Jason left the hotel early that morning and walked through Crestwood's commercial district. The sun had just begun to rise over the rows of tall glass buildings, and the streets were already bustling with people hurrying to work. His phone buzzed with a new message.
It was from Melissa.
> "Mr. Jason, I've spoken with our senior financial advisor. His name is Daniel Cross. He'll be expecting you today at ten. I've given him the details of your profile and told him to prepare a preliminary assessment. The meeting will take place at Café Leroux, just opposite the Central Plaza."
Jason read the text once more and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
'Café Leroux. Figures she would choose a place like that,' he thought as he crossed the street.
He asked for directions and was soon guided toward the café.
***
The café came into view moments later. Its walls were draped in ivy, and the glass windows mirrored the bustling city outside. He entered and found it half full, filled with a soft murmur of conversation that mingled with the gentle clinking of cups and plates.
As if already informed about the meeting, the waiter greeted him courteously and led him to a table by the window where a man was already seated.
The man stood as Jason approached.
"Mr. Brown?"
Jason inclined his head slightly.
"Daniel Cross," the man introduced, extending his hand. "Melissa informed me about you last night."
Daniel appeared to be in his late thirties, with a well-kept beard and composed brown eyes. His dark suit was tailored with precision, offering a sense of restraint rather than extravagance. Jason shook his hand firmly and took the seat opposite him.
"Thank you for meeting me," Jason said.
"The pleasure is mine," Daniel replied evenly. "Melissa spoke quite highly of you. She mentioned that you don't reside in Crestwood and that you recently acquired a substantial amount of capital. Naturally, I was curious about the kind of man who could capture her attention so quickly."
Jason's lips curved faintly.
"I suppose that depends on the kind of man you believe that to be."
Daniel chuckled softly.
"We'll find out soon enough."
He opened a thin folder and slid it across the table toward Jason. Inside were several financial charts, concise summaries, and a market report.
"Melissa thought it would be best to begin with something straightforward. I want to understand how you think, not what you've memorized. Consider this more of a discussion than a test."
Jason glanced over the pages, scanning the data with calm focus. His eyes moved swiftly across columns of figures, interest rates, and quarterly growth projections. It took him less than a minute to discern the underlying trend.
He looked up and spoke evenly.
"This is a short-term yield projection on residential property development, correct? The margins are decent, but the core risk lies in liquidity. These developers depend heavily on sustained housing demand, yet the labor costs here are outdated. They'll rise by about fifteen percent within the next two quarters, based on the regional employment data from earlier this year."
Daniel arched a brow slightly.
"Impressive. You seem quite certain of that."
"I am," Jason replied calmly. "You can confirm it through the National Construction Index. It's subtle, but Crestwood's property market has already reached early saturation. The outer suburbs will maintain momentum for a while longer, but the central districts are nearing their peak."
Jason knew this because he had done some research the previous night out of curiosity and happened to come across the data.
Daniel regarded him for a moment before giving a thoughtful nod.
"Interesting. That's a sharp observation."
Jason did not respond aloud, but inwardly he thought,
'I majored in Investment and Financial Management and didn't even get to graduate before I was reincarnated into this pleasant world. I dealt with projections like this all the time, and most of my university work focused on portfolio analysis. Data like this feels second nature.'
The truth ran deeper. In his former life, Jason had studied finance to secure a stable future. He had learned to interpret market trends, assess risks, and identify value before others noticed it. Even after reincarnation, those instincts had not faded.
Daniel leaned back slightly in his chair.
"So, tell me, if you were to invest your capital right now, where would you place it?"
Jason set the folder aside.
"Property is overexposed. Stocks are viable for the medium term but unreliable without insider indicators. The only sector with real stability in Crestwood right now is logistics. There's an active supply chain expansion at the port. Smaller private firms are securing contracts faster than the larger corporations because they adapt more efficiently. Investing in one of those mid-tier operations could yield a return of twenty to twenty-five percent within eight months, provided they scale effectively."
Daniel's expression shifted from mild curiosity to quiet admiration.
"You've clearly done your homework."
"I don't depend on luck," Jason replied smoothly.
The waiter arrived with two steaming cups of coffee, setting them down gently before leaving with a polite smile. Daniel waited until she was gone before speaking again.
"Melissa wasn't exaggerating when she said you had potential. You seem to grasp these things before they even take shape."
Jason regarded him steadily.
"That's the point. I don't like chasing after what's already claimed."
Daniel smiled faintly.
"I can see why Melissa was eager to bring you into the private investment circle. But she wanted me to assess whether you're truly ready for it. So tell me, how do you handle risk?"
Jason took a slow sip of his coffee before replying.
"Risk is inevitable. The key isn't avoiding it but managing what you can afford to lose. Most investors fail because they treat every venture as a gamble instead of a calculation. I prefer to know my odds before I move."
Daniel nodded, visibly impressed.
"That's a rational philosophy. So, Jason, what is it you want out of all this?"
Jason paused for a moment. The question wasn't unfamiliar, but it carried a certain weight. He met Daniel's gaze squarely and answered without hesitation.
"Stability first, growth second, and control eventually. I'm not after quick profits. I want something that sustains itself, an asset that doesn't demand constant supervision."
'Or honestly, I just need something solid to cover where my money truly comes from,' he thought inwardly.
Daniel studied him for a few seconds, then smiled.
"You remind me of myself fifteen years ago. Except you're starting from a higher point."
Jason gave a small shrug in response.
The next hour passed in seamless conversation. They discussed market cycles, property valuations, and emerging industries. Daniel tested him with layered hypotheticals, each more intricate than the last, and Jason handled them with poised precision. Their dialogue flowed naturally, more like that between equals than between a mentor and a newcomer.
At last, Daniel closed the folder with a quiet tap.
"Well," he said, "I've seen more than enough. I'll report to Melissa. I suspect she'll be pleased with my conclusion."
Jason raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone dry but amused.
"Melissa trusts your judgment. You've just confirmed what she already suspected, that I can hold my own among Crestwood's wealthiest investors. Though I have to admit, some of them might not enjoy being outsmarted."
'Honestly, I'm not thrilled about joining this circle, but it's something I have to accept,' he thought.
Jason's lips curved slightly.
They both rose, and Daniel extended his hand once more. Jason accepted it with a firm shake.
"Welcome to Crestwood's financial world, Mr. Brown. Things will move quickly once Melissa finalizes your introduction. Be prepared for that."
Jason inclined his head in acknowledgment.
Daniel gave a final nod before leaving the café, his measured steps fading into the crowd outside. Jason remained by the window, lowering himself back into his seat as he gazed at the passing traffic.
'Ugh. So this is what investors deal with. So much for a life of luxury,' he thought dryly.
An hour later, while heading back toward Downtown, he pulled out his phone. A new message from Melissa flashed across the screen.
> "Daniel gave excellent feedback. The board would like you to attend a private brunch in three days. I'll send the details tomorrow."
Jason exhaled softly and typed a brief reply: okay.