It was five in the afternoon inRiverside Hills, one of the most exclusive residential areas in New York.
Located just minutes fromCentral Parkand the famousFifth AvenueThis neighborhood was a world apart. Each mansion there cost tens of millions of dollars, some reaching figures bordering on the absurd. For most people, it was unattainable. A dream that would never cease to be.
On those streets, it was common to see the presidents of major corporations, Hollywood stars, financial magnates, and celebrities of all kinds marching by. To an outsider, it seemed almost unreal; to those who lived there, it was routine.
Inside one of those modern-style mansions, with giant windows and a private pool, a young man of barely twenty-three years old was leaning toward his computer screen.
"Don't underestimate our disadvantage," he said firmly, moving the mouse at full speed. "This is all an illusion. The dragon, the baron, the towers... they don't matter. With six complete objects, the game will be mine."
Your avatar,Jinx, farmed in the top lane ofLeague of Legendswhile the blue henchmen advanced towards the enemy base.
Your stream chat onTwitchwas burning with messages.
—[Streamer, I did exactly what you said, why are my classmates insulting me?]
—[Adrian, speak more slowly, I'm taking notes.]
—[Only a pro understands your vision of the game. You're a genius!]
He smirked, enjoying the mix of nervousness and adrenaline that came with the brink of defeat.
His team was on the ropes, but thanks to his impeccable farming and cold decisions, the enemy crystal exploded in a thousand flashes.
—[Your team has destroyed the inhibitor.]
Victory was sealed. Adrian leaned back in his ergonomic chair, put down his mouse, and stretched his arms.
"And so, gentlemen, an impossible game is won," he said in an amused tone, ignoring the toxic comments that also filled the chat. "That's all for today. There's more tomorrow."
He closed the stream and the Twitch logo disappeared from the screen.
He stood up, walked to the huge glass windows, and opened the curtains. The July sky was tinged with orange and gold, and the reflection of the sun bathed theHudson Riverwith an almost liquid glow.
He grabbed one Ice-cold Coca-Cola from the minibar and took a long drink.
"God… that feels good," he murmured, letting the cold bubbles clear his mind.
The scene reminded him of his college days. Last year, dressed in a cap and gown, he'd taken photos with his friends from Columbia University. They promised to keep in touch, visit each other, hang out from time to time… but the promises quickly faded.
The group chat inWhatsApp, which had previously been ringing non-stop, was now dead.
Those who remained active used it to send "motivational" chains, sell products, or boast about self-improvement.
"Money isn't everything, but without money you are nothing."
"Time is money… and I'd rather have money."
"Friends, it's time to pay me back."
Adrian let out a wry laugh. Adulthood hit hard, even for those who swore everything would stay the same.
He wanted to organize a reunion with his former colleagues, but there were always excuses: one had to work overtime, another lived too far away, another was already caught up in diapers and responsibilities. Everyone had their own struggles.
He, on the other hand, played in another league.
Not because he was a genius or privileged by birth, but because, being just a curious student, he had invested a few dollars inBitcoinon a foreign forum. By the time the market exploded, he found himself with billions in his account.
That day everything changed.
The bankers treated him like a king, the advisors smiled at him almost servilely, and even his parents, upon learning of this, didn't know how to react. Adrian went from an ordinary middle-class boy to a young millionaire who could buy whatever he wanted.
At first, she was afraid. How to manage so much money? How to avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention? But after months of reflection, she accepted it:
He was young, a millionaire and free.
While his former colleagues were breaking their backs for a salary, he streamed video games for fun, traveled whenever he wanted, ate wherever he wanted, and lived without worrying about bills or debt.
Adrian Foster wasn't just any adult. He played life on easy terms.
He took another sip of his drink, looked up at the horizon, and smiled with a defiant gleam in his eyes.
—The party is just beginning.