Alex sat in the leather captain's chair of his new jet, cruising at 40,000 feet above the city. He held a glass of champagne that cost $5,000 a bottle.
On the table in front of him, a holographic screen displayed the real-time stock market data for the David Corporation (D-CORP).
[D-CORP Current Share Price: $142.50] [Market Cap: $12 Billion] [Trend: Stable]
"Twelve billion dollars," Alex murmured. "It took them forty years to build that."
He picked up the Stock Market Crash Card from his inventory. It was a black card with a glowing red jagged line running through it.
"System," Alex said, his voice devoid of mercy. "Activate the card. Target: David Corporation."
[Target Locked. Executing "Scandal Exposure" Protocol.] [3... 2... 1... CRASH.]
[Meanwhile: The David Corporation Headquarters, 50th Floor]
"We are untouchable!"
David was sitting in his father's office, laughing. His hand was bandaged from where Alex had crushed it, but his arrogance hadn't faded.
"Dad, that loser Alex got lucky with a lottery ticket or something," David scoffed. "But he's just new money. We are the establishment. I'll crush him eventually."
His father, Chairman Roth (CEO of David Corp), nodded while smoking a cigar. "Don't worry, son. We just secured the city's biggest mall contract. Our stock will soar tomorrow."
Suddenly, the door burst open.
The CFO ran in, his face pale as a sheet. "Chairman! Chairman, turn on the news!"
"What is it?" Chairman Roth frowned. "Calm down."
The CFO grabbed the remote and turned on the giant wall TV.
BREAKING NEWS: "Massive Scandal at David Corporation! Whistleblower releases documents proving the company used illegal substandard cement in 50 residential buildings! Buildings are at risk of collapse!"
"What?!" Chairman Roth dropped his cigar. "That's a lie! Who leaked that?!"
BREAKING NEWS: "Police have just issued an arrest warrant for the Board of Directors on charges of bribery and tax evasion. Evidence provided by an anonymous source."
Chairman Roth's phone started ringing. Then David's phone. Then the landline. It was a cacophony of panic.
"Chairman!" The CFO screamed, looking at his tablet. "The stock! Look at the stock!"
David looked at the ticker on the screen.
$142.50... $100.00... $85.00...
It wasn't falling. It was diving off a cliff.
$50.00... $20.00...
"Stop it!" David screamed at the screen. "Stop dropping!"
"Everyone is selling!" The CFO cried. "The banks are calling in our loans! They are freezing our assets!"
In ten minutes, the stock hit $4.00.
Twelve billion dollars of wealth had evaporated.
Chairman Roth grabbed his chest. His face turned purple. "My... my company..."
He collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.
"Dad!" David screamed, rushing to him. "Dad! Call an ambulance!"
[Back on the Jet]
Alex watched the red line hit the bottom of the graph.
[D-CORP Share Price: $0.80] [Company Status: Bankrupt. Trading Halted.]
[DING!]
[Mission Complete: Destroy an Enemy Family.] [Reward: +50 Wisdom. +2,000 Tycoon Points. Title: "Market Manipulator".] [Bonus Reward: The David Corporation is now up for auction. Do you wish to buy the ruins?]
Alex sipped his champagne.
"Buy it?" Alex laughed. "No. Let it burn."
He looked out the window at the clouds.
"Jessica," Alex whispered. "You left me for a rich man. Now he's poorer than I was."
His phone buzzed. It was a text message.
From: Jessica Message: "Alex... baby... I heard the news. David is ruined. I was so scared. I miss you. Can we talk? I realized I made a mistake..."
Alex stared at the message. A cold smile appeared on his face.
"System," Alex said. "Where is the nearest 5-star hotel? I want to throw a party."