CHAPTER 72: NEW

A little later Adam came out of the bathroom feeling refreshed. The small apartment was filled with the smell of freshly cooked food.

In the kitchen Manager Kim had already finished his work. He had made breakfast for them both and cleaned up the counters. He was not resting.

He was standing by the small table. When he saw Adam he smiled. He looked like a soldier waiting for his next orders.

"Now eat your food quickly," Kim said his voice filled with energy. "And after that you have to tell me my new job." The manager had no desire to rest.

He saw Andrew out in Solo City building an entire company from the ground up. He wanted that same level of responsibility. He wanted Adam to send him out on a mission to command his own piece of their growing empire. He no longer felt like a simple hotel manager.

He was a key player in a secret war being waged in the shadows. He wanted to prove he was just as capable as Andrew maybe even more so.

Adam let out a deep breath. He sat down at the table and began to eat his breakfast. Their influence was indeed growing at a stunning pace.

The Shining Star Bank was a massive success attracting new customers and businesses every single day. Smith was handling the operational side perfectly but the foundation was something they had all built together.

They still had not received a full report from the oil factory but Kim was confident it would be another huge success. He felt the momentum building around them and he wanted to be at the forefront of the next big push.

As Adam ate his breakfast and got ready for school the manager followed him around the small apartment. He moved from the kitchen to the living room staying close to Adam never letting him out of his sight.

He was too excited to sit still. He wanted to know the plan. Adam remained quiet focusing on his routine. He knew Kim was anxious but he had to maintain his own cover. His job as a school teacher was a crucial part of his disguise.

Finally Adam was ready to leave. He picked up his bag and walked to the door. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. He turned and looked at the manager. His expression was serious. Kim stood at attention waiting for the command he had been anticipating all morning.

"All your work is on the sofa," Adam said his voice calm and clear. "It is in that file." He gestured with his head towards a thick manila folder resting on the couch. "This work is very important. I have written the entire plan in it. I don’t have time to explain it to you right now." Saying this Adam opened the gate. Just before he stepped out he turned back and looked at the manager one last time. "Lock my apartment when you leave. I have another key."

Hearing this the manager’s face broke into a massive grin. He was already looking incredibly excited. He shot his hand up and gave Adam a sharp thumbs up.

It was a sign of his complete approval.

Adam nodded once then left from there closing the door behind him.

The moment he was gone the manager’s excitement could no longer be contained.

He did not walk to the sofa. He practically lunged for it. He snatched the file off the cushion his hands trembling slightly with anticipation. He sat down immediately his eyes glued to the folder in his hands.

The manager sat on the edge of the sofa. The thick bundle of papers felt heavy in his hands. It felt important. He opened the clasp and looked inside.

The first thing he saw was a stack of letters held together by a paperclip. They were handwritten in Adam’s neat.

He pulled the letters out first. They were several pages long a detailed manifesto of Adam’s next move. A wave of excitement washed over the manager.

This was what he had been waiting for. He unfolded the pages and began to read his eyes scanning the words quickly.

The plan was far more complex than anything Adam had proposed before. It was ambitious. It was dangerous. It was brilliant. In the letter Adam explained that their next venture would be to open a new company.

This company would not produce anything. It would not sell any physical goods. Its sole purpose was to invest money in other companies.

It was a capital venture firm. A holding company designed to acquire assets and influence across various sectors. Adam had laid out everything needed to open the company the legal structure the initial funding strategy and the long-term goals.

But the manager was truly shocked when he read the last part of the letter. The part that changed everything.

Adam had written a single declarative sentence that made Kim’s heart race.

We will not open this company in our country. Not in Viper City. We will open it inside the Empire.

The Empire. The global superpower that loomed over their small nation. The heart of the world’s financial and political system. It was an audacious move a leap from the local stage to the international arena.

The manager immediately put the letter aside his mind reeling from the implication. He turned his attention back to the bundle of papers. He needed to see what else Adam had prepared for him.

He emptied the contents of the bundle onto the small coffee table. A cascade of documents papers and files spilled out. He saw his own passport sitting on top of a stack of official-looking papers.

Next to it was a plane ticket. A one-way ticket to the capital city of the Empire. The flight was scheduled to leave today. At 10:30 AM.

Seeing this the manager was completely stunned. He had less than two hours.

To be Continue....