Chapter6
1675 Words
The woman flashed a smile. It was a smile that Mark found quite enchanting.
"Allow me to introduce myself," she said gracefully. "I'm Aurelie Morris."
That name immediately echoed in many people's minds.
The only daughter of the Morris family, the largest shareholder of Stone City Avenue. A wealthy businessman who owned many large subsidiaries and controlled the market share in this country. He even held an important position that could influence many other people.
Aurelie stepped closer, looking at Mark with clear but sharp eyes.
“My father hasn’t stopped talking about you since yesterday,” she said softly. “He said there was a young man who helped him in the parking lot and at the restaurant. He was very impressed with you.”
She smiled faintly. “He rarely praises anyone, Mark Olson. So I was curious. I saw a photo of the two of you, and now I’ve found you by chance. This is luck.”
Mark looked at her calmly. “I just did what I should have done.”
“And that’s what makes you different.”
Aurelie looked at her watch. “My party starts in an hour. I still have to meet someone first, but…”
She looked at Mark appraisingly, “I want you to come. As the guest of honor, you’re free to bring anyone you want.”
Mark nodded politely. “I’ll come.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting for you.” Aurelie looked at him one last time, then turned gracefully and left the crowd, who were still captivated by her.
"Bro..." Kean stared at him in amazement. "That was... Aurelie Morris! You're so close to her! Oh my God!"
Mark smiled slightly. "Yes, I just found out that she has a very strong aura. I couldn't take my eyes off her."
"Bro, do you realize that? That's the most expensive invitation in Stone City! People would sell themselves to get into that party because the Morris family is so famous!"
Kean almost shouted, but Mark just slipped his hands into his pants pockets.
"Well then," he said softly, "let's make them regret ever underestimating me." His eyes fell on Gwen and Gerald, who looked annoyed. They harbored even more resentment toward Mark.
"Let's continue our party in the lounge!" said Mark, walking casually past Gerald and Gwen's gang.
The others followed. They entered the VIP Lounge, a place so luxurious that even the air felt expensive. The marble walls gleamed, the furniture was elegantly arranged, and the luxurious lamps reflected a soft, dim, and calm light.
Some of Mark's college friends, whom he had treated earlier, quickly filled the place, cheering excitedly.
"Mark! This place is amazing!"
"Bro, you're a legend!"
"You're the winner. After all this luxury, you deserve to be close to Aurelie!"
Amidst the festive atmosphere, Gerald arrived with Brandon, Kyle, Jovan, and Gwen. Their faces betrayed deep envy. Behind them, Harold entered with a sly smile. He was much calmer because Aurelie had responded very well earlier. Usually, Aurelie would explode when she was upset.
"Look who's suddenly moved up in the world," Brandon said sarcastically, annoyed at the interaction between Mark and several people who had once been very supportive of them. “Used to be a lowly errand boy, now pretending to be rich.”
Gerald just snorted. “Calm down. All the lies will be exposed eventually.”
Gwen was still trailing behind them. “This time you should be able to shut him up, or you’ll keep getting trampled on!” she whined like a child.
Harold approached Gerald and whispered in his ear. "I have an idea."
Gerald turned his head. "What?"
"My friend is a hacker. If I want, he can create a fake notification from the bank—just one signal, as if Olson's card was stolen. Security will immediately arrest him in front of everyone. You can ruin his reputation in the eyes of everyone.
A wicked smile slowly appeared on Gerald's face. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Please do it now! We have to teach him a lesson!"
It didn't take long for Harold to contact his friend. A few minutes later, the fake notification was sent to the Avenue system.
Mark was chatting with Kean and the others when two security guards approached.
"Excuse me, Mr. Mark Olson?"
"Yes," Mark replied calmly.
"We received a report of illegal card use. We need to verify the source of payment."
The atmosphere immediately turned silent. All eyes were on Mark.
"What? A stolen card?" someone whispered.
"Seriously? So this is all just a fake exhibition?"
"No wonder he suddenly became rich."
Gerald held back his laughter. Gwen folded her arms across her chest. "Finally exposed."
Mark stared at the officers blankly. "Report? Show it to me."
One of the officers showed a red warning on his cell phone screen: Possible stolen card – under investigation.
Kean immediately stood up. "That's impossible! There must be a mistake!"
Brandon pushed Kean back into his seat. "Sit down, loser. Don't get involved."
Kean continued to resist, but Jovan and Kyle held him down.
A small laugh erupted from Gerald's group.
Gerald stepped closer. "Mark, you think you can fool everyone with your rich guy act?"
