Chapter 7: The Bck Envelope
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A Choice with Consequences
Kai turned the bck envelope over in his hands.
It was thick, expensive, carrying an air of exclusivity and power.
He could feel the weight of the eyes in the room.
Watching. Waiting.
Whatever was inside would determine his next step in this world.
With a measured breath, he slid his finger under the seal and pulled out a small card.
Two words were printed in elegant gold lettering:
"Tomorrow. Midnight."
And below it, an address.
No expnation. No instructions.
Just an invitation.
Celeste had set her trap.
But who was truly trapping whom?
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Unraveling Celeste
Before making a move, Kai needed information.
Celeste Laurent wasn’t just a billionaire—she was a power broker.
A woman who didn’t just thrive in this world but dictated its rules.
But why him?
He pulled out his phone, opening a private search engine.
Celeste Laurent – Business Empire
A flood of articles and reports surfaced.
CEO of Laurent Holdings – A multinational empire spanning finance, real estate, and luxury brands.
Rumored connections to high-profile figures – Politicians, tech billionaires, and underground financiers.
Unmatched in influence – Many of her competitors had mysteriously vanished from the business scene.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
She wasn’t just rich. She was dangerous.
And now, she was testing him.
The question was: Why?
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A Calcuted Risk
Kai leaned back in his chair, thinking.
If he wanted to win in this world, he had two options:
1. Py it safe – Reject the invitation, avoid unnecessary risk, and grow his empire alone.
2. Dive in – Meet Celeste on her terms and prove he wasn’t just another disposable pawn.
He smirked.
The choice was obvious.
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Preparing for the Midnight Meeting
The next day, Kai spent the morning finalizing his spending strategy.
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[System Interface]
Daily Spending Limit: 275,000,000
Total Spent Today: 4,500,000
Avaible for Personal Use: 1,000,000
---
He still had plenty to burn.
Instead of random splurging, he invested strategically:
Luxury real estate bookings – To establish credibility.
Private security upgrades – He wasn’t walking into this meeting unprepared.
Exclusive club memberships – Because access was power.
By evening, his influence had already started rising in the right circles.
By midnight, he was ready.
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The Midnight Meeting
The address led him to a private lounge—one that wasn’t listed anywhere.
A pce that didn’t exist unless you were invited.
The moment he stepped inside, he knew.
This was where the real pyers met.
Dim lighting. Soft jazz pying in the background. Men in tailored suits. Women in designer dresses.
Every conversation held millions of dolrs in implications.
And there, at the center of it all, was Celeste.
She wasn’t alone.
Beside her sat an older man in a gray suit, exuding quiet authority.
Kai immediately recognized him.
Vincent Moreau. The Ghost of Wall Street.
A man so powerful that financial crashes could be traced back to his decisions.
Celeste gnced up as Kai approached, a smile pying on her lips.
"Right on time."
Kai slid into the seat across from her, unbothered.
"I prefer not to waste opportunities."
Vincent Moreau studied him, his sharp eyes calcuting.
"So you’re the one causing waves tely," he said in a smooth, measured tone.
Kai simply smiled. "Just getting started."
A brief silence.
Then, Vincent smirked. "I like him."
Celeste leaned in, resting her chin on her hand.
"Tell me, Kai. How much do you know about real power?"
Kai met her gaze, unflinching.
"Enough to know that money isn’t enough."
Celeste's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Good," she said softly. "Because tonight, we talk about the real game."
And just like that, Kai stepped into a world that only a handful of people even knew existed.
