Everything was settled and the group continued to chat among themselves, though the buzz hadn't quite died down.
Henry gave a low whistle as he circled the Midnight Velocity, hands in his pockets. "You're telling me that came out of a birthday box?"
"It's like he won a lottery disguised as a gift," Daniel muttered, brows furrowed as he took in the way the car's surface refracted light like liquid glass. "Young Master Cedric, where exactly did you find something like this?"
I offered him a casual glance. "Here and there."
Samuel barked a laugh. "That means he's never telling us."
Oliver leaned back against the hood, arms crossed, still looking a little dazed. "You should've seen the other keys. I can't even imagine what they unlocked."
Henry raised a brow. "And you picked this one? The obsidian key?"
"Didn't even hesitate," Daniel added.
Oliver shrugged, smirking. "It felt right."
"It looked right," Samuel admitted. "If I were a car, I'd be offended I wasn't born as that."
Elena approached then, her heels quiet on the stone. She stopped beside me, eyes still fixed on the vehicle. "Young Master Cedric," she said smoothly, "was it intentional?"
I tilted my head. "Was what?"
"The drama. The mystery. The choice. You've managed to outshine every guest with a single box."
"Not my fault they brought watches and wine," I said, lips tugging into a half-smile.
"I think they're rethinking their gift budgets," Henry quipped.
Jonathan Reed finally joined us, arms folded across his chest. "A statement like this…" He nodded toward the car. "It leaves an impression."
I met his eyes. "That was the idea."
He studied me for a moment longer, then offered a small, approving nod.
The conversation shifted after that—easing into familiar banter, trading jokes and teasing Oliver about needing a manual before he even touched the controls. I answered a few more questions, deflecting most with vague amusement.
But I could feel it.
They'd all seen it now. The moment. The choice. The impression that they wouldn't forget it anytime soon.
As the laughter ebbed into softer conversation and a waiter offered me a tray of flutes I had no interest in, I excused myself with a nod and made my way toward the restroom.
Just long enough to let the buzz die down, or at least let them talk freely without the Young Master in earshot.
Once I was gone, the group naturally gravitated toward the lounge again, drinks in hand, the glow of the car still reflecting faintly through the open terrace.
"So," Henry began, swirling the amber in his glass, "we've all had our moment. How's business treating everyone?"
"Good quarter," Samuel said first, leaning back against the leather armrest. "The new flavor line went regional. Sparkberry actually charted top five in the west coast markets."
"You and those ridiculous names," Daniel muttered. "But they sell, I'll give you that."
Samuel grinned. "People remember what makes them laugh."
"My jewelry branches in Milan and Osaka are finally stabilized," Thomas added, joining them with a fresh glass. "We're seeing double-digit margins after the last showcase. The new sapphire line hit the engagement circuit hard."
Henry gave a small nod of approval. "Smart targeting. I've been expanding too—opened two new dealerships in Singapore last month. Electric fleet models are flying off the floor."
Daniel sipped his drink. "Wish I could say the same for the skyline project. Real estate's still solid, but zoning's a nightmare. The bureaucrats want a piece of everything."
They all looked to Oliver then.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Still figuring things out," he said lightly. "The gaming studio's running… just not the way I want it to."
"Didn't you greenlight a new IP last fall?" Henry asked.
"Yeah. Got caught in dev hell. Too many moving parts, not enough direction." He exhaled through his nose. "Feels like I'm chasing trends instead of leading them."
Samuel raised a brow. "You thinking of pivoting?"
"I'm thinking of burning it all down and starting fresh."
Daniel chuckled. "Now that sounds like a Reed."
Thomas offered a gentler tone. "You'll find your rhythm again. It's not like you don't have the mind for it."
Henry nodded. "Or the resources. You've got the reach, Oliver. Just need the spark."
The group settled into thoughtful quiet for a beat, broken only by the soft clink of crystal.
"Maybe," Oliver said after a moment, eyes drifting toward where I'd gone, "I need someone to shake things up again."
"Someone like Young Master Cedric?" Thomas asked with a knowing smile.
Oliver smirked. "He certainly knows how to leave a mark."
Oliver tapped the rim of his glass with a quiet sigh. "What I really need is a reinvestment round—something with teeth. Fresh capital to restructure, hire a tighter core team, and actually push the vision instead of watering it down."
The others exchanged glances.
Samuel was the first to speak. "I'd love to help, you know that—but the bottling expansion bled more than expected. I'm still wrapping up logistics for the western hub."
Henry gave an apologetic shrug. "Same boat. The overseas dealership launch wasn't cheap. I'm running leaner than I'd like just to keep pace with demand."
Thomas looked genuinely regretful. "The Milan showcase devoured our reserve budget. I've got six international clients waiting on commissions. I can't pull funds without risking the supply chain."
Daniel shook his head slowly. "If you'd come to me six months ago, I might've had wiggle room. But zoning delays killed my liquidity. Most of it's frozen in permits and long-term contracts."
Oliver leaned back with a faint exhale. "So no one's in a position to float something major."
There was a pause before Samuel said, "Not until next quarter at the earliest."
"Maybe not even then," Henry added. "We're all stretched thin."
"I get it," Oliver said with a quiet laugh, masking the flicker of frustration behind his usual charm. "It was worth asking."
