CHAPTER 44: THE PRICE OF WINNING

Maximus exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair as he stepped out of the real estate office.

Another deal closed.

Another rundown apartment building added to his growing list of properties. The system had made this all too easy.

He barely had to think about it, find a neglected building, purchase it for an extremely cheap price, renovate it to modern standard and then sell it for an incredibly exaggerated price.

That’s real estate for you.

"It’s like a cheat code," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

The thought amused him, but it was the truth.

In just a short time, he had amassed more wealth than most people would see in their life time. And the best part of it all was that this was just the very top of the iceberg.

Slipping his phone out of his pocket, he scrolled through his contacts and pressed a name he had dialed many times before.

The other end picked the call almost instantly.

"Boss?"

"Just closed another deal." Maximus said stepping towards his car. "I need you to handle the usual, get the paperwork in order, start on the renovations and have a team assess the place."

The renovations officer let out a high pitch whistle. "Another one already boss?" You don’t mess around, do you?"

Maximus chuckled as he slid into the driver’s seat. "I don’t like wasted time. And neither should you."

"Fair point boss." The renovations officer replied. "I’ll get on it first thing in the morning."

"Good," Maximus said starting the car. "I’ll check in later."

With that, he ended the call and leaned back against the seat for a moment, rubbing his temples. It had been a long day and exhaustion was begining to creep in.

He needed to get home, clear his head, and recharge before jumping into the next phase of his plans.

The streets were quiet as he drove through the city, the bright lights reflecting off the sleek surface of his Dreamweaver.

The engine hummed beneath him, a comforting sound in the otherwise silent night. He barely paid attention to the admiring glances his car drew as he navigated toward his mansion.

By the time he pulled into the drive way and stepped out, the weight of the day finally settled in his bones.

He made his way inside, tossing his keys onto the counter before heading straight to his chair in the living room.

The moment he sat down, his phone buzzed. He groaned, half tempted to ignore it, but when he saw Zack’s name flashing on the screen, he sighed and answered.

*Beep!.

"You better not be calling me to drag me out somewhere," Maximus said tiredly.

"Chill out dude!" Zack’s voice came through laced with excitement. "I’ve got news"

Maximus pinched the bridge of his nose. "This better be good."

"Oh, it better than good," Zack said, his grin practically audible. "I got you a race."

Maximus blinked. "A what?"

"A race, against Dressa Morgan... Genius right"

Maximus sat up straighter. "The track runner from your club?"

"That’s the one."

Maximus sighed, rubbing his temples. "Zack, I never agreed to a race"

"Yeah, well you also never said you wouldn’t race."

Maximus let out a dry laugh. "That’s not how shit works fool".

"Look, man," Zack said, his tone turning serious. "She’s good. Like really freaking good. And I just staked fifty grand on you winning."

Maximus nearly dropped his phone. "You what?"

"You heard me right player, " Zack said unapologetically. "Fifty grand on you."

Maximus exhaled sharply. "You’re out of your damn mind."

"Maybe," Zack admitted. "But I believe in you. And, hey, if you win, not only do we make bank, but you’ll have some serious credibility in the track scene. You know how useful that could be?".

Maximus leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment. He didn’t particularly care about track racing.

But Zack’s confidence in him was misplaced, he couldn’t remember the last time he felt the need to run.

"You really stacked fifty grand on me?" Maximus asked again, his voice filled with disbelief.

Zack laughed, "of course. I did. Think of it as motivation."

Maximus shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "You’re lucky I don’t back away from anything I can make money from..."

"So you’re in?"

Maximus sighed dramatically. "Looks like I don’t have much of a choice, Do I?"

"That’s the spirit!" Zack said, sounding way too pleased with himself. "I’ll send you the details. Get some rest, man. You’re gonna need it."

Maximus ended the call, setting his phone down with a sigh.

A race against Dressa Morgan, huh?.

He sat quietly for a couple seconds, letting his brain settle from whatever it is he just experienced with Zacks call.

