Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!

[It's not entirely bad advice.]

"Yeah, no. Shut up," Parker snapped, dragging a hand down his face as if wiping away the sheer audacity of the suggestion. The system wasn't supposed to be this annoying—or this wrong.

Parker leaned back in the car seat, letting out a low hum as he mulled over the day's events. His phone was still clutched in the seat next to him, the screen dark now, but his thoughts weren't about notifications or emails anymore. Instead, his mind wandered back to those two girls he'd crossed paths with—Atalanta, trying way too hard to fade into the background, and Cassandra, with that unsettling aura that screamed she saw way more than she let on. Something about it all didn't sit right with him.

"Yo, System," he muttered under his breath, barely moving his lips, making it look like he was on a call to anyone watching. "You don't think it's a little too... convenient, do you? Them showing up, me running into them like that? Feels like something they planned. Don't you think so too?"

[Shoot away, Host. What's it you want to ask?]

Parker tapped his fingers on the armrest, a sharp rhythm as his thoughts clicked together. "Alright, let's go with this. I've got that invisible presence ability, right? Makes me basically untraceable to the Olympians and those fancy-ass Origin Families. If they did plan this, how the hell did they get past that? Shouldn't they have been, like, blind to me?"

[You're right, Host.] There was a pause, like the system was sighing in exasperation. [But, Host, are you forgetting something important? Cassandra isn't just an Olympian. She's a seer. Someone who can make cracks in the croaks of even the void with her abilities. Forget hiding your presence; she could probably track you halfway across existence if she wanted. Let alone your movements when you're both standing in the same place.]

Parker tilted his head, a slow grin spreading. "Yeah... another reason I need her on my side. I can't have her out there, just undoing me whenever she feels like it. If shit goes south, she's the type to make it ten times worse." He sat up straighter. "She's gotta be in my circle. No question."

[Easier solution detected: Seduce her!]

Parker nearly choked. "Stupid-ass system, shut the fuck up! What's wrong with you today?"

[This behavior is part of the necessary upgrade put in place due to your constant mistakes. I'm here to guide you, Host.]

"Mistakes my ass! Don't try to act high and mighty when you're the one spouting nonsense. Just zip it and let me think."

From the driver's seat, Elena glanced back at him briefly, catching his scowling reflection in the rearview mirror. She figured he was on the phone, thanks to the AirPods nestled in his ears, but she could swear he looked like he was about to start arguing with himself.

By the time Parker was done glaring at thin air, Elena decided to speak up. Turning her head to face him directly, she said, "Mr. Black, the gym renovations are finished. The first underground floor—where you requested the reinforced walls for training—is on track to be done in a week."

Parker snapped out of his thoughts, his expression softening into something more neutral. He nodded. "Good. Thanks for the update."

Elena didn't say more, focusing back on her own things, but she'd caught that faint edge of satisfaction in his tone. He'd planned for that gym to handle more than mundane workouts.

Parker, meanwhile, was already back in his head, turning over plans. Training in the Dream was one thing, but his body in the real world needed to keep up. He wasn't just aiming for survival anymore. With everything ramping up, he needed to be stronger on all fronts—dreams, reality, and whatever insane shit he was about to drag the two Olympians—Atalanta and Cassandra—into.

****

The school day finally wrapped up, and students spilled out into the parking lot like a dam breaking. Cars started revving up, horns beeped here and there, and groups of friends clustered around their rides, chatting loudly before heading off. Among the chaos, two girls strutted toward a sleek Rolls-Royce parked at the edge of the lot, catching more than a few glances.

Naomi was holding a heavy bag that looked like it weighed more than hers did, stuffed with a laptop and one of Parker's extra phones. She walked with purpose, her shoes clicking against the pavement, and when she reached the car, she pulled the passenger door open and slid in with a cheerful

"Hey, Elena!" Her smile was bright as she greeted the driver before glancing back at Parker, who was lounging in the backseat. She greeted him too and set both bags on her lap like it was some kind of sacred artifact.

Right behind her, Tessa climbed into the back with Parker. She leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his lips, her smile playful as she pulled back. "Where the heck did you disappear to?" she asked, narrowing her eyes but unable to hide the affection behind them.

Parker reached out, ruffling her hair in that teasing way that drove her crazy but also made her laugh every time. "Wanted you to have your fun without me killing your vibe," he said, his tone light.

Tessa laughed, wrapping herself around his arm and resting her head on his shoulder like she belonged there. Her smile softened as she closed her eyes, fully content in the moment.

Up front, Elena glanced at the two in the mirror, her brows slightly raised, while Naomi leaned toward her, whispering like it was some big secret. "That's Tessa Wilder," she said, the words dripping with emphasis, like her name alone should mean something.

Elena froze for a second, her eyes flicking back to the road. "Wilder? As in the Wilders?" she whispered back, her voice barely audible but tinged with shock.

Naomi nodded with a smirk. "Yup. Billionaire family, and she's our boss's girlfriend. Can you believe that?" Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

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Guys I just had the best January and February—combined—of my life, all because of guys! Thanks for the love, thanks for the support. I don't know how to thank you guys even! Nevertheless, I wouldn't 've done it without you!