The next morning, Kyle dragged himself out of bed, his hair still a mess and his eyes heavy with sleep. He drove his worn electric bike straight into the busiest business district of Zinland, the place everyone in the city called the heart of wealth.
VALERI CONGLOMERATE stood there, towering in the prime spot like a symbol of unreachable power.
Isaac Valeri had called Kyle the night before, telling him that the transfer of ownership was complete. All Kyle had to do was sign today, and the company would officially belong to him.
It was not something he could take lightly. He had put down twelve billion dollars for this, and the thought of it kept him restless all night. He left home without even touching breakfast, his chest filled with both nervousness and expectation.
When he reached the area, Kyle froze. He finally understood why people called this place the most prosperous land in Zinland. Luxury cars lined both sides of the street, polished and glowing in the morning sun. His bike looked like a piece of trash in their midst. He knew that if he left it anywhere carelessly, someone might just carry it off.
He circled the building and, after much searching, managed to find a spot right by the gate. Just as he parked, the sharp screech of brakes cut through the air.
Before he could even react, a loud bang followed. His bike flew forward like a broken toy, struck hard by a sleek BMW.
"Shit.....…" Kyle whispered, staring at the wreck.
The bike had already been unlucky enough. Only a few days ago its battery had been stolen, and now it had been smashed into pieces by this BMW. The car had only a faint scratch, but his bike was ruined beyond repair. It would never ride again.
"This bike has been with me for five years," Kyle muttered, his chest tightening. It was more than just an old ride. It was a piece of his life, now reduced to scrap metal on the ground.
A crowd gathered quickly, drawn by the crash. Eyes darted from the shattered bike to the BMW, whispers rising like smoke.
"Who rides a bike like that?" someone muttered. "Does he even have the money to pay for the paint on a BMW?"
Then the BMW door opened, and a woman stepped out. She wore sharp professional clothes, heels clicking against the pavement. Her beauty hit the air like a strike, drawing everyone's gaze at once.
"Lily?" Kyle blinked. His lips pulled into a faint smile. It was Lily Cortez, his old classmate. He never imagined running into her here, of all places. Even though she had just wrecked his bike, he was ready to laugh it off. It was, after all, an old friend. He thought to walk up and greet her.
But the moment her eyes found him, her face stiffened.
"It's you? Kyle? Why are you here?" Lily's voice cut sharp.
Her chest knotted with unease. Memories of last night at the Five star hotel rushed back, where Kyle had dared bluff their classmates. What was he doing here now? Did he follow her? Did he come to pull another trick?
Her hate grew bitter the longer she stared. That BMW wasn't even fully hers; she had taken a loan to get it, putting in everything she had saved. It was her pride, her proof of status. And now, this man she despised had marked it with scratches. She could already feel the pain of the repair cost.
"Kyle, is there no end to you?" she snapped, her tone dripping with scorn. "First scams, now this? How far will you fall?"
Kyle felt his chest tighten, his words dry in his throat. "This… Lily, you're the one who hit me. I was ready to let it go since we were classmates. How can you accuse me like this?"
Before he could say more, a strong middle-aged man rushed over with several guards in tow. He was the head of security at VALERI CONGLOMERATE.
When he saw Lily, his face lit with fawning respect. "Miss Cortez, what happened here?"
Rumors had been spreading that Lily was about to be promoted to Managing Director. The man saw his chance to please her, his smile oily.
"Can't you see?" Lily said coldly.
"Don't worry, Miss Cortez. I'll take care of it." The security chief turned to Kyle, his face twisting into arrogance. He kicked the broken bike with disgust. "Who are you? Do you not know this is VALERI CONGLOMERATE's private space? Electric bikes don't belong here."
Kyle's fists clenched. He hadn't cared at first, but the sight of the man kicking his broken bike made rage burn inside him. "Who made that rule?" he asked, voice low and cold.
"Me," the chief snapped. "Stop wasting time. Pay for the damage and apologize to Miss Cortez. Or I'll send you to the police today."
Lily frowned slightly, then waved a hand. "Forget it. Don't send him to the police. Just make him pay."
Kyle's gaze cut to her, bitter and heavy. For a second, he thought she had some trace of kindness. But when he looked at his destroyed bike and then heard her words, his chest filled with suffocation. He pointed at the scene. "Open your eyes. Look who parked here first. She ran into me. I didn't even ask her to pay for my damages. Yet you want me to pay for hers? Are you insane?"
"You!" The chief jabbed a finger at Kyle's face, anger trembling through his words. "Miss Cortez already said she won't call the police, but you dare demand she pay for your trash? Do you even understand what you're saying? A BMW against an electric bike? Who would believe you?"
His voice grew colder. "Look closely. This is a company parking space. Outsiders are forbidden."
Kyle's lips curved with a faint sneer. "Oh? What a coincidence. I work here too."
The security chief laughed darkly. "Are you trying to offend Miss Cortez? One word from her and you'll be out. You're nothing here. Look at you, dressed in rags, clinging to an old bike. You think you'll last a day after angering her? You won't even qualify to clean toilets."
The employees who had gathered began whispering among themselves, their voices like knives cutting into Kyle's skin.
"Who is he? Never seen him before."
"Does he not know he's crossing Miss Cortez?"
"Some men just want attention. Maybe he thinks she'll notice him."
"Ha. Look at his clothes. What's he dreaming about?"
Every word sank into Kyle like poison. He stood silent, his heart burning as their laughter circled him.
Lily's brows knit together. "You work here? Who hired you? Why don't I know? With that attitude, you're unfit to even enter. I don't care about the damages anymore. You're fired. Take your broken bike and get lost."