Meanwhile, at Nova Tech's gleaming headquarters, David led a small but distinguished group of professionals through the newly decorated workspace.

These were not ordinary candidates; they were veterans of their fields, handpicked for their expertise and leadership—individuals whose resumes alone could intimidate lesser men.

Yet, here they were, walking quietly beside David, their expressions guarded but curious.

At the forefront was Jonathan Hale, a stalwart of operations with over twenty years of experience etched into every decisive step he took. His sharp gaze swept over the office, lingering on the sleek workstations and the subtle elegance of the design.

"I must admit," he began cautiously, his deep voice measured, "when you first reached out to me, David, I was... skeptical. But seeing this place and hearing your vision—well, it's interesting."

David, who was always ready for a verbal duel when it came to selling Nova Tech's potential, laughed softly. "Interesting? Jonathan, I'll take that as a compliment—for now. But I promise things are only going to get more interesting."

Jonathan raised a skeptical eyebrow but didn't respond, though the corners of his mouth twitched. He was not a man easily impressed by flashy office tours or grand promises; his career had been built on the bedrock of careful decisions and gradual growth.

Stability, not spectacle, had always been his compass.

As they passed through the immaculate halls, David gestured to the expansive layout. "The ground and first floors are operational," he explained, his voice ringing with quiet pride. "Modern workspaces, collaborative zones, everything a forward-thinking company needs. The second floor and the rooftop are still in progress. Once complete, Nova Tech will redefine what it means to work in this city."

"Incredible," murmured Sophia Grant, an HR strategist whose reputation for talent acquisition preceded her. She glanced around with an air of professional admiration. "I've worked with top firms, David, but I've never seen an office this thoughtfully designed."

David grinned like a magician about to reveal his final trick. "And this is just the opening act."

The group entered the main conference room, its spaciousness designed to inspire collaboration rather than mere discussion. David invited them to take a seat, and after a few taps on his tablet, a figure appeared on the screen at the front of the room:

$1,000,000,000.

The number hovered like a spell, silencing the room. For once, even these seasoned professionals—men and women accustomed to managing fortunes—seemed momentarily caught off guard.

"That," David said with deliberate casualness, "is our starting point. Nova Tech's available funds. Paid-up capital. Ethan put it in himself. And if necessary, he's ready to invest more."

Jonathan, ever the pragmatist, leaned forward. The number had chipped at his walls of skepticism. "That's... more than I anticipated for a startup."

Sophia, eyes wide, looked at David. "You're not offering empty promises, then. This changes everything."

David spread his hands, his smile amused. "What? You think I'd gamble my reputation on anything less? I do like to win, you know."

Now that he had their full attention, David seized the moment. "There's more. Nova Tech doesn't just aim to be competitive. We aim to be unmatched. We've secured partnerships with top insurance firms, financial experts, and travel agencies."

The room leaned in closer. David clicked on a new slide, and the screen came alive with the details of Nova Tech's benefits package.

"Healthcare," David began, ticking the points off like a conductor leading an orchestra. "Retirement plans. Company shares. Luxury travel allowances. Flexible working hours. You'll have everything you need not just to work but to thrive. Ethan isn't building a company where people clock in and count down the hours—he's building a place where people want to stay, where careers aren't just stepping stones but destinations."

Sophia exchanged a glance with Jonathan, her usual reserve giving way to something akin to excitement. "This is... remarkable," she admitted quietly. Then, after a pause, her voice turned more cautious. "But I do have one concern."

David tilted his head. "Go on."

"Does this Ethan have experience running a business? Is he the sort who'll pack up and disappear if things get tough?"

For a moment, the question seemed to settle over David like a weight. Truthfully, even he didn't know the full depths of Ethan's past. Yet he didn't waver.

David took a deep breath. That was a question he had expected. He leaned forward and said, "That's a fair question. I won't dress it up. Ethan's background isn't in building corporations. He started as a freelancer—smaller projects, sharp work, always on the cutting edge."

