Before they hung up, Grace asked one last question, her tone playful yet curious. "So, what’s next after the store? Any plans for world domination?"

John chuckled, leaning back against the headboard, feeling the warmth of their conversation fill the room. "Well, you know me," he said, his voice laced with mischief. "World domination has always been the plan for me so far. Once I finish with this store, I’ll have my hands in more pies than I can count."

Grace giggled. "Oh, really? And what makes you such..., hmm?"

John’s tone grew more serious, but still playful. "Let’s just say I’ve got a little extra help now with you people around me," he said cryptically, his mind swirling with the system’s recent rewards. ’I’ve been... evolving. My business instincts, my vision, even my ability to detect who’s got my back and who doesn’t—it’s all levelled up. I’m playing the game on a whole different level now.’

Grace voiced smoothly, "Wow! I know the store will look amazing."

"You know it," John said with a smirk. "In fact, I’ve already visualised the entire layout for the new store. High-tech, sleek, cutting-edge. No expense spared. And I’m not just talking about the products. I’m thinking of top-notch staff, marketing campaigns that’ll blow people’s minds, and partnerships that’ll push us into the stratosphere."

Grace gasped playfully. "You’ve really thought it all out, haven’t you? I’m impressed!"

"Well, that’s just the start," John continued, his eyes gleaming. "This is going to be more than a store, Grace. It’s going to be like a big company. And when it comes to business, the world will be my playground."

"You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?" Grace asked, her tone softening as she realised just how driven John had become.

"Dead serious," John replied confidently. "I’ve got everything mapped out. From the moment I sign the contract with YECO tomorrow, I’ll be unstoppable. Every little detail is going to fall into place like clockwork."

Grace applauded, her voice filled with admiration. "You really are amazing, John. I always knew you were destined for greatness, but this? This is on another level."

John smiled, feeling her support wash over him like a wave of encouragement. "Thanks, Grace. You’ve always believed in me, and that’s why I know I can do this. It’s not just about the money or the fame—it’s about creating something lasting, something that’ll make a real difference."

Grace was quiet for a moment, then she spoke up again, her voice soft and affectionate. "I can’t wait to see it all come together. And I can’t wait to be by your side through it all."

John’s heart swelled with warmth. "I wouldn’t have it any other way. Speaking of which, are you still planning to come by tomorrow?"

"Absolutely," Grace said excitedly. "I’m eager to see your current place. It’s been too long!"

"Great," John said with a grin. "We’ll make a day of it. I’ll even give you a sneak peek at some of the plans for the store."

"Deal!" Grace said, her voice filled with anticipation. "I’ll see you tomorrow, John. I can’t wait."

"Neither can I," John replied. "Sleep tight, Grace."

"You too," she said softly, and with that, they ended the call.

John smiled to himself as he put the phone down. He had the whole world ahead of him, and tomorrow was going to be a big step toward realising his dreams. But for now, he needed some relaxation. He dialled up Roy’s number, his favourite manager on the compound.

"Hey, Roy," John said, hearing the familiar hum of the kitchen in the background. "I need a favour."

"John! What can I do for you?" Roy’s voice was warm and welcoming.

"Think you can get a special soup and some fried meat over here in the next hour? I’ve had a long day and could use something comforting."

"Of course!" Roy said. "I’ll organise with head chef Mrs. Mary to make something extra special for you. You’ll have it in an hour."

"Thanks, Roy. You’re the best," John said, smiling.

"No problem! I’ll get the order started right away," Roy said before they hung up.

John headed to the bathroom for a cold shower. As he stripped off his clothes and stepped under the water, the chill was refreshing, washing away the day’s activities and clearing his mind.

He stood there for a while, enjoying the cool sensation on his skin. When he was finished, he grabbed a towel, dried off, and slipped into a comfortable pair of cargo pants and a short-sleeve black t-shirt.

Feeling refreshed and more relaxed, John made his way to the theatre room. It was his favourite space in the house—a room filled with plush leather seats, a massive screen, and surround sound that made every movie feel like an experience.

He settled into his seat and turned on the television. Flipping through the channels, he stopped on the wrestling channel.

It was a championship match. The lights in the arena flashed brightly as the two competitors entered the ring. Both wrestlers were titans of their craft—one was a massive hulk of a man with tattoos covering his chest and arms, while the other was leaner but quicker, his muscles finely toned and honed for speed and precision.

