MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player

Chapter 499: The Call That Opened the Vault

"Who’s talking trash about me?"

Marcus had barely stepped out of the CEO’s office and reached the elevator when a sudden sneeze caught him off guard. Almost instantly, a few women who recognized him looked over, concern lighting up their faces as they hurried toward him.

"Marcus, you’re back? Are you getting sick? You should really take care of yourself."

"I’ve got cold medicine in my office. I’ll grab it for you."

One of them, a flirtatious older woman, even reached out as if to check his forehead, far too comfortable for his liking. Marcus laughed awkwardly and waved them off, backing away step by step.

"I’m fine, really. Totally fine."

The elevator doors opened at just the right moment, and he slipped inside with visible relief. He leaned back against the wall as the doors closed, exhaling under his breath. He was used to attention like this by now, but that did not mean it ever stopped being overwhelming.

As the elevator descended, he pulled out his phone and called Lily. "Hey, babe. I’m at Mellory Financial. Mark’s treating us to lunch, so I won’t be back for a bit."

Before Lily could reply, another face suddenly leaned into the camera. Amber appeared on screen, bright-eyed and cheerful as always, her smile almost glowing.

"Bro, are you at Emily’s place?" she asked excitedly. "I haven’t seen Emily in forever. Ask her when she’s coming over. She should stay the night and sleep with me."

In the background, Jade’s curious voice chimed in. "Amber, who’s Emily? I’ve never heard of her."

Marcus felt a bead of sweat form at his temple.

Thank god she was not asking him directly. That would have been a nightmare to explain. How exactly was he supposed to clarify that situation to the little devil?

"I’ll ask her," he said quickly, not missing a beat. "I’ve gotta go for now. Talk later."

He waved at Lily and Amber and ended the call before the conversation could spiral any further. Lily and Amber could sort out the details themselves.

Ever since Emily had attached herself to him last year, she had been practically inseparable from him. She came over so often that Amber, who lived with him, knew her well. The three of them had even grown close, to the point where Emily felt less like a guest and more like part of the household.

By the time Marcus reached the restaurant, Mark and the others were already waiting. Evan spotted him first and hurried over.

"Marcus, what took you so long? We’ve been waiting forever."

"Let’s eat," Marcus said simply.

As usual, Emily appeared at his side as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Ignoring the stares from everyone else, she slipped her arm through his, leaning close with an intimacy that went beyond casual friendship. She looked at him with complete focus, her slender figure pressed lightly against his as if she belonged there.

After Marcus explained the terms of his new agreement with the CEO, the table fell silent.

"So let me get this straight," Evan finally said, eyes wide. "Complete freedom over your work? You actually pulled that off? That’s insane."

A sly grin crept onto Evan’s face. "I’m calling it now. The new CEO is totally into you. Just like Emily."

"Shut it," Marcus shot back, giving him a warning look. "With an imagination like that, you should write romance novels. You’d sell millions."

After lunch, everyone headed back to their respective jobs. Emily lingered, her eyes growing watery at the thought of Marcus leaving. She always looked especially soft and fragile in moments like this.

"Hey," Marcus said gently, lowering his voice. "Amber misses you. Come over tonight."

Then, when no one else was paying attention, he leaned closer and murmured, "And I miss you too. Obviously. Come by more often, all right?"

That was all it took.

Emily nodded, blinking rapidly as tears clung to her lashes, making her dark eyes shine like polished obsidian. She was beautiful in a way that made people instinctively want to protect her. Marcus had to resist the urge to kiss her right there.

After seeing the others off, Marcus headed toward the central bank headquarters. It was time to convert his in-game wealth into something far more tangible.

He did the math in his head as he walked. All those gold coins, liquidated at once. When everything was settled, he would be nearly nine hundred million dollars richer. The thought alone was enough to make him grin.

He dialed the number Ray had given him, the direct line to the regional branch manager of the central bank. The man’s name was Zahir, a no-nonsense professional in his forties.

The call connected as a video call.

Mr. Zahir’s face filled the screen, composed and businesslike. At first, he clearly did not recognize Marcus, the standard executive greeting already forming on his lips.

"Who is..."

Then he stopped.

The instructions he had received came rushing back to him as he studied the young man on screen. Broad-shouldered, calm, carrying a quiet confidence that demanded attention. This was not an ordinary caller.

Mr. Zahir’s expression softened immediately. "Hello. You must be..."

"Mr. Zahir?" Marcus asked.

The man nodded.

"I’m a friend of Ray’s," Marcus said. "He mentioned you were expecting my call."

"Ah!" The branch manager’s demeanor shifted completely. His tone warmed, enthusiasm creeping in. "You must be Mr. Marcus. Hello, hello."

’Mister.’

Marcus blinked. Being addressed like that, with unmistakable respect, felt strangely surreal. Especially coming from the regional branch manager of the central bank.

Before he could respond, Mr. Zahir continued smoothly. "Mr. Marcus, you’re calling about that matter, correct?"

"Yeah."

So Kingston had already taken care of things. The groundwork was done. The manager’s careful courtesy made it clear just how significant their influence was.

"I’m currently in a meeting in Ashton," Mr. Zahir said apologetically. "I’ll wrap it up and return right away. I should be back at the office in about two hours."

He glanced at Marcus’s background. "Where are you right now, Mr. Marcus? Are you near headquarters? We could meet there in two hours."

Good thing Marcus had called ahead. If he had shown up unannounced, he might have been waiting all day. Ashton was nearby, close enough for Mr. Zahir to make it back without issue.

"That works," Marcus said. "Thank you. I’ll see you in two hours."

"Of course." Mr. Zahir paused, then added thoughtfully, "Would you like me to arrange transportation for you, Mr. Marcus?"

Marcus appreciated the consideration. "No need. I’ll come over myself."

"Excellent," the manager said with a nod. "I’ll be in Room 205 on the thirty-third floor of the main building. Please come straight up. There’s no need to announce yourself."

The call ended, and Marcus slipped his phone back into his pocket, his smile widening. Everything was moving exactly as it should.