Ultimate Choice System: I Became The Richest!

Noah leaned back into the taxi's worn leather seat, his sharp eyes watching the city of London blur past through the rain-speckled window. The steady hum of the car engine and the faint patter of raindrops against the glass created a rhythm that gave him space to think.

Princess Diana…

The name echoed in his thoughts, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He hadn't expected the day to unfold like this.

It had all worked out in his favor, and he couldn't help but think of the possibilities this connection could bring. Royalty, especially in the United Kingdom, sat firmly at the top of the food chain.

Their influence extended far beyond their ceremonial roles, weaving into politics, business, and the social fabric of the nation. Having a direct line to someone like Diana wasn't just an advantage—it was a rare and powerful asset.

Noah's mind turned to the future, his thoughts calculating and deliberate. With the royal family's connections, coupled with my military and business background, I'll be able to expand my reach even further.

He tapped his fingers lightly against his knee, his expression calm but his mind working like a well-oiled machine. There were plans in motion—carefully laid strategies that required both precision and influence to execute. This unexpected connection might just provide the leverage he needed to bring those plans to fruition even faster than before.

The taxi came to a smooth stop in front of the hotel, its facade gleaming under the soft glow of streetlights. Noah paid the driver without a word, stepping out of the car.

The doorman greeted him with a polite nod as he entered the building.

He rode the elevator up to their suite, the faint chime of each passing floor marking the seconds.

"Ding!

The doors slid open, and he stepped into the quiet luxury of the hallway and made his way to the suite's door. Sliding his key card through the lock, he pushed the door open and walked in.

Noah pushed the door open, stepping into the warmth of the suite. His parents sat at the dining table, relaxed and mid-conversation, while Emily was perched on her chair, legs swinging, thumbs hammering her phone like it owed her money.

The moment she noticed him, Emily's head shot up. "Brother!" she snapped, jabbing a finger in his direction. "That must've been the freshest air in London. You've been gone forever!"

Her voice had bite, but her exaggerated pout betrayed the act.

Caroline glanced over, her laugh soft, amused. "She was worried. She was about to send you thirteen reasons why, Noah. Completely convinced you'd miss dinner."

Emily whipped around. "Mom! I wasn't worried," she insisted, puffing her cheeks indignantly. "He promised. Promises are serious business!"

Noah shrugged off his jacket, tossed it over the back of a chair. "I'm here, aren't I?" His voice was calm, even.

"Barely," Emily huffed, crossing her arms. "You were cutting it close."

David chuckled, sipping water. "She's been clock-watching like a hawk. Counting the seconds until you showed up."

"Daaad!" Emily groaned, her face turning a little pink. "Stop making me sound desperate!"

"Then stop acting like it," David teased, grinning behind his glass.

Caroline waved Noah over, her smile warm. "Come on, sweetheart. Sit down before your sister starts interrogating you for real."

Noah walked to the table, pulling out a chair.

"You've been busy," Caroline said, passing him a plate. Her tone was gentle, but her eyes searched his face. "Everything okay?"

"Fine," Noah replied, short and steady. He didn't elaborate. He never did.

Caroline nodded, satisfied. Emily wasn't.

She leaned forward, chin propped in her hands, her eyes locked on him like a detective closing in on a suspect. "What were you doing out there anyway?" she asked, suspicious. "You weren't… fighting bad guys or something, were you?"

Noah raised an eyebrow, biting back a smirk. "What do you think I've been doing, Em? Running around in a cape, saving the city?"

"Maybe," she said flatly, her tone defiant. "You're always so secretive. How am I supposed to know?"

"Maybe I'll tell you when you're older," Noah said, reaching for a piece of bread.

Emily let out an exaggerated groan, slumping in her seat. "You always say that. At this rate, I'll be ninety before I know anything!"

"Then you'll have something to look forward to," Noah quipped, taking a bite.

Caroline laughed, patting Emily's head. "Alright, let your brother eat in peace, sweetheart."

Emily huffed but sat back, still pouting. She stabbed at her plate halfheartedly, mumbling something under her breath about "keeping secrets."

As the meal wound down, Emily pushed her empty plate away and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Brother," she said, her voice hushed like she was about to reveal a state secret. "I've decided what I want to do tomorrow."

Noah raised an eyebrow, his fork pausing mid-air. "Let me guess," he said dryly. "It involves candy."

Emily's grin was instant. "You're psychic," she said, feigning awe. "Can we go back to that big candy store? The one with the fudge? And the jelly beans?"

