Aiden woke to an unusual system alert—not the standard daily draw, but something different:
SYSTEM EVOLUTION DETECTEDUser Performance: ExceptionalSpecial Upgrade Available: PREDICTION PROAbility: 30-Day Business Trend ForecastingAccuracy: 94.7%Cost: Accept Responsibility for ConsequencesAccept? Y/N
He sat up, reading the terms carefully. The system had never asked him to accept responsibility before. Every previous reward had been straightforward. This felt different.
"What consequences?" he asked aloud.
The interface expanded:
PREDICTION ABILITY GRANTS SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGEMarket Movements, Competitor Actions, Economic ShiftsSuccess Will Draw AttentionSome Will Seek to Understand Your EdgeOthers Will Seek to Destroy ItProceed with Caution
Aiden thought about Malcolm Zhang, already investigating him. About The Society that Jade had mentioned—old money families who eliminated new-money threats. About the spotlight he was already under thanks to the viral video.
This power would accelerate everything. Make him richer faster, more successful, more visible.
And more vulnerable.
But wasn't that the point? The system had chosen him for a reason. To change things. To make an impact.
He selected YES.
The rush was immediate and overwhelming. Information flooded his mind—patterns, trends, connections he'd never seen before. The stock market became a readable story. Business moves revealed themselves like chess positions. He could see thirty days ahead with stunning clarity.
A tech merger would be announced in three weeks—huge opportunity. A real estate market correction was coming in two weeks—time to sell certain properties. A cryptocurrency regulation would pass in 18 days—position accordingly.
It was intoxicating and terrifying.
His phone rang. Marcus, frantic.
"Turn on CNBC!"
Aiden grabbed the remote. The business channel was analyzing yesterday's market movements, specifically focusing on unusual trading patterns from several firms including—
"Schols Ventures made a massive move yesterday afternoon," the analyst said. "Divesting from three major tech stocks that all announced disappointing earnings this morning. It's like they knew."
Another analyst chimed in: "Aiden Schols, the young billionaire who's been in the news for his romantic escapades, appears to have an uncanny market sense. This is the fourth time this month his firm has made prescient moves."
"Or he has insider information," a third suggested.
"No evidence of that," the first countered. "But the pattern is remarkable. Some are calling him the Oracle of Wall Street."
Aiden muted the TV. The system's warning echoed: Success Will Draw Attention.
He spent the morning with Jade and a new analyst team, mapping out the next 30 days based on his enhanced forecasting. Every prediction came with specific confidence levels and risk assessments.
"This is incredible," Jade breathed, studying the projections. "If even half of this is accurate, we'll triple our portfolio value."
"It's accurate," Aiden said with certainty he couldn't explain. "But we need to be smart. Spread moves across multiple entities. Use different brokers. Make it look like educated guesses, not certainties."
"You really think people are watching that closely?"
"I know they are."
That afternoon, Victoria visited his office. She closed the door, her expression serious.
"Aiden, I need to tell you something. As your friend and partner."
"What's wrong?"
"I got a call from an old colleague. He's with the SEC now—Securities and Exchange Commission. They've been getting anonymous tips about Schols Ventures. Someone is suggesting insider trading."
Aiden's blood ran cold. "We've done nothing illegal."
"I know. But perception matters. Your recent success has been... statistically improbable. That draws scrutiny." She sat across from him. "Whatever edge you have—and I'm not asking what it is—you need to be careful. Document everything. Maintain perfect records. One misstep and they'll come after you."
"Noted."
Victoria studied him with those intelligent eyes. "You're different lately. Since we kissed. More distant."
"I'm trying to be respectful. You're my business partner, my mentor—"
"I'm a woman who has feelings for you," she interrupted. "Complicated feelings that I'm still working through. But I wanted you to know—whatever happens between us personally, I'm on your team professionally. The vultures are circling, Aiden. The viral video made you famous. Your market success made you a target. Be careful."
After she left, Aiden pulled up the 30-day forecast again. In 26 days, according to his new ability, someone would attempt a hostile takeover of one of his subsidiary companies. The prediction showed a 89% confidence level.
The attack was coming. The system had warned him. Now he had to prepare.
His phone showed a text from an unknown number: "We should talk about your recent success. The right partnership could be very beneficial. —M.Z."
Malcolm Zhang. Exactly as predicted.
The game was accelerating, and Aiden had just leveled up his most powerful weapon. But weapons cut both ways, and he was about to learn that the hard way.