Steven awoke to the familiar chime of his phone. Blinking against the morning light, he picked up. Alex's voice buzzed with excitement on the other end.
"Steven! You won't believe this—Legend of Artemis just exploded overnight! A popular streamer downloaded the game and did a full two-hour playthrough. His viewers loved it—called it the most immersive fantasy RPG they've seen in years. And now? Other big-name streamers are hopping on the trend. We've already passed ten thousand downloads since midnight!"
Steven sat up, suddenly more awake. "That fast?"
"Faster than we could've hoped," Alex said. "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. People can't get enough of the world design and combat mechanics. The forums are already buzzing with theories about hidden ruins and boss mobs. Some even made fan art overnight."
Steven allowed himself a small smile. "That's good. The map's huge, and we've barely scratched the surface. Hundreds of hidden ruins, seven boss monsters... Players haven't even unlocked ten percent of what's there. Once they start exploring more deeply, the game's reputation will cement itself."
"We haven't implemented in-game purchases yet, right?" Steven asked.
"No, sir. Monetization is disabled for now."
"Perfect. Let them enjoy it for free today. Tomorrow, I want you to contact top streamers. Provide them with coordinates to a few low-tier ruins. Equip them with decent starter gear so they can take down a boss mob on stream."
"You want this staged?"
"Not staged—curated. Authentic gameplay, but we guide the path a little to ensure great content. Also, make the game $35 for the next four days. Anyone who signs up within the week gets a starter equipment pack as a bonus. After that, we bump the price to $70."
Alex hesitated. "Sir, are you sure about that pricing? I mean, a game of this caliber could easily sell for $100 or more. We're undercutting ourselves."
"Let the numbers work in our favor," Steven replied. "This isn't about short-term profits. We're building trust. At $35, we reach students, hobbyists, and casual players. They become our base. The development cost was lean, and we're still turning profit. Once this wave settles, we'll shift focus to Dreadfang. That game will be our flagship."
"Understood," Alex said. "I'll get to work."
After the call, Steven opened his e-book platform and checked his dashboard. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone—his own version—was now in the top ten. Offers from publishers had flooded his inbox overnight. Smiling, he selected a reputable publishing house and sent over the manuscript and book cover. Within the hour, they replied with a contract. Another win.
Later that morning, Steven walked into school and took his usual seat beside Veronica. Students around him were buzzing with excitement.
"Have you played Legend of Artemis yet?""I just found a hidden cave last night. Took down a ghost knight!"
Steven listened quietly. A few months from now, they would all know. The name SilverByte would be etched into the pillars of the gaming industry. But for now, it wasn't time to reveal his hand.
Over the next few days, word of the game spread like wildfire. By the fifth day, the atmosphere in class had shifted. Conversation revolved around boss raids, treasure chests, and gear combinations. Even students who rarely played games were now logging in.
And then, the corridor erupted with cheers.
Arnold White had returned.
Steven looked up as the tall, immaculately dressed heir of the White family entered the room. Arnold had the kind of presence that demanded attention. His designer clothes, expensive watch, and confident stride turned heads. But to Steven, he was little more than noise. The Steven's assets—Rosewood Hotel, Sky Pearl Club—already surpassed the Whites. And with SilverByte Studio's rise, that gap would only widen.
Still, Steven watched with faint curiosity as Arnold scanned the room—and locked eyes on Veronica. His smug expression faltered when he saw her laughing beside Steven.
Arnold approached with forced calm, but his annoyance simmered beneath the surface.
Veronica turned to Steven with a smile. "I brought some chocolate-coated blueberries. Want a few?"
Steven nodded, reaching casually into the snack box.
Arnold's jaw tightened. As Arnold took an empty seat, Leon approached him, clearly trying to provoke him. Steven noticed Arnold's expression shifting between fury and forced calm.
"You truly are a viper in the shadows," Steven thought with a smile. "Let's see if your venom can kill me or if I tear you apart with my claws."
The class began with the arrival of Mrs. Thompson.
"Oh, Arnold, you're back. How was your trip to France?" she asked.
"It was very fruitful, ma'am. I learned a lot about fashion and the designer clothing worn by the elites. I also made some deals and networked with prominent figures in the fashion and design industry," Arnold replied smoothly.
"That's great, but you need to focus on your studies too," Mrs. Thompson reminded him.
