Ethan climbed the stairs to the VIP restaurant section, his footsteps steady, his mind already working through the possibilities.
There was a good chance he wasn’t going to see them.
But then again, there was a good chance he would.
Either way, he figured it was worth a shot. One who didn’t take their chances courltn complain if they missed the chance.
The air changed the moment he stepped inside — it always did in places like this.
The atmosphere was calmer, refined, with the soft hum of conversation blending seamlessly with the clinking of fine silverware against expensive porcelain plates.
The scent of exquisite cuisine wafted through the room, dishes crafted by top-tier chefs specifically for the kind of people who didn’t even need to glance at the price.
And there they were.
The wealthy elite. The men who sat comfortably at the top, dining and drinking as though the world outside the resort didn’t even exist.
They weren’t just customers — they were investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs who had turned their ventures into goldmines.
There were multi-millionaires like himself, to even Billionaires sitting in the firm.
Ethan straightened his jacket before stepping forward.
One of the men, a graying gentleman with a sleek navy suit and a Rolex that probably cost more than most people made in a year, noticed him first.
He leaned back slightly, an amused smirk forming on his face.
"Ah, if it isn’t Ethan Grey himself," the man said, lifting his wine glass. "Come, join us."
Another man chuckled, swirling the liquor in his glass before taking a slow sip. "Yes, join us, boy. It’s rare to see you up here. What brings you?"
Ethan gave them a polite smile as he pulled up a chair.
"Business," he admitted smoothly.
The men exchanged knowing glances, their interest piqued.
"Business, you say?" one of them mused, setting his fork down. "Now, that’s interesting. What kind of business are we talking about?"
Ethan leaned slightly forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I wanted your insights. I’m working on a casino project, and I know that many of you have been involved in similar industries before. I’d like to hear your perspectives."
At the mention of a casino, a few of the men chuckled.
"A casino?" one of them echoed. "Now that’s a dangerous but profitable game."
The man with the Rolex tilted his head, intrigued. "And you’re serious about this?"
"Very serious."
There was a brief silence before one of the older men leaned forward, steepling his fingers.
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"Well then, Ethan," he said with a knowing smile. "Tell us — what exactly do you want to know?"
Ethan took a breath. "Everything. The do’s, the don’ts, the risks. I know the basics. But I also know that in business, the real lessons come from those who’ve already played the game."
While the System helped him out, it was best to know the game from men who had lost millions and made billions from it — It was more of a chance to get knowledge from both sides.
An opportunity he didn’t dare pass out on.
The men glanced at each other, their expressions shifting slightly — from amusement to something more thoughtful.
"You’re smart," one of them admitted, "asking before jumping in blindly. Not many people do that in business, they just assume anything that can make money is a green light."
Another nodded, setting his glass down. "Alright, then. Since you asked, let’s start with this — what’s your primary goal? Are you aiming for exclusivity, or do you want something that attracts everyone?"
Ethan considered the question for a moment before answering. "Exclusivity. But not too much. I don’t want it to feel inaccessible, but I also don’t want it to be a free-for-all. There needs to be a balance — high rollers and casual spenders."
One of the men chuckled. "Ah, so you’re walking the fine line."
"Exactly."
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The man with the Rolex nodded approvingly. "Then let me tell you this — the biggest mistake most first-time casino owners make is overestimating profit and underestimating risk."
Ethan listened carefully as the man continued.
"The games themselves aren’t the problem," he explained. "People will lose money. That’s inevitable. But what happens when they lose too much? What happens when they complain? When they say the games are rigged? When you get bad press? It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not — perception is everything."
Ethan nodded. "So, how do I prevent that?"
Another man smirked. "You don’t."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
The man shrugged. "You control the narrative. You make sure that when people lose, they still have a good time. Free drinks, entertainment, VIP treatment. Make losing fun."
He had a…. Very valid point.
The others chuckled in agreement.
"Casinos aren’t about winning money," one of them added. "They’re about selling an experience. If people walk away feeling like they had a great time, they’ll come back."
Ethan processed their words, making mental notes.
"Security," another man chimed in. "That’s something you can’t skimp on. You will deal with drunk gamblers, cheaters, and people trying to cause trouble. Make sure your security team is sharp."
The man with the Rolex leaned back slightly. "And don’t forget about government regulations. The gambling industry is one of the most heavily monitored. Make sure your paperwork is clean, and you have lawyers who can handle any loopholes."
Ethan smirked. "I’ve already got that covered."
One of the men grinned. "Of course you do, Mr. Grey."
There was a brief pause before one of them raised his glass.
"Well, gentlemen," he said, glancing around the table. "I think we’ve given young Ethan here some valuable insights. Shall we toast to his future success?"
The others murmured in agreement, lifting their glasses.
"To Ethan’s casino," the man said with a smirk. "May it be as lucrative as it is legendary."
Ethan chuckled, clinking his glass with theirs. "I’ll drink to that."
He lifted it to his tongue, there was that feeling… that feeling of socializing with the rich…
It made him feel even richer than before.
[Author’s Note]
Sorry for the delayed chapters, they were meant to be out since but I got a headache, well hope you enjoy them and we have 10 more chapters to go!
-Izana out.