Elena's family was vast, consisting of four brothers, three sisters, and more than twenty cousins. Many of the women in her family had already been married off, and those who weren't were likely next in line. The news of Elena's marriage cancellation had spread quickly, and the reason behind it made her the subject of envy. While many of her relatives pretended to be content with their arranged marriages, few were genuinely satisfied. Some even dared to approach Elena, hoping to learn more about the man who had spent close to $100 million to cancel her marriage. But all they could get from her was his name: Oliver Turner.
Meanwhile, Oliver was making significant decisions with his system.
[System Notification]
[You have increased favorability of -- Elena Voss -- above 80]
[You can now bind up to 5 women. Current: 1/5]
[You have unlocked the One-Time Shop]
He opened the system's One-Time Shop, reviewing the options:
[One-Time Shop]
[Charm] - Grants unrivaled charisma and charm in all interactions. Price: $1,000,000,000
[Body Strengthening] - Enhances your body, making it incredibly durable and strong. Price: $3,000,000,000
[Aegis] - Advanced cybersecurity software capable of patching any vulnerabilities and providing complete system protection. Price: $2,000,000,000]
Every time Oliver increased a person's favorability to 85 or higher, the shop would unlock for 24 hours, allowing him to buy whatever he wanted. He decided that the skills were too valuable to pass up. Though the total cost was $6 billion, leaving him with $3 billion, it was still a massive sum.
The Aegis software in particular intrigued him. He had plans to use it as a foundation for Elena to create a cybersecurity company. All the information he needed to build the program was already downloaded into his mind. Before he could explore it further, his muscles started to ache, veins popping out in a terrifying way. The pain became overwhelming, and Oliver lost consciousness.
Several hours later, Oliver woke up feeling rejuvenated. He immediately examined his body—there wasn't a significant difference in appearance, except for the new six-pack abs. He would test out his newfound strength later. For now, he had more important things to do. He called Elena, asking if they could meet. She agreed, sending him her address.
Before leaving, Oliver realized he had some time to start developing the software. He had learned C++ during his free time, believing computer science was a valuable skill. Now, that decision was paying off. He opened his laptop, launched his code editor, and began working. His fingers flew across the keyboard, moving as if by instinct. The knowledge implanted by the system allowed him to understand every line of code he wrote. He couldn't help but admire the program's complexity—something that would be impossible for even the most seasoned professionals to create.
After two hours of non-stop coding, Oliver completed a rudimentary version of the Aegis software. It wasn't user-friendly yet, only running through the terminal, but it was functional. He tested it by replacing his computer's security software, and within minutes, it identified multiple vulnerabilities. He attempted to hack into his system but failed every time as Aegis blocked every attack. Satisfied with the results, Oliver packed up and made his way to meet Elena.
Oliver arrived at Elena's estate later that evening. The place was massive, with luxurious mansions spread across the grounds. He was momentarily unsure of where to go, but then spotted Elena waiting for him. She ran up to him excitedly, jumping into his arms. He was caught off guard but quickly embraced her. After exchanging pleasantries, they made their way inside.
They entered a lavish sitting room, where Elena summoned a maid to bring them drinks. Oliver only asked for water, and Elena didn't order anything. After a moment, Oliver got straight to the point.
"I'm here to talk business," he said. "I want you to shift one of your companies to a new direction. Specifically, into providing security services."
Elena blinked in surprise. "Security services? You mean like... cybersecurity?"
Oliver nodded and pulled out his laptop. "I've developed software that can revolutionize the field. I call it Aegis. It blocks phishing attempts, spyware, keyloggers, and even helps with web security."
He demonstrated the software to her, walking her through its features and how it worked. Elena was visibly impressed, especially by Oliver's knowledge of computer science. They spent the next hour discussing how to implement the software, how it could form the backbone of a security company, and how to market it effectively.
During the conversation, Oliver offered to invest in the venture. "If you need capital, I can provide it. How much do you think it'll take to get things up and running?"
Elena thought for a moment. "I'd need around $10 million. We'll have to restructure the company, hire new staff, and rebrand everything. And we'll need a marketing campaign."
Oliver smiled. "I'll give you $500 million."
Elena's eyes widened. "That's way too much! I can't accept that."
But after some playful back-and-forth, Oliver convinced her. She accepted the money with a grateful smile, promising to make the most of it.
After a bit more conversation, Oliver left the estate. As he made his way back home, he couldn't help but feel excited. He had secured Elena's future and set her on the path to success. Now, it was time to turn his attention to other pursuits. There were more women to bind, more opportunities to seize.
And Oliver couldn't wait.