Rain poured heavily as Noah Morgan stood frozen beneath the flickering glow of a broken streetlamp.
His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white; whether from holding back tears or fury, he wasn't sure. Maybe both.
He had just been humiliated. Again.
The short video "The Foolish Man Confesses, Gets Roasted by the Queen!" was still trending online.
Even though his so-called friends were long gone, their voices still echoed in his head, mocking him.
Julia Hart, the girl he had foolishly loved since high school, had humiliated him. She was intelligent, beautiful, charming... but tonight, she wore a smile sharper than any blade he had ever held. She had rejected him at their high school reunion.
"I mean… really, Noah? You? Dating me?" she had said, drawing out her words, loud enough to make sure everyone around could hear.
"You're broke! You're jobless... and let's be honest, you'll probably stay that way. And you're still clinging to your high school dreams. This was just... too much, Noah. Please wake up from your stupid fantasy!"
The laughter that followed had crushed something vital inside him, a part of him that still believed he could one day win her heart.
Maybe, just maybe, if he tried hard enough, she and the others would finally see his worth. But they didn't.
Now, even she had joined the rest of the world in treating him like he was nothing but garbage.
This was why he always avoided high school reunions: he'd be ridiculed by the very people he once called friends.
And yet, he had fallen for that damn woman's scheme.
How could she lift his hopes just to smash them to pieces?
"Julia Hart... I'll remember what you did tonight. And I'll return it tenfold."
...
By the time Noah returned to his apartment. Well, if it could even be called that, he was completely drenched.
The single-room flat reeked of mildew, and the light flickered weakly when he flipped the switch.
His phone buzzed again.
Another message comes.
He wanted to ignore it, but his hand moved on its own.
"Damn, bro! You really thought you had a chance? Look in the mirror and face reality." From: Unknown Number
"WTF, Noah! Asking Julia out with just a penny in your bank account?" From: Jack
"Need a job? I need a chauffeur for my dog. Serious offer, man!" From: Ryan
He hurled the phone onto the couch and collapsed onto the floor.
His chest burned with embarrassment, rage, and bitterness, emotions twisting into one until he felt the primal urge to scream.
But he didn't. He stayed silent.
Instead, he saw the black envelope.
Someone must've slipped it under the door while he was out.
Whoever did it must have shoved it hard; it had slid far from the door, which was why he hadn't noticed it when he walked in.
The envelope should've been impossible to miss; it was thick, black, and embossed with a large golden emblem shaped like a phoenix.
Noah blinked, confused and curious.
He picked it up and checked for a sender.
But he saw nothing. Not even his name was written on it.
"What the hell is this? Wrong address?" he murmured, perplexed.
The seal was beautiful. Unique. But completely unfamiliar.
He was curious.
With nothing left to lose, he tore it open.
Inside was a formal letter printed on the highest-quality paper he'd ever seen… and a sleek, matte-black USB drive.
...
To Noah Morgan,
We apologize that you are receiving this message under unclear and potentially confusing circumstances.
As stated in Anderson Morgan's final will, we hereby inform you that you are his biological son and the sole heir to his estates, both publicly and covertly registered.
Due to the sensitive nature of your inheritance, please access the enclosed encrypted USB on a private, secure device.
To unlock, squeeze the USB firmly while exhaling continuously for 8 seconds. This will initiate an instant DNA and heart rate verification.
Once accessed, you will understand why privacy is essential.
From: Ethan Waters, Attorney-at-Law, representing the estate of Anderson Morgan.
...
At first, Noah felt a small wave of relief; at least the envelope was meant for him. However, as he absorbed the content, shock overtook him.
His hand trembled as he whispered, "Anderson Morgan…"
That name wasn't just familiar, it was legendary.
Just a few months ago, news revealed to the public that Anderson Morgan, one of the world's richest and most secretive tycoons, who owns the Golden Phoenix Group, influences everything from technology to weapons manufacturing and global banking.
It was rumored that he died without naming a successor.
But this letter said otherwise. He was the heir.
Heart pounding, Noah stood up, grabbed his ancient laptop, and plugged in the USB.
The screen turned black, then white text appeared, precise and clinical.
...
[Initializing Access…]
[Welcome, Noah Morgan, to the Wealth Management System]
[Inheritance recognized.]
[Wealth Access: Unlocked]
[Total Holdings: $9,910,000,000 (secured in multiple global accounts)]
[Estate Executor: Edgar Brooks]
[Activate Inheritance Support Protocol? Y/N]
...
Noah stared at the monitor, blinking hard, rereading every line.
"What the hell is this…? Is it real?"
He wanted to believe it. But memories of the reunion kept him grounded in suspicion.
This has to be a prank,' he thought. 'Those bastards are trying to humiliate me again, right!?'
He stared at the screen for several long minutes.
It didn't feel real.
He had no idea what "support protocol" meant. Not yet.
But something inside him stirred.
The world had taken everything from him, crushed his pride, and ground him into the dirt.
Now this? With no warning?
His heart raced. His mouth felt dry.
'A prank? A virus? A cruel joke while I'm down?'
"Should I just do it? If this is a joke, I'm done caring!"
He hesitated, but it was only for a moment. Then hovered his fingers over the keyboard.
He chose [Y]
[Congratulations. Inheritance Support Protocol activated.]
"Now what?"
It didn't take long.
[Would you like to start your legacy? Y/N]
Before he could respond, something about the screen pulsed gently, almost alive.
"Oh my God… why do the words feel alive?"
He instinctively pressed [Y] on the non-touchscreen keyboard.
Instantly, the screen flashed white, then shifted to an elegant, smooth, and minimal design. But it wasn't on the screen anymore. It hovered in the air, right before his eyes.
He blinked. Once. Twice.
But it was still there.
"What the hell…!"
He cursed, stepping closer, watching as new tabs expanded across the top like a menu bar.
[Assets | Personnel | Investments | Power Suite | Revenge Ledger]
"Revenge Ledger?" he murmured, raising an eyebrow. "Now that's interesting."
As he lingered, another message appeared.
...
[SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZED.]
[Host Status: Mentally Stable | Emotionally Unstable | Power Level: 0]
[Starter Package Unlocked]
[$10,000,000 Liquid Funds]
[Tier 1 Property: Downtown Penthouse Key]
[Beginner Skill Unlocked: Negotiation – Level 0]
[System Function Unlocked: Revenge Ledger]
[NOTIFICATION:]
The System will grow stronger the more wealth you control and the choices you make.
The stronger your will, the more dangerous your enemies, the more potent your rise.
...
Noah sank back, eyes wide, staring at the interface hovering before him.
His mind whirled: the penthouse key, the millions of dollars, the skills, and most of all, revenge.
Just as doubt tried to crawl back into his head, a notification sound chimed from the couch.
He hesitated.
What if it were more mockery from the so-called friends?
Still, his legs moved without permission.
He grabbed the phone.
One look, and his knees gave out.
He crumpled to the floor.
"$10,000,000 was credited to your 9041919119 bank account." From: Paragon Bank.
"What the... did I just become a millionaire in a second?"