Bab 17: The Right Fit
Ethan stepped out of the property agency, feeling rather like a child who had accidentally wandered into the wrong classroom and been promptly laughed out of it. His hands were trembling ever so slightly, and his heart was still racing from the encounter.
"Phew," he muttered, his breath forming a cloud in the crisp morning air. "That was… something."
It wasn't just the confrontation that lingered with him, though that had been uncomfortable enough. What really unsettled Ethan was how easily he'd slipped into the role of the assertive, self-assured entrepreneur.
For someone who, not long ago, had struggled to ask a barista to fix a wrong coffee order, standing up to those dismissive agents felt… odd.
The confidence had come to him at the moment, like a burst of adrenaline in a crisis. Still, now, it was fading, leaving behind a strange mix of anger, embarrassment, and a small pang of pride.
'Well, money does change people,' he thought wryly. Then, without warning, he began to laugh—a full, belly-shaking laugh that earned a few curious stares from passersby.
The sheer absurdity of it all hit him at once; the tracksuit, the judgmental smirks, the bank card flourish—it was like a scene from a particularly ridiculous comedy sketch.
He quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle the sound. "Alright, Ethan," he murmured, still chuckling softly. "Let's not scare the locals."
Spotting a coffee shop a few doors down, Ethan decided it was time for a strategic retreat. A bit of caffeine and a quiet place to regroup might do wonders for his frayed nerves.
After all, this was only his first attempt. If nothing else, it had been a lesson—albeit a slightly humiliating one.
Inside, the shop was warm and inviting, filled with the gentle hum of conversation and the comforting smell of roasted beans. Ethan slid into a booth by the window, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him, and pulled out his phone.
The first agency might have been a disaster, but he wasn't about to give up. NovaTech wasn't going to build itself. He began scrolling through listings for other property agencies, determined to find a place where he'd be treated with a modicum of respect—or, at the very least, not outright dismissed.
Still, as he browsed, Ethan couldn't help but reflect on the morning's events. He'd thought he could avoid unnecessary attention by dressing casually, blending in as just another student wandering the city.
After all, hadn't he read somewhere that the wealthiest people often dressed the simplest? But of course, their "simple" likely came with a designer label—and not a university crest.
'Lesson learned,' he thought, taking a sip of coffee. 'Appearances do matter, apparently.'
But even as he acknowledged that a small voice in the back of his mind argued that appearances shouldn't matter quite so much.
Why should he have to change himself to be taken seriously? Shouldn't professionalism come with a bit of basic human decency, regardless of someone's outfit?
'Maybe I'm not ready for this kind of world just yet,' Ethan mused. He'd stepped into this new life armed with the power of the system and an unshakable determination to succeed.
However, he still had so much to learn—about people, about business, and, perhaps most importantly, about himself.
One listing finally caught his eye; Metropolitan Realty. It seemed promising—high-end enough to meet his needs but with reviews that spoke of professionalism and fairness.
"Alright," Ethan said softly, setting his phone down. "Let's give this one a try."
Finishing his coffee, he stood up and straightened his tracksuit jacket. This time, he resolved to approach the situation with patience and an open mind. He'd give the agency—and the world—one more chance to show him that decency still existed.
As he stepped out of the coffee shop, heading toward the sleek building of Metropolitan Realty, Ethan couldn't help but smirk. He knew he might face the same judgment as before, but this time, he felt a little steadier.
"Let's see if this one goes any better," he muttered, his breath visible in the morning air.
And as he pushed open the glass doors of the agency, he couldn't help but wonder—not without a touch of humor—if the universe was about to send him another lesson.
This time, Ethan felt the difference almost as soon as he stepped through the doors of Metropolitan Realty.
A friendly young woman, likely in her mid-twenties, approached him with a warm, genuine smile. Her name tag read Jessica, and her demeanor radiated a refreshing sincerity.
