[City Center - The Apex Tower]
The Apex Tower was a monolith of black glass and steel, piercing the clouds at 108 stories high. It was the tallest building in the region, a symbol of absolute financial dominance.
A convoy of three black SUVs screeched to a halt at the main entrance.
Security guards in tactical vests immediately stepped forward, hands on their holsters.
"Halt!" the Head Guard barked. "This is private property of the Horizon Banking Group. No unauthorized vehicles."
The back door of the lead SUV opened. A polished black shoe stepped onto the pavement.
Alex stepped out. He adjusted his cufflinks. He looked up at the tower, shielding his eyes from the sun reflecting off the glass.
"It's a bit flashy," Alex murmured. "But I like the height."
"Sir!" The guard stepped closer, trying to look intimidating. "Did you hear me? You need an appointment with Director Kross."
Alex didn't look at the guard. He looked at the air.
"Dawn," Alex said softly. "Open the door."
"Affirmative, Administrator," the cool voice whispered in his ear. "Accessing Building Security Protocol... Bypassing Biometric Lock... Done."
CLICK-BUZZ.
The massive, bulletproof glass doors of the lobby—which were magnetically locked—suddenly slid open. The security alarms didn't even beep. The lights in the lobby turned from "Security Red" to "Welcome Green."
The Head Guard stared at the open doors, then at his console. "What? The system... it just unlocked itself?"
Alex walked past the stunned guard. Luna followed, her heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor.
"Let's go say hello to the landlord," Alex said.
[Top Floor - The Boardroom]
Director Kross was a man who looked like he was carved out of grease and old money. He sat at the head of a mahogany table, smoking a thick cigar.
"I don't care about the market crash!" Kross yelled at his trembling assistants. "If the stock drops, fire the employees! Save my bonus!"
DING.
The private elevator doors—which required a retinal scan and a key card—slid open smoothly.
Kross froze. He looked up to see a young man in a midnight-blue suit walk in, followed by a silver-haired woman who looked like she could kill everyone in the room with a pencil.
"Who the hell are you?" Kross stood up, his face turning red. "Security! How did you get up here?!"
Alex ignored him. He walked to the window and looked down at the city. The cars looked like ants.
"Nice view," Alex said. "I'll take it."
"Get out!" Kross slammed his hand on the table. "This is a secure meeting! Do you know who I am? I am Director Kross of the Horizon Banking Group! I can bury you!"
Alex turned around slowly.
"Dawn," Alex said. "Bury him."
"Processing," Dawn's voice filled the room through the boardroom's own speakers.
Suddenly, the massive screen behind Kross flickered. The stock charts disappeared. Instead, a series of documents appeared.
Document 1: Illegal Arms Deal with Warlords in Sector 9.
Document 2: Embezzlement of Pension Funds ($50 Million).
Document 3: Secret mistress in the Cayman Islands.
Kross's cigar fell out of his mouth. It burned a hole in the expensive carpet, but he didn't notice. His face went pale white.
"Where..." Kross stammered, his arrogance evaporating instantly. "Where did you get that?"
"My assistant is very thorough," Alex sat in Kross's chair. "Now, let's talk business. I hear this tower is for sale."
"It... it is listed at $4.5 Billion," Kross whispered, sweating profusely. "But with the current market..."
"I'll pay full price," Alex said, pulling out his Black Card. "On one condition."
"Condition?"
"You leave. Right now," Alex pointed to the door. "Leave the furniture. Leave the staff. Leave the cigar. Get out of my building before I send those files to the FBI."
Kross looked at the screen. He looked at Alex. He realized he wasn't looking at a human; he was looking at a shark.
"I... I accept," Kross choked out.
[Transaction Complete.] [Expenditure: $4,500,000,000.] [Asset Acquired: The Apex Tower (108 Stories).] [Reward: +45,000 Tycoon Points.] [New Title Unlocked: 'King of the Skyline'.]
Kross ran out of the room like a frightened dog.
Alex spun the chair around to face the window again.
"Luna," Alex said. "Tell the staff to rebrand everything. I don't want 'Horizon Banking' on the sign anymore."
"What should we call it, Master?" Luna asked.
Alex looked at the city he now owned a significant chunk of.
"Call it The Pantheon," Alex smiled. "Because this is where the gods live."