David paused before adding, "But here's the thing: he didn't have to start from the ground up. With the kind of resources he has, he could have bought his way into any industry, into any boardroom. But he chose this. He chose to build something—really build it."

David let his words settle before continuing. "This company wasn't my idea alone. I approached Ethan with the vision, and he backed it fully. With his resources, my experience, and, hopefully, your expertise, we have everything we need to make Nova Tech not just successful but unstoppable. And," he added with a small smile, "I think you'll find Ethan's determination is something rare—rare enough to bet on."

The room was silent again, but it was no longer the silence of skepticism. It was the silence of decisions being made, of minds turning toward possibilities they hadn't allowed themselves to consider before walking into this building.

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Jonathan exhaled slowly and looked up. "I'm in."

"Me too," Sophia said firmly, followed by nods of agreement from the others.

David leaned back in his chair, a genuine, beaming smile spreading across his face. "Welcome to Nova Tech," he said simply. "And don't worry about the logistics of leaving your current roles—we'll handle all the exit agreements and compensation. You'll be with us right away."

The group looked at each other, their earlier doubts gone. It was without doubt that when they first received the invitation from David, they were skeptical. But now, they believed Nova Tech would become the next journey of their lives.

***

Jessica's voice shook as she spoke. She looked quickly between Harold and Julie. “What exactly happened? Why would Dad borrow that much money? And why is Mom the one dealing with all of this?”

Julie looked away, guilt written across her face, but it was Harold who spoke, his voice heavy with the weight of the truth.

“Donald isn’t just some wealthy businessman, Jess,” Harold began, his weathered hands gripping the armrests of his chair tightly. “He’s a loan shark, and he’s one of the worst. He lends money at very high interest rates. When people can’t pay him back, he doesn’t just take their property—he takes everything.”

Jessica’s breath hitched, her mind reeling from the revelation. “But… why would Dad go to someone like him?”

Harold’s eyes softened as he looked at her, his tone tinged with regret. “Your dad was desperate. Business was struggling, and he thought a loan from Donald would help him get back on track. But once you borrow from him, it’s almost impossible to escape his control.”

Julie spoke with a trembling voice. “Your dad didn’t tell me everything at first. I found out when Donald’s men came knocking. By that time, the interest had grown so much that we could no longer see the original amount.”

Jessica’s fists tightened as anger rose inside her. “You’ve been handling this by yourself? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Julie’s eyes filled with tears. “What could I say, Jess? That your father made a mistake that’s been haunting us for years? I wanted to protect you—to shield you from this mess.”

Harold’s tone grew darker. “Donald’s not just a loan shark, Jess. He’s into everything—drugs, smuggling, bribery. He’s poisoned this town, and everyone knows it. But no one has the power to stop him.”

Jessica looked at Ethan, who had been quiet and hard to read. “Ethan, you don’t understand the kind of man he is. You can’t just go to his place and think you can talk him into anything.”

Ethan’s lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m not planning to reason with him.”

Julie’s voice broke. “Ethan, please don’t put yourself in danger with your plans. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of us.”

Ethan knelt down beside Julie, his tone gentle but firm. “Nothing will happen to me. Trust me on this.”

Jessica crossed her arms, her worry etched clearly across her face. “And what exactly is your plan, Ethan? Because right now, all I see is a dangerous situation, and you walking straight into it.”

Ethan hesitated, glancing toward Mark, who gave a slight nod of understanding. Ethan said, “The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”

***

Ethan sat in the driver’s seat of his car. The car was quiet except for the engine's soft hum. Mark sat in the passenger seat with his arms crossed, looking straight ahead. Jordan was in the back, not as playful as usual.

Ethan broke the silence. “Mark, what can we do to handle this best?”

Mark hesitated. He knew Ethan was capable, far more than any ordinary young man, but he also recognized the gravity of their situation. His duty as a bodyguard was clear: keep Ethan safe, no matter what.

