The morning after the community event, Darren woke to a flood of new messages.
Local business owners thanked him, promising loyalty and cooperation.
Mrs. Keller stopped by with a smile.
"Thanks to you, my laundromat's never been busier."
Darren nodded, feeling the momentum shift in their favor.
At the same time, the system flashed a new alert:
[Warning: Rival faction escalating pressure.]
[Suggested Action: Strengthen defenses and gather intelligence.]
That evening, Darren received an anonymous note slipped under his door:
"Stay out of the way, or face the consequences."
He crumpled it silently but kept his calm.
This wasn't new — just the beginning of a war fought in shadows.
Darren doubled down on security around his investments — cameras, trusted guards, even tech upgrades recommended by the system.
He also met with allies privately, sharing his concerns and coordinating support.
Trust was fragile, but growing.
The system rewarded his careful moves:
[Expenditure Multiplier Activated: 320x]
[Bonus Credit: +£320,000]
That night, as his mother and Aria slept peacefully, Darren stared at the city lights.
His journey was no longer just about money.
It was about survival, power, and protecting those he loved.