The café smelled like roasted beans and ambition.
Ethan arrived ten minutes early.
Five years ago, he had walked into this meeting excited.
Today, he walked in prepared.
Daniel Hayes was already seated by the window, waving enthusiastically.
Same expensive watch.Same confident smile.Same snake behind the eyes.
"Bro!" Daniel stood up and pulled him into a half-hug. "You look energized. Didn't sleep?"
Ethan smiled lightly. "Something like that."
He sat down.
Two coffees were already ordered.
Daniel always liked to control small details.
It made people feel like he was thoughtful.
In reality, he was calculating.
"I've been thinking," Daniel began, leaning forward. "We expand aggressively. Borrow capital. Double down. Strike before competitors react."
Exactly the same words.
Exactly the same tone.
Five years ago, Ethan had felt proud that Daniel trusted his vision.
Now he understood—
Daniel didn't trust him.
Daniel needed him.
Because Ethan was the strategist.
And Daniel was the opportunist.
"How much capital?" Ethan asked calmly.
Daniel grinned. "At least five million. But don't worry. I have investors lined up."
Investors.
Fake shell contacts.
The foundation of the fraud structure.
Ethan stirred his coffee slowly.
"And if the expansion fails?" he asked.
Daniel shrugged. "Risk is part of the game."
There it was.
The casual dismissal of consequence.
Because in the original timeline, Daniel had already prepared forged documents linking all risk directly to Ethan.
This time…
Ethan activated the system.
[Market Insight – Passive Analysis Running…][New Feature Available: Behavioral Prediction (Limited)]
Daniel's outline shimmered faintly in Ethan's vision.
Probability indicators appeared beside key phrases.
Confidence: 82%Hidden Agenda Probability: 67%Manipulation Intent: High
Ethan hid his reaction.
So this was Tier 1.
Interesting.
Daniel leaned back. "So? Are you in?"
Five years ago, Ethan had answered instantly.
"Yes."
This time—
He stayed silent.
Silence made people uncomfortable.
Daniel's smile flickered slightly.
"I'll need full documentation," Ethan said at last. "All investor contracts. Legal structure. Capital allocation breakdown."
Daniel blinked.
"You don't trust me?"
Ethan met his eyes directly.
"I trust data."
The air shifted.
Daniel laughed, but it felt forced.
"Of course, of course. I'll send everything."
He wouldn't.
Because it didn't exist yet.
Ethan stood to leave.
But before walking away, he said casually:
"By the way… if we expand, ownership percentages should reflect contribution."
Daniel's jaw tightened subtly.
"How much are you suggesting?"
"Seventy-thirty."
Daniel's smile froze.
"You're joking."
Ethan shrugged.
"I built the core model. Without it, there's nothing to expand."
Five years ago, Ethan would have accepted fifty-fifty out of friendship.
Friendship.
What a foolish word.
Daniel forced a laugh. "Let's not rush numbers."
"Of course," Ethan replied smoothly. "We'll discuss it after documentation."
He walked away without shaking hands.
Behind him—
Daniel's friendly expression collapsed.
His eyes hardened.
Good.
Let him feel threatened.
Outside, the system interface flickered.
[Influence Point Used: Psychological Pressure]Remaining: 9
[Effect: Target destabilized – Moderate]
Ethan stopped walking.
Used?
So even subtle dominance consumed points.
Interesting.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A female voice spoke.
"Is this Ethan Cole?"
"Yes."
"This is Nova Capital. We heard you're considering expansion."
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
Nova Capital?
They weren't supposed to contact him until months later.
Something had shifted.
Because of last night's trade?
Or because he pressured Daniel?
The timeline was already changing.
The voice continued, "We'd like to schedule a private discussion."
Ethan looked up at the skyline.
Seven days to crush Daniel.
But now—
New players were entering the board.
He smiled slowly.
"Schedule it."
The system chimed again.
[New Variable Detected.]Timeline Deviation: 3%Caution Advised.
Ethan ended the call.
Five years ago, he was reacting to moves.
Now—
He was creating them.
And somewhere across the city—
Daniel was already planning betrayal.
But this time…
The trap would snap the other way.