"Don't worry, ma'am. I'll make sure to catch up on everything I missed."
"You'll need to do more than just catch up," she said with a knowing smile. "Steven has shed his restraints and is now fully demonstrating his genius. He's going to give you a hard time."
"I'd appreciate that," Arnold replied, his tone steady. "It's great to have some worthy competition—it'll motivate me to put in more effort."
The classes progressed smoothly, and it was clear that the atmosphere had shifted. Veronica, Steven, and Arnold were working tirelessly to stay in the spotlight, creating a palpable sense of competition. While the teachers admired this newfound energy, some of the other students felt discouraged, realizing they would also need to step up their efforts.
By the end of the day, the students of classroom 12B were utterly exhausted. Keeping pace with the relentless drive of brilliant minds like Veronica, Steven, and Arnold felt like an overwhelming challenge.
Suddenly, Arnold stood up and made an announcement. "Guys, I had an amazing time in France, but I missed all of you. I want to celebrate my return with everyone. Let's head to Sky Pearl and have some fun—don't worry, it's my treat!"
"Wow, thanks, Arnold, we love you!"
"Arnold is the best."
"Sky Pearl? Isn't that the most exclusive club in town?"
"Yeah, it's got everything—private rooms, karaoke, incredible food, and drinks."
"It's not just amazing, it's also super expensive. A good friend of mine took me there for his birthday. There were only six of us, and we booked a small room, but the bill came to around fifteen thousand!"
"Fifteen thousand? That's insane!"
"That's not even the issue. There are thirty of us here. Even basic math says the bill will be at least seventy-five grand."
"More than that! We'd need a big room, and Arnold won't stop at just food and drinks. There'll be singing, dancing, the whole package."
Steven smirked. "Sky Pearl Club, huh? That's interesting. It's actually my property. I don't think Arnold can pull any stunts there."
"Steven, are you going too?" Veronica asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"Yeah, we should go. We can't be the ones to ruin the party."
"That's not the point! Arnold might try to sabotage you."
"I can handle it. Don't worry," Steven replied confidently.
Steven and Veronica came out of school, following everyone else.
"Guys, you can grab a taxi and go there. I will be there," Arnold said. He then turned to Veronica, "Veronica, why don't you come with me. It will be a smooth ride," Arnold said, leaning against his Cadillac CT5. It was clear he was trying to impress Veronica with his car.
"There is no need for that. I will share a taxi with Steven just like everyone else." She calmly declined.
Arnold's mood soured, but he kept his composure. Veronica hailed a passing taxi and got in, pulling Steven along with her. Steven suspected Arnold was planning something similar. He had already asked Alex to bring his Lamborghini, which was parked nearby but unnoticed. Feeling helpless, Steven took the taxi to Sky Pearl.
With his Cadillac, Arnold reached the Sky Pearl first. It was a good car, no doubt, much better than taxis. Soon, a dozen taxis arrived there. Students got out and gathered. Veronica and Steven were also there.
"Let's head inside," Arnold said, guiding the group through the entrance. Once inside, he approached the manager, who promptly escorted them to their reserved room. The room was spacious, featuring six tables, each capable of seating five people. Arnold chose a table and gestured for Veronica to join him. Veronica, however, pulled Steven along, seating him beside Arnold before taking the seat next to Steven. Leon soon joined, settling in beside Arnold, solidifying this table as the gathering spot for the top students of their class. Mira took the remaining seat, positioned between Leon and Veronica. Mira was a strikingly beautiful and popular girl in class, but was sadly eclipsed by Veronica's undeniable charm and sharp wit.
Other students also sat down.
"Guy, order whatever you want."
The students asked for the menu and were surprised by the variety of dishes and their prices. The menu featured an array of options, including lobster rolls, spicy prawn linguine, tempura, sushi, hamburgers, tater tots, and chicken wings as starters.
Excited, the students began ordering their favorite dishes.
"Steven, I bet you've never been to a high-end place like this before. Let me suggest some good combos," Arnold said with a subtle jab, implying Steven's financial situation wasn't great.
"Oh, no need. I frequent places like this and know exactly what to order. If you'd like, I could even recommend something for you," Steven replied calmly. In truth, Steven had never visited such upscale restaurants, but his family's involvement in the hospitality industry gave him an excellent knowledge of food.
