Chapter 4: The Crown Jewel
The gates of Celestial Peak whispered shut behind the Aston Martin Valkyrie, sealing off the world with a quiet, definitive thud. The road ahead was a ribbon of polished dark cobblestone, winding gracefully up the lush, manicured slopes of The Peak. It was less a road and more a private pathway, flanked by immaculate gardens and discreet, soft-glowing lanterns that illuminated the night.
Li Wei guided the hypercar forward, the engine's hum a subdued echo in the profound silence. The air here was different—crisper, cooler, smelling of expensive earth, rare flowers, and immense wealth. He passed other villas, but they were barely visible, hidden behind high walls and dense, strategic landscaping. Each was a fortress of privacy.
Following the guard's directions, he took the road all the way to the summit. The higher he climbed, the more the view opened up. Through gaps in the foliage, the glittering tapestry of Hong Kong sprawled out far below, a breathtaking panorama of light and life that he now looked down upon, both literally and figuratively.
Finally, the road ended at a final, grand gate, even more imposing than the community's main entrance. This one was crafted from aged bronze and reinforced glass, intricate with a modern design. It was the entrance to Villa Number One.
As he approached, the gate recognized the Valkyrie's transponder or his biometrics from within the car, and it slid open without a sound, retracting into the walls.
The sight that greeted him made him gently press the brake.
The villa wasn't a house; it was a statement carved into the mountaintop. It was a masterpiece of modern architecture—a series of sleek, geometric concrete, glass, and steel structures that seemed to float over the edge of the cliff. Cantilevered decks reached out into nothingness, offering heart-stopping views. Walls of glass reflected the starry sky and the city lights below, making the building seem both a part of the landscape and something entirely otherworldly.
A wide, mirror-like infinity pool stretched along the main terrace, its water blending seamlessly with the skyline. The entire property was lit with a subtle, artistic lighting scheme that highlighted its dramatic lines without being ostentatious.
It was, without a doubt, the most magnificent private residence he had ever seen.
A wave of pure, unadulterated amazement washed over him. His parents were comfortably wealthy—successful academics who lived in a very nice, spacious apartment—but this was a level of opulence that belonged in movies. For a moment, he was just Li Wei, the betrayed tech entrepreneur, utterly dwarfed by the scale of his new reality.
But the feeling was fleeting. The System's presence in his mind was a constant, calming hum. This wasn't a surprise; it was an expectation. This was the baseline for the power he now wielded. The amazement in his eyes was quickly banked, replaced by a cool assessment. This wasn't just a home; it was a command center. A fortress. His base of operations.
He drove through the gate, which closed silently behind him, and followed the short driveway to a vast, covered garage bay. The door slid up to reveal space for a dozen cars. It was empty, pristine, and lit with a clinical brightness. He parked the Valkyrie in the center, its dramatic lines looking perfectly at home.
As he stepped out, a man in a sharp, dark suit emerged from a side door. He was middle-aged, with a calm demeanor and observant eyes. Another man, younger and more physically imposing, stood a respectful distance behind him—clearly security.
"Mr. Li," the first man said with a slight, respectful bow. "Welcome to Celestial Peak. I am Mr. Chen, the head of security for the community. This is Officer Lu. We are here to assist with your arrival and provide you with the access codes and security protocols for the villa."
Li Wei gave a curt nod. "Thank you."
Mr. Chen handed him a thin, black tablet. "Everything is on here, sir. Floor plans, security system controls—facial recognition, motion sensors, panic rooms—climate control, and the smart home system. Your biometrics are the primary key. The villa is also staffed with a full AI assistant, accessible by voice command. Is there anything you require immediately?"
Li Wei took the tablet, his gaze sweeping over the incredible garage before looking back at Mr. Chen. "The villa is too big for one person. I need a caretaker. Someone trustworthy, discreet, and capable. Not an agency. A personal recommendation. Do you know of anyone?"
Mr. Chen didn't even blink. "Of course, sir. My own aunt has served as a head housekeeper and personal chef for several high-profile families on The Peak for over thirty years. She is currently between engagements. She is utterly reliable and understands the meaning of confidentiality. I can have her resume sent to you tomorrow."
"Do that," Li Wei said. He appreciated the man's efficiency. "That will be all for tonight."
"Very good, sir. The perimeter is secure. You will not be disturbed. Welcome home." With another slight bow, Mr. Chen and Officer Lu retreated, leaving him alone in the cavernous garage.
He took a deep breath and walked toward the main entrance—a set of towering double doors made of frosted glass and dark ironwood. They recognized his approach and slid open.
The inside of the villa stole the breath he had just taken.
He found himself in a grand, double-height living area. The entire far wall was a single, seamless pane of glass, framing the jaw-dropping panorama of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour. The room was vast, furnished with minimalist yet incredibly expensive-looking furniture—low-slung sofas in cream-colored linen, a massive rug that felt like walking on clouds, and stunning pieces of modern art on the walls. The air was perfectly cool and carried a faint, clean scent of lemongrass and teakwood.
He moved through the space like a ghost. He ran his fingers over the cool marble of a kitchen island bigger than his entire old kitchen. He stood in the master bedroom, where the glass wall continued, making the bed seem to float over the city. The ensuite bathroom had a sunken tub carved from a single piece of black marble with a view that made bathing feel like a cinematic event.
This was the part that truly surprised him. His parents' wealth had meant comfort and security, not this… this transcendent level of luxury. He had worked hard to build Tri-Star, but even at its peak, he'd never considered a place like this. It was humbling and empowering all at once.
He found his luggage, which had somehow been brought up from the car and placed in the master walk-in closet. The sheer size of the closet was another small shock. He showered in a rainforest showerhead that seemed to use an entire month's worth of his old water bill in five minutes, the hot water washing away the grime and residual stress of the day.
Wrapped in a plush robe, he realized he was starving. He hadn't eaten since before the "accident." He picked up the tablet Mr. Chen had given him. He found a directory for nearby restaurants that delivered to The Peak—all of them five-star establishments. He selected one at random and placed an order for a simple steak and fried rice, a comforting, familiar meal amidst the surreal newness.
Within forty minutes, a soft chime announced a delivery at the external security gate. He watched on a monitor as a security guard on a small electric vehicle collected the bag from a delivery driver at the main community gate and brought it all the way to his villa's entrance. The level of service was seamless and invisible.
He ate his meal at the vast kitchen island, looking out at the incredible view. The city twinkled, unaware of the new player watching from the shadows above. His mind, for the first time that day, was quiet. The rage was still there, a cold ember in his chest, but it was banked, waiting. The mission glowed patiently in his vision. There would be time for that tomorrow.
The exhaustion of the day—the betrayal, the death, the rebirth, the overwhelming new reality—finally crashed down on him. He left the dishes on the counter (someone would take care of it, he realized with another small jolt).
He walked into the master bedroom, drew the automated blackout shades, plunging the room into perfect darkness and silence. He fell onto the impossibly comfortable bed, the mattress molding to his body.
For the first time since he walked into that boardroom, Li Wei slept. And it was a deep, dreamless, and sound sleep. The calm before the storm.