-Chapