The taste of Power

Chapter Twelve: The Taste of Power

Ali refreshed his Shopify dashboard one last time.

Total profit: $100,250

He exhaled sharply.

He had done it.

A week ago, this number had felt impossible. But through relentless work, late nights, and smart scaling, he had turned NovaNest into a six-figure business.

Just as the realization sank in, his phone vibrated.

[Ding! Task Completed!]

[Congratulations! You have achieved $100,000 in profit and expanded your business to five or more products.]

[Reward Unlocked: 7% Shares in Imperial Grand Hotels.]

Ali's breath caught.

Imperial Grand Hotels.

One of the most prestigious luxury hotel chains in the world, valued at $4.5 billion, with properties in New York, Dubai, London, and Hong Kong.

And now… he was a shareholder.

He quickly did the calculations in his head. 7% of $4.5 billion meant he technically owned a stake worth around $315 million—though his liquid net worth wasn't anywhere near that yet.

With his café earnings, his Shopify profits, and now his shares, his total net worth was approximately $316.2 million.

He clenched his fists.

This was only the beginning.

A Visit to the Empire

The next morning, Ali received an email from Imperial Grand's corporate office.

[Subject: Shareholder Formalities & First Meeting]

They wanted him to visit their Manhattan branch to sign the official documents.

Ali smirked. This was no longer just about online business. He was stepping into high-level wealth.

He put on his best clothes—a clean button-up shirt, black jeans, and polished sneakers—and took the subway to Manhattan.

When he arrived at Imperial Grand Hotel, it felt like stepping into another world.

The skyscraper rose high into the clouds, its glass exterior reflecting the golden morning sun. The hotel's name was displayed in gold letters across the massive entrance, where luxury cars—Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis—lined the valet parking area.

As he walked inside, the sheer grandeur of the Imperial Grand's lobby took his breath away.

The polished marble floors were so smooth they reflected the dazzling crystal chandeliers hanging from the 25-foot ceilings, where intricate gold patterns were carved into the molding.

The walls were lined with ornate gold trimmings, and the ceiling displayed an elegant mural of New York's skyline at dawn, crafted by a famous artist.

In the center of the room, a majestic indoor fountain flowed gracefully, the water cascading down a hand-carved onyx structure, shimmering under the warm lights.

A faint scent of fresh roses and expensive cologne filled the air. The staff, dressed in impeccably tailored uniforms, moved with precision, their voices hushed yet professional.

At the far end, an exclusive VIP lounge had silk-upholstered seating, where elite guests sipped vintage wine under the soft glow of ambient lighting.

Ali had seen luxury before, but this?

This was wealth on another level.

As he made his way toward the reception, a sharp scoff cut through the air.

A Familiar Face, A Familiar Attitude

A female waiter passing by wrinkled her nose as she saw him.

Her uniform had Imperial Grand's golden logo on the chest. Her name tag read: Jessica.

Ali didn't recognize her, but the disgust in her eyes told him she knew exactly who he was.

Jessica: "Seriously? Someone like you walking in here? You really have no shame."

Ali raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

She crossed her arms, smirking. "I know who you are. Natasha's ex. I heard everything about your little sob story. You were broke, pathetic, and now what? Think you belong here just because you changed your clothes?"

Ali's expression remained unreadable.

Ah. So she was one of Natasha's friends.

Jessica smirked. "Let me guess. You're here for a job interview? Housekeeping, maybe?"

Ali let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "None of your business."

Jessica's smirk widened. "That's what I thought. Guys like you don't belong here."

Before she could say another word, a voice called from behind.

"Jessica."

She turned sharply, her face draining of color.

A man in a suit—her supervisor—walked over, frowning.

Supervisor: "What's going on here?"

Jessica opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the supervisor's eyes landed on Ali's face.

And suddenly, his expression changed.

A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes, and a cold sweat formed on his brow.

Manager: "M-Mr. Ali?"

Jessica blinked. "Huh?"

The manager's voice tightened with fear.

"Jessica, do you know who this is?" He gulped. "He is a new shareholder of Imperial Grand."

Jessica froze.

The manager turned to her, his expression cold.

"You're fired. We don't tolerate disrespect here."

Jessica's mouth fell open in shock. "W-Wait! Sir, I didn't—"

"Security will escort you out."

Before she could argue, two hotel guards approached, and within moments, she was dragged out of the lobby, still in shock.

Ali watched without saying a word.

Karma.

The manager wiped his forehead and turned to Ali with a nervous smile.

"Mr. Ali, my deepest apologies for that… unpleasant incident. Please, follow me. We've prepared an office for your formalities."

Ali simply nodded, following him through the golden hallways of the empire he now partially owned.

An Unexpected Opportunity

Inside the executive office, a tall man in a navy-blue suit greeted him with a warm smile.

"Mr. Ali, welcome." He extended his hand. "I'm Richard Coleman, in charge of shareholder relations."

Ali shook his hand, noting the firm grip and expensive Rolex on his wrist.

As Ali took a seat, Richard handed him the necessary documents.

"I must say, it's rare to see someone so young enter our shareholder circle. If you don't mind me asking, does your family handle most of your investments?"

Ali raised an eyebrow. "No. I handle them myself."

Richard's smile stiffened for a brief second—as if processing that information.

Then, he let out a light chuckle. "Impressive. Many in your position are second-generation heirs. I assumed—" He waved a hand. "No offense meant, of course."

Ali smirked but said nothing.

Richard slid a card across the table.

"If you ever need any assistance with high-end real estate, give me a call. Luxury penthouses, commercial spaces—I have connections across Manhattan."

Ali glanced at the card. Richard Coleman | Executive Real Estate & Investments.

He pocketed it.

Opportunities were appearing faster than he expected.

Richard smiled. "Shall we proceed with the formalities?"

Ali leaned forward, ready to sign the papers.

This wasn't just a business transaction.

It was his entry into a world he was once denied.

And he wasn't going anywhere.