The announcer’s voice boomed through the arena as the crowd roared with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are witnessing one of the most highly anticipated matches of the year!"

John leaned forward, his eyes glued to the screen. The match began with a flurry of movements, the hulking wrestler charging toward his opponent with brute strength. But the quicker wrestler dodged to the side, using his agility to avoid the onslaught and land a sharp kick to the back of the giant’s knee.

The fans cheered as the big man staggered but quickly recovered, grabbing the smaller wrestler and lifting him off his feet before slamming him to the ground with a thunderous crash. The arena shook with the impact, and John winced, imagining the pain that must have caused.

The referee circled the ring, keeping a close eye on the action as the wrestlers continued to exchange blows. Every move was calculated, every hit precise. The crowd’s energy was palpable, with fans on the edge of their seats, shouting encouragement and jeering at their favourite fighters.

John found himself cheering along with them, swept up in the excitement. The lean wrestler managed to regain his footing and delivered a flurry of punches, each one landing squarely on the giant’s chest. But the bigger man seemed unfazed, swatting his opponent away like a fly and going in for the final blow.

As the match reached its climax, John couldn’t help but admire the skill and tenacity of the competitors. It was a battle of endurance, strength, and willpower—qualities that John knew all too well from his own experiences.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lean wrestler managed to pull off a stunning reversal, locking his opponent in a submission hold. The giant struggled, but after a few agonising seconds, he tapped out, signalling his defeat. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the lean wrestler raised his arms in victory.

John clapped along with the audience, impressed by the match. "That was intense," he said aloud, still feeling the adrenaline from the bout. But as the wrestling match ended, John felt the need for something different.

He switched the channel and found a horror movie. Curious, he decided to give it a try, even though horror wasn’t usually his thing.

The movie opened with a haunting, eerie score, and the setting was a decrepit old mansion, shrouded in darkness and mystery. The characters were a group of young adults, obviously unaware of the terror awaiting them. John watched as they made all the classic horror movie mistakes—entering the creepy house, splitting up, ignoring obvious warning signs.

The first few minutes were unsettling, but nothing too terrifying. Then the real horror began. Strange, ghostly figures with grotesque faces appeared in the shadows, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. The characters screamed as one by one, they were picked off by the horrors lurking within the mansion.

John found himself gripping the edge of his seat, his heart racing. The movie’s tension continued to build, with each new scene more terrifying than the last. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The camera zoomed in on the twisted, gnarled hands of the creatures as they reached for the helpless victims. The soundtrack was filled with eerie whispers and bone-chilling sounds, adding to the sense of dread.

Finally, after 20 minutes of spine-tingling terror, John couldn’t take it anymore. He switched off the television and leaned back, exhaling deeply. "What the hell did I just watch?" he muttered, trying to shake off the unease that had settled over him.

He couldn’t help but laugh at himself. It was his first attempt at watching a horror movie, and he realised it wasn’t for him. "Maybe I should stick to action and business shows," he said with a chuckle.

But as he sat there in the darkened room, his thoughts began to drift back to the store he was to begin building. He started to visualise what it would look like—modern, sleek, with glass walls and high-tech displays that would outshine every other building in Greenland City.

He imagined walking through the grand entrance, shaking hands with investors and clients, making deals that would solidify his place as a titan in the business world.

John envisioned a large parking lot filled with imported cars—everything from luxury sports cars to family-friendly SUVs. His staff would be top-notch, highly trained and professional. The showroom would be filled with the latest models, each one meticulously displayed to attract potential buyers.

As his thoughts raced, he imagined the security team he would hire. The Lions Security Company would ensure that his investment was protected at all costs. If it meant increasing manpower, he’d do it in a heartbeat. Nothing would stand in the way of his success.

John grinned to himself, feeling like a business tycoon. He could see himself signing deals with companies from around the world, expanding his reach beyond Greenland City. He’d invest in foreign markets, establish partnerships in different countries, and build an empire that spanned continents.

And it wasn’t just about making money. John wanted to give back to the community, helping the needy and investing in charitable causes one day.

He imagined himself on TV, being interviewed as a successful businessman and philanthropist. His fame would spread, and people would look up to him not just for his wealth, but for his kindness and business ideas.

Just as John was lost in his thoughts, there was a sudden knock at the door. His head snapped up, his daydream interrupted. Yes, who’s that?