A week had elapsed since the move into their new home, and the sense of warmth and contentment was palpable. Lleyn reveled in the simple joys of everyday life, cherishing the moments spent with his family. The house, bathed in sunlight during the day and adorned with a gentle, golden glow in the evenings, had become a sanctuary of tranquility.

Lleyn's family had quickly settled into their new surroundings, and they had even hired a maid to help with the upkeep of the house. Her name was Maria, a kind and diligent woman who immediately became part of the family's daily routine. For Lleyn, her presence was not just a convenience but a symbol of the newfound stability in their lives.

One evening, as the family gathered in the living room, Leo, Lleyn's father, couldn't help but marvel at their good fortune. "I still can't believe how our lives have changed, thanks to the success of your store, Lleyn," he remarked with a proud smile.

Eva, Lleyn's mother, nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's like a dream come true. We have a beautiful home, and our financial worries are a thing of the past."

Lleyn felt a pang of guilt as he listened to his parents' words. They had no inkling of the secret world he was preparing to reenter in just two days' time. To them, Lleyn was a successful businessman who had struck gold with his sports and fitness equipment store. They had no reason to suspect otherwise, and he intended to keep it that way.

Sera, Lleyn's younger sister, chimed in with her infectious enthusiasm. "And it's all thanks to my big brother! You're the best, Lleyn!"

Lleyn ruffled Sera's hair affectionately. "Well, I had a great team behind me," he said, acknowledging the efforts of Lana and Chris, his friends and business partners.

As the evening progressed, Lleyn decided to broach a subject that had been on his mind. "Mom, Dad, I've been thinking about something," he began cautiously.

Eva looked at him with curiosity. "What is it, Lleyn?"

Lleyn hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I was wondering if we should hire a couple of security guards to keep an eye on the house, just to be safe. You know, with all the assets we have now."

Leo considered the idea and nodded thoughtfully. "It might not be a bad idea. We do have quite a bit of valuable equipment in the store, and it's better to be proactive about security."

Eva agreed, her concern for her family's well-being evident in her eyes. "Yes, Leo's right. Safety should always come first."

Lleyn concealed a sigh of relief, grateful that his suggestion had been well-received. Little did his family know that the security guards he had in mind were not your typical hired help. They were James' trusted associates, highly trained and capable, serving as an additional layer of protection for the family.

Over the next few days, Lleyn arranged for the security personnel to be discreetly stationed around the property, making sure that his family felt safe without arousing any suspicions. His family saw them as simple security guards hired to protect their assets, unaware of the true extent of their capabilities.

As the sun set on another peaceful evening, Lleyn couldn't help but smile as he observed his family. They were blissfully unaware of the challenges that lay ahead, and for now, that was all that mattered. These precious moments with his loved ones were his source of strength and motivation, and he was determined to protect them at all costs.

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The next day, Lleyn sat in his home office, the soft glow of his computer screen illuminating his thoughtful expression. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of preparations, from completing his quests, securing his family's and starting to build a clandestine network of security personnel. Yet, amidst the chaos, he hadn't forgotten about the substantial amount of money he had invested in a rather unconventional portfolio.

With a sense of determination, Lleyn picked up his phone and dialed a number he had saved weeks prior. A familiar voice answered on the other end.

"Hello, this is Robert," said the fund manager, a person from a small, reputable company who had been assigned to handle Lleyn's investments.

"Robert, it's Lleyn," he replied, his voice steady. "I just wanted to check in on the portfolio we discussed a few weeks ago. How's everything looking?"

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There was a slight pause on the line, and Lleyn could almost sense the hesitation in Robert's response. "Lleyn, I've been monitoring your portfolio closely, and I must say, there have been some significant shifts in the market. I strongly advise that we reconsider our strategy and opt for safer, more stable options."

Lleyn knew that the assets he had invested in were anything but safe by conventional standards. They were names he had carefully selected from a list, names that were virtually unknown in the public eye at the time. But he had seen their potential, their trajectory, and he couldn't ignore the gut feeling that had guided him.

"Robert," Lleyn replied firmly, "I appreciate your concern, but I'm confident in the choices we made. Let's stick to the original plan."