"Let's see what you order, then," Arnold said, clearly irritated.
Steven effortlessly ordered a selection of dishes: a Lobster Roll, fried chicken wings with pickled onion rings and lemon, a tempura platter featuring prawns, eggs, vegetables, and Kakiage, a bowl of rice paired with Indian chicken curry and crispy fried fish, a slice of tiramisu, and a Shirley Temple. Arnold couldn't find a single fault with his choices—it was a perfect combination of the best dishes.
Steven even helped Veronica with her order, suggesting sushi, sashimi, Citrus Salmon Fillets with Salsa, risotto, and a refreshing Peach Maple Soda.
The other students placed their orders, with many opting for the same dishes Steven had chosen. The food, prepared by Sky Pearl's skilled chefs, turned out to be exceptional.
"Steven, your family runs a small restaurant. How can you afford to dine at such high-end places? You're not involved in anything illegal, are you? If it's drugs or something shady, your career could be ruined," Arnold said, his tone laced with malice.
Arnold's comment was a calculated insult meant to corner Steven. Steven couldn't admit to frivolously spending his parents' hard-earned money, nor did he have any ties to illegal activities. However, Arnold's assumption couldn't have been more wrong.
"My family does run a restaurant, but it's not small. It's actually quite popular in town. It's called Heavenly Dine—you might have heard of it," Steven replied calmly.
Arnold looked confused. He hadn't heard of any notable restaurant named Heavenly Dine, but the other students reacted with surprise.
"Steven, your family owns Heavenly Dine?" Mira asked, astonished.
"Yes, my father started it, and I'm currently helping him expand it. The recent relocation was actually my idea," Steven explained.
"What's Heavenly Dine? Why haven't I heard of it?" Arnold asked, still skeptical.
"Heavenly Dine has been gaining a lot of attention recently. It was relocated to the spot where Old Tim's Car Showroom used to be. The food there is amazing—a perfect place for a family meal. I went there with my parents on New Year's, and they loved it. The restaurant offers a variety of cuisines, unlike many new places. The food is fantastic, and the ambiance is soothing. Honestly, it could rival Sky Pearl. If Sky Pearl is the best place to hang out with friends, Heavenly Dine is the best spot for lunch or dinner with family," Mira explained to Arnold.
Arnold was stunned. While others might not have realized the implications, Arnold understood what this meant. If Heavenly Dine could rival Sky Pearl, then Steven's financial standing was far from weak—it might even match his own.
"How did you spearhead to relocation. Did you have money. Did you have network to handle such a difficult task." Arnold asked trying to evaluate strength of Steven.
"My family was saving money for relocation. i also had some money in stock which boomed. it was just a coincidence that we had the sufficant capital to handle the relocation and upscaling." Steven answered.
"Oh, such rarely happen." Arnold said. He had calmed down a bit. "So it was just a coincidence. You are nothing but a lucky clown." he thought.
"So what's your plan for future. Are you going to inherit your family restaurent. Are you going to grow it more." He asked to evaluate Steven further.
"Oh, no, no. I am not planning to inherit this family restaurent. I will leave it to my sister to handle. I have my own dreams. I am currently doing game development. I have created few game and sold them. I earned about one million." Steven replied.
Arnold was stunned once again. Game development was an incredibly challenging field, with only a few daring to enter it. Creating popular games was no small feat, and earning a million dollars at such a young age from selling games was an extraordinary achievement.
"Oh, what games did you sell? I might have heard of them," Arnold asked, intrigued.
"I developed CombatClash, NitroDrift, and Whisperveil Escape. I sold them to Raven Games," Steven replied casually.
"I've definitely heard of those games—they were good. But their popularity seems to have been overshadowed by SilverByte Studio's hit game, Legend of Artemis," Arnold remarked.
"Oh, so you know my games. I didn't think you'd be interested in the gaming industry," Steven said with a slight smile.
"So, what's your plan? I don't think you'll make it big with SilverByte Studio dominating the market," Arnold said skeptically.
"Arnold, don't worry. Actually, I'm the founder of SilverByte Studio," Steven revealed, his tone calm but confident.
"Stop bragging, Steven. Who would believe that you're the founder of SilverByte Studio? It takes years to develop games like that. Not to mention, the cost of building a company like that is astronomical," Arnold countered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Believe it or not, I don't care. Let's just say we had a secret weapon," Steven said nonchalantly, shrugging.