"Have you considered outside investors?" Thomas asked cautiously.
Oliver gave him a look. "And dilute the last thing I still control? No thanks."
"You could make a deal with someone influential," Daniel offered. "Not family—someone like…"
But he trailed off, eyes drifting subtly toward the hallway Cedric had disappeared into.
Oliver followed the glance, lips pressing into a thin line.
---
I leaned against the marble counter, letting the quiet of the restroom mute the distant hum of music and chatter. My reflection stared back—composed, polished, unreadable. I let out a breath and muttered under it, "Ten million, huh…"
[You sound stressed, Young Master.]
'You gave me a second task that requires investing the full amount. I've had that money sitting idle for weeks. No leads, no target. You'd think for a system with infinite data, you'd be more… helpful.'
[Correction: you haven't figured out who to invest in. I provide opportunities, not babysitting.]
I frowned. 'So what, I just throw ten million into the void and hope something sticks?'
[Hardly. You need to find someone or something worth the investment. Someone with potential. Someone who needs it but doesn't realize it yet.]
'Someone close, or someone far?'
[Closer than you think.]
I blinked at that. My gaze lingered on the silver ring around my index finger—another random reward from the system, still inactive. Everything always came in pieces with it.
'Closer, huh…'
[Use your instincts, Cedric. You're not just the Young Master for show. You know how to read people. Start reading.]
I rubbed my jaw. 'Ten million… not even a small sum. Whoever I choose better be worth it.'
[Oh, they are. You just haven't looked closely enough.]
I heard faint footsteps outside the door—likely someone from the group. I pushed off the counter and straightened my collar.
'Alright. Time to stop waiting. Let's find out who's drowning quietly.'
[Now you're starting to sound like me.]
As I stepped out of the restroom, the voices from the lounge filtered through clearly. They hadn't noticed me yet, and I paused just long enough to catch the edge of the conversation.
"I swear," Henry said, rubbing the back of his neck, "the dealerships are stable, but there's no room left for new ventures. Not unless I want to sell off a location or two."
Samuel sighed. "Same with the beverage lines. I've already restructured twice this year—can't stretch things thinner."
Thomas shook his head. "Jewelry demand is up, but we're pouring everything into fulfillment. I don't even have spare liquidity, let alone investment capital."
Daniel looked at Oliver, almost apologetic. "You know we'd help if we could. But everyone's hands are full."
Oliver chuckled, though the sound didn't reach his eyes. "No worries. It was worth asking."
I stepped in then, smooth and measured.
"Troubled waters?" I asked lightly as I rejoined them.
They turned, startled. Henry gave a laugh. "More like just tired swimmers, Young Master."
I glanced at Oliver. "I overheard a little. You're looking for backers?"
He gave a careful nod. "Just enough to keep things afloat until the prototype's finished. We're close."
"I'm not looking to get involved in the management side of anything," I said plainly. "But I have capital. If you need an investor, I'm open to hearing the pitch."
Oliver blinked. "Seriously?"
"I'm not a fan of gambling," I continued, "but I do believe in placing my chips where instinct says there's a return. And you've never struck me as someone who bluffs."
The room shifted again. No tension now—just surprise.
Samuel gave a low whistle. "Young Master Cedric… you're full of surprises tonight."
Oliver leaned forward, excitement beginning to spark in his eyes. "That would mean a lot. I—of course. I'll get the details to you."
"Don't dress it up too much," I added. "I want the real version, not the one for boardrooms."
He grinned. "Understood."
The others exchanged glances, impressed.
"To think," Daniel murmured, "he just stumbled into the best deal of the night."
Thomas raised his glass. "To bold moves and quiet power."
I simply nodded, letting the smile rest on my lips as they laughed and toasted.
No one knew yet that I was planning to invest ten million.
And for now, I preferred it that way.
Their laughter still lingered in the air when I spoke again—voice calm, steady.
"Actually," I said, setting my glass down, "no need to wait on the pitch."
Oliver blinked. "Huh?"
"I'll put in ten million," I said plainly.
The room froze.
No metaphor. No buildup. Just silence.
Daniel choked on his drink. "You—what?"
Oliver sat up straighter, like he wasn't sure he'd heard me right. "Ten… million?"
"Wire transfer," I continued, unbothered by their reactions. "Clean, direct investment. Silent stake. I'm not interested in management or board seats. I just want to see it grow."
Henry's jaw dropped. "Young Master Cedric… you're serious?"
"As serious as that platinum cufflink set," I replied mildly, then glanced back at Oliver. "You said you needed to get things afloat again. Ten million should carry more than just the tide."
Oliver looked like he was caught between speechless and stunned joy. Then he laughed—sharp, disbelieving, grateful.
"Hell, I don't even know what to say," he said. "That's not an investment. That's a lifeline."
"You earned it," I said simply. "And I have my reasons."
Thomas let out a long exhale. "This guy really dropped ten million like he was ordering dessert."
Samuel shook his head with a grin. "Young Master Cedric… remind me never to bet against you."
Daniel raised his glass again, this time with true reverence. "To game-changers. Literally."
Oliver stood and offered his hand across the table.
"I won't waste it," he said.
I took his hand.
"I know."