As the afternoon light faded into the early hues of evening, my phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, I saw Mr. Erik's name flash across it. I answered, his familiar voice calm and professional on the other end.

"Sir, I've arrived. The limousine is parked right outside the apartment."

I smiled. "Perfect. We'll be right there."

Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I turned to face the group, a smirk playing on my lips. It was time to finally reveal what I had in store. "Alright, everyone," I began, making sure I had their attention. "I've got something special planned for tonight on behalf of Mr. Bigdalen."

The room buzzed with excitement as curious glances were exchanged. Faces lit up, eager to see what I had orchestrated. The atmosphere shifted, electric with anticipation. This was going to be a special evening.

"I've got something lined up for the rest of the night," I said, my tone casual but carrying enough weight to grab everyone's attention. They paused, eyes flickering with curiosity as I continued. "Mr. Erik's already outside with the limo."

A few glances exchanged, excitement quietly building in the room. I leaned back, letting the suspense linger just a little longer. "Let's make this night unforgettable."

The shift in the air was instant. Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone started to rise, smiles spreading as anticipation buzzed in the room. No one needed to say it—we were in for something big.

Aunt Pranee's voice cut through the rising excitement, her tone laced with a hint of condescension. "Well, it's the least you could do, Dio," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "After all, with all that success, you should be treating everyone to something nice."

I smiled, though the edge of sarcasm in her words didn't go unnoticed. "Of course, Aunt. Just making sure everyone enjoys themselves," I replied smoothly, letting her comment roll off me. The atmosphere around the table shifted, but the excitement still lingered, undimmed by her attempt to downplay the moment. Everyone was still eager for what was to come.

Everyone clustered near the door, slipping into coats and jackets, their movements filled with anticipation. Nora leaned in close to Mia, her voice low but filled with excitement. Mia's smile spread wider as she whispered something back, their excitement unmistakable without a word spoken aloud.

As we descended in the elevator, the soft hum of excitement surrounded us. Stepping outside, the summer breeze hit, cool against the warmth of the evening. It swept past, carrying with it the faint hum of distant traffic and the glow of streetlights. I paused for a second, feeling the subtle rush of the moment—the long journey, the quiet fatigue mixed with something else. A sharper drive, ambition flickering alive like a flame that refused to burn out. This wasn't the end—it was only the start of Nova enterprise.

I greeted Mr. Erik with a nod as he opened the car door. "Thanks for coming, Mr. Erik," I said. He gave a small smile. "My pleasure, Dio," he replied, stepping aside to let everyone in.

One by one, we piled into the limo. The soft leather seats felt luxurious, and on the side, chilled bottles of champagne and soda waited in a sleek compartment. "Champagne for the adults, soda for the younger ones," I said, gesturing toward the drinks with a grin.

As the car pulled away, the conversations began to flow. Onio popped open a soda, looking over at Lars. "Man, we had this customer today," Onio started, shaking his head. "Guy didn't even know what he wanted but had a million questions."

Lars laughed. "The worst, right? It's always the ones who are 'just browsing.'"

Mia chimed in, her eyes twinkling. "Yeah, but when you land them? Oh, the sweet victory." She raised her glass in a mock toast.

"That's sales for you," Nora added, smiling. "You never know what you're getting until you're already in the middle of it."

I listened, nodding as they discussed their customers and work, feeling a sense of pride.

I leaned back in my seat, watching as my friends and family laughed, their voices mixing with the soft hum of the car. The gentle clinking of champagne glasses and soda cans filled the air, but I stayed quiet, letting the warmth of the moment wash over me. The familiar comfort of their presence was all I needed.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

As I stared out the window, the cool night blurred by, but inside, my chest tightened. A single tear slipped down my cheek before I quickly wiped it away. The memories of my past life hit me, uninvited, like a wave crashing against the shore. Back then, I had been isolated—betrayed by those I trusted, crushed under the weight of hopelessness.

But this was different. This moment, with them, felt like a fire in the cold. I wasn't that man anymore. The emptiness had been replaced by something stronger—something real. I couldn't let it slip through my fingers. Not this time.

