"I'm sorry... I completely forgot about it," Caleb said, scratching his head with a wry smile.
"Get your sorry ass here right now and stop talking quack," Gideon replied, cutting the call off.
'This nigga is clearly a pain in the ass,' Caleb chuckled.
Gideon always gave unfiltered replies. He never kept anything back—whatever entered his head came straight out of his mouth.
It was definitely a shitty attitude and could get annoying at times, but that was what made him all the more fun to be with—one of those rare few who could never lie and would rather hurt you with the truth than hide it.
'I can work with that.'
Caleb tossed the phone to the side of his large bed.
'A party?...' he thought, staring up at the ceiling.
Yes, Gideon had called because of the off-campus college night party scheduled for that evening. It was a final get-together—as they all graduated from college.
Caleb, a senior, had just recently graduated.
'It seems this timeline is a bit younger than the last,' Caleb mused, noting the clear time difference between both realities.
In his previous world, he had already graduated and held a job. Here, he was just leaving college...
But Caleb didn't see that as a disadvantage. In fact, it was an opportunity.
'I still have some time,' he thought, kicking off the bed.
College was the best place to build connections and meet potential business partners.
He headed to the shower, washing off what remained of the old Caleb.
It was time for a new beginning.
He wasn't the same guy who loved a simple life. No—this time, he was going to live the flashy lifestyle he'd always dreamed of.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Caleb made his way to the wardrobe.
There were several simple outfits, but naturally, he reached for the classiest among them all.
A sleek black velvet blazer paired with tailored trousers, a crisp white silk shirt, and polished leather loafers—elegant, refined, and perfect for a sophisticated night out.
He approached the standing mirror and was momentarily stunned.
'Damn... I'm handsome.'
Though he'd retained his looks from his previous world, some things were different.
His hairstyle had taken a stylish turn—sleek black hair swept to one side. His bright green eyes held a captivating allure. Sharp jawline, and a height that would easily tower over most girls.
Caleb smiled at his reflection.
As he stepped out of the room, his assistant, who stood waiting by the door, immediately greeted him.
"G-good day, young master." He paused slightly, taken aback by Caleb's choice of clothing but quickly composed himself.
Caleb turned to the old man in the modest suit.
He carried the demeanor of a polished worker—professional and precise.
"Herald... arrange a car for me. I'll be leaving the building," Caleb said with a hint of stiffness.
He wasn't used to giving orders, but he definitely liked the feeling.
Herald looked even more surprised by the sudden request.
"But young master, wouldn't you like to use the bus like you usually do?" he asked.
"I would have loved to, but who would let such a car rot away in the garage? I'll have to be more considerate."
"Bu—"
Caleb had a point. As strange as it sounded, his reasoning was sound.
Herald had nothing more to say.
"Very well, please follow me," he said, leading the way.
They stood in front of the garage, Herald at his side.
With a press of the small remote on the car keys, the garage door slowly rose, revealing the luxury car within.
Caleb's words caught in his throat.
'Fuck, this idiot actually left a Lamborghini for a bus.' He couldn't believe it.
While he'd slaved away in his old world without ever dreaming of owning one, someone had abandoned this beast for public transport.
That was literal punishment.
"Young master, please." Herald opened the back door and gestured for him to enter.
Caleb slid into the car.
"Take me to the Deluxe City Square," he ordered from the back seat. The engine roared to life and they pulled out.
As they drove, Caleb's mind ran through his plans.
The system hadn't yet marked a target, but for now, he needed to examine his siblings' profiles. He had to know who had the best shot at inheriting their father's legacy.
That's why he was currently scrolling through his tablet.
'Nate Monrrow, the first son and second born of my late mother... A social media influencer, actively leading in the content-creating world with flashy and flamboyant content—my major competition.'
'He's taken a huge leap ahead. His standing is strong. If I want to beat him, I'll need to launch something much more lucrative.'
The tablet's light illuminated Caleb's face as he continued studying his brother's profile, when suddenly—
Shrrrr...
Caleb jerked forward as the car came to an abrupt halt.
"What the?" he blurted, startled.
The sudden stop had snapped him back to reality.
"Watch it!" Herald barked at the flashy sports car that had just cut them off.
They were just about to enter the Deluxe City Square compound when it had zoomed past them.
Caleb could only wonder who was behind the wheel.
Herald parked inside the compound, his old face twisted with frustration. He got out, visibly angry, ready to give someone a driving lesson.
Caleb calmly lowered the window, curious to see who the reckless driver was.
The sports car screeched to a stop. A lady stepped out, tossing her hair in the air.
Ding!
{Cardholder detected!}