Suddenly, I Am Rich

The drive on the road was smooth and quiet. Daniel didn’t speak much unless he was spoken to, and Gray was too focused to say much.

Gray stared out the window. The familiar streets that he usually passed were slowly replaced by cleaner and more polished ones. After minutes, the buildings got taller, and the sidewalks became busier with people walking in peace.

Gray was waiting for the car to turn in the same direction as they had taken when they went 2 days ago.

However, they weren’t even near when the car slowed down. Gray looked up to see a tall glass building towering above them, his brows instantly furrowed.

”What...?” he muttered under his breath.

The car came to a smooth stop in front of the main entrance. The building’s front sign gleamed under the daylight.

LANCASTER GROUP

Gray blinked.

”I thought we were going to the grocery store,” he said as he turned his head to Daniel, confused.

Daniel simply offered a polite nod as he stepped out and opened the door for Gray.

”No, Sir. Today’s handover meeting will be held here,” he said. ”The grocery’s administrative office is located on the fifth floor of the Lancaster Group building. It shares the floor with another medium-sized business that the Group acquired some time ago.”

”...Huh?” Gray stepped out slowly, still staring up at the building. ”So... I won’t be working in the store?”

Daniel folded his hands behind his back. ”The office at the store is reserved for the on-site manager. But your position, Sir, as the CEO is based here. This will be your working office going forward.”

Gray was silent for a second.

’Wtf?’

”Seriously?” he muttered under his breath. ”Why was I not told this?”

”It was also a sudden announcement, Sir. I believe the CEO wished to surprise you. I apologize if I revealed it too early.” Daniel offered an apologetic bow.

Gray glanced at the entrance of the building, then back at Daniel, before letting out a short breath.

”It’s fine,” he said, shaking his head with a dry chuckle.

”Honestly, I’d rather find out now than walk unprepared,” Gray uttered, but on the inside, he had just become more nervous.

He thought that it would be a small meeting with the employees of the grocery store. He didn’t know that it would be held in the building, most especially the building of Lancaster’s group.

The building before him was massive.

Gray tilted his head back slightly, eyes scanning the glass structure that reached into the sky. It wasn’t just tall, it was also elegant. The sleek blue-tinted windows stretched across nearly thirty floors.

He had seen buildings like this before on TV or in magazines, but never this close. And never with the thought that he will go inside.

Daniel informed him that this was the main office of the Lancaster Group.

While the company had branches and offices scattered across the country, this one was their largest office so far.

”Shall we go inside, Sir?”

”Yeah. Let’s go.”

Gray sighed and followed Daniel toward the main doors. As they approached, the massive glass panels slid open automatically with a soft whoosh.

The air that greeted him was cold, and the smell was fresh and clean

Inside, everything looked like it belonged to another world.

The lobby’s ceiling was high, at least three floors tall. The lobby was brightly lit. The walls were colored cream and white, and art pieces hung on every side.

On the side, there was a wide reception desk wherein 4 attendants in uniform stood behind. They greeted people with professional smiles. The people who were walking in the lobby also looked serious and professional.

Gray instinctively adjusted his posture, standing perfectly straight.

[Ding!]

A chime echoed inside his mind. Gray blinked at it as he saw a translucent screen appearing right before his eyes,

[New Mission Unlocked!]

[Mission: Impress the board with your personality.]

[Reward: +3 Influence | +$5,000 Wealth]

[Penalty: -3 Influence.]

”...Wait. There’s a penalty now?” Gray muttered under his breath, barely moving his lips.

[This is for your own good, Host.]

The System’s voice replied in his mind.

[Remember that first impressions matter. Please impress the board with your personality. Good luck.]

Gray let out a slow exhale, shaking his head in disbelief.

’You’re really unbelievable...’

But still, he accepted the mission.

Not like he had a choice.

With his thoughts swirling in his mind, Gray continued following Daniel. Soon enough, they arrived at the row of elevators on the far right side of the lobby. Daniel reached out and tapped his access card against a scanner, and one of the elevator doors opened smoothly.

”We’re going to that fifteenth floor, Sir,” Daniel said as they stepped inside.

When the door closed, Daniel pressed the button, and the door closed.

The ride up was quick, and when the doors slid open, Gray was immediately greeted by a sleek hallway lined with frosted glass.

The fifteenth floor was different. The lighting was cooler here, and the atmosphere felt more serious. This floor wasn’t for regular work, instead, it was intended for meetings.

Near the entrance of the floor, there were multiple wall-mounted digital display screen. Each one lists the occupied meeting rooms and the agenda for the room. It was done in an organized manner.

Daniel checked one of the screens, then turned to Gray with a nod.

”This way, Sir.”

Gray wasn’t even done reading when he followed.

They reached the far end of the hall where a long matte-black door stood. A small digital plaque on the wall read: Conference Room 15C – Riverside Branch Handover.

Daniel stepped forward and gave a sharp knock.

They waited for a few seconds before the door opened widely.

’Oh fuck,’ Gray can’t help but curse in his mind. It was really getting real now.

”You may go inside, Sir.” Daniel gestured subtly for him to go in.

Gray took a deep breath and nodded.

’Shit...’

After cursing one more time, he squared his shoulders and gathered all his confidence and courage.

’Alright. I can do this.’

The moment Gray stepped inside, ever head turned to him. Executives, Managers, Staff in suits, and even the whole Lancaster family were there.

The room was large and modern. There was a long table in the center, screens on the far wall, and refreshments set discreetly in the corner.

But all Gray could feel at that moment... was the weight of their gaze.

All eyes were on him, but he managed to stand tall. The corner of his lips rose to a faint smile.

”Good afternoon, everyone,” he greeted everyone with a calm voice.

”I’m Gray Adams.”