The newly built Wilson Foundation Orphanage stood tall, nestled between a quiet suburban neighborhood and a sprawling park. It wasn't flashy. There were no golden plaques, no extravagant architecture... just a warm and welcoming place designed to give kids a real home, not just a shelter.

Inside, Alex walked through the halls, watching as workers put the finishing touches on the opening party preparations. The place smelled like fresh paint and new furniture.

The orphanage had over 200 kids. Some were orphans of war, others had been abandoned or rescued from abuse, and a heartbreaking number were victims of human trafficking. Each child had a story, and none of them were good.

Alex had paid for everything starting from the land, the construction, the staff, the education programs, but he had also made damn sure to keep the media out of it. He wasn't here for publicity.

This wasn't a headline.

This was personal.

A few kids peeked around the corner as he passed, their wide eyes filled with curiosity. One little girl, no older than six, clutched a stuffed bunny with one ear missing. Alex gave her a small nod, and after a moment of hesitation, she waved at him shyly.

Alex smiled. "Hey, kid."

She giggled and ran off.

"Mr. Wilson!"

Alex turned to see Hanna, the orphanage director, approaching with a clipboard in hand. She was in her early 50s, with graying curls and the kind of no-nonsense attitude that kept this place running.

"Everything good?" he asked.

Hanna nodded. "We're almost set. Decorations are up, the kids are excited, and the staff is prepped. Just waiting on the food and cupcakes you arranged."

Alex glanced around, watching as volunteers set up tables, stacked chairs, and arranged gift bags for the kids. Some of the older teens were even helping the staff.

It felt... right.

"You made all this happen," Hanna said, watching him. "I hope you know that."

Alex exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I just wrote the checks. You're the one keeping it going."

Hanna snorted. "That's rich, coming from a man who personally interviewed every staff member here before approving them."

Alex smirked but didn't deny it. He hadn't just funded the orphanage—he had handpicked every single person working here. No corrupt officials, no opportunists looking for handouts.

Only people who actually gave a damn.

...

[A few minutes later]

Alex was looking around the playground.

Outside, the sound of a heavy truck engine rumbled through the quiet streets, coming to a screeching halt just outside the orphanage gates.

He turned just in time to see the back doors of the truck fly open dramatically.

Max jumped down first, looking sleep-deprived and slightly feral. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, her jeans were dusted with flour, and there was still a streak of frosting on her cheek that she apparently hadn't noticed.

Caroline followed, looking slightly more composed but equally exhausted. She adjusted her pastel blazer, pushing back a stray lock of blonde hair before exhaling deeply.

They both looked like they had survived a war.

Alex raised an eyebrow. 'Why am I not surprised?' He walked over to them and told the security to open the gate.

"You guys look... alive. Barely."

Max threw her hands in the air. "Oh, gee, thanks, Daddy Warbucks! That's exactly what I wanted to hear after baking a thousand freaking cupcakes."

Caroline groaned. "Max, please don't pick a fight with the man paying us."

Max crossed her arms. "I can and I will." Then she turned to Alex, squinting. "Speaking of which, are we getting hazard pay? Because I think I transcended reality sometime around my fourth Elf Juice."

Alex smirked. "What the hell is Elf Juice?"

Caroline pointed dramatically at Max. "Ask this psychopath. She gave it to me. I think I met God, and He was a whisk."

Max sighed. "It was an energy shot... With a little extra zing."

Alex glanced at the truck filled with rows upon rows of neatly packed cupcake boxes. "So, you actually did it?"

Max scoffed. "Of course, we did it. Do I look like someone who half-asses things?"

Caroline snorted. "You literally half-assed washing the mixing bowls."

"That was on purpose," Max shot back. "Dish soap is a scam."

Alex just shook his head, biting back a grin. "Alright, let's get them unloaded before the kids start rioting."

With the help of some of the older kids and volunteers, Max and Caroline began unloading the cupcakes into the orphanage's massive dining hall.

Max eyed the group of kids helping. "Alright, listen up, my tiny assistants. These cupcakes are precious cargo. Handle them with care, or I will cry, and trust me, you don't want to see that."

One of the older boys, probably around 16, smirked. "You cry?"

Max nodded gravely. "Like a dignified warrior. With silent single tears and dramatic background music."

The kids laughed, and even Alex had to admit, Max had a way of making people comfortable instantly.

Caroline handed out boxes. "Just put them on the tables gently. No sudden movements!"

Max gasped. "Oh my God, Caroline, they're kids, not bomb disposal experts!"

