The gaming and recreation room stretched across what could’ve been an entire floor. A pair of billiard tables glead under pendant lights. To the side stood rows of high-end consoles — PS5s, a retro arcade corner, and even a racing simulator rig shaped like an actual cockpit.
One wall was a screen — no, the screen — spanning nearly twenty feet, displaying shifting auroras as a dynamic wallpaper.
The opposite side was lined with a bar counter, snack dispensers, and a sleek lounge setup that looked pulled from a luxury penthouse suite.
Kristopher whistled low. "You’ve got to be kidding ."
Harper was already drifting toward the console area, eyes scanning the collection like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Bro, this is heaven. Look at this setup!"
He picked up a controller, grinning. "Alright, who’s about to get wrecked?"
Alex grinned. "You? Obviously. I call first match."
Harper laughed. "You wish."
anwhile, Kristopher turned to the billiards tables. "Anyone up for a round?"
Liam nodded, picking up a cue. "I’m in."
Matt followed, rubbing his hands together. "Let’s see if you’re as good at pool as you are at being a billionaire."
Liam smirked. "I’m not sure you want that answer."
As Matt racked the balls, he glanced up. "By the way, Adrian Vale called earlier. Said he wants to apologize for what happened at the party."
Liam raised an eyebrow, faintly amused. "Apologize? For what?"
Matt shrugged. "You know how he gets — acting like an idiot, coming on too hard at you out of curiosity. I told him you didn’t take it seriously, but he insisted."
Liam lined up his shot, the cue clicking softly against the ball. "Don’t bother. Anyone who wants to use you to get to isn’t worth your ti."
Matt looked at him for a second, then nodded. "Yeah... that’s what I figured."
Kristopher added, "Speaking of ti — my phone’s been blowing up nonstop since yesterday. Calls, ssages, even reporters. Everyone’s suddenly ’rembered’ they’re my best friend."
Matt barked a laugh. "Sa here. You’d think we just won the lottery."
Harper, from across the room, called out between rounds of FIFA. "That’s because we basically did! You realize people think we’re, like, part of Liam’s secret billionaire entourage now?"
Liam shook his head, chuckling. "You guys are overthinking it."
Kristopher leaned on his cue, smirking. "Says the guy who made every news outlet on Earth go into cardiac arrest."
"Yeah," Matt said, feigning exasperation. "You drop a private A380 out of nowhere, go viral in five continents, and we’re overthinking?"
Liam grinned, unbothered. "It’s just a plane."
Kristopher groaned. "You hear this man? ’Just a plane.’ It’s a flying mansion, Liam."
Matt pointed at him accusingly. "Show-off."
Liam laughed quietly and took his shot — a clean strike, two balls pocketed effortlessly.
"Maybe," he said with a shrug. "But at least I’m a humble one."
They played for hours, laughter and friendly banter echoing across the room. They switched from billiards to racing sims, then to the arcade corner, trying to beat each other’s scores.
Harper and Alex’s competitive streaks turned every match into chaos, while Kristopher kept trying to trick Matt during every ga setup.
Through it all, Liam was relaxed — smiling, laughing, content. It was a rare kind of peace, one that existed outside the spotlight.
When the clock finally crept toward evening, the boys collapsed into the lounge chairs, exhausted but grinning.
"Man," Alex groaned. "I haven’t had this much fun in forever."
Kristopher nodded, half-laughing. "Yeah. For a guy who’s turning the world upside down, you sure know how to make it feel normal."
Liam smiled faintly. "I didn’t do anything"
They sat in comfortable silence for a mont before Matt stood, stretching his arms. "We should probably head out before traffic gets crazy. Thanks, man. For everything."
"Yeah," Harper added, clapping him on the shoulder. "You’re a legend."
Liam chuckled. "You guys kept company. I should be the one thanking you."
They said their goodbyes at the door, promising to visit again soon. As the sound of their engines faded down the drive, the mansion grew quiet again.
Liam lingered by the window for a mont, watching the fading taillights disappear beyond the gates. Then he turned away, with a small content smile on his face, as he walked back to his room.
Outside, the world was still trying to define who Liam Scott was. But here, in this brief pocket of ti that he was surrounded by laughter and warmth, he was just... Liam.
Walking into his room, Liam closed the door behind him. He crossed the room and when he reached his bed, he sank onto it with a soft exhale, the tension rolling off his shoulders.
His eyes lingered briefly on the faint reflection of the city lights beyond the window before closing.
He turned slightly, one arm draped over his chest, staring up at the ceiling.
"Lucy," he said quietly.
"Yes, Master?"
"Any update from the governnt front?"
"Yes. They’re escalating efforts," Lucy replied. "Multiple agencies are attempting to pierce the veil of your holding structures. Holand, Treasury, and the SEC are coordinating to identify beneficial ownership. However... their progress is slow. The legal and jurisdictional layers are holding exactly as designed."
"As for the valuation of your assets," She continued after a brief pause. "They’re compiling estimates, but the data is fragnted. They’ve cross-referenced your properties, investnts, and indirect holdings, but the numbers are inconsistent. No official figure has been agreed upon."
"I do hope they find whatever it is they are looking for. Which of course I doubt they would," he murmured, eyes still closed.
"They won’t find anything. If even I can’t pierce it, then they will definitely hit a wall sooner or later," Lucy said.
"Well, that’s their headache. If anything significant changes, tell ," he said at last.
"I will, Master."
"Good."
He rolled onto his side, smiling to himself faintly. He decided to clear his thoughts and sleep. Tomorrow’s a big day for him. It will be his first weekly sign-in in the cultivation world.
***
Morning light stread through the wide glass windows of the master room.
Liam stood before the mirror, buttoning his shirt. His expression was calm and clear. He had just had finished breakfast and completed his morning routine, and it was ti to go to Great Yan.
He smiled in satisfaction at his reflection in the mirror, before taking a few steps back. The next mont, he vanished from his room and appeared in the VIP suite of the Great Yan Empire.
He sat down slowly on the bed, stretching his fingers once before leaning back on the bed and making himself comfortable. He exhaled softly and slowly said the word, "System, sign-in."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host, on your first weekly sign-in in another universe. You received...]
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