The Wealth Ascension System

Chapter 2

The morning sun shone on Sterling Heights' pristine streets. Despite his healed body, Nate's clothes told a different story—torn, bloodstained, and reeking of the alley. People gave him a wide look as he walked, mothers pulling their children closer, businessmen crossing to the other side of the street.

Nate didn't care. He had a hundred million dollars and a score to settle. But first, he needed somewhere to live.

Premier Realty occupied a gleaming glass building in the heart of Sterling Heights' commercial district. Nate had walked past it a thousand times while running errands for Dylan, always wondering what it would be like to actually buy one of the luxury properties advertised in their windows.

Now he was about to find out.

The security guard at the entrance stepped in front of Nate before he could reach the door. The man was built like a tank, with a stern face and crossed arms.

"Where do you think you're going?" The guard's nose wrinkled. "We don't give handouts here. There's a shelter three blocks down."

"I'm here to buy a property," Nate said calmly.

The guard's laugh was loud and mocking. "Sure you are, buddy. And I'm the mayor. Get lost before I call the real police."

"I have money. I can prove it."

"Right. Let me guess—you've got a million dollars stuffed in your sock?" The guard put a meaty hand on Nate's shoulder. "Look, I'm trying to be nice here. Just go, and we'll forget this happened."

"What's going on out here?" A woman's voice cut through the noise.

Nate turned to see someone stepping out of the building. She was in her late twenties, with dark hair pulled back in a professional bun, wearing a sharp grey suit that probably cost more than Nate used to make in three months. Her eyes were intelligent and assessing, taking in Nate's dishevelled appearance without the immediate disgust he'd seen from others.

"Nothing, Ms Julie," the guard said quickly. "Just a vagrant I'm removing."

"I'm not a vagrant," Nate said, meeting the woman's eyes. "My name is Nate Worte, and I'm here to purchase a property. I have the funds to prove it."

The woman—Ms. Julie, according to her name badge which read 'Sarah Julie, Senior Sales Agent'—studied him for a long moment. Nate could almost see her mind working, weighing possibilities.

"How much are you looking to spend?" she asked.

"That depends on what you have available. But money isn't an issue."

The guard scoffed. "Ms Julie, seriously? Look at him. He probably hasn't got twenty dollars to his name."

"Mr Briggs," Sarah said without taking her eyes off Nate, "I'll take it from here."

"But—"

"That's an order."

The guard stepped back, muttering under his breath.

Sarah gestured toward the building. "Why don't you come inside, Mr. Worte? Though I have to say, if you're wasting my time, there will be consequences."

"I understand," Nate said.

He followed her into the building's lavish lobby. Other agents glanced up from their desks, some looked curious, others disgusted at Nate's appearance.

"Before we continue," she said, "I need to verify you have the funds you claim. We use a secure verification system connected directly to the major banks. All you need to do is input your account information and provide biometric confirmation."

She slid the tablet across the table. Nate could see the scepticism in her eyes, carefully hidden behind professional courtesy. She expected him to fail, to stumble with some excuse about why he couldn't verify his funds right now.

Instead, Nate pulled out his phone and accessed his banking app. He entered his account information into the tablet's system and pressed his thumb to the biometric scanner.

The tablet beeped.

[VERIFICATION COMPLETE]

[Account Holder: Nate Worte]

[Verified Funds: $100,000,000.00]

[No Fraud Detected]

[Source: Legitimate Investment Returns]

Sarah's eyes widened as she stared at the screen.

"One hundred million..." she whispered. "Mr. Worte, I apologise. I should have—"

"You were cautious," Nate interrupted. "I understand. I don't exactly look like your typical client right now."

"Still, I—" Sarah caught herself, straightening in her chair. "What kind of property are you interested in?"

"Something I can move into immediately. Fully furnished. I need a place to stay tonight."

Sarah's fingers flew across her tablet. "We have several options in that category. There's a penthouse in the Meridian Tower—fifteen million. A waterfront villa—twenty-two million. And we just listed an estate in Silverwood Heights—thirty-five million, but it won't be ready for occupancy for another two weeks."

Nate leaned forward. "Tell me about the penthouse."

As Sarah pulled up details, the door burst open. A man in an expensive suit strode in, his face flushed with anger. His name tag identified him as Richard Vance, General Manager.

"Sarah, what the hell are you doing?" Richard demanded. "Briggs just told me you brought a homeless man into a consultation room."

"Mr. Vance, this is—"

"I don't care who he claims to be." Richard's eyes raked over Nate with undisguised contempt. "We have standards here. We can't have people like this driving away real clients."

"I am a real client," Nate said evenly.

