Aren stared at the dollar bill in his hand. It looked more like a joke than a payment. But then Rex's smile brightened even further—like a kid who had just traded a rock for a treasure map. Because to Rex, this wasn't just a deal—it was a heist. For the price of a vending machine soda, he now legally owned what he believed was a goldmine. No, scratch that—a diamond mine. A potential blockbuster with a microscopic investment. The cost-to-profit ratio was absurd.
And then, as if to drive the point home and truly lock the deal in stone, Rex pulled out his phone, opened his banking app, and with a few casual taps, transferred $20,000 straight into Aren's account.
A moment later, Aren's phone dinged.
He frowned, pulled it from his pocket, and blinked in confusion at the balance update. His eyes widened.
Twenty thousand.
Cold hard proof that this wasn't some elaborate prank or empty promise.
