Little Trash Talk

Darren stepped out of Holloway Medicals with his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, keeping his expression as solid as ever.

A lot had just happened. But in all, it was another successful block built in setting the foundation to his success.

In one move, he had secured his first business ally— Dr. Leonard Holloway. A man of great potential. A doctor who, given the right tools and resources, could become one of the most powerful medical figures in the country. All he had to do was guide him there.

Of course, their alliance had to remain a secret.

Darren had made that very clear before leaving the office. Holloway was to never speak of their relationship or his identity to anyone. If questioned about how he suddenly began discovering medical breakthroughs, he would have to come up with something himself.

Darren had no doubt the man was intelligent enough to fabricate a convincing lie.

And if he wasn't?

Well… that would be his problem, not Darren's.

Ding!

The sound of the system's notification echoed in his mind.

┏Character Bonus Achieved!┛

Darren arched a brow slightly, intrigued. Another Character Bonus? That's two on one day. The system must be really impressed by what I've done so far.

He was about to carry on, when he got another notification affirming that the Character Bonuses had unlocked a new Feature.

Ding!

┏New Feature Unlocked: Loyalty & Affection Reader!┛

Darren paused mid-step. His interest piqued.

The system's text continued scrolling before his eyes.

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┏Loyalty & Affection Reader┛

┏This Feature grants the system access to a subject's true feelings toward the host. It does not read their general emotions towards other people. Only, emotions thoughts and intentions exclusively toward the host can be read.┛

┏As a Prime Investor, it is crucial to detect lies, deceit, or hidden agendas. This Feature ensures that you will always know a person's true intentions, no matter how well they try to conceal them.┛

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Darren let out a quiet breath.

A tool that let him see through deception?

That was incredibly useful.

Not just in business, but in social interactions in general.

"That's a really functional feature," Darren murmured, nodding slightly. "It'll make negotiations much easier… and help me avoid getting stabbed in the back."

There were too many people who wore false masks — whether in business, friendships, or even family. Having something that could strip away pretense would put him at a major advantage.

Straightening his coat, he continued walking. "Alright, system. Go back to the lessons. Move on to tackling heavy taxes."

The system responded immediately.

┏Agreed. Resuming Lesson: Strategies for Managing Heavy Taxation—┛

Before the lesson could begin, a sudden vibration buzzed in his pocket.

Darren halted, pulling out a BlackBerry button phone that had clearly seen better days. The screen had a small crack on the corner, and the edges were scuffed from years of use. The buttons, though still functional, felt loose.

He really needed a new phone. Maybe he could purchase one. What was the best phone in the market around this time?

Darren's memories danced in his head as he remembered the buzz around the iPhone 4, the Nokia 8 and the BlackBerry Bold Series. He wouldn't mind getting one of those.

However, after second thought, he imagined that having a wretched looking phone like this would keep him out of the conversation of wealth, until he was ready to showcase himself to the world.

Still, he glanced at the caller ID.

Sandy.

Darren's gaze lingered on the name for a moment. It was Sandy Meyers.

He hadn't seen her since he left the Smithers Group almost four days ago. She must be confused as to why he had left so abruptly.

Since she was his second boss back when he worked then, it was understandable that she'd be confused about his sudden departure.

Back then, she had treated him like a son offering guidance, scolding him when necessary, and looking out for him when others in the company treated him like nothing.

Now, though…

He glanced at his own reflection in a shop window. His younger face stared back.

He and Sandy were probably around the same age now. Weren't they? She was 32 right? And this was his older self in his younger body, so...

Laughably, he realized that that didn't matter. Just like everyone else, Sandy didn't know it was his older, matured self in this body and that's why they all treated him like a child.

Shaking the thought aside, he answered the call.

"Hey, Darren!" Sandy's voice was warm and lighthearted with a hint of relief in it. "I was half-worried you wouldn't answer."

Darren's voice was cool as ever. "Why?"

"Well," she exhaled, "because Lily said she's been trying to reach you, but you keep ignoring her."

Darren's lips curled slightly. Is that so?

His tone remained even. "Did Lily tell you to call me?"

"Oh! No, of course not." Sandy quickly dismissed the idea. "I just wanted to speak with you myself. Especially to thank you for what you did."

Darren hummed. "For what, exactly?"

"For freeing us from that ridiculous contract Gareth Smithers made us sign," Sandy explained. "I finally resigned yesterday and if it wasn't for you, I would've been stuck working for him for another two months — without pay too."

Darren tilted his head slightly, surprised. "Really? You resigned?"

"Yes," Sandy confirmed, exhaling sharply. "I just couldn't handle him anymore. Too condescending. Too insulting. I had enough."

Darren smirked faintly. "Well, I can say you're welcome, but to be honest, I was only doing it to be free myself."

He could hear Sandy's smile. "No need to be meek. You did all of us a favor. Maybe with this, Gareth will treat his employees better knowing they could leave at any time they want."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

However, in Darren's mind, a different thought was playing out.

Sandy had resigned. That meant she wouldn't be fired two years later like she did in the former timeline. And if she wasn't fired, then her career wouldn't be ruined by the scandal that happened.

His actions had already changed the course of her future. Completely.

Geez. Darren had become her hero without even knowing it. He felt like Barry Allen, messing up the timeline.

Sandy's voice broke eventually through his thoughts. "Anyway, I wanted to personally thank you in person." There was a playful note in her tone. "I also just miss your face."

Darren blinked.

A slight warmth brushed the tips of his ears.

He cleared his throat lightly. "Oh. Well, I'm really busy but..."

"Busy? Come on, Darren. This is the one chance we have to speak freely about the company. We don't work for them anymore. Couldn't you use a little trash talk and a get together." She sighed. "I know I would."

Darren thought for a moment and then agreed. "Alright. Let's set a date, then."

Sandy didn't even hesitate. "How about tonight?"

Darren stopped walking.

"…Tonight?" His brows rose slightly in surprise.

"Yeah!" she said, sounding excited. "I'll be at Castle Cottage. Meet me there."

And before he could even respond—

Click.

She hung up.

Darren slowly lowered the phone. Then, after a long pause—

He swore under his breath.

Sliding the beat-up BlackBerry back into his pocket, he looked up at the system interface still hovering before him.

"Forget the lesson, system," he muttered.

┏Canceling lesson.┛

"You're gonna help me pick out some clothes."