Caroline shot her a look. "Have you ever seen what happens when a child drops a cupcake? It's worse than war."

Max thought about it. "You make a valid point."

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After 30 minutes of setup, the cupcakes were finally all in place.

The orphanage was bustling with laughter, chatter, and the kind of pure joy that only kids could bring. They ran around, eyeing the cupcake table like it was a holy shrine.

Alex, standing by the window, took a sip of his coffee, watching the scene unfold.

Beside him, Max stretched her arms over her head with a groan. "Welp. We did it. We are now officially gods of baked goods."

Caroline sighed. "I don't think my feet exist anymore."

Alex chuckled. "You guys should be proud. You pulled this off."

Max smirked. "Damn right, we did. We are women of industry, pioneers of pastry, queens of cupcakes!" She paused, glancing at the kids. "... And I am stealing one of those cupcakes."

Caroline smacked her arm. "Max!"

Alex smirked. "I won't tell if you don't."

Max grinned. "See? That's why I like you, Moneybags. You get it."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "You like him because he signs our paychecks."

Max gasped dramatically. "How dare you imply that I am only here for financial gain!"

Caroline: "You literally screamed 'PAY ME' at him an hour ago."

Max: "Details."

Alex just shook his head, amused as hell.

Max rubbed her temples. "Anyway, I have frosting in places where frosting should never be. I need a shower. And possibly an exorcism."

Caroline nodded. "Same. I think my hair has absorbed so much flour that if I stand in the sun too long, I'll bake into a loaf of bread. I think we should go."

Alex smirked. "Go? Nope. There's a shower room for the staff in the back. Go clean up and join the party."

Max groaned. "Ugh. Fine. But we didn't bring any extra clothes, and I refuse to wear my flour-covered jeans for another second. Do you know how much suffering I've endured today? My underwear is basically sanding my skin off."

Caroline made a face. "Thanks for that visual, Max. Really needed it."

Alex pulled out his phone, casually opened a luxury online clothing store app, and held it out to them. "Pick something."

Max blinked at him. "Huh?"

He shrugged. "Buy whatever you want. No price limit."

Caroline, who had grown up rich, merely raised an eyebrow. Max, on the other hand?

Max froze like she had just seen God himself descend from the heavens offering her tax-free money.

She snatched the phone so fast that Alex barely had time to react. "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. Hold up. Are you telling me I get to pick any outfit from this bougie-rich people app, and you're just gonna pay for it like it's nothing?"

He smirked. "Pretty much."

Max narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "Are you being serious right now, Moneybags? Because if this is a test to see if I choose something cheap and humble, I will fail spectacularly."

Alex chuckled. "It's not a test. Just pick something before I change my mind."

Max let out a dramatic gasp. "Caroline! This is what we trained for!"

Caroline, unimpressed, crossed her arms. "Max, we've never trained for this."

Max ignored her, scrolling through the app with the speed of a professional online shopper on Black Friday. "Alright, let's see… Ooooh, this dress looks fancy. But what if I want to flex? Should I go for something ridiculously expensive just to spite capitalism?"

Caroline sighed. "Max. Just pick something and stop being a goblin about it."

Max turned the phone toward her. "Blondie, help me out. Do I go for 'hot and expensive', or do I go for 'rich woman who owns five yachts'?"

Caroline deadpanned. "Neither. Pick something normal."

Max gasped. "How dare you?"

Alex rubbed his temples, fighting the urge to take his phone back. "You have five minutes before I just buy you both matching onesies and call it a day."

Max immediately got serious. "Okay, okay! No need for drastic measures, rich boy!"

[Five Minutes Later]

After intense debate and three near-arguments, Max and Caroline finally settled on their choices.

Caroline, being practical, picked a simple but elegant pastel dress. Stylish, breathable, and perfect for a party.

Max?

Max grinned like a lunatic. "I picked something that screams 'I'm hot, I'm expensive, and I might steal your sugar daddy'."

Alex sighed. "Do I even want to know?"

Max spun the phone around to show him.

A form-fitting, deep red silk dress with a daring slit up the side. Classy. Bold. Dangerously expensive.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "That dress costs more than my first car."

Max gasped dramatically. "Oh, please. You own Hollywood. Don't act like you can't afford it."

Caroline groaned. "Max. Pick something practical."

Max smirked. "Oh no, no, no. He said anything. No price limit. And I am taking full advantage of my sugar—uh, I mean, business investor's generosity."

