After seeing Grace's luxurious penthouse photos flood every social feed, Alice couldn't sit still.
That night, she called Zach, the man she had been seeing casually for the past few months.
Her tone was soft, sweet — almost pleading. "Zach… I don't want to stay in that cramped apartment anymore. Can we get a place in Estates? Please?"
Zach leaned back in his chair, the city lights reflecting off his whiskey glass. He hesitated.
Estates wasn't cheap. Everyone in Los Angeles knew that the entire development was rumored to be owned by Jason Carter.
But Alice's voice was syrupy, teasing — and persistent. By the third round of "pretty pleases" and soft giggles, Zach sighed.
"Fine," he said finally. "We'll rent a place there. But just one. Don't get carried away."
It wasn't like he'd buy her a penthouse — she wasn't worth that much. Alice was fun, pretty, and ambitious, but nothing long-term. Renting was enough.
The next day, they met with the property manager of Estates. The sales office gleamed with marble floors and holographic displays showing the skyline view from each tower.
They toured a few high-end condos, each one with floor-to-ceiling windows, smart-glass walls, and enchanted lighting that could shift colors with mood.
But Alice wasn't impressed. Her expression soured with each unit.
"These are… fine," she said, crossing her arms. "But Grace lives in one of the crown suites. I want to see those."
Zach frowned. "Those are way above rental range. Besides, I heard the tourism and real-estate sectors around here are about to boom. Any place in this district will be gold in a few years."
"I don't care," Alice pouted, clinging to his arm. "Grace got a crown suite. Why can't I? You don't want people thinking your girl lives worse than hers, right?"
Her voice was playful — but her eyes were sharp.
Zach's jaw tightened. He wanted to roll his eyes. Grace is Jason Carter's woman, he thought. You really think we can compare?
Zach, for all his inherited wealth, was still miles below that league.
But he didn't want to argue — not yet. He'd rented plenty of things to keep Alice quiet before. Maybe this would shut her up for a while too.
"Fine," he said finally, forcing a smile. "But once you move in, no more drama. Deal?"
Alice squealed, throwing her arms around his neck. "You're the best, Zach!"
He chuckled, but his eyes were cold. Let her play for now. When I get bored, I'll find someone less demanding.
They approached the property office again. Zach said calmly, "We'd like to view one of the crown suites."
The manager hesitated. "Ah, the crown units… I'm afraid none of them are available for rent."
Zach frowned. "None?"
The manager smiled politely. "Correct. The ownership of those units is under a private client. I'll need to check with his executive secretary before confirming anything."
He stepped aside and made a quick holo-call. "Secretary Olivia, this is Mark from Estates property management. We have a client interested in renting one of Mr. Carter's crown suites. Is that an option?"
There was a brief silence, then a calm voice replied through the comm.
"Mr. Carter does not rent out any of his crown units to the public. Thank you."
The manager hung up and turned back, smiling apologetically.
"I'm sorry. Mr. Carter doesn't lease any of his crown suites."
Both Alice and Zach froze.
"Wait," Alice said, her eyes widening. "Jason Carter? The Jason Carter?"
The manager's expression softened, as if amused. He didn't answer directly — which was answer enough.
Alice's heart started to race. "You mean the crown suites in every tower… are his?"
The manager gave a faint nod.
Zach exhaled slowly.
Zach turned back to the manager. "What about Tower 13, or 14, or even 15? There must be one we can rent."
The manager shook his head again, smiling helplessly. "I'm afraid not. Mr. Carter's directive was clear — none of the crown suites are for external rental, no exceptions."
This time, Zach didn't speak. He just stood there, stunned.
Alice's mind buzzed with disbelief. He owns all of them?
Tower after tower — the skyline's glittering crowns — every one under Jason Carter's name.
Zach muttered under his breath, "So he really does control the entire district…"
The property manager simply smiled, professional but faintly reverent.
"Mr. Carter built this Estates to his own design. Around here, every top floor answers to him."
For the first time, Alice realized how small she was in his world.
Grace hadn't just gotten lucky — she'd been chosen.
And for a woman like Alice, chasing comparisons… she was already miles behind.
The property manager pointed toward the skyline with a clipboard in hand, his voice steady but almost reverent.
"Buildings 10, 11, 12, 13, 14... all belong to Mr. Carter. Actually—" he hesitated, then exhaled, "—everything in the Hills, except for the one penthouse already sold last year, is his. The rest? And none of his properties are open for rent. If you're looking to lease, you'll have to look elsewhere."
Zach and Alice—stood frozen.The words didn't register at first.
Zach blinked. "Wait, all of them?"The manager nodded.
Even Alice, usually quick to talk, was speechless. She followed the man's finger—tower after tower of sleek glass-and-stone high-rises glimmering in the morning light. Each one a multi-million-dollar luxury building.
She had known Jason was well-off. But this... this was absurd.
The property values in the Hills had soared past $4,000 per square foot. Most people couldn't afford a single condo here even after a lifetime of work. Even the spoiled "trust fund" kids Zach knew could only dream of one unit.
Jason Carter didn't own one or two.
He owned entire buildings.
Connected properties.
Private estates.
And the "Crown Tower"—the most expensive skyscraper in the region also his.
Just calculating mentally, Zach realized Jason's assets easily topped a billion dollars. Probably more, given that nobody this wealthy put everything into real estate.
He swallowed hard. "Holy… I seriously underestimated that guy."
Alice, meanwhile, felt her pulse race, her scalp tingling. Her eyes drifted toward the skyline again, and Jason's face flashed across her mind.
The man she dumped without hesitation.
The man she once said "wasn't generous enough."
Her chest tightened; her heartbeat felt like thunder. The regret hit so fast and so hard that she almost trembled.
Her lips parted slightly, and she whispered under her breath, "I… what have I done?"
System Notification:Alice's Favorability toward Jason Carter +15
[Status Update]
Name: AliceAge: 21Appearance: 8/10Height: 5'6"Weight: 106 lbsFavorability: 70 → 85Ex-Boyfriends: 11Medical Status: normal
At that exact moment, inside Tower 11, Jason was sipping espresso beside Grace, who leaned against his shoulder, scrolling through her phone.
He suddenly heard the soft chime of his system.
"Alice's favorability increased by 15."
Jason raised an eyebrow, half-amused.No surprise. That was the reason he'd let Grace post that picture on social media in the first place.
She hadn't tagged him or mentioned his name, just a luxurious snapshot—his view, his hand, the unmistakable skyline behind them.
Anyone who knew him would instantly recognize it. Especially someone like Alice, who lived for comparison.
Jason smirked. "Predictable."
Then he glanced again at the system's side data—and froze for a half-second.
Eleven ex-boyfriends... yea she is really just suitable for one fun night.
Alice has been blacklisted.She has been permanently removed from your life script.
Jason's smile deepened.Outside, the towers gleamed like a kingdom of glass—and every inch of it was his.
There are 100 chapters ahead in my Patreon, with 2 daily chapters. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439