The Mercedes rolled smoothly through the narrow streets, the world outside blurring past the tinted windows. Inside, silence stretched. Eliza sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes flicked toward Ethan every so often, worry written plainly across her features. Anna, by contrast, was practically pressed against the window, her eyes darting between the passing cars and the polished dashboard with childlike wonder.
"Brother," she whispered, tugging at Ethan's sleeve, "drive slower so everyone can see us."
Ethan chuckled softly, easing his grip on the wheel. "We're not here to show off, Anna."
Her pout was immediate. "But you look so cool. Like those actors in dramas Mama watches."
A faint blush touched Eliza's cheeks, though she quickly hid it by clearing her throat. "Ethan… are you sure this is alright? Borrowing such a car?"
Ethan's expression didn't change, his voice calm. "It's fine, Mom. Trust me."
The drive continued until he turned into a quieter street on the edge of downtown. The buildings here were older, their bricks weathered, their paint faded. Finally, he slowed in front of a modest two-story structure with a faded sign hanging above the entrance: "Seth's Kitchen."
Eliza blinked, confusion knitting her brows. "Ethan… why are we here? This place looks closed."
Ethan pulled the car to a stop and turned off the engine. His gaze lingered on the building for a moment before he answered, voice steady.
"This," he said, stepping out and opening their door, "is our restaurant."
The words seemed to hang in the air.
Eliza stared at him, her lips parting but no sound emerging. "Our… restaurant?"
Anna gasped loudly, clutching her mother's hand. "Mama! We have a restaurant? Really, brother?"
Ethan nodded once, guiding them toward the entrance. The lock clicked easily as he turned the key Seth had given him yesterday before. The door swung open, releasing a faint musty scent of dust and wood.
Inside, the restaurant bore the marks of abandonment: tables stacked in corners, chairs covered in sheets, the counter dull with grime. Yet beneath it all, the bones were solid. The wide space, the old brick walls, the sturdy wooden beams overhead—it was tired, but it was theirs.
Eliza's hand rose to her lips, trembling. "Ethan… how? This isn't possible. How much did this cost?"
Ethan forced a small smile. He had prepared the answer.
"My employers gave me a big bonus," he said. "Enough that I thought—why not make life easier for you? You've worked hard your whole life. This way, you won't have to run around. You can manage this place, nice and steady."
Her eyes shimmered with tears. "You… you bought this for me?"
He nodded again, quietly, his throat tightening.
Anna squealed, spinning in a small circle, her shoes scuffing against the dusty floor. "Mama, can I decorate? We'll make it pretty! And I'll be the cashier, okay?"
Eliza laughed softly, the sound shaky but warm, her tears slipping free. She brushed her daughter's hair back gently. "Silly girl… you can't even add properly yet."
Anna pouted. "Brother will teach me!"
Ethan carried in the last of their bags, setting them down against the counter. The place looked fuller already, as though their presence had breathed a spark of life back into it.
But he turned, his expression serious. "We can't stay here tonight. It's not ready—no beds, no working kitchen. I've booked us a hotel for now. Just until I find us a proper house."
Eliza opened her mouth to protest, but he raised a hand gently. "It's nothing expensive. Just a place to sleep for now."
She hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright… if you're sure."
That evening, they checked into a small hotel a few streets away. The lobby was modest, the wallpaper plain, the rooms simple but clean. Eliza relaxed slightly the moment she saw it wasn't luxurious, her suspicion easing.
Anna flopped onto the bed with a giggle, bouncing lightly. "This is so fun! Brother, it's like we're on vacation!"
Ethan sat on the edge of the other bed, his gaze distant for a moment. His mother's voice pulled him back.
"You've grown up," she murmured softly, watching him. "Your father would be proud."
Ethan's chest tightened. He only smiled faintly, not trusting his voice to answer.
Anna crawled over, hugging his arm tightly. "Don't worry, Mama. Brother will solve everything. Right, Ethan?"
Ethan placed a hand over hers, his voice quiet but firm.
"Don't worry," he said again. "I have a plan."
The night air was cool when Ethan stepped out of the hotel lobby. His mother's soft "be careful" still echoed faintly in his ears, Anna's sleepy wave burned into his memory. He had told them he needed to "work late" again, that the family he drove for had called him in. It was a convenient lie, one that Eliza had reluctantly accepted.
He couldn't let them see the truth. Not yet.
The Mercedes hummed quietly as he slid into the driver's seat. For a while, he just sat there, hands resting on the wheel, staring blankly out at the quiet street. The image of his mother and sister being thrown into the dirt replayed in his mind, over and over, each repetition stoking the fire in his chest.
Strength had let him protect them today. But money… money was the only reason they were humiliated in the first place.
"Dashboard," he muttered.
The system flared to life.
--- [Money Deck System v1.0] ---
Balance: $1,350,000System Points: 0Card Draws Available: 1
Mission Active:
Four of Clubs (Fitness Training)Objective: 5 km Jogging, 50 Push-ups, 50 Sit-ups, 50 SquatsReward: 10 System Points + Rare ConsumableStatus: Incomplete
Ethan's eyes lingered on the glowing reminder of his training mission. He hadn't done a single push-up. Not one.
His jaw tightened. The reward was tempting—system points, even a rare consumable—but what good was that when his family was still homeless? When they could be thrown into the street again tomorrow if they didn't secure something permanent?
"Sorry," he muttered under his breath, shutting the mission window. "I don't have time to play around right now."
He scrolled to the draw. One chance. One choice.
His hand hovered over the glowing suits.
Clubs meant strength. Diamonds meant money.
He thought of the apartment, of his mother's pleading voice, of Anna's small hands clutching at his sleeve. His decision was instant.
"Diamonds."
The screen pulsed, the drawn card spinning into view with a sharp chime.
[New Mission Generated!]
Mission Type: Diamonds → Money-based mission Mission Rank: [7] – Seven of Diamonds
Objective:Casino Play
Enter a registered casino.
Use ALL of your available money to gamble.
Failure Penalty:
Debt incurred for you and your family.
System penalty: [Severe].
Reward:Unknown.
Time Limit: 3 days.
Ethan's breath caught.
"All my money?" he whispered.
The glowing letters didn't waver.
Every dollar. His entire balance—$1.35 million. Years of his family's survival, gone in one roll of the dice, one turn of the card. And the failure condition… not just him, but his mother and sister too. Debt. Chains.
He slammed a hand against the steering wheel, the sound echoing in the empty car.
"Damn it…"
The system was forcing him. Again. Just like with Mary, just like with the restaurant. Except this time, the risk was unbearable.
He leaned back, running both hands through his hair, his chest tight. He could almost hear Anna's voice in his head, chirping innocently: "Brother will solve it."
But how was he supposed to solve this?
The glowing mission box hovered stubbornly in the corner of his vision. Three days. A clock ticking down.
Ethan closed his eyes, breathing slowly.
Money. That was the only way. To buy a house, to make sure his family was never tossed into the dirt again. To finally breathe without waiting for the next hammer to fall.
If he wanted security… he had to gamble everything.
He opened his eyes again. His reflection in the windshield stared back at him, sharper, harder than he remembered.
"Fine," he whispered. "If that's what it takes… I'll play your game."
The car's engine roared to life as he pulled away from the curb, the neon lights of the city reflecting in his dark eyes.
The mission had begun.