Power. Wealth. Influence. I needed more of it. Not only for myself, but for them. To keep them safe. To make sure that no one could ever take this from me. The goal ahead was clear, and I was gonna change this world behind the scene.

As we stepped out of the limousine, the staff of Hotel Fjordhaven Grand were already in position, waiting with white towels draped over silver trays. They handed each of us a refreshing, cool towel to clean our faces, followed by complimentary drinks—crisp sparkling water and freshly squeezed juice. The subtle aroma of citrus lingered in the air, adding to the sense of luxury.

A man in an impeccably tailored suit stepped forward, his posture exuding professionalism and charm. "Welcome to Hotel Fjordhaven Grand," he said in a polished tone, his Norwegian accent soft but distinct. "I'm Mr. Bjørnstad, and my team and I are honored to host you this evening. If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

His words were delivered with a smooth, practiced elegance, setting the tone for the night ahead.

"Follow me," Mr. Bjørnstad gestured with a courteous nod, and we moved as a group, stepping through the grand entrance of Hotel Fjordhaven Grand. The moment we crossed the threshold, the interior revealed itself in all its splendor. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. Every piece of furniture gleamed with polish, each item carefully chosen for its elegance—rich mahogany tables, velvet armchairs, and marble floors that reflected the light like a mirror.

The walls were adorned with exquisite art, and the air itself seemed to hum with sophistication. Everything, down to the smallest detail, spoke of luxury. Eyes widened, and hushed murmurs of awe rippled through the group as they took in the grandeur. It was the kind of place where every corner felt steeped in wealth and refinement.

As we entered the private room, the atmosphere shifted into one of awe. The long table, set with the finest silverware—each plate, fork, knife, and spoon gleaming under the chandelier's soft glow—was nothing short of grand. The staff, assigned just for us, stood at attention with an air of practiced elegance, their professionalism evident in every movement. Everything about this place screamed luxury, from the polished marble floors to the ornate decorations adorning the walls.

I took a deep breath, glancing at my mom, Aria, and Aunt Pranee, who were clearly taken aback. The grandeur wasn't just for show—it was for them. Part of me wanted this night to be a reminder. "Wow," I said, almost to myself, "Mr. Bigdalen really outdid himself. I asked for a private dining area, but this? This is on another level."

I chuckled, looking at my reflection in a nearby glass. "He keeps spoiling me, but I know how business works. A favor like this won't be free. I'll owe him down the line, no doubt about that." But it didn't matter—not tonight. Tonight was about something bigger.

This wasn't just about impressing my aunt and cousin so they'd never look down on me or Mom again. No, this was for my team too. I'd chosen this place, knowing that Mr. Bigdalen's staff were the best in their field. I wanted my friends to experience what true top-tier service looked like, to inspire them, to motivate them to raise their own standards. This dinner wasn't just a reward—it was a lesson. Seeing excellence firsthand was something that could ignite ambition in all of us.

As I pulled out my chair, I smiled at my friends. "Tonight's not just about having a good time. I want you all to soak this in. This is what top-notch service feels like, what we should aim for in everything we do."

Nora's eyes sparkled as she took in the room. "This is insane, Dio. I mean, just look at this place," she whispered to Mia, who nodded in awe.

Ray ran his hand over the sleek tablecloth, his grin wide. "This is the kind of stuff you only hear about. It's top-tier, man. Even the staff are like machines—everything's so polished."

Lars leaned back in his chair, already sipping the soda champagne. "If this doesn't light a fire under us, I don't know what will. This is next-level."

Even Aria, who had been critical earlier, looked impressed. She tried to hide it, but I could see it in her eyes. "Alright, I'll admit. They really went all out here," she said, her voice more subdued.

The staff, ever attentive, approached with more drinks and appetizers, their movements fluid and graceful. One of them bowed slightly, offering refreshments. "Is everything to your liking, sir?"

"Oh, absolutely," I replied, smiling. "More than that."

I glanced at my aunt, who was still marveling at the room. This was just the beginning, and I could tell tonight would leave an impression on everyone. Exactly as I had planned.

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