Chapter 3 Three Minutes Late

• The city buzzed around him as Jared waited for the bus back to the central district. He could’ve called a cab, but he didn’t. Not yet. Every naira counted now.
• The auction had left him with nothing in his wallet, but in his mind? He had more power than any of them could imagine. Elena’s voice still echoed in his head — “Just don’t come back empty-handed.”
• He hadn’t. She just wouldn’t see it yet.
• The bus pulled up, brakes squealing, and Jared climbed on. No one paid him any attention. He liked it that way. That’s how all great rises began — in silence.
• By the time he reached the Bai family residence, the sun had started its descent. Long shadows stretched across the marble floors as he walked in.
• He’d barely shut the door behind him when he heard the voice.
• “You’re late.”
• It was Bai Cheng. Sitting in the lounge with a glass of wine, his expression tight with annoyance.
• Jared didn’t slow his steps. “I said I’d check the warehouse. I did.”
• “It’s not about the warehouse,” Bai Cheng snapped. “It’s about you disrespecting this family. My daughter gives you money — my money — and you can’t even be back on time? You think this is some kind of vacation?”
• Jared didn’t answer. He dropped the plastic folder containing the supplier’s signed invoice on the table in front of him.
• “There was a delay with their shipment. I handled it. They’ll deliver by tomorrow noon.”
• Bai Cheng looked at the paper, then back at Jared, as if trying to figure out how a man like him had managed even that.
• “Elena said you left this morning without saying anything. You didn’t answer her calls either.”
• “I was busy handling your task,” Jared said coolly.
• “And now what?” Bai Cheng leaned back. “You think doing one errand means you’ve earned something around here? This house isn’t yours. This family—”
• “Never accepted me,” Jared said, his voice calm but firm. “I know.”
• Bai Cheng stood up, jaw tight. “You think you’re clever now, huh?”
• “I think I’m not as stupid as I used to be.”
• The silence stretched. It wasn’t defiance in Jared’s tone. It was something worse. Confidence.
• Bai Cheng didn’t like it.
• From the hallway, another voice joined in — softer, cooler.
• “Can I talk to him alone?”
• Elena.
• She walked into the room, dressed in a navy blouse and slacks, tablet in one hand. Her face was unreadable, as usual. Beautiful and distant, like a portrait that never changed expression.
• Her father gave her a long look, then walked out without another word.
• Jared stayed where he was.
• Elena looked at him, arms crossed.
• “Where did you go, really?”
• He raised a brow. “You think I lied?”
• “I think,” she said slowly, “that you disappeared for ten hours and came back with an attitude.”
• Jared didn’t answer.
• She stepped closer. “I don’t care if you’re trying to play some game, Jared. But if you’re going to stay in this house, you don’t get to make me look like a fool.”
• “You’re worried what they’ll think of you?” he asked. “For marrying someone beneath you?”
• “I didn’t marry you,” she said, her tone sharp. “I was told to.”
• That stung more than he wanted to admit.
• She took a breath, like she wanted to say more but changed her mind. “Dinner’s in an hour. Don’t be late again.”
• She walked past him, but he caught her wrist gently. Just for a second.
• She turned.
• “You didn’t have to give me that money this morning,” he said. “Thank you.”
• She blinked. Her lips parted slightly, as if surprised by the sincerity in his voice.
• “I didn’t do it for you.”
• “I know.”
• She didn’t pull her hand away. Not right away.
• Then she did.
• Without a word, she disappeared up the stairs.
• Jared stood there, staring after her, and for the first time in days, he let himself feel something. Not love. Not hate. Just… memory.
• She’d once told him she regretted everything. Long after the fall. When it was too late.
• Maybe it would be different this time.
• Ding.
• The system chimed again in his mind.
• [New Mission Available.]
• [Mission 002: Acquire one firearm (pistol or shotgun) within 48 hours. Reward: +1500 points. Unlock: Combat Tab.]
• Jared exhaled slowly.
• The storm was coming.
• And now, he had a weapon to find.