SWNOVELXO Chapter 101: Completed Goal
Ring! Ring!
Jonathan called Darren's phone. "It's done, Mr. Steele. He's signed it."
"Good," Darren nodded. "Well done, Mr. Vance. I knew I could trust your coercion."
"So what do we do now? Do we really discard the evidence?"
"Of course not," Darren said plainly. "Prep them for another media release. Then start creating the case for the first lawsuit. Gareth Smithers's company is going to crumble. Ironic that it will crumble the same way it rose; using a dodgy contract."
Vance smiled.
------
Darren was the owner of this illustrious dome, so he had all the right to saunter around with the swag that only the one who owned the building could have.
The old building loomed over his head, the glass and iron walls that had been dulled by time were being replaced. As the men walked, they kept glancing at the young man who owned the place.
'That kid is the one who bought this building?'
'Yeah. Read about him in the papers. Dude discovered some magic money in that stuff called the internet and decided to buy it. Made him a lotta cash.'
'Lucky fucker.'
The vast interior of the dome was a mixture of dust-covered floors and scattered construction materials, remnants of past attempts at renovation.
Darren now stood in the middle of it all, hands in his pockets, his sharp gaze surveying the structure.
'I told Rachel to stay back at Malegreen,' Darren thought as he stood before the contractor. 'Gladys is making the mansion ready for my mother. I want her to come back to something… fitting. Gosh, it's all I can actually even think about.'
The contractor, a burly man named Collins, nodded, flipping through a folder of estimates. "I'm telling you, Mr. Steele, you're giving yourself unnecessary expenses here. A full renovation will only run you about a hundred million. Give us three months, and we'll have it pristine."
Darren's fingers tapped against his thigh, his face was solid, showing he had already made his mind long ago.
Three months was too long. Way too long. His vision — the Bitcoin empire — was clawing at him, making him restless. He wanted to get started right away. To start applying his ideas into strategies that will turn Bitcoin to his personal money making machine.
Every second wasted was an opportunity slipping through his fingers.
"I need it faster," Darren said. "You have increased pace as I asked but what's the cost if I want it done in the remaining weeks?"
Collins frowned. "That's barely three weeks. It's a tall order. You'd be looking at five hundred million, minimum. And that's not even considering if you qualify for a loan of that size."
Darren watched him. "You don't have to worry about that. I qualify."
Collins exchanged a look with his colleague. "With all due respect, Mr. Steele, even some of the wealthiest clients don't get half a billion approved in a snap. The credit requirements alone are mostly unattainable."
Darren sighed. "Just apply for the loan, put in my name and see what it says."
Collins looked at his colleague again and shrugged. "Whatever you say."
They put in his name, and ran it through the loan approving system.
At that moment, Darren immediately activated the reward.
Ding!
┏Elite Credit Status Activated┛
Inside the financial institution's secure servers, unseen forces moved. Darren's profile was rewritten in an instant:
His credit score skyrocketed, surpassing even the wealthiest investors.
His financial records were updated, listing assets and repayment histories so pristine that banks would fight to offer him loans.
The bank's AI algorithms flagged him as an ultra-prestigious VIP, ensuring every door opened without question.
A fabricated approval memo from the highest executives was planted into the system.
In real-time, Collins's computer dinged, showing that this was an elite client. He frowned and narrowed his eyes to read it again. His eyes widened. "You… you're approved?"
His assistant, who had been refreshing the system out of curiosity, gasped. "Sir, the bank just cleared the full five hundred million. No questions asked."
Silence stretched. Then, Collins let out a stunned laugh. "Well, I don't know who the hell you are, Mr. Steele, but consider it done."
Darren signed the contract with a firm stroke. "Two weeks. Speed doesn't mean sloppy work. The Steele Complex should be perfect."
---
With business settled, Darren drove to Holloway Medicals. His Aston Martin One-77 glided into the parking lot, drawing a few admiring stares.
Ignoring everyone, he took the large bouquet of roses with him inside with excitement, he had more than one mission here today.
Inside, the atmosphere was alive with movement. Nurses bustled past, patients waited, but there was an unmistakable buzz in the air. Darren approached the reception. "I have a meeting with Dr. Holloway."
Recognizing him, the receptionist nodded quickly. "Mr. Steele, yes. He's expecting you."
In Holloway's office, the doctor greeted him with a handshake, and on his face was a smile he couldn't chase away. "Your visits are the highlights of my day, Mr. Steele."
Darren grinned. "That's something coming from a doctor." He sat. "And you call me by my name now. The receptionist also recognized me."
Holloway chuckled, settling behind his desk. "You've seen how many people are outside this hospital right now? Hundreds. I've got the president's number now. Sponsorships. Deals. You've changed the game for me."
Darren gave a small smile. "Then let's make it official. This hospital has been good to me and my mother. We've worked as fine allies even with the makeshift contract we made. Let us sign a legit one now. Did you go through it?"
He pulled out the new contract, far more refined than the rushed agreement they had before. Holloway reviewed it, nodding slowly. "Yes I did. This… this is more than fair. We'll become the leading facility for treatment using your research. An increase in the cure prices, 40%. Considering everything, that is fair too. I would a hundred percent love to be business partners with Steele Investments."
Darren signed, then slid the pen over. Holloway signed with a firm stroke. "Welcome to the team, partner."
Ding!
┏Ally loyalty has increased to 9/10!┛
---
With the business handled, Darren turned his attention to the real reason he came: his mother.
In the private ward, Pamela Steele sat by the window, her gaze soft. But she wasn't the frail woman she had been weeks ago. She was whole. The aortic disease that once drained her life had vanished, thanks to the surgeries Darren had paid for.
Darren carefully opened the room, a nervous smile on his face.
Hearing the door's hinges, Pamela turned around and once she saw him, she smiled. "Darren."
He moved forward, wrapping her in a hug, holding her close. "Mom."
Her fingers tightened on his back. "Oh. Look at you. I'm going to smear your suit with my tears."
"It doesn't matter, Mom," Darren said. "It's just a suit. I'm happy you're back. You're healthy."
He pulled away and looked at her tear-stricken face. "I did it. I saved you."
The hospital staff gathered in quiet celebration. The nurses who had watched Pamela fight for her life now smiled warmly. Some even clapped softly. It was a rare, genuine moment of triumph.
After goodbyes from the nurses who had taken care of them, they stepped outside, fresh air filling their lungs, Darren's phone buzzed.
"Ah!" Pamela spoke excitedly. "What was that I saw about you on the news yesterday?"
Darren smiled. "Uh Mom. It's a long story."
She pursed her lips. "Well you can start by telling me how you got this car."
He chuckled.
Ding!
┏Pamela Steele has been saved┛
┏1/3 Goals have been completed┛
┏Your beginner's journey is reaching its end┛