Chapter 36: New player on the block

Raven decided to take it easy today but would still focus on her activities and plan. As soon as she entered her apartment, she scrunched up her nose a bit disappointed at the decor she was seeing. She really needed to do something about the colour scheme in this place even though she planned to move fairly quickly. She hung her coat and left her bag on the couch deciding it was time to get into the business at hand.

Raven pulled out her computer and started typing very quickly accessing the dark web. She had planned to make a name for herself and get the first funds she needed for her research and lifestyle through some of the hacking jobs she would find online. She did consider it would be dangerous if a new player appeared to take away from those who already existed in the market, however she did not plan to stick around for too long and move her business in the legal area.

She was determined to start working as quickly as she could in order to make sure that she could do the research she needed before she was going to be pulled back into the real world. Without thinking any further about the repercussions, she decided to take on a job that looked fairly easy and quick. The reason she decided on this particular job, was because she had already hacked into the company when she was looking for information about the man who threatened Liehen. The job looked to be posted by someone named Rene, a French name she liked very much. For a split second, she thought it was funny the way she selected her first job, but any other criteria at this point would be futile, since she didn't know this world. The ad was posted for 500,000 and she was going to take it. It was going to be one of the easiest half a million she has ever made.

As soon as she accepted the job, a quarter of a million was transferred into the bank account she had given with another quarter to be transferred once the job was completed. It took her exactly 5 minutes to go into the back door she created earlier in the same day. Very pleased with herself, she sent the information through waiting for the last part of the payment.

Raven knew it wasn't going to be safe for her to keep using Liehen's bank account because large deposits and withdrawals could be monitored, so she decided to see if she could find some form of bank abroad in this world. Without wasting time, she decided to create one of her mini programmes, that she had used many times in the real life, to create bank accounts and distribute money under the radar. About 15 minutes later she received a text message notifying her of the deposit. She now had half a million in her bank account and she was very eager to spend it.

The plan was to start with upgrading Liehen's lifestyle to something that she was more accustomed to. She was going to buy a car and then consider whether she wanted a driver or not. Half a million was not enough for the car she wanted, but she was sure she couldn't suddenly get a limited edition car without attracting too much attention. It was fine, she was going to work her way up to her usual lifestyle.

This was sort of exciting for Raven, as she was starting from the bottom to work her way up and rebuild her empire. Although she didn't have plans for rebuilding her businesses and networks, she did think it wouldn't hurt if she would leave Lliehen with enough assets and a steady stream of income when she left.

Without abandoning her idea of starting an underworld network that she could rely on when she would come back to this world, she decided to reach out to potential partners for business and investment. She wondered whether the contacts that she had in the real world would also exist in this one. Raven was pretty sure the author of the book wouldn't have the foresight to build an underworld, seeing as this was a love story and not a crime novel. Amused by the idea that this could turn into a crime novel, she started digging a little bit more on the dark web for some contacts, and some new jobs that would supplement her income.

She took a few more easy jobs, and now she was comfortably resting on 4 million, so she could begin her plans. Although she wasn't that fussed about the place where she was going to live, as long as it had all the facilities she wanted, she loved buying machinery and of course cars. Without any further thoughts, since it was still quite early in the afternoon, she decided to head out to a car dealership to buy some wheels. Thinking that made her feel quite bad ass, like in a gangster movie. She hadn't watched may of those, but she had read books about the topic, and felt well versed in it.

Raven thought a little about how those women were portrayed in the books she read, and some of the women she had met on her missions, and now she thought she would look ridiculous if she strode into one of these car dealerships looking the way she did. Liehen's choice in clothing left to be desired. Slightly frustrated by the whole situation she had to adjust her plan once again and go out to buy clothes.

Unbeknownst to her, she had caused quite a ruckus on the dark web, because of the speed at which she took the deals and completed them. The entire job posting forum was in uproar of this new player on the block, but no one could tell where this person came from.

Not bothering to check anything further, Raven headed out to grab a taxi, and find the nearest mall, where she could shop for more appropriate attire.

Money was of no real interest and consequence to her, but she knew it was a necessary evil, that would enable her to satisfy her curiosity.

She reached the mall in the area close to her apartment and headed straight for her favourite brands. She really needed to get a makeover; she was starting to feel uncomfortable. She had a very strict pattern for her clothing and always dark colours. Without too much thought, she stepped into the first brand store to get herself out of her clothes and into something comfortable.

An hour and five stores later, Raven had a full wardrobe, and her wallet was two hundred grand lighter. She was satisfied. An evil thought crossed her mind, but she quickly gave up on the idea of burning all of Liehen's clothes, to keep her from ever wearing them again. She'd pack them and give them away to charity. No point in wasting now, was there?!