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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: The Invitation They Couldn't Ignore

Morning – International Hotel, Gangnam

The grand ballroom was lined with gold banners and velvet chairs. Cameras blinked like fireflies, and hundreds of the world's wealthiest figures were gathering for the annual Global Wealth Summit—where only the elite were allowed.

On the massive screen behind the stage, a single announcement blinked in bold:

> SPECIAL GUEST REQUESTED: THE FOUNDER OF POLARIS CAPITAL

Gasps and murmurs filled the room.

"He's never appeared in public."

"Is this real?"

"Will he finally show himself?"

Backstage, Park Seojin, the media mogul who had offered Jiwoo billions for an exclusive interview, stood with a smug smile.

She had pulled every string. Hired private investigators. Built pressure with silence. This time, he had to respond.

Or so she thought.

---

Meanwhile – Aurora Hills, Greenhouse Dome

Jiwoo stood beside Noeun, watering a newly bloomed set of pale yellow roses. Each girl took turns helping maintain this greenhouse—a peaceful dome filled with rare plants, medicinal herbs, and floral hybrids Nayun had helped design.

Yoori entered with a tablet in hand.

"Jiwoo," she said, voice calm. "You've been formally invited to the Global Wealth Summit. Your presence is being called 'the missing crown.'"

Jiwoo wiped his hands gently on a cloth.

"They want my face," he said quietly.

Sena appeared in the doorway. "And if you don't go, they'll say you're fake."

Eunsol, sitting in the corner sketching herbs, looked up and asked, "So… will you go?"

Jiwoo thought for a long moment.

Then he walked to the far side of the greenhouse, where an old mirror hung—a relic from the house's first foundation.

He looked at his reflection and smiled faintly.

"No."

> [System Response: Invitation Declined]

[Global Influence Will Continue to Rise Anonymously]

[Effect: "Whispered Power" – Doubles impact of every action while keeping origin hidden]

---

Same Day – Wealth Summit Broadcast

The host cleared his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that the founder of Polaris Capital has declined to appear today."

The crowd groaned.

But just as the energy began to sour, a new message appeared on-screen—one not planned.

> "I do not need a stage to be heard.

I do not need a spotlight to shine.

My wealth is not my identity.

My peace… is my revolution."

Silence fell.

Some scoffed.

But most?

Stared.

Because for the first time in decades, someone richer than kings had turned their backs on glory—willingly.

And that shook the very structure of ego.

> [System Update: Global Echo Level 1 Activated]

[Influence spreading across nations silently – new collaborations offered anonymously]

---

Back at Aurora Hills – Tea Pavilion

The girls gathered around the koi pond, reading comments online.

"Look at this," Jihye said, handing her phone to Mirae. "A journalist in Switzerland called you 'the hidden utopia of the 21st century.'"

Mirae laughed. "Do we even look that mysterious?"

Sena raised an eyebrow. "We have no public records. No photos. No official addresses. We might as well be ghosts."

Eunsol looked at Jiwoo. "Do you ever miss being known?"

Jiwoo smiled. "I'm known where it matters."

He looked around at their faces—each one a life changed, a wound healing, a dream rising.

"Everything else… is noise."

---

Later – Donation Center, Gyeonggi Province

A boy in crutches arrived at the center, expecting to fill out papers.

Instead, he was welcomed with warmth, served hot soup, and handed an advanced lightweight walking support brace worth over ₩20 million.

All free.

No signature required.

He blinked.

"Why… me?"

The nurse simply smiled.

> "Because someone who doesn't want fame… already noticed you."

---

Evening – Rooftop Garden

The circle sat together, watching the moonrise.

No words.

Just peace.

Until Yoori softly whispered, "They'll keep chasing you."

"I know," Jiwoo replied.

"They'll keep offering more."

"I'll keep declining."

"And someday… someone dangerous might not ask."

He nodded.

"But by then," Jiwoo said gently, "the world will have already changed… without needing my face."

> [System Notification: Sanctuary Level 5 Reached]

[You now influence over 100,000 lives per month, invisibly.]

[Threat Immunity Bonus: Attempts to expose you now auto-deflect silently]

---

Final Note – Jiwoo's Journal

He wrote a single line in gold ink:

> "I don't want to rule the world.

I want to remind it… that kindness still works."

And the wind carried the words to places even money could not reach.

---

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