"I'm not fooling anyone," Mark replied softly. "If I wanted money, I could get it my own way."
Gwen laughed cynically. "Your way? You mean stealing? I warned you many times, but you were stubborn. Now you can see for yourself, can't you? Everyone finally knows how cunning you are!"
Whispers and snickers began to be heard.
"Turns out he really is a thief."
"He used to be poor; now he pretends to be elite."
"What a cheap con artist."
"I regret praising him!"
Kean managed to escape. He was about to defend himself again, but Mark looked at him for a moment. "Calm down," he said softly. "Just let it be, Kean. As long as I'm not guilty, everything will be fine."
In front of his eyes, the system's transparent screen appeared.
[System Warning]
Crisis Detected: Reputation Threatened
Options:
Remain Silent (−50 Social Points)
Confront with Authority (Reversal Chance: 70%)
Wait for External Validation (Rare Event Probability: 90%)
Mark smiled faintly. "Alright. Let's see who really falls today."
He looked at the officers. "Then contact the bank directly. Confirm it now."
Gerald smirked. "Don't play innocent."
"Are you afraid?" Mark challenged.
But before the call was made, Harold's phone vibrated.
"False signal active. Keep extending the time."
A message from the hacker appeared on the screen. Harold quickly closed it.
The officer looked at the screen, confused. "Sir, your transaction appears to be abnormal. We have to secure you for a while."
The whispers grew louder.
Kean couldn't take it anymore and pushed the security guards' hands away. "No! This is wrong!"
Mark just smiled slightly. "It's okay."
Gerald folded his arms, satisfied. "Some people are just destined to be poor, Mark. No matter how hard they pretend."
"Funny," Mark said softly. "You call me poor, but you can't stop watching me. What are you afraid of? Me?"
Gerald was about to reply, but the officer had already taken Mark's arm politely. "We ask that you come with us downstairs, sir."
Kean shouted. "Let him go! He didn't do anything wrong!"
But Brandon held Kean back. "Be quiet, or you'll be taken away too, and you'll end up in jail for protecting a criminal!"
Laughter rang out.
Mark didn't resist. He walked slowly, his steps calm.
Every eye was on him, every whisper felt like a knife.
"Pretending to be rich, but you'll be found out in the end."
"You're a fraud."
"Shameful."
"I shouldn't have trusted you, Olson the fraud!"
"Once a lackey, always a lackey!"
Gerald smiled contentedly. Gwen also looked relieved.
However, before Mark reached the door, the sound of high heels could be heard clearly.
"Stop right there!" A soft but forceful voice rang out.
All heads turned simultaneously.
From the stairs, Aurelie Morris appeared, her steps wide but still graceful, her black dress sparkling in the light. Her gaze was cold, her voice sharp.
"What's going on here?"
Everyone fell silent.
The security guards still held Mark's arms, but they didn't continue dragging him away.
"Ma—Ma'am," one of them stammered. “We received a report of a stolen card being used in the name of—”
“Stolen?” Aurelie stared at them coldly. “In the name of my own special guest?”
Everyone froze. Gwen grew increasingly annoyed; she was sure this plan would end up just like all their other plans that had failed miserably.
Aurelie walked toward Mark, standing directly in front of him. Then she looked around.
"This man is Mark Olson," she said loudly. "The man who helped my father yesterday when he was about to suffocate. I saw the recording myself. He also refused to accept money or payment from my father. Do you think someone like that deserves to be called a thief?"
Silence. Stillness. All eyes were downcast.
Aurelie stared sharply at the officers. "Let him go. Now."
Both of them immediately backed away and bowed their heads.
Mark slowly pulled his arm away and stood up straight.
Aurelie turned to Gerald. "Who spread this report?"
Gerald turned pale. "I-I don't know, Miss..."
"Then I'll find out." Her tone was sharp as a knife.
"Find the source of the report. Anyone who falsifies the Avenue system will be blocked for life. Including their families," she ordered a man who had just caught up with her.
The man immediately moved.
Harold's trembling cell phone suddenly lit up, displaying the hacker's last message. Everyone looked at it.
Gerald stared at the screen—and his face immediately turned blue.
[Notification System]
+1200 Infinite Points (Clearing Your Name in Public)
+900 Infinite Points (Protected by High-Ra
nking Allies)
+600 Infinite Points (Socially Destroying Enemies)
New Feature: Legal Immunity Lv .1 Minor charges automatically dismissed by social authorities.
Mark smiled slightly. Perfect timing
- Writer