"Hi there! Welcome to Metropolitan Realty. My name is Jessica. How can I help you today?" she asked, her tone inviting and free of any pretense.
Ethan blinked, caught off guard by the stark contrast to his earlier experience. He was so used to judgmental looks and dismissive tones that the warmth in Jessica's greeting felt almost disarming.
"Uh, hello," he managed. "I'm Ethan."
Jessica's smile widened, clearly patient with his hesitance. Encouraged, Ethan continued, though a bit cautiously, "I'm looking for an office space—or maybe even a whole building—for my startup."
Her eyes lit up with genuine interest. "That's fantastic!" she said, her enthusiasm feeling entirely unforced. "Do you have any specific requirements? How many employees are you planning to hire? What kind of office environment are you looking for?"
Ethan blinked again. Not only was she friendly, but she also seemed eager to genuinely understand what he needed—no raised eyebrows, no skeptical once-overs. He couldn't help but feel a small wave of gratitude wash over him.
"Well," he began, relaxing into the conversation. "I'm planning to hire about twenty people. It's a tech startup, so I'm looking for something modern, open, and collaborative. Ideally, it should also be central and easy to access."
Jessica nodded thoughtfully, swiftly typing notes into her tablet. "That makes sense. Let me think… Yes, I might have a few places that fit what you're looking for," she said, her tone professional but warm.
Then, tilting her head with curiosity, she added, "Would you mind telling me more about your company?"
Ethan hesitated for only a moment before answering, "We're called NovaTech Innovations. We're focused on developing apps and digital solutions for businesses. Right now, I'm aiming to start locally but with plans to expand."
Jessica's eyes brightened, and she nodded again, clearly intrigued. "That sounds amazing," she said sincerely. "Let's make sure you find an office space that suits your vision and allows your company room to grow."
Her enthusiasm and lack of judgment were refreshing. Jessica wasn't just doing her job—she was genuinely invested in helping him. Ethan didn't know that she was relatively new to real estate, having started less than a year ago.
With a background in Business Management and Marketing, Jessica had joined Metropolitan Realty hoping to carve out a space for herself in the field. But reality hadn't been easy.
The more established agents had already secured the high-paying clients, leaving her to navigate smaller, less lucrative deals.
Yet Jessica remained undeterred. She saw potential in every client, no matter their initial appearance. Who knew what they might become? For her, today's effort could lead to tomorrow's success—not just for her clients but for herself. That mindset had brought her to Ethan, and it showed.
"Alright," Jessica said briskly, her eyes sparkling with determination. "If you're free now, I have a few properties we can check out. They're just a short walk from here."
"Sure, let's do it," Ethan agreed, feeling more confident in her capable hands.
Over the next hour, they toured three locations. While each had its merits, none quite fit the vision Ethan had for NovaTech. One was too small, another too normal, and the third lacked the creative energy he wanted to foster for his team.
"Are you sure none of the previous places were to your liking?" Jessica asked, her voice carrying the slightest hint of disappointment.
Despite her professionalism, Ethan could tell she had hoped one of the earlier properties would work.
He shook his head, offering a sheepish smile. "None of them felt… right." He paused, weighing his words carefully before blurting out his thoughts. "Honestly, it'd be better if I could get a whole building. Even if it doesn't check every box, I can always renovate it."
Jessica's eyes lit up at his words, though she hesitated. "A whole building?" she repeated, almost testing the idea aloud. "Well… there is one more option."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why didn't you mention it before?"
"It's…" Jessica hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "It's a bit of a stretch. I wasn't sure it'd be the right fit—mainly because of the price."
Ethan tilted his head, prompting her to continue.
Jessica sighed, glancing at her tablet. "It's a three-story building designed by Luca Moretti—the world-renowned architect. Stunning, cutting-edge design. It's one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen."
She hesitated again before adding, "But the asking price is $12,000,000."
Ethan's eyebrows rose slightly. "Twelve million?"
