Ethan stood at the curb, watching Michael''s sleek car pull away from the restaurant parking lot.

    The black sedan melted into the city traffic, leaving behind a trail of exhaust and a sense of finality.

    He clutched his helmet in one hand, staring at the crisp contract tucked into his jacket pocket.

    Two million dollars.

    The thought echoed in his head like a drumbeat.

    It was no longer a pipe dream or a vague goal — it was real, sitting in his bank account, the numbers confirmed just moments ago.

    He had officially crossed a milestone that most could only fantasize about, and yet, it felt strangely surreal.

    Ethan climbed onto his motorcycle, the weight of the day pressing on him in an unfamiliar way.

    The engine rumbled to life beneath him, a comforting and grounding sound. He adjusted his gloves, his thoughts drifting to the System tucked securely in his pocket.

    As he drove through the evening streets, weaving past cars and illuminated storefronts, the phone vibrated incessantly. It felt almost alive, a persistent nagging presence demanding his attention.

    "Not now," Ethan muttered to himself, leaning slightly into a turn as the cityscape blurred around him.

    The vibrations didn''t let up, but he focused on the road ahead, the cool breeze brushing against his face.

    The ride home was uneventful, a stark contrast to the emotional whirlwind of the deal he had just closed.

    When he finally pulled into the parking lot of his apartment complex, the hum of the bike''s engine faded, leaving only the stillness of the evening.

    Ethan trudged up the stairs, the weight of the day settling into his bones.

    His apartment greeted him with its usual simplicity — a worn couch, a modest kitchen, and the faint hum of the fridge. It wasn''t much, but it had been his sanctuary through the hardest times.

    For now, he wanted to enjoy the quiet. The journey had been grueling, and while there was still a long way to go, he was proud of how far he had come.

    He closed his eyes briefly, the events of the day replaying in his mind.

    Tomorrow, he decided, would mark a new chapter.

    It was time to move forward — to leave behind the cramped apartment that had served as his starting point. With the money sitting in his account, he could finally afford a home that reflected his accomplishments.

    But tonight, he allowed himself a moment of rest.

    The sound of the city buzzed faintly outside his window, a backdrop to the stillness of his apartment. Ethan stretched his legs out on the couch, letting his head rest against the armrest.

    The System remained silent, as if satisfied with his progress. His regular phone continued to vibrate intermittently, but Ethan ignored it. Everything was snuffed out, every bit of noise was replaced by the calmness he had grown used to.

    He glanced at the ceiling, a small smile playing on his lips. "Three million," he said softly, the words feeling surreal.

    #####

    Ethan sat on his couch the next morning, the sunlight streaming through the apartment window. His phone rested in his hand, the screen displaying a long list of real estate properties.

    He had spent most of the morning scrolling through mansions, a concept that still felt foreign. A mansion? For him? Just a few months ago, he was scraping by and avoiding the judgmental stares of his neighbors.

    But things had changed.

    Now, with three million dollars sitting in his bank account and the Investment System backing him, Ethan felt a strange sense of inevitability.

    The System wasn''t just helping him survive; it was pushing him to thrive. And thriving required a home worthy of his newfound status.

    He scrolled past another property, its sleek glass exterior reflecting the skyline in the picture. It was beautiful, but something about it didn''t sit right.

    He didn''t want something flashy just for the sake of it. He wanted a place that felt like home.