"Give me proof," Arnold demanded, crossing his arms.
"Sure, it's about time anyway. I'll let you in on a little secret," Steven replied.
"Oh? What is it?" Arnold asked, leaning forward.
"In the next fifteen minutes, SilverByte Studio will announce its next game. They're also holding a press conference where my identity will be revealed. You can wait and see it on the news," Steven said confidently, a faint smirk on his face.
Arnold didn't buy it. Suddenly, a devilish smile appeared on his face. "Steven, let's bring some good food. Truly expensive ones, caviar and wine. If you are telling the truth it will be revealed in fifteen minutes. Then I will pay for all these additional stuff. If you claims don't come true then you will pay for the food."
"Sure."
They ate their food in silence. The entire class had witnessed the bet. If Steven's claim turned out to be true, he would become their idol—a truly remarkable, wealthy, and successful young man. However, if it proved false, Steven's reputation would plummet, and no one would believe any of his claims again—neither about his family restaurant being the popular Heavenly Dine nor about making millions from selling games.
Steven ordered Caviar and a Bottle of red wine for each person. Even Arnold would sweat to pay such a bill.
Everyone waited in anticipation, and soon the moment arrived. Steven's bold claim proved true—SilverByte Studio officially launched a new game. To everyone's astonishment, Steven's identity as the founder and CEO was revealed. His name and picture were displayed prominently, leaving no room for doubt.
The crowd was stunned, but no one more so than Arnold. He not only suffered embarrassment but now faced the burden of covering the extravagant expense for caviar and wine.
The manager soon approached with the bill. It was an exorbitant total—nearly half a million dollars. A single wine bottle cost $10,000, and there were thirty of them, along with the caviar and an array of dishes ordered by the group. Arnold's face turned pale; his credit card couldn't possibly cover such a sum.
The manager politely asked, "Which gentleman will be settling the bill?"
All eyes turned to Arnold. The manager also focused on him, as Arnold had been the one to arrange the gathering. However, the manager quickly realized from Arnold's expression that he lacked the means to pay.
"Sir, the bill must be settled," the manager insisted.
Arnold finally snapped back to reality. "I didn't order the caviar and wine! That was all Steven's doing. I'll pay for my share, but the rest is between Steven and you." He promptly paid $100,000 for his portion and stormed out of the venue.
The manager turned back to the remaining crowd. "Who is Steven? Someone must pay the outstanding balance, or we'll have no choice but to involve the police."
At the mention of the police, panic rippled through the group.
"I don't want to go to jail!"
"That jerk Arnold made the bet and ran off—why should we suffer?"
Steven raised his hand to calm the crowd. "Everyone, relax. It's my big day. I'll handle this." His composed demeanor immediately reassured everyone. They remembered Steven had made millions from his games and was the mastermind behind SilverByte Studio.
The manager turned to him. "So, you're covering the bill?"
"There's no need for payment," Steven replied confidently. "The remaining balance will be waived under my name."
The manager scoffed. "Who do you think you are? This is a $400,000 bill. Why would it be waived?"
Without a word, Steven calmly took out his phone and made a call. The manager, still skeptical, continued, "Call whoever you want. The bill won't—" His words were cut short as his own phone began to ring loudly. He hesitated before answering.
"I'm Steven Blake," Steven said coolly into his phone. "Now, tell me—do I need to pay this bill?"
The manager's face drained of color. He stammered, "No need, sir. The bill is waived."
The students stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what had just happened. But the manager understood perfectly. Steven had called him directly. He was the mysterious new owner of Sky Pearl Club, having acquired it just a month ago. The manager had been briefed on the new owner's name and contact information, saved in his phone under "Boss." The realization that this young man was his employer left him speechless.
Steven exited the club with an air of calm confidence. Outside, a sleek yellow Lamborghini Aventador pulled up. Alex Grant, the COO of SilverByte Studio, stepped out and handed Steven the keys. The students immediately recognised Alex from the news.
Steven turned to Veronica with a smile. "Shall I drop you home?"
Blushing deeply, Veronica nodded and quickly got into the car, her face flushed with excitement. The Lamborghini's engine roared to life as it sped off, leaving behind a crowd of awestruck onlookers.