Robert sighed on the other end, clearly unconvinced. "Lleyn, I understand your confidence, but the market can be unpredictable. We could minimize risk by diversifying and—"

Lleyn interrupted, his tone resolute. "Robert, trust me on this. Let's see how it plays out."

Robert reluctantly acquiesced, albeit with a hint of skepticism. "Very well, Lleyn. It's your investment, after all. I'll respect your decision and continue to monitor the portfolio."

As Lleyn hung up the phone, he couldn't help but reflect on the true nature of those assets. The names he had invested in were, in fact, startups that would grow exponentially in the following days, becoming giants in their respective industries. It was information he chose to keep to himself, a secret he couldn't share with anyone.

The following day, Lleyn received a call from Robert, his fund manager's voice brimming with excitement. "Lleyn, you won't believe this! The portfolio has reached astonishing results. Our assets have seen remarkable growth, far beyond what we anticipated!"

Robert enthusiastically rattled off the impressive gains they had achieved, using terms like "exponential growth," "bull market," and "outperforming benchmarks" to describe their success. Lleyn felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing that his financial preparations were complete, and he was one step closer to facing the challenges that awaited him in Eldoria.

Lleyn couldn't help but smile, knowing that his unconventional choices had paid off. "I had a feeling things would work out, Robert. Sometimes, you just have to trust your instincts. Which brings me to my next proposal. Let’s meet in person at my house."

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Lleyn sat in his home office, contemplating the significant success of his recent investments. He had achieved remarkable results, thanks in no small part to the expertise and diligence of Robert, his dedicated fund manager. As he watched the numbers on his screen climb higher and higher, Lleyn realized that he had found a trusted partner, someone whose abilities were crucial to his financial endeavors.

Robert arrived at Lleyn's spacious residence, having received a request from his now biggest client to meet in person. As he approached the front door, he couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of Lleyn's home.

Lleyn greeted Robert at the door, a warm smile on his face. "Robert, I appreciate you coming over. Let's head to my study; we have much to discuss."

The two men made their way to Lleyn's well-appointed study, where the air was filled with the scent of polished wood and leather. It was a room that exuded a sense of authority and purpose, a fitting setting for the important conversation that lay ahead.

Lleyn gestured for Robert to take a seat, and as they settled into their chairs, he began to outline his proposal once more. "Robert, I've been giving our partnership a lot of thought, and I believe it's time for us to explore new horizons together."

Robert listened intently, his expression attentive and focused. "What are you proposing, Lleyn?"

With a sense of conviction, Lleyn continued, "I want you to join me in establishing our very own investment company. I'm willing to provide the necessary funds, and you'll have a significant stake in the business, 30% of the shares. Moreover, you can keep your existing clients, and I have every confidence that they'll eagerly follow you after witnessing the extraordinary success we've achieved today."

The weight of Lleyn's words hung in the air as Robert absorbed the magnitude of the opportunity before him. He leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Lleyn, this is an incredibly generous offer, but why me? Why now?"

Lleyn's response was unwavering and filled with assurance. "Because, Robert, you've proven your exceptional abilities to me. I trust your judgment, and I deeply respect your expertise in this field. Together, we can create something truly extraordinary, something that transcends conventional investments."

He continued, "You'll receive a substantial salary, and I'll grant you the autonomy to manage certain portions of the funds independently. However, the bulk of the investments will align with a strategic plan that I'll outline. We'll be working together toward a greater purpose."

Lleyn paused, allowing the full weight of his words to settle. Then, he added, "In addition to our investment venture, I'd like you to become a counselor at 'Leo's Sporting Junction.' You'll play a pivotal role in expanding the business, and my vision is to transform it into a conglomerate of companies, all bearing my father's name, Leo."

Robert nodded, his initial hesitation giving way to a growing sense of excitement and determination. "Lleyn, I'm deeply honored by your offer, and I'm more than ready to accept. This is an incredible opportunity, and I'm eager to embark on this journey with you."

With their agreement reached and their shared vision for the future set, Lleyn and Robert were poised to take their partnership to new heights. The possibilities that lay before them were boundless, and they were both ready to embrace the challenges and seize the opportunities that awaited them on this exciting journey.