Then—

"Come Forth..." He muttered.

Maximus leaned back in his chair, staring at the dim glow of the Investment God System’s interface.

The screen pulled with a soft silver light, displaying the latest notifications regarding his investments.

His fingers tapped lightly on his lap as he navigated through the interface, checking on his latest completed transactions.

~System investment panel~

~Pending investment~

~Resort investment with Zack Zimmerman- still in progressJoint Investment~

~Antique investment with Sawyer conglomerate - still in development Partnership with mutual alternating benefits with Valerie Sawyer~

~Due to your Job Title: The One Who Overcame, you are required to hold your other end of the deal~

~Binding Vow restriction: You are required to remain as Valerie’s psuedo fiancee till you have established your antique investment~

~Recent transactions~

~Old apartment complex- Sold~

~Final selling price: $5,000,000~

~System XP points earned: 95%~

~System Bonus: Pending~

~Host Level: Level 3~

Maximus exhaled, rubbing his jaw as he scrolled through the details.

It really did feel like a cheat code.

His investments weren’t just about flipping properties, every successful deal was rewarded by the system, amplifying his profits in ways that regular businessmen could only dream of.

The fact that he got a hefty 95% return in system XP points on this deal meant his influence and reach were growing at an absurd pace.

He had already come to realize that the System’s bonuses weren’t just random. The larger the investment, the greater the return.

The riskier the move, the bigger the reward. That was how the system worked, pushing him toward bolder plays, bigger deals.

But for tonight? He was done.

He waved the system interface away, stretching his arms.

His shoulders were tight from the constant strain of managing deals, scouting locations and handling logistics.

He could already feel exhaustion creeping in, but there was still one more thing he had to take care of before he could call it a night.

His phone buzzed. Maximus grabbed it, expecting a business text, only to see Lily’s name flashing across the screen.

He smirked and answered.

"Hey."

"You finally picked up," Lily said on the other end. "What, did you get lost in your mountain of cash?"

Maximus chuckled. "Something like that."

"Let me guess, you closed another deal?"

"Yep, sold an apartment complex today"

Lily hummed. "Do you ever slow down?"

Maximus leaned back in his chair, tilting his head toward the ceiling. "Not if I can help it."

A short silence passed between them. He could hear her shifting, probably sitting on her bed.

"... You’re gonna burn yourself out, you know," she said, her voice softer now.

Maximus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can’t afford to slow down, Lily".

"You can afford anything at this point... Literally".

He snorted. "That’s not what I meant."

He snorted. "That’s not what I meant."

"I know." She sighed. "I just... Look, I get it. You’re building something. You’re making moves. But you don’t have to do everything alone, Maximus. And you don’t always have to push yourself too hard".

He closed his eyes for a brief moment. Lily had always been like this. One of the few people who actually cared. Not about his money, not about his status... Just about him.

"I’ll be fine," he said, even though he wasn’t sure if it was true.

Lily made a sound of disapproval. "Liar".

That made him chuckle. "You should get some sleep."

"Only if you do, too," she countered immediately.

"I’ll try."

Another silence. It was a comfortable one this time.

"Goodnight".

"Goodnight Maximus".

The call ended with a soft beep, and Maximus brought down his phone, exhaling.

Then his eyes drifted down to another set of notifications.

30 missed called from his sister.

His chest tightened.

For a moment, he just stared at the screen, his thumb hovering over the call history.

That wasn’t an accident. That wasn’t a casual check in.

She really wanted to talk.

And he knew exactly why.

Maximus slowly leaned forward, resting his elbows on his laps as he let out a long breath.

"I should call her back."

But he didn’t.

He tapped his fingers against the chair, debating it.

He could already hear her voice in his head, the same frustrated, disappointed tone she used to speak to him last time... But now that everything had been cleared?

She wanted him to come home.

To talk.

To fix things.

And Maximus didn’t know if he was ready for that.

He clenched his jaw, exhaling through his nose.

’Not tonight sister. Maybe after I settle somethings.’

He could put it off for a little longer.