly, shaking his head. "There's no catch," he assured him. "You'd hold the majority stake, of course. Let's say… 90% for you, 10% for me."

He paused, his tone shifting to one of quiet sincerity. "I'm not after wealth, Ethan. I'm comfortable with enough to live on. My real passion is seeing initiatives like this thrive—not just for profit but for the good they can do. That said…" His voice softened further. "I do have a family to think about."

Ethan studied David carefully, noting the honesty in his words. For a man like David, this wasn't just another business proposition; it was a calling.

Yet the practicalities loomed large in Ethan's mind. "I'm not sure I have what it takes to run a company," he admitted, his voice betraying a flicker of doubt.

David leaned back, smiling warmly. "You don't need to worry about that," he said reassuringly. "We'll work together. You do what you're best at—developing brilliant apps—and I'll handle the rest. Operations, logistics, management. That's my domain."

Ethan sat quietly for a moment, letting the idea settle. The prospect of starting a tech company hadn't crossed his mind before, but now it seemed to align perfectly with his circumstances.

It offered a way to explain his newfound wealth—a story the world would readily accept. Successful programmers turning their innovations into millions was a tale often told; this could be his.

'This might just work,' he thought, the pieces clicking into place.

A slow smile spread across his face. "A tech company," he repeated, the words tasting strange but promising. "That's an interesting idea. Let's do it."

David's face lit up, his energy palpable. "Perfect," he said, his tone brimming with satisfaction. "You'll be the chairman, and I'll manage the operations and day-to-day aspects. But…"

He grinned playfully, his tone turning light. "Since we're a startup, don't think you can just sit back in a fancy chair. A chairman needs to roll up his sleeves, too. You'll focus on app development—your work so far speaks for itself."

Ethan felt a rush of excitement. The possibilities unfurled before him like an open map, each path leading to something greater than the last. With David's experience and his own resources, it seemed the only limit was how far they dared to go.

"I like it," Ethan said, the confidence in his voice now unshakable. "Let's get started."

David grinned, extending his hand across the table. "I'll handle the paperwork and registration," he said firmly. "You won't regret this, Ethan. I believe we have what it takes to change the game."

Their handshake sealed the agreement, and as their hands parted, Ethan felt a strange yet empowering weight settle on his shoulders. It wasn't a burden but a promise—of potential, of opportunity, of a future shaped by his own choices.

For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

=====

[Number of connections (2/2)]

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[Mission Completed: Expand Your Network]

Reward:

1. 2,000 EXP

2. 10 Ascension Points

=====

And with that, Ethan realized how smoothly things were falling into place.