The building was glass and steel.
Nova Capital didn't advertise loudly.
It didn't need to.
Money recognized money.
Ethan adjusted his suit before entering the lobby. Five years ago, he would have felt nervous stepping into a place like this.
Today?
He felt curious.
The receptionist gave him a polite smile."Miss Laurent is expecting you."
Laurent.
Not a name he remembered meeting this early.
Timeline deviation.
Interesting.
The elevator doors opened to the top floor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire financial district.
Power radiated from the room — silent, controlled power.
And in the center stood a woman.
Tall. Composed. Late twenties.
Sharp eyes that measured, calculated, dissected.
"Ethan Cole," she said smoothly. "I'm Victoria Laurent."
Her handshake was firm.
Confident.
Not flirtatious.
Not friendly.
Professional.
Ethan activated Market Insight subtly.
[Behavioral Analysis Running…]Intelligence: HighRisk Tolerance: ModerateManipulation Resistance: StrongInterest Level in Host: 41%
Forty-one percent interest.
That was unusually high for a first meeting.
"Your recent crypto move was impressive," Victoria said.
Ethan's expression didn't change.
So that's how they noticed.
"You monitor retail traders?" he asked calmly.
"We monitor anomalies."
She walked toward the window.
"You liquidated assets before the drop. Entered at near-bottom. Exited near peak. With leverage."
She turned slightly.
"That's not luck."
Ethan stayed silent.
Silence again.
Let her fill the gap.
Victoria studied him for a moment.
"We believe you're planning expansion," she continued. "Your partner has already reached out indirectly."
Daniel.
Of course he did.
He was fishing for funding.
But if Nova Capital was contacting Ethan directly…
Daniel didn't know.
That was leverage.
"What does Nova Capital want?" Ethan asked.
Victoria smiled faintly.
"We invest in people. Not companies."
Good answer.
But incomplete.
Ethan's eyes sharpened slightly.
"And what do you think I am?"
There was a brief pause.
"A disruptor," she replied. "But also a risk."
Interesting.
Five years ago, she would have dismissed him entirely.
Now, because of one trade, she was evaluating him seriously.
Timeline deviation increasing.
The system flickered subtly.
[Timeline Deviation: 6%]
Victoria placed a folder on the table.
"We're prepared to offer preliminary backing. Two million in phased capital."
That was fast.
Too fast.
"What's the condition?" Ethan asked.
She met his gaze directly.
"You remove Daniel Hayes."
Silence filled the room.
So they already knew.
Or suspected.
Nova Capital wasn't naive.
They had probably analyzed Daniel's history, inconsistencies, risk patterns.
Victoria stepped closer.
"Daniel lacks discipline. He'll burn capital for ego. You won't."
Ethan felt a strange satisfaction.
Someone saw it.
Before the betrayal even happened.
Five years ago, no one believed him when he warned about Daniel.
Now—
They were asking him to cut Daniel out before the fall.
The system pulsed again.
[Mission Progress Update]Crush Future Threat: 12%New Option Unlocked: Strategic Alliance
Ethan thought quickly.
If he accepted publicly, Daniel would panic early.
If he pretended loyalty, he could gather evidence first.
Victoria watched him carefully.
"You're calculating," she said quietly.
"Always," Ethan replied.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Good."
She extended her hand again.
"Consider it. But decide quickly. We don't wait long."
As Ethan left the building, his phone buzzed.
Daniel.
Bro, investors are excited. Let's celebrate tonight.
Ethan stared at the message.
Celebrate?
Or gather signatures?
In the original timeline, tonight was when Daniel began moving funds quietly.
Ethan's eyes darkened.
He typed back:
Sure. Let's make it official.
This time—
He would attend.
But not as a partner.
As a hunter.
The system interface appeared once more.
[Warning]Daniel Hayes has initiated independent action.Probability of hostile move within 72 hours: 78%
Ethan looked up at the skyline again.
The game had accelerated.
And for the first time—
He wasn't the prey.