Alex just shook his head, amused. "Fine. Whatever. Order confirmed."

Max gasped again, clutching her chest. "Did… did you just let me spend an amount of money that could've paid my rent for a year without blinking?"

Alex smiled. "Consider it a little gift."

Max stared at him like he was an alien. "I suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to marry rich."

Caroline grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the showers. "Okay, that's enough. Come on, you filthy goblin."

Max cackled as she was pulled away. "I REGRET NOTHING!"

Alex just chuckled, watching them disappear down the hall.

This was going to be… interesting.

...

While the two girls were busy cleaning themselves up, the party started...

The kids were loving the cupcakes, their excited laughter filling the air. Workers and volunteers bustled around, making sure everyone was having a good time, while the older kids helped the younger ones with their plates.

Alex stood near one of the tables, sipping a cup of coffee, and watching the chaos unfold. 'Humm... I am drinking too much coffee lately.'

It was… nice.

There was something incredibly humbling about seeing these kids... kids who had been through hell and back—laugh, smile, and just be children for a little while.

His eyes drifted over to the game corner, where some of the older kids were playing cards, a few were doing puzzles, and...

A small chessboard caught his attention.

A 12-year-old boy sat there, quietly studying the board, his fingers idly tracing the edge of a rook. Unlike the others, he wasn't rushing to play. He was analyzing. Calculating.

Alex smirked. 'A strategist.' He walked over and pulled out a chair. "You waiting for an opponent?"

The boy glanced up at him, dark brown eyes sharp with intelligence.

"Depends," he said, voice steady. "Do you play?"

Alex chuckled and set down his coffee. "A little."

The boy nodded and started setting up the pieces. "White or black?"

Alex leaned back. "You pick."

The kid smirked. "I'll take white."

'Ah. Confident.'

Alex liked him already.

"I'm Theo by the way," The boy introduced himself with just his name and made his first move, shifting a pawn forward.

Alex responded just as casually, mirroring his move.

At first, they played in silence.

Theo's movements were calm and methodical, his brows furrowed as he considered every piece.

Alex, on the other hand, played with relaxed ease, countering moves without giving away too much.

Halfway through, Theo finally spoke.

"You're not playing to win," he said, moving his knight. "You're playing to see how good I am first."

Alex smirked, shifting his rook. "Smart kid."

Theo shrugged. "Not really. Just obvious."

Alex's respect for him grew instantly. Most kids wouldn't have noticed that.

Hell, most adults wouldn't have.

They played in comfortable silence for a few more moves, the board slowly turning into a battlefield.

Then Theo spoke again.

"Are you really a billionaire?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that?"

Theo shrugged. "People talk." He moved his queen, setting up an aggressive play. "So… is it true?"

Alex considered his answer. "Something like that."

Theo didn't look impressed. "Then why are you here?"

Alex blinked. "What do you mean?"

Theo gestured vaguely around the orphanage. "Rich people usually show up for an hour, take some pictures, and leave. You're actually here."

Alex smiled slightly. "And what do you think that means?"

Theo studied him carefully as if reading between the lines.

Then he moved his rook.

Check.

Alex chuckled. 'Damn. The kid was good.'

Theo didn't play defensively, he continued to make aggressive moves. Alex could see the way his mind worked. Every piece had a purpose. Every move was part of a larger picture. But Theo made one mistake.

A small one. But against Alex, that was enough.

Two moves later, Alex leaned forward, moved his queen, and...

"Checkmate."

Theo froze, staring at the board.

His lips parted slightly. "…Wait." He scanned the pieces, then groaned, slumping back in his chair. "Ah!"

Alex smirked. "You almost had me."

Theo narrowed his eyes. "No, I didn't. You saw that coming."

Alex took a sip of his coffee. "You're 12 and nearly beat me. That's impressive."

Theo scowled. "Almost doesn't count."

Alex chuckled. "That's true." He gestured at the board. "But you know what's more important than winning?"

Theo looked up, skeptical.

Alex smirked. "Losing."

Theo frowned. "That's stupid."

Alex shrugged. "Is it?" He tapped a pawn. "When you win, you celebrate. But when you lose? You learn. You figure out what went wrong. And next time?" He leaned back. "You come back stronger. But don't make losing a habit with that excuse."

Theo stared at him, deep in thought. Then without a word, he started setting up the board again.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You want a rematch?"

"No. Not today. I need to learn more and replay what just happened in my mind. Thank you. That was a good match..."

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[8 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers]

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