Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin! Chapter 86: Drive Discussion

Driving in the night lights of the city, inside an Aston Martin with another person — one could so easily fall in love.

The light from the skyscrapers, the boutiques, the headlights of other cars. It just made everything so calm and beautiful. Then, the purr of the engine that filled the otherwise quiet space.

Symphony.

Darren drove expertly, Alia beside him, keeping her expression as composed as she could. Her thighs were so close together that the skin began to compress, and her legs were crossed, as she watched the city shift past.

Darren shot her a side glance. She could tell he was looking at her, and it almost broke her composed expression.

'System,' Darren called in his mind. 'Personal Insight Protocol. Run on Alia."

A brief pause. Then, the system responded.

┏Alia Forrest┛

┏...┛

After a mont, the results ca.

┏Personal Insight Protocol is complete┛

┏Information on subject is as follows┛

┏Full Na: Alia Rose Forrest

Age: 27

Occupation: Wealth Managent Advisor, Senior Analyst at Moon Wealth Managent Offices, Secretary of the CEO

Education: Columbus University, Finance & Business Economics

Awards: Young Financial Leader Award (2007), Wall Street Excellence Recognition (2008), Fortune 40 Under 40 (2010)

Address: 42 Redvalley Lane, Off-Greenbaby, Los Alverez, CA 80730

Phone Number: (303) 555-07787┛

Darren's eyes flickered over the details, committing them to mory. 'Off-Greenbaby? She lives on that street next to mine? The coincidences never stopped.'

'Look at her pedigree as well. She's almost as brilliant as Rachel. I understand that to be hired under these powerful billionaires, one has to be very impressive and educated but... they sure pluck the best out of the bunch.'

He leaned back slightly, letting the silence stretch before speaking.

"Let guess," he pretended to muse. "You schooled at Columbus University."

Alia shot him a surprise glance but turned her face imdiately. "That was a fast guess," she said flaccidly. "How did you know?"

"I had a bunch," Darren replied. "It's a prestigious na too. Must've been a grind getting through."

She didn't seem fazed by the remark. "It was. But if you want to make it in my industry, you can't afford to be anything less than excellent."

"Your industry? You an wealth managent operations? Or just Moon Wealth Managent Offices?" Darren half-teased. "Now that you're there, what's it like?"

Even though his tone was casual, he asured every word. Darren was here to gauge the company before eting Ryan Anders, and Alia was his best source of insight.

Asking her to ride with him might have been a move to establish dominance and avoid acquiescence, but it was also a chance to get as much information so he could know what he was getting into.

Alia folded her arms, considering whether to answer. She did in the end.

"Like any other job, it's demanding. Competitive. Ruthless, even. But that's finance for you."

"Ruthless?" Darren echoed, glancing at her.

Alia glanced at him, questioning why he highlighted that word. But she explained further. "It's nothing controversial. If you're not bringing in millions, you're expendable. Simple as that."

"Ah, so money is all your company values?" Darren said with a nod.

Alia's eyes widened just as her face reddened. "No! No! That's not what I'm saying at all! It's only for employees, not our clients."

"I see," Darren pursed his lips. "Since you're an employee, why don't you tell about your boss? Ryan Anders? What kind of man is he?"

There was a flicker of hesitation in her expression. Alia tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Why do you ask?"

Darren t her gaze, his own steady. "I like to be thorough. If I'm going to place my wealth — and the survival of my company — in the hands of a man like him, wouldn't you agree I should know as much about him as possible?"

Alia let out a quiet breath, then narrowed her eyes. "So you admit that it's you?"

Darren's expression darkened slightly. His gaze sharpened. 'This cold clever woman! She almost made admit I'm FuglyDuckling!'

"That what is ?"

That was the best reply he could give her.

She tested him with that question, and he tested her with his. Darren couldn't afford to admit he was FuglyDuckling — not to her, not even to Anders.

Not when he hadn't told others who were more deserving to hear it first.

So for now, ignorance was his shield.

He narrowed his eyes at her, darkening his eyes. "I thought I was being invited because I'm starting a new company and your office is interested in managing my wealth. Is there another motive here?"

Alia studied him for a mont, face cold and calm. "If that is how you want to play it, Mr. Steele.'

She shrugged. "Ryan is…" she suddenly stopped, choosing her words carefully. "Sharp. Charismatic. He's a brilliant strategist. He doesn't make mistakes, and he doesn't tolerate failure. He knows how to play the ga better than most."

She paused again, her voice cracking slightly.

"He's a smart man."

Darren took in her words, then asked, "And how is he toward you?"

That caught her off guard. She turned to him fully, her brow furrowing. "Why would you ask that? Why does it matter?"

She had turned so defensive all of a sudden, Darren noticed it, but he kept his tone level when he responded. "Employee-employer relationships are important to . Speaking from experience."

Throughout the conversation, Darren had noticed the change of color in her eyes when she spoke about Ryan. It was like she knew deep down she detested him and lying drained all the life from her.

But in the end, Alia clenched her jaw and replied, "I'm fine."

Darren didn't press. Instead, he plainly made a suggestion. "You can co work for ."

Alia raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say you were a startup? Why would I leave my company, where I get an outstanding salary, to join one that hasn't even made a na for itself? Or…" she tilted her head, lips curving slightly, "are you wealthier than you're letting on?"

'There she goes again. Very good at inciting and extracting information,' Darren thought, smiling in his head. 'Like a blend of Rachel and Brooklyn.'

He didn't say anything to her response, but after listening to the night roads for a while, he spoke. "You should think about it. In the end, the choice is yours. My company is going to be the biggest in the country. You decide if you want to be part of it or not."

Alia studied him for a long mont, then said simply, "You seem confident."

Darren scoffed. "Confidence is delusional hope. I'm simply certain."

She continued to stare, as if trying to read him. Then, slowly, she turned around, her face falling and softening in thought.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. Minutes later, they arrived.

"We're here," Darren said.

He pulled up to the entrance of The Pendulum, a restaurant so exclusive it made even the wealthiest hesitate before stepping inside.