10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

66  The Intermission

I stood from my chair, moving to the large window behind me.

Choosing to rent this floor had been a good deal. Of course, if Sunset Inn grows big enough, we'll move to our own building. Until then, we'll enjoy this place.

I stood with both hands in my pocket, enjoying the view of the sunset. At that moment, the world fell away and I felt… peace.

I inhaled deeply before exhaling, a large smile on my face.

Then, the moment was broken when my phone rang. I turned back to my desk and picked the phone.

It was Matt.

"Hello?" I answered the call.

"Nico?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is there a million dollars in my bank account?"

I grinned. "It's a gift."

"For what?" He asked, confused.

"Do I need a reason to send a gift to those close to me?" I retorted, the smile in my voice.

"You know that's not what I meant, you idiot." He snorted before turning serious. "Bro, I appreciate the gesture but this… this is too much."

"I think it's too little." I said, matching his serious tone. "I think it's not enough to show how much I appreciate the way you've helped me over the years."

"And it's not a one sided thing." He countered. "We're friends! We've both helped each other."

"And that's why I'm using this opportunity to thank you, my friend." I said. "And don't try sending it back. I'll just double it and send it back."

"Bro…" He had no idea what to say.

"Now, you can send your parents on that vacation they've always talked about." I said. "They deserve it."

He sighed in resignation and I grinned.

"Also, let's meet at my house. I've got good news." I said.

"I saw." He replied. "You've been cleared of all suspicions in the whole Adams debacle."

"No, not that." I waved away his words. "I unlocked the clause in my mother's will."

"Really?" I could hear the excitement in his voice. "What did it say? What did you get."

"Come later and find out." I said before cutting the call. Nothing like a cliffhanger to keep people interested.

I placed my phone back on the table to enjoy the view. With the million, Matt would be set for a long time.

No more student loans, no more scrambling for a job. There'll be a job for him at my side.

Others would say keep your friends close and your enemies closer but I prefer to keep my friends closer and my enemies as far away from me as possible.

There was a knock on my door.

"Come in." I called out.

The door opened and my assistant, Tom, entered.

"Ah, Tom. What is it?"

"Sir, the Business Bi-Weekly magazine is preparing a feature article on Sunset Inn and is requesting an interview with you on the piece. The editor said they're focusing on emerging leaders in the hospitality industry."

"I see." I smiled.

"Shall I schedule it, sir?"

I needed a way to make the recent negative press disappear and what better way than this to present the narrative I wanted people to hear.

"Get it done." I told him. "Make sure it's here in the office and confirm the credentials of the editor.

I don't want to waste time if it's useless fluff."

"Okay, sir." Tom nodded.

"Good. And prepare a briefing on their past interviews. I want to know what angles they tend to take."

I'd once granted an interview without checking, thinking any press was good press and I'd paid the price. I wasn't making the same mistake again.

"Of course, Mr. Voss." Tom nodded and left.

I'd previously had plans for how I'd introduce myself to society at large but this scandal has forced my hand.

Luckily, my name hadn't really been out there as the focus had been on the affair partners but as my name has been mentioned, there was now interest in who I was.

I had to find the other stamp holders as soon as possible and grow my wealth before the news grew big enough to reach my father.

I can't predict how exactly he'd react to it but for someone who had hidden me away, he definitely wouldn't be pleased.

I sighed, turning back to the view outside. Life was too short to be wasted on waiting. I'll take the first step by myself.

I grabbed my jacket and bag, leaving the office. I never met stamp holders by staying at home or closing myself in at the office. I had to go out there and find them myself.

14:24 n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Going down to my car, I got in and just as I was about to start it, my phone rang. Who was it this time?

I brought it out of my pocket.

Quinn Adams.

My brows rose. Quinn Adams? What did she want from me?

I picked the call. "Hello?"

"Hello, Nico." I heard her voice, calm and neutral.

"Hello, Quinn." I responded in kind.

"You probably don't want to hear from me again but can we meet?" She asked.

What was this? Did she want to apologize or something? Probably. But if she wanted back into Sunset Inn, that door was closed and locked. I didn't need any other investors.

I'd already used Abstract Capital to cement Sunset Inn as a venture to watch. The press would do the rest of the marketing for me.

But that didn't mean I couldn't hear out.

"Okay." I said. "How about at the Pine Press lounge tomorrow morning? At eleven?"

She hesitated before answering. "Okay. Thank you. See you there."

"Alright." I said.

I put away my phone and started my car.

She'd secured for herself a loan of two hundred million. She could use it to build her future by herself.

I began humming as I pulled away, driving through the city streets.

This was it. The intermission. The moment of rest afforded by the universe before the race begins again.

I couldn't help but wonder what form of adversity would arrive this time. Whatever it was, I was here and waiting.

I will not be stopped and the Voss empire will be mine.