The cab rolled to a gentle stop in front of the car showroom. Ethan leaned forward, peeking out of the window, and immediately spotted the display glass walls showcasing gleaming vehicles sleek, polished, luxurious, waiting for someone wealthy enough to walk in and buy them.
He stepped out of the cab, stretched his stiff muscles, and pulled a wad of bills from his pocket. He paid the driver, who took one last confused look at Ethan's faded, worn-out clothes before driving away.
Ethan chuckled softly.
He couldn't blame the man.
On the outside, he looked like someone who wouldn't even be allowed a test drive.
But on the inside?
His bank account said otherwise.
He turned around to face the bustling road.
And there it was.
Across the street.
Unity Bank.
It wasn't a top-tier mega-bank nothing like the famous World Bank chains or global luxury vault chains but it held a monopoly in certain regions, especially here. It was the bank he had used since school.
His mind drifted back to the day he came there for the first time, opening his account as a freshman at St. Helen's Academy. That day, he thought life was magic. That money and success would come if he simply got good grades and became the best student.
He believed brilliance alone was the key.
But St. Helen's Academy… crushed that dream.
Reality crushed that dream.
Money didn't follow intelligence.
Money followed opportunity.
And opportunity was never equal.
But now?
He looked at Unity Bank with new eyes.
Now he had opportunity.
Now he had something greater.
Now he had the system.
Something that finally allowed him to give his family the life they deserved.
He squared his shoulders and walked across the street toward the bank.
Inside Unity Bank
The air-conditioned lobby felt cool, crisp, and professional. A few customers sat on cushioned chairs, while some stood in line waiting to speak to staff. Ethan walked casually to the reception counter and knocked lightly on the glass divider.
"Hi," he said politely, "I need help with my account."
The receptionist young, mildly attractive, makeup thick enough to survive a hurricane gave him one long up-and-down look. Her expression said everything.
She assumed like everyone else that Ethan was broke.
Her tone was flat, uninterested.
"Pick a number and wait until you're called."
Ethan smiled politely.
"Alright."
He picked a number from the machine and took a seat. People murmured, numbers beeped, and time crawled like a lazy snail trapped in honey.
Finally, his number appeared on the digital board.
He walked to the counter.
The woman seated there was stunning. Early twenties, long black hair, almond eyes, slim figure her blouse was trying its best, but her body refused to be ignored. As she typed into the computer, her curves moved slightly, unintentionally distracting Ethan.
He looked away.
Then looked again.
Then reluctantly looked away again.
She's too distracting…
The woman glanced up, annoyed.
She assumed he was just like every other poor guy staring at her body because they never had a chance with someone like her.
She let it slide.
People looked at attractive people. It didn't matter.
She typed away, her long nails clicking against the keys.
"So what's the issue?" she asked in a tone that was polite but distant.
Ethan leaned closer slightly.
"My account is blocked. I think the balance surpassed the limit or something. I just need it fixed."
She nodded lazily, still assuming he had a few hundred dollars at most.
Ethan decided to make small talk.
"So, uh… may I know your name?"
The woman glanced up, eyes glinting.
"Rachel. And I have a"
Her words cut off.
Her breath froze.
Her eyes bulged.
Her jaw dropped.
She stared at the screen like she just saw the gates of heaven opening.
Her fingers trembled against the keyboard.
Ethan watched, blank-faced.
Rachel inhaled sharply, mouth hanging wide.
"Sir your… balance… is"
She swallowed.
Her whole expression changed.
Her legs crossed without her meaning to. Her posture straightened involuntarily. Her smile returned, but this time it was genuine, bright, radiant shot straight from her heart into her face.
Ethan swore to himself.
If it wasn't for the air conditioner, I'd have a nosebleed from how much her body just reacted.
Rachel turned toward him, her voice suddenly 200% sweeter.
"S-sir, it appears your account has exceeded the standard limit. You will need to upgrade to our Silver Member Card Account so you can properly store this level of funds."
"Right," Ethan said calmly. "Let's do that."
She moved through the process so fast the computer could barely keep up. Forms printed, signatures were requested, confirmations popped up on the screen.
Ethan signed everything, and after about 20 minutes, Rachel handed him a new card sleek, shiny, metallic silver.
"Here is your Unity Bank Silver Member Card, sir," she said, bowing slightly. "If you need anything else anything at all you may contact me directly."
Ethan blinked.
"Uh… okay, sure."
If he didn't know better, he'd think she was proposing.
He nodded, thanked her, and walked out of the bank.
Rachel stared after him with sparkling eyes, biting her lip.
Whoever that guy is… he's definitely not ordinary.
As Ethan's step outside
Ethan took a breath.
Fresh air.
He adjusted his shirt, looked down the road, and before he could even think about his next step.
His phone rang.
He frowned.
He didn't recognize the number.
He swiped to answer.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice burst through the phone speaker.
"ETHAN?!"
He blinked.
"Clara?"
Yes.
Clara.
His best friend from school.
It had been a long time since they spoke.
His lips curved slightly.
"Hey, Clara. It's been a while."
****
Meanwhile – In a Luxurious Hotel Suite
A massive room.
Dim lighting.
Heavy atmosphere.
Three figures sat.
One of them was Adam Vale, lounging in a velvet chair, smiling.
He looked across the room at a man seated opposite him expression unreadable.
Adam's tone was slick, confident, arrogant:
"Sir, the plan failed. Ethan is still alive."
The man didn't respond immediately. He looked calmly at Adam, then turned his gaze to the third figure in the room.
Without raising his voice, he spoke flatly:
"Then if we cannot kill Ethan directly… we target his family."
Adam smiled viciously and stood up.
"Very well."
He left the room, still smirking.
Only two shadowy figures remained.
One leaned forward, fingers clenched tightly, teeth grinding in hatred.
A voice low, venomous escaped between clenched teeth:
"Ethan… you should've known your place."