Richard laughed. "Right. And I'm the Emperor of China. Sarah, I'm disappointed in you. I thought you had better judgment."

"Sir, if you'd just look at the verification—"

"I don't need to look at anything. I can smell the fraud from here." Richard pulled out his phone. "I'm calling the police. We'll let them sort out whatever scam he's running."

Nate had heard enough. He stood, and something in his posture made Richard take a step back.

"Go ahead," Nate said. "Call them. But while you're at it, call your boss too. Because I'm not just here to buy a penthouse."

"What?" Richard's finger hovered over his phone.

"I want to buy the entire company."

The room went silent. Sarah's mouth fell open. Richard stared at Nate like he'd grown a second head.

"You're insane," Richard finally said.

"Sarah verified my funds," Nate continued. "One hundred million dollars, legitimate and ready to spend. So here's what's going to happen. You're going to call the owner of Premier Realty and ask them what they'd sell for and then I'm going to buy it."

Richard's face turned purple. "You arrogant…this company is worth at least fifty million! There's no way—"

"Then call and ask. Unless you're afraid of the answer."

For a moment, Richard looked like he might explode. Then he stabbed at his phone, bringing it to his ear.

"Mr. Harrison? It's Richard Vance. I have a... situation." He glanced at Nate with pure hatred. "There's a man here claiming he wants to buy the company. Says he has the funds immediately available."

Nate couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, but he watched Richard's face cycle through emotions—scepticism, shock, greed, and finally he gave up.

"His name is Nate Worte... Yes, sir... Yes, I'll tell him."

Richard lowered the phone, looking like he'd swallowed glass.

"Mr. Harrison says the company is for sale for sixty million dollars. He won't take less. And he wants to know if you're serious."

Ding!

[NEW MISSION ACQUIRED]

[Become a Major Real Estate Player in Sterling Heights]

[Reward: 50 Points (50 Million Dollars)]

[Accept? YES / NO]

Nate mentally selected yes.

"Tell Mr. Harrison we have a deal," Nate said. "Sarah, can you facilitate the transaction?"

"I... yes. Yes, of course." Sarah was already pulling up new forms on her tablet, her hands shaking slightly.

Richard's face had gone from purple to pale. "Wait. You can't—"

"Can't what?" Nate asked. "Buy the company that you work for? I believe I can. In fact, I just did."

The transaction took less than an hour. Sarah worked efficiently, coordinating with the bank and Mr. Harrison's lawyers. Nate watched sixty million dollars leave his account and documentation transfer Premier Realty into his name.

[TRANSACTION COMPLETE]

[You now own Premier Realty]

[Mission Progress: 25%]

When it was done, Nate turned to Richard Vance, who stood in the corner of the room looking like he wanted to disappear.

"Mr. Vance," Nate said pleasantly. "Do you remember what you said when you walked in here? About standards?"

Richard's throat bobbed. "Mr. Worte, I apologise. If I had known—"

"If you had known I had money, you would have treated me differently. That's the problem." Nate shook his head. "You judge people by their appearance, by their circumstances. You're arrogant and dismissive. Those aren't qualities I want in my company."

"Please," Richard's voice cracked. "I have a family. A mortgage. I've worked here for fifteen years."

"Then you should have learned some humility." Nate looked at Sarah. "Ms. Julie, as of right now, you're promoted to General Manager of Premier Realty. First order of business—fire Mr. Vance."

Sarah looked between Nate and Richard, clearly uncomfortable.

"Sir, are you sure? Perhaps if we—"

"I'm sure," Nate said firmly. "Trust me, Sarah. This company needs new leadership. Someone who judges people by their character, not their bank account. Someone like you."

Sarah took a breath, then nodded. She turned to Richard.

"Mr. Vance, you're terminated effective immediately. Please collect your personal belongings and leave the premises."

Richard's face crumpled. "This isn't fair. You can't—"

"Actually, I can," Nate said. "And I just did. Consider this a lesson in treating people with respect, regardless of how they look."

Security—a very subdued Mr. Briggs—escorted Richard out. The other employees watched through the glass walls, whispering frantically.

When they were alone again, Sarah turned to Nate.

"Thank you for the promotion, Mr. Worte. But I have to ask—why me?"

"You took a chance when you didn't have to," Nate said. "You saw past the blood and torn clothes and treated me like a human being. That's worth more than any resume."

Sarah smiled, genuine warmth in her eyes. "I appreciate that. So, about that penthouse..."

"I'll take it. And Sarah?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Call me Nate. And get yourself a raise—you're going to be working hard. This company is going places."

As Sarah processed the penthouse purchase, Nate felt the System pulse.

Ding!

[GOOD DEED]