After a long pause, Mark said, “Ethan, everything you’re planning right now is dangerous. Infiltrating Donald’s territory without proper preparation would be a suicide mission.”

Ethan glanced at Mark, his brow furrowed. “Is it impossible with just the two of us? A stealth approach?”

Mark shook his head. “It’s not just about numbers. It’s about experience. This isn’t something you can pull off with theory alone. You need intelligence, planning, and backup. Right now, we have none of those.”

Jordan, who had been quiet up until now, shifted in his seat. “Wait a minute. You’re saying I’m not part of this? That’s unfair, Ethan. I can help.”

Ethan turned slightly, his expression softening. “Jordan, I need you here. If anything happens at the Moores’ house, someone has to be there to protect them.”

Jordan opened his mouth to argue but then stopped. He couldn’t deny the logic. He nodded reluctantly and said, “Okay. But I still don't like it.”

Mark continued, his tone steady but firm. “Even if there are more of us, Ethan, we don’t know anything about Donald’s operation."

He paused for a moment. He felt he needed to tell Ethan that the reality was not as simple as Ethan thought. "How many men does he have? What kind of firepower? Surveillance systems? Defenses? Right now, we’re completely blind.”

Jordan chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. “Come on, Mark. Donald’s a local loan shark. He’s not some international cartel leader. How equipped can he be?”

Mark’s sharp gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. “Never underestimate an enemy, especially on their home turf. You’d be surprised what even a so-called local thug can pull off when he’s got his back against the wall.”

Ethan let Mark’s words sink in, the weight of reality hitting him. His earlier confidence in using Stealth and other skills to infiltrate Donald’s base suddenly seemed naive. The plan he had been forming in his mind was full of holes, a reckless gamble that could cost lives.

He leaned back in his seat, exhaling slowly. “You’re right. Without information, I’m walking in blind.”

Mark nodded approvingly. “Exactly. Strength and skills are only part of the equation. Intelligence is everything.”

Ethan’s mind raced as he searched for a solution. He took out his phone and called Charles, his dependable advisor for finances.

The call connected after a few rings. “Ethan,” Charles greeted, his tone professional but warm. “What can I do for you?”

Ethan got straight to the point. “Charles, can you arrange for the Novan Bank branch at Brookville to handle one million dollars in cash? I need it in an hour.”

There was a long silence on the other end before Charles sighed heavily. “Ethan, we’ve talked about this before."

He sounded frustrated. "Carrying that much cash is impractical and dangerous. Plus, a local branch won't have that much money available on short notice. Why don't you use a wire transfer or a certified check?"

Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose and realized he had made a mistake. He acted on impulse, thinking that his wealth could fix everything. Even with all his resources, there were limits he could not ignore.

“You’re right, Charles,” Ethan admitted, his tone resigned. “I’ll figure something else out. Thanks.”

Charles hesitated before speaking again. “Ethan, I don’t know what you’re facing, but please take a moment to think it through. Rushing into decisions rarely ends well.”

“I will,” Ethan said before hanging up.

He put the phone down and looked out the windshield, deep in thought. Even with money to spend, he realized he could not change things as easily as he had hoped.

Mark spoke calmly, “You’re trying to solve this too fast. Take a step back. Think. You’ve got time—use it.”

Jordan leaned forward and said, “Yeah, Ethan. You’re wound up tight. Relax a bit. We’ll figure this out together.”

Ethan closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. They were right. He was rushing, letting his desire to protect the Moores cloud his judgment. To win, he needed to think clearly and have a solid plan.

But what did he need the win for? He could simply give that much money to Donald and ask the Moores to move to Novan City, where he could find accommodation for them.

He could provide Harold with the necessary treatment. The twins would have a better opportunity to succeed in football in the city, as there were more academies available for them.

When people asked him why he was so determined to help Jessica and her family, it wasn’t out of romance or any other motive. The truth was, without Donald's threat looming over them, Jessica was already in peril because of Lucien. Everything stemmed from Ethan.

This would be his plan... for now.