Jessica nodded quickly, feeling compelled to clarify. "Moretti is firm on the price. He's refused every offer that doesn't value the design and his terms."
Ethan's response was calm, almost nonchalant. "Let's go see it."
Jessica blinked. "Wait… you're serious?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Ethan asked, tilting his head. "The price is well within budget."
Jessica's mouth opened slightly, then closed again as if she were processing his words. She didn't quite know what to make of him. Most clients balked at anything above a few million, yet here he was, treating $12,000,000 like pocket change.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice tinged with nervous excitement. "I'll contact Moretti's office to set up a viewing."
To her surprise, the stars seemed to align. Within moments, she had arranged for them to visit the property immediately.
"Well," Jessica said, still trying to keep her emotions in check, "it seems we're in luck. They said we can head over right away."
Ethan nodded, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Perfect. Let's go."
Jessica offered to drive, and as they climbed into her modest car, Ethan leaned back, letting his thoughts wander.
He realized that for all his newfound wealth, he still hadn't considered buying a car—or hiring a chauffeur.
"I need to ask Charles about that," he muttered to himself, already envisioning a sleek, unassuming vehicle that would suit his needs.
The drive took them across the city to an industrial area dotted with massive plots of land and low-rise buildings. Jessica navigated through the wide streets until they reached their destination, and when Ethan saw the building for the first time, his breath caught.
The structure was a marvel of modern design, sleek and futuristic, with a façade of gleaming glass and steel that reflected the sun like a jewel. It stood in stark contrast to the utilitarian buildings around it, an undeniable masterpiece.
Jessica glanced at him, noticing his awe. "Moretti's designs are statements in themselves," she said softly. "Owning one isn't just about the space—it's about the prestige."
The guards at the entrance gave them the access card, and the tour took about an hour to complete.
"This…" Ethan murmured, his gaze fixed on the building. "This is what I've been looking for."
Jessica's brows lifted slightly in surprise. She'd shown this property to others before, but no one had reacted with such certainty.
"Are you sure?" she asked cautiously. "It's a big decision, and the cost—"
With a confident smile, Ethan reached for his phone. "As I said, money isn't a concern. I don't need a loan or payment plan. I'll buy it outright—transfer the money straight away."
Jessica blinked her expression a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. "You're serious?" she asked, though her tone suggested she wasn't entirely sure if she should believe him.
Ethan nodded firmly, recalling Charles' sage advice to never carry large amounts of cash; wires are faster, safer, and less conspicuous. He had taken that advice to heart and now wielded it with ease.
"Absolutely," he said. "Let's finalize this as quickly as possible."
Jessica hesitated, the rational part of her mind still grappling with the enormity of what Ethan was saying. A twelve-million-dollar purchase was not an everyday transaction, and she couldn't quite reconcile the casually dressed young man in front of her with the financial powerhouse he claimed to be.
Yet, there was no mistaking the confidence in his voice or the calm resolve in his expression.
"Well," she said, regaining her composure. "If you're ready, I'll call Moretti's office right now to initiate the sale."
Ethan gave a simple nod, his gaze fixed on the building before him. Its sleek design, towering presence, and modern elegance made it the perfect symbol of NovaTech's future.
For a moment, he stood there, allowing the weight of the moment to sink in. This wasn't just a purchase; it was a declaration of intent—a bold step toward completing the mission given by the system.
Jessica, meanwhile, was already on the phone, speaking quickly but professionally. Though her words were crisp, Ethan could sense the underlying excitement in her tone.
After all, this deal was not just a sale—it was the kind of career-defining moment that most agents could only dream of.
As she hung up, Jessica turned to Ethan, her expression a mix of nervous energy and growing admiration. "They're ready to proceed," she said. "We can start the paperwork immediately. Are you really going to wire the funds… now?"
Ethan met her gaze, his smile calm yet brimming with determination. "Yes," he said simply. "This is exactly the kind of place I've been searching for. Let's make it happen."
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