As we stepped into the apartment, the air filled with the aroma of spices and home-cooked dishes. My friends followed closely behind, their polished shoes barely making a sound on the wooden floor. Aunt Pranee, ever the hostess, greeted them with a wide smile, her arms outstretched.

"Welcome, welcome!" she exclaimed, waving them inside. "Please, sit down, make yourselves comfortable. We're just about to get started!"

One by one, they exchanged pleasantries, each greeting my mother and aunt with the kind of charm that made me proud.

"Thank you for having us," Ray said, offering a polite nod before taking a seat.

Nora and Mia, stunning in their dresses, smiled warmly, while Lars, Mr. Johan, and Onio, dressed in sharp suits, gave respectful handshakes. Evelyn and Maria exchanged kind words with my mother, expressing their appreciation.

My aunt's eyes gleamed, pleased by the formalities. "I hope you're all hungry. We've got a feast waiting for you!"

The atmosphere lightened as I leaned in and spoke with a grin, "Don't hold back, guys. If you don't go for a second plate, they'll get offended. Trust me, you're doing them a favor."

A few chuckles spread around the room as they looked at the spread of food before them. Onio raised an eyebrow, already eying the dishes. "If that's the case, I'll need a third plate."

"Just make sure you leave room for dessert," I added, smirking. "You won't want to miss out on that either."

The mood had shifted, laughter bubbling up as everyone settled in, ready to indulge in both the food and the company.

The clinking of silverware filled the room as everyone dug into the meal with enthusiasm. Plates were being passed around, second helpings piled high, and every now and then, someone would lean back in their chair, releasing a satisfied sigh. Compliments floated around like the steam rising from the dishes. "This curry is amazing," Nora chimed in, while Onio nodded in agreement, already reaching for another spoonful.

I could feel my aunt's gaze settle on me, and just as I expected, she spoke up. "So, you all work with Dio?" Her tone was casual, but I knew better. She was fishing, her eyes flicking from one friend to the next, waiting for any scrap of information to latch onto.

I didn't miss the way she emphasized "work." It was her subtle way of prying, of trying to dig into what I did for a living, especially since I had never been too forthcoming. In her eyes, being a phone salesman was a questionable choice, hardly something to boast about at family dinners.

My friends exchanged glances, sensing the shift in the conversation. Lars chuckled, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Well, you could say we work together in... a lot of ways," he said, the vague answer hanging in the air.

My aunt's brow furrowed slightly, not quite satisfied. She leaned forward, her curiosity almost palpable. "And what exactly do you all do?"

Onio and Mr. Johan exchanged a glance, waiting for my signal. I gave them a slight nod as I took another bite of food, savoring the flavors while the room waited in a tense silence. Onio leaned back in his chair, casually setting down his fork before speaking.

"Actually, we all work for Dio," Onio began, his voice steady. "He's not just any phone salesman. He's the CEO of Nova Enterprise."

The room froze. For a moment, it was as if time had stopped, the sound of utensils scraping against plates abruptly halted. My aunt's smile faltered, and even Aria's eyes widened in disbelief. Their laughter bubbled up nervously, filling the awkward silence.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Oh, come on," Aunt Pranee scoffed, chuckling as if they had told a joke. "You can't be serious! Dio? CEO? Of a company?"

But the smiles around the table faded quickly as everyone remained serious. No one was laughing.

Aria, still clutching her fork, looked between me and my friends, her usual haughty demeanor wavering. "Wait… you're not joking?"

I didn't say anything, just let the weight of the truth settle into the room as I took another deliberate bite of food.

Aunt Pranee finally leaned forward, narrowing her eyes, her tone dripping with skepticism. "Alright, so you all work for Dio. But tell me, does he actually pay you? I mean, starting a business isn't a joke—everyone knows that. It's hard to make any money at all."

That was when Evelyn, sitting calmly, let out a soft sigh, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a neatly folded document and placed it on the table with quiet confidence. The room seemed to hold its breath as she slid it across toward my aunt.

Mr. Johan, who had been observing quietly until now, spoke up, his voice clear and steady. "I know Dio isn't one to brag, but I think it's about time to give credit where it's due." He turned toward my mom, his smile warm. "Congratulations, Somjai. Your son is a millionaire."

The impact of his words rippled through the room like a shockwave. Aunt Pranee's mouth fell open, her disbelief plain as she stared at the documents Evelyn had laid out. Aria looked equally stunned, her gaze darting between me and the paper in front of her, while my mom—sweet, kind-hearted Somjai—sat in silence, her hands trembling slightly as she processed the news.

For a moment, it seemed as though the world outside had stopped, leaving only the stunned silence of the room.

I reached across the wooden table and took my mother's hand in mine. My voice trembled, but I spoke with determination. "Mom, you've worked hard enough. It's my turn to take care of you now. I'll handle everything from this day forward. I promise to give you the world." Tears welled up in her eyes as she squeezed my hand, grateful beyond words for my promise.

My mother's eyes glistened as she spoke, her voice choked with pride. "I'm so proud of you, Dio. You've become such a great man." Her words hung in the air, a heartfelt declaration that softened the room.

The atmosphere shifted, filled with genuine smiles and warm congratulations. One by one, my friends stood up, their faces beaming with admiration. "Good job, Dio!" Onio exclaimed, clapping me on the back.

"Congratulations!" Ray added, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Each compliment and gesture wove together into a tapestry of recognition and support. It was a moment of celebration, not just for my success, but for the journey that had brought us all together.

My eyes scanned the room, taking in the stunned expressions and tense atmosphere. Suddenly, a familiar chime sounded in my mind, signaling a digital notification. A small smile tugged at my lips as I realized it had been a while since I last leveled up. It was satisfying to see my progress on display.

Congratulations! You've reached Level 15!

You have 5 Upgrade Points to distribute.

Choose stats to upgrade:

Strength: 35 +

Agility: 24 +

Intelligence: 23 +

Endurance: 21 +

Charm: 23 +

I decided to allocate all 5 upgrade points to Intelligence. The choice was simple: enhancing my intellect would sharpen my strategic edge, open new opportunities, and fortify my grasp over the unfolding challenges.

Updated Stats:

Strength: 35

Agility: 24

Intelligence: 28 (23 + 5)

Endurance: 21

Charm: 23

With a sense of satisfaction, I confirmed the upgrades. Alongside this, a new skill unlocked in my arsenal:

Global Monitoring System: This skill allows me to track and evaluate the productivity of my employees worldwide. I can now register all my workers and receive real-time updates on their performance, pinpointing those who may be slacking or underperforming.

I was filled with a renewed sense of purpose as I eagerly awaited the opportunity to utilize this new capability.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 15

Skill Count: 3 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze) (Global Monitoring System)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:28

Endurance:21

Charm:23

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 5million kroner.

Associate - 7

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers - 25

Company - 1