Chapter 136 - 14 Million Dollars Is Nothing!

Before I hit the gas, Ruby suddenly rolled her window down a few inches further, unable to resist getting the final, glorious word in.

Leaning slightly toward the barrage of flashing cameras and thrust microphones, she spoke with a sweet, dangerous smile that cut through the noise like a razor.

"And tell ColdZon to enjoy her bought award," Ruby called out, her voice clear as a bell. "If she wants to claim my live performance is ’studio magic,’ maybe she shouldn’t be pointing fingers while her own tracks sound like they were built in a software factory!"

The paparazzi practically lost their minds, shouting at the top of their lungs as reporters scrambled to record the ultimate diss.

"Ruby, are you challenging ColdZon directly?!"

"Is this a full-blown war with Quin Records?!"

Without giving them another second to probe, I stepped firmly on the accelerator. The SUV surged forward, leaving the blind-siding flashes, frantic reporters, and chaotic airport terminal behind in a blur of red taillights.

Silence filled the cabin once again as we merged onto the quiet highway heading back toward the city.

Ruby slumped back into the leather passenger seat, letting out a long, heavy exhale that emptied her lungs completely. She reached up, took off her dark sunglasses, and leaned her head back against the headrest, her cheeks glowing pink with the lingering adrenaline rush.

I kept one hand on the steering wheel, casting a quick glance over at her with a quiet, amused smirk.

"You good?" I asked smoothly.

Ruby turned her head toward me, a slow, radiant smile spreading across her face—pure, unadulterated confidence back in her eyes. She gave me an emphatic, victorious nod.

"I’m amazing," she whispered. "Let’s go take over that arena."

---

When Ruby’s manager came back into the private lounge, he looked like he’d just seen a ghost. He slowly laid out the final master estimate on the table, his hand noticeably trembling as he tapped the bottom line.

"Ethan... this isn’t just an arena booking," he said, swallowing hard as he pointed at the breakdown. "We’re talking full high-concept stage design, massive LED walls, broadcast-grade audio setups, safety deposits, and rush-booking fees to secure the venue directly across from Quin Records on short notice. The total sum is staggering. Are you absolutely sure about this? If this flops, we’re taking a catastrophic hit."

"Hand me the terminal," I said, my voice entirely flat, completely unbothered by the number of zeroes staring back at me.

He blinked, hurriedly sliding the secure payment terminal and routing details across the table. Without missing a beat, I input my primary account details and authorized the multi-million dollar transfer directly to the production and venue accounting teams.

The terminal chimed with a high-pitched ping, displaying a bright green confirmation message: PAYMENT SUCCESSFUL.

The manager stared at the screen in absolute disbelief, completely speechless.

At the exact same instant, a sleek, translucent prompt flared to life in my vision, visible only to me:

[SYSTEM NOTICE: SPECIAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT DETECTED]

Target Entity: Ruby Vane (Artist Trajectory / Career Elevation)

Investment Type: Live Arena Production & Master Production Escrow

Total Capital Allocated: $12,500,000

Current Status: LOCKED IN ESCROW

System Multiplier: 100x Cashback Active

Note: Funds are held in escrow and will fully release upon the completion of the target condition [Ruby’s Ultimate Career Elevation via Arena Concert]. Projected Return upon Trigger: $1,250,000,000.

A slow, cold smirk settled on my lips as the system notification minimized. Every single dollar I had just poured into this venue was effectively locked, waiting to explode into an astronomical return the moment Ruby walked onto that stage and completely obliterated Fastine Hope’s manufactured empire.

"There," I said, leaning back and tossing the payment terminal back onto the table. "The venue is ours, the production is locked, and the money is set. Now stop stressing about the budget and focus on getting Ruby’s stage team ready."

Ruby’s manager wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, looking at me as if I were some kind of unstoppable force of nature. "I... I’ll go call the production crew right now. We start building the stage at midnight."

Ruby walked up beside my chair, her eyes sparkling as she looked from the green payment confirmation up to my face.

"You really don’t hesitate for a second, do you?" she whispered, a mix of awe and deep affection in her voice.

"Why would I hesitate?" I murmured, sliding my arm around her waist and pulling her close. "I know a winning bet when I see one."

"Actually," I added casually, calling back to Ruby’s manager before he could walk out the door, "while you’re setting up the venue, go ahead and start looking into corporate real estate downtown. High floor, floor-to-ceiling glass, prime location."

He paused in the doorway, double-checking his tablet. "Real estate? For a temporary office?"

"No," I said smoothly, turning my gaze toward the floor-to-ceiling windows of the tour bus, watching the neon city lights bleed across the night sky. "For an official headquarters. I’m establishing a full-scale investment corporation."

Chloe looked up from her screen, a razor-sharp smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "An agency? Or an investment firm?"

"An empire," I replied quietly. "A firm dedicated strictly to finding, backing, and funding people at their absolute peak—the best talent, the sharpest minds, the unstoppable forces that the traditional industry trys to stifle or control. Ruby is just the beginning."

Ruby’s eyes lit up, stepping closer to me as she caught the sheer scale of the vision. "A place where real talent actually gets backed without selling their soul?"

"Exactly," I murmured, leaning back as a cold, satisfied smirk settled on my face. "Though I suppose I’ll eventually need a top-tier personal assistant to manage all the corporate noise once the headquarters opens... but that can wait. First, we tear down Quin Records."

I stared out at the passing skyline, the reflection of the city lights dancing in my eyes. The arena was booked, the money was locked, and the blueprint for something much bigger than a single concert was officially set in motion.