The night sky over Detroit shimmered with gold and glass as the city came alive.
Every window, every skyscraper, reflected one name in quiet whispers — Henry Cole.
It had been three weeks since Fortune Brew became a citywide sensation.
Business was booming. The media couldn't stop talking about him.
But tonight wasn't about business.
It was about influence.
🥂 The Charity Gala — Detroit's Elite Gathering
Henry adjusted his black tie as he stepped into the luxurious ballroom of the Midtown Crown Hotel.
Gold chandeliers hung from above. Cameras flashed. Laughter mixed with the faint hum of a live jazz band.
The invitation had come from Amelia Grant — now one of Detroit's rising reporters and media personalities.
He spotted her near the bar, elegant in a crimson dress that shimmered with every movement.
"Mr. Cole," she greeted with a teasing smile, "you clean up well. Guess being a tycoon has its perks."
Henry smirked. "And here I thought you only wrote about my coffee, not my wardrobe."
She chuckled softly. "Keep making headlines, and I'll keep writing them."
[Favorability +6%. Relationship Route Progress: 58%.]
🌸 The Influencer
Before he could respond, a new voice joined them — cheerful, lively.
"Excuse me — are you the Henry Cole?"
He turned to find a young woman in a shimmering silver gown, phone in hand. Her smile was bright, confident — a social media presence in human form.
"I'm Lena Brooks," she said quickly. "Lifestyle influencer, 2.5 million followers. I tried Fortune Brew last week and my video hit a million views overnight."
Henry's eyes narrowed slightly — calculating.
An influencer with reach that size was priceless for brand exposure.
"Then I owe you a coffee," he said smoothly. "Let's discuss something mutually profitable."
Her smile widened.
[Favorability +8%. New Relationship Route Unlocked: Media Influence.]
🎓 The Return of Emily
As he mingled, another familiar face appeared — Emily, the kind barista from the café who unknowingly started it all.
Her soft eyes met his across the room, uncertain yet proud.
"I never imagined…" she began softly, "…that the man who helped me carry supplies would end up here."
Henry chuckled. "Neither did I. But maybe fate had a sense of humor."
They shared a quiet moment — one that reminded him where he started.
[Favorability +10%. Relationship Route Progress: 65%.]
[Emotional Anchor Trait: +1% System Stability.]
💬 A Web of Power
The rest of the evening blurred into a cycle of handshakes, smiles, and toasts.
Politicians, investors, and entrepreneurs approached him — each one trying to gain his favor, his trust, his network.
Every interaction, every smile, added invisible threads to his growing web of influence.
[System Notification]
New Social Feature Unlocked: Reputation Web.]
Description: Influence now generates Passive Benefits — Public Trust, Negotiation Power, and Media Control.]
Henry smirked as the digital interface hovered briefly in his mind's eye.
"Influence is the real currency," he murmured to himself.
Amelia overheard him, smiling knowingly.
"And you're printing it faster than the banks."
🌃 Later That Night
Henry stood alone on the rooftop terrace, watching Detroit's skyline glitter like diamonds on black velvet.
The wind carried the faint sound of the gala's laughter below — but his thoughts were elsewhere.
"Media, politics, business, relationships…" he murmured. "It's all part of the same game."
His phone vibrated softly.
📩 System Message:
[Mission Complete: Build Social Network of Influence (1/1).]
Reward: +25% Favorability Conversion Efficiency.]
[Next Objective: National Expansion Phase Activated.]
Henry slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Tomorrow, he'd stop mingling — and start conquering.