The chandeliers gleamed overhead, crystals sparkling like a fake night sky.
Elias adjusted the crisp black suit Glitch had stolen for him — well, borrowed indefinitely, as she insisted.
Tonight's mission wasn't about sneaking in through dirty backdoors or evading rooftop cameras.
No — tonight was about blending into the very heart of the enemy's world.
The upper crust.
The puppeteers behind Kane's growing empire.
The ones who never dirtied their hands — only their bank accounts.
---
Character Spotlight: Jonathan Vex
Name: Jonathan Vex
Age: 42
Profession: Real Estate Mogul, Secret Financial Backer of Kane
Appearance: Tall (6'4"), broad-shouldered, immaculately dressed in a navy suit, olive-toned skin, black hair slicked back, sharp blue eyes like polished ice.
Flaws: Arrogance, underestimates everyone not wearing a Rolex, explosive temper behind closed doors.
Attitude: Calm on the outside, volcanic inside.
---
Elias watched from the marble bar, sipping a non-alcoholic cocktail. (He learned early not to dull his senses.)
The charm reward from the watch was paying off big — people smiled at him easily, waiters offered better service, even a few wealthy ladies shot lingering glances his way.
Meanwhile, Glitch, disguised in an elegant gown that made her look like a mini-supermodel, worked the crowd with a tiny earpiece feeding Elias real-time info.
"Target approaching your five o'clock," Glitch whispered.
Elias turned just in time for Jonathan Vex to brush past him, smirking.
"New blood?" Vex said casually. "Haven't seen you around."
Elias smiled smoothly. "Just got invited. Looking to make a few friends."
Vex chuckled, the sound polished but hollow. "Friends, or opportunities?"
"Both," Elias replied, letting just enough ambition gleam in his voice.
Billionaires love hungry sharks.
It made them feel like apex predators.
---
As the night wore on, Elias realized something that made his stomach churn.
Behind the tailored suits and million-dollar smiles, most of these "powerful" people were miserable — trapped in marriages of convenience, haunted by lawsuits, addicted to pills, obsessed with maintaining the illusion that they were "winning."
Money wasn't the answer.
Power wasn't the answer.
It was all just another cage.
He wondered — bitterly, sharply — if he would become just like them one day if he kept climbing.
Would the watch protect him?
Or lead him into the same cold prison with prettier bars?
---
During a fake conversation with a group of investors, Glitch texted Elias mid-speech:
> Glitch: If one more dude says "synergy" I'm committing a felony.
Elias nearly choked on his drink trying to keep a straight face.
He coughed once and turned it into a charming chuckle, which ironically made the investors laugh and think he was even more charismatic.
Charm stat: OP.
---
As the party neared its end, Vex slipped a heavy, gold-plated card into Elias's hand.
"Come to my private club tomorrow night," Vex said. "Let's see if you're truly serious about business."
Elias nodded, pocketing the card.
He didn't smile.
He knew the real game had just begun — and Vex was the first domino that needed toppling.
---