Ray's apartment, once a symbol of his humble beginnings and a canvas for his fresh start, now felt like a cage. Ms. Vance's cold threat hung in the air, heavier than any physical weight. He looked at her, then at the two silent enforcers, then back at the folder that contained the terrifying proof of their knowledge. He was truly trapped.
"What exactly does 'stabilize markets' mean?" Ray asked, his voice strained. He needed details. He needed to understand the scope of the gilded cage they were offering.
Ms. Vance's gaze softened, just a fraction, as if appreciating his pragmatism over futile resistance. "It means preventing financial crises before they ignite. It entails directing capital flows to steer clear of bubbles and crashes that could render nations powerless.
It means countering rogue actors who seek to exploit vulnerabilities." She walked over to his worn armchair and, to his surprise, sat down, crossing her legs elegantly. "Think of it, Mr. Carter, as being an architect of the global economy, using your unique foresight to build a more resilient future.
Naturally, under our direction." Ray scoffed. "Under your guidance? As your puppet, of course." "A highly compensated puppet, with unparalleled access and security," she countered smoothly, unperturbed. "Consider your alternatives, Mr. Carter. Live a life of constant fear, hunted by forces you cannot comprehend, facing another 'correction' that you won't walk away from. Or embrace a life of purpose, power, and unimaginable wealth, all while shaping the world's financial destiny."
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a persuasive, almost intimate tone. "You rebuilt yourself once, from nothing. Now you have the chance to rebuild the world, in a way. And in doing so, to gain more than you ever had. No more car wash. No more battling. Just pure, unadulterated influence. We know your past. We know your ambition. This is the logical conclusion of your talents."
Ray recalled the exhilaration of being a "Forex God" and the rush of making millions in his previous life. He recalled the lonesome climb, the abrupt, violent end, and the fear of this new, bare-bones existence. He had wanted control, freedom, and wealth. This offer, twisted as it was, promised all of that, albeit under a very strict, unseen hand. He would be trading his absolute freedom for absolute power, albeit controlled.
The alternative was simple: death. A permanent one, this time.
His stalled aspirations were represented by the still-dark screen on his old laptop. Then he thought of the AI bot, his last attempt at reclaiming his destiny. It had glitched. It had warned him that putting his future knowledge to use wouldn't be as simple as he had imagined. Perhaps this was the universe's way of showing him he couldn't play God on his own terms.
"What about my family?" Ray asked the question, surprising even himself. He thought of his father, the man who had abandoned him, and the stepmother he barely knew in this timeline.
Ms. Vance raised an eyebrow. "Your family, Mr. Carter, will be... looked after. Should you wish for contact, it can be arranged, under our supervision, of course. Their safety and well-being would be guaranteed as part of your terms."
The finality in her voice, the quiet assurance, left no room for doubt. They were offering him a path forward, a future beyond the struggle, beyond the fear. It was a Faustian bargain, trading his autonomy for a new form of omnipotence.
Ray closed his eyes, picturing the endless void of space, the particles of light. He had been given a second chance, but it wasn't the clean slate he'd imagined. It was a new game, with higher stakes and far more powerful players. He was no longer just trading currencies; he was trading his life.
He saw Ms. when he opened his eyes. Vance's expectant gaze. "Alright," he said, the word feeling heavy on his tongue, a surrender and a new beginning all at once. "I'll do it. I'll work for you."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Ms. Vance's lips. "Wise choice, Mr. Carter. Welcome to the team." She stood up, and the two silent men moved, ready for her command. "Our first assignment for you begins immediately. Consider this your new reality."