Suddenly, I Am Rich

After talking to the system about it, Gray didn’t touch the folder again for a few days.

The truth was, deciding on something this big wasn’t easy for him. He didn’t want to rush it and end up making a stupid mistake. So, for the next few days, he really tried to think about it.

In his office, it was also what he kept asking Mara. He somehow trusted her judgment, so her opinions were always something to know.

”You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?” she asked.

Gray leaned back in his chair. ”Yeah.”

”You’ve been quiet for days. That thing must be frying your brain.”

He groaned lightly. ”Yeah, you’re right.”

”Look, I checked the foundation too. I read everything you gave me.” Mara reached over and pulled the folder closer to her.

”I already told you that this one is a good plan. Also, I don’t think the mayor is dumb enough to attach his name to something that’ll blow up later.” She looked at him and smiled. ”It’s a good cause, Gray.”

He looked back at her, but didn’t say anything.

”Kids need this kind of support. Food, school, health care. Some of them probably have lives way harder than what you and Lily went through.” She leaned forward a little. ”And you’re someone who actually knows how that feels, so that makes it closer to your heart.” Mara continued.

Gray sighed at that, but Mara wasn’t finished yet.

”You always said you wanted to give back someday. Maybe this is that chance.”

”You’re right,” he muttered.

Because of their talk that day it prompted Gray to really think about it. The more he thought about the kids this foundation could help, the harder it was to ignore.

He remembered the nights he and Lily had gone to sleep hungry. He remembered how it felt to not have money for school projects. He remembered the fear of not knowing what tomorrow would look like.

If he had a chance to make someone else’s life easier, wasn’t that worth something?

And so, one week after the proposal was given to him, he finally made a decision.

”Alright,” he whispered to himself. ”I’ll do it.”

Seated in his own office chair, he reached for his pen and signed the agreement papers slowly. He leaned back in his chair after that, almost relieved.

The system chimed right away.

[Decision confirmed.]

Another line appeared after it.

[It seemed like the host had agreed to support the foundation.]

”Yeah,” Gray muttered and let out a sigh.

Gray stared at the screen quietly as the message faded out, but before he could even relax in his seat, another notification appeared right in front of his eyes.

[New Mission Detected!]

[Mission: Check the foundation’s current operations.

[Description: Ensure the program is real, active, and capable of running its long-term plans before finalizing your donation amount.]

[Reward: +1 Influence]

”Seriously? Already?” Gray blinked.

”This mission is just too sudden...” he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the hologram. ”You didn’t even give me a break.”

However, the system didn’t reply anymore.

”Right. Of course. This is just one of your ways again.” Gray let out a long sigh and leaned back.

He closed the mission window and grabbed the folder from his desk. He glanced up and looked at Mara.

”Mara,” he called out her name.

”What?” She looked up right away, brows furrowing.

”I already signed it.” Gray waved the folder in the air to show her.

”Oh!” Mara’s eyes widened. ”Finally! You actually did it!”

”Yeah.” Gray nodded. ”Anyway, can you ask the mayor’s assistant to retrieve this file?”

Mara quickly jumped to her feet and ran to her to get the folder. There was a big smile on her face as she looked at it. For her, this proposal was actually a very nice one. Since then, she had been very fond of kids, so it was nice to know that Gray actually agreed on it.

”Don’t worry. I got it.”

”And one more thing,” he added.

Her brows rose as she gave him her full attention.

”Tell them I want to visit their current foundation site. I want to see how things are right now before I decide how much to give to them.”

”You want to check the place yourself?” Mara sounded surprised at that.

”Yeah,” Gray replied. ”If I’m going to support this, I need to know if everything is real and handled well.”

”Alright. I’ll call them now.” Mara nodded and started typing something on her phone.

Gray leaned back in his chair as Mara got to work. She had already rushed back to her table and was dialing the mayor’s secretary with a focused look on her face.

Meanwhile, Gray stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting his thoughts settle.

’I hope it’s actually nice, he thought. If it is, then I can donate a lot. If not, then I can just donate a small amount for now.’

He tapped his fingers on the armrest.

’Well... I’m really just looking forward to seeing it. Might as well see it with my own eyes.’

He let out a small exhale. There was a mix of nerves and curiosity sitting in his chest, but it wasn’t heavy. If anything, it felt like he was preparing himself for something new again.

Across the room, Mara was already talking on the phone.

”Hello. Yes. This is Mara, Gray Adams’s secretary,” she introduced herself politely. ”Mr. Adams already signed the foundation proposal. You can pick up the documents anytime this afternoon.”

Gray watched her from his chair. As always, she was efficient.

”Yes. Also,” Mara continued, ”he wants to schedule a visit to your current foundation site. Preferably soon. He wants to observe the operations before giving his final donation amount.”

There was a small pause, probably the person on the other end responding to Mara’s inquiries.

Mara nodded as she listened. ”Alright. We’ll wait for the schedule then. Thank you.”

She ended the call and typed something briefly on her laptop. She didn’t look stressed at all. If anything, she looked excited for him.

Gray rubbed the back of his neck.

’I really hope this goes well...’ he thought once more.

Because now that the decision was already made, the only thing left was to face whatever came next.