Reborn as Richard Castle in Criminal Minds

If Zeus hadn't known that the person in front of him was indeed the famous writer Richard Castle, author of the Derrick Storm and Nikki Heat series, he would have undoubtedly shot him without hesitation. Generally, people who claim they can lead you to make big money are either criminals or con artists!

Luckily, Zeus still had his wits about him. Through their conversation last night and Belle's endorsement by coming to pick Castle up, Zeus knew that the person in front of him was genuinely Richard Castle. If it had been anyone else, Zeus wouldn't have listened patiently and would have kicked him out of the store immediately.

Even so, Zeus's face still showed a trace of disdain and hostility when Castle mysteriously claimed he could make Zeus rich. After all, he had only met this writer once. Why would this writer be so eager to help him get rich? There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world!

Young and streetwise, Zeus couldn't figure out what Castle's intentions were, so he looked at him calmly, neither warm nor cold, planning to hear him out before making any decisions. If Castle was just here to mess with him, Zeus wouldn't tolerate it just because he liked the man's novels.

Castle understood what Zeus was thinking and could empathize with his feelings. They had only met yesterday, and now he was abruptly claiming he could make Zeus rich. Anyone with half a brain would be suspicious.

So, Castle didn't get annoyed. He smiled and said to Zeus, "I know you either think I'm crazy or a scammer right now. That's a normal reaction. But I assure you, I'm neither crazy nor trying to trick you. I'm very serious about what I just said—about being able to help you make big money.

Of course, not right now! It will take a little time."

Faced with Castle's serious and sincere gaze, Zeus was momentarily speechless. After a brief pause, he asked in a deep voice, "Why? Why choose me?"

Castle had no reason to hide this. He immediately answered, "I already told you, buddy. Firstly, you're Belle's friend and childhood companion. Last night, on the way home, she told me about you and her. So that's the first reason.

Secondly, your reputation in this neighborhood is quite good. As Belle's friend and someone who owes her a great debt, I want Belle to be happy. The fastest way to make her happy is to help you achieve financial freedom!

As it happens, I know of an opportunity coming up soon that could make you a lot of money if you join. Of course, I should clarify that this money might not be entirely legal, but there won't be any trouble! However, it's still too early to talk about this in detail. When the time comes, you can decide whether or not to join."

Castle's ambiguous explanation didn't dispel Zeus's doubts and vigilance. However, as Castle said, the final decision would be his. According to Castle, it wasn't time yet, so while he still had time, he could subtly learn more about this successful writer's hidden side.

Zeus responded calmly, "So you're saying your plan to make me rich needs more time to prepare?"

Castle didn't expect Zeus to trust him unconditionally based on their brief acquaintance. Besides, with less than ten days left before Simon's heist on the Federal Reserve, there was no need to explain everything in detail now.

So Castle decided to drop the topic for now. After all, today's goal was just to get familiar with Zeus: "Alright, Zeus. I know you're skeptical about what I said. That's normal. But I promise, within a month, I'll explain everything I just mentioned. Today, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. How about that?"

Castle's words made Zeus ponder. According to Castle, this money-making opportunity was closely tied to him. Right now, neither of them fully trusted the other. Castle's visit today was just a preliminary alert, as he said, to prepare Zeus mentally. So, this wasn't entirely unacceptable.

With this in mind, Zeus finally let go of his suspicion and wariness. He said to Castle, "Alright, I'll consider your proposal seriously. So, you came here today just to recruit me?"

Castle grinned cheekily, "Of course not. I came to hear some gossip. How about it? Do you want to vent about your frustrations, especially regarding Belle? Come on, spill it so I can tease Belle with it later…"

Castle's shamelessness made the usually stern Zeus almost lose his composure. Who on earth would ask for someone's romantic history as gossip right after meeting them? You're really not holding back, are you?

Seeing Zeus's constipated expression made Castle laugh heartily: "I'm just kidding. If Belle knew I pressured you to spill your past with her as gossip, she'd throw me into the Hudson River. She's almost here. I've accomplished my goal for today. I'm off…"

Castle didn't wait for Zeus's reaction. He suavely walked out, stood at the store entrance, and waited for Belle's speeding car to arrive.

"What a weirdo…" Zeus muttered under the dim store lights, shaking his head, feeling like he had just met a lunatic.

Long accustomed to the dangerous environment of a Black neighborhood, Zeus was not as simple and harmless as he seemed. If he truly were, he wouldn't have been able to safely run a hardware store in one of New York's highest crime areas. His instincts were sharp, and he didn't sense any danger in Castle's words or demeanor.

Zeus was certain that Castle harbored no ill intentions toward him. Even if there were some jokes and teasing, it wasn't to set him up as a scapegoat, but more like a prank.

Because Zeus trusted his intuition about Castle, he didn't outright reject Castle's offer. Zeus sensed that Castle was sincere, and he was curious about what a writer could need from him to make such a significant amount of money. Since Castle hadn't revealed the details yet, Zeus still had the freedom to choose when the time came. What harm was there in hearing him out? This was New York, after all.

There's a saying: If you love him, send him to New York because it's heaven. If you hate him, send him to New York because it's hell. In this most pragmatic city in the world, where being poor is the only shame, having money trumps all. Who cares who you were before if you've got the cash?

Zeus wasn't a naive kid. Nearly forty, he had been through the school of hard knocks. Now, a shortcut to escape the bottom rung of society was being dangled before him. Only a fool would refuse. Moreover, a well-off, famous writer like Castle wouldn't need him to rob a bank, right?

So, much of the suspicion and wariness Zeus had shown before Castle was largely an act. He had to maintain some dignity, right? He couldn't just agree to a vague plan proposed by a near-stranger. Who wasn't a seasoned player in this game?

Castle didn't mind what Zeus truly thought. Now he was once again sitting in the back seat of Belle's taxi, smilingly teasing the driver dressed in her usual green attire: "I went to Zeus's store today intending to dig up some gossip about you two. Unfortunately, he kept his lips tightly sealed about you and him…"

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