"You already bought enough to open your own store," Noah pointed out, leaning back in his chair.

"That was snack candy," Emily explained, her tone patient like she was talking to a child. "This is souvenir candy."

Caroline laughed softly. "I think she just wants more candy, Noah."

"Exactly!" Emily chirped, unbothered by the accusation.

Noah smirked faintly. "We'll see," he said, his tone noncommittal.

Emily pouted but didn't argue, clearly banking on her charm working when the time came.

After dinner, the family rested for a while while drinking some of Noah's tea. Noah's tea had become part of their routine. His tea wasn't just good; it was different. Smooth, invigorating, unnaturally so.

Caroline took a slow sip, her shoulders relaxing. "I still don't know how you made this tea, Noah," she said, her voice light, "but I don't think I can go a day without it anymore."

David nodded, swirling his cup. "I work in the teahouse, and I get the same reaction from the same customers every single time. Well done, son."

Emily, cradling her own cup, slurped loudly. "It tastes like magic," she declared, licking her lips for the last drop.

Noah simply smiled, he didn't need to say anything. The tea spoke for itself.

After a few minutes, Caroline stood, her chair scraping softly against the polished floor. She clapped her hands lightly. "Alright, everyone," she announced, her tone brisk. "We've got work to do. Tomorrow's our flight, so we're packing up tonight."

Emily groaned, slumping forward dramatically. "But Mooom—"

"No 'but Mom,'" Caroline interrupted, her voice firm but amused. "Emily, pack your snacks and whatever important things you have. Leave your clothes. I'll handle those."

Emily perked up instantly at the mention of snacks. "Okay!" she chirped, practically bouncing out of her chair.

Noah raised an eyebrow as he watched her dart toward her room. "You sure that's a good idea?" he asked dryly, looking at Caroline.

"She's eight," Caroline said with a small smile, gathering plates from the table. "Snacks are her expertise."

From the other room, Emily's excited voice rang out. "I'm bringing all the jelly beans! And the fudge! And the—oh! The chocolate bars too!"

Caroline glanced at him as he passed. "You're packed already, aren't you?"

Noah nodded. "Always am."

"That doesn't surprise me," she said, shaking her head with a faint smile. "You'd pack for a trip before you even booked it."

Meanwhile, the sound of Emily tearing through her collection of snacks grew louder. A rustling of bags, followed by the sharp pop of a lid. "This one… oh, and this one! Definitely need this one—"

"Emily," Caroline called from the living room. "Don't open anything!"

"I'm not!" Emily yelled back, though her tone was less convincing when paired with the distinct sound of a wrapper being crinkled.

David exchanged a glance with Noah, his grin growing. "Think we need to check on her?"

"She's fine," Noah said, sitting back down with his phone in hand. "Let her tire herself out."

A loud thud echoed from Emily's room. "I'm okay!" she shouted immediately.

Caroline sighed, rubbing her temple. "That child…"

"She's a hurricane," Noah said, scrolling through his phone. "But she's your hurricane."

Caroline gave him a mock glare. "And she's your sister. Go make sure she hasn't packed herself into a suitcase." Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire

Noah stood, setting his phone down. "Fine," he said, though there was no real irritation in his tone.

He walked toward Emily's room, the noise growing louder with each step. When he opened the door, the scene was exactly what he expected—bags of snacks scattered everywhere, half-packed boxes of fudge, and Emily sitting cross-legged in the middle of the chaos, her hands full of candy bars.

She looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "I'm almost done!"

Noah scanned the mess, one eyebrow arching. "You call this 'almost done'?"

Emily pouted, holding up a pack of gummy bears. "I just need to decide if I want to bring these or the licorice."

"Both won't fit?" Noah asked dryly, leaning against the doorframe.

Emily gasped, looking at the gummy bears like they had betrayed her. "Oh no," she muttered, her voice filled with genuine distress. "You're right."

Noah smirked faintly, shaking his head. "You've got five minutes to figure it out, Em. After that, I'm closing the suitcase for you."

Emily groaned dramatically but didn't argue. She dove back into her pile, muttering under her breath as she weighed her options.

Noah turned and walked back to the living room, where Caroline was folding clothes into neat stacks. David was gathering his own belongings, whistling softly.

"She hasn't packed herself yet," Noah reported as he sat back down. "But it's only a matter of time."

...

The next day arrived, and the Thompson family got on the plane.