Ethan woke up before his alarm even had the chance to ring.

    The room was still cloaked in darkness, the only source of light coming from the faint glow of the city skyline outside his massive windows.

    He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, his heart beating a little faster than usual.

    Today was the day.

    He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his tousled hair before swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

    The wooden floor felt cool against his bare feet as he sat there, gathering his thoughts.

    The launch of ATLAS Resort had consumed his mind for weeks, the countless meetings, the late nights, the unrelenting stress — everything had led to this moment.

    His body felt heavy with exhaustion, but his mind was restless, buzzing with so many thoughts.

    There was no way he''d be able to sleep again, not when the most important day of his career was finally here.

    With a deep breath, he pushed himself up and padded toward the en-suite bathroom.

    The mansion was eerily silent at this hour — no humming of appliances, no distant chatter from the staff, just the quiet solitude of the early morning.

    He flicked on the lights, the mirror reflecting his tired face back at him. Dark circles lingered under his eyes, a testament to the restless night he''d had.

    Leaning forward, he turned on the faucet, letting the water run for a moment before splashing his face with the cool liquid.

    The sensation jolted him awake, washing away the last remnants of grogginess.

    Reaching for his toothbrush, he worked on cleaning his teeth, his mind already drifting to the schedule for the day. Everything had to go perfectly.

    ATLAS wasn''t just a business venture; it was a statement, proof that he could build something extraordinary from the ground up.

    He finished brushing, rinsed his mouth, and then stepped toward the large soaking tub in the corner of the bathroom.

    Turning the knobs, he let the warm water fill the tub before climbing in. The heat eased some of the tension in his muscles, but it didn''t do much for his restless thoughts.

    The morning air was crisp as he stepped outside. The sky had started to shift from deep blue to soft orange, the first hints of sunrise peeking over the horizon.

    His Porsche was parked in the driveway, gleaming under the early morning light.

    He slid into the driver''s seat, the leather interior cool against his back.

    With a turn of the key, the engine roared to life, a sound that sent a surge of adrenaline through him.

    Today was the day he proved himself.

    He pulled out of the driveway, the city streets quiet at this hour. The roads stretched out ahead of him, leading straight to ATLAS.

    The wind rushed against Ethan''s face as he drove, the cool morning air cutting through the quiet streets.

    He had kept the windows rolled down, letting the breeze wake him up even more.

    The city was still mostly asleep — few cars, fewer pedestrians, and the soft glow of streetlights beginning to fade as the sun crept higher in the sky.

    At this hour, traffic was nonexistent, allowing him to glide effortlessly through the roads. ATLAS wasn''t far now, and as he drove, his thoughts kept circling back to the day ahead.

    He had ensured his staff arrived early. Everything had to be spotless — flawless.

    The cleaning crews were scheduled to do a final sweep, the catering team would double-check the menu, and the security detail would be briefed on protocols.

    The number of guests expected today was staggering. Investors, celebrities, influencers, and high-profile business figures — all gathered to witness the official launch of ATLAS.

    This wasn''t just about luxury; it was about power, prestige, and setting the tone for what would be the most exclusive resort in the country.

    Ethan tapped his fingers against the steering wheel absentmindedly as he pulled into the long driveway of the resort.

    His eyes immediately landed on a sleek black car already parked near the entrance.

    A smirk tugged at his lips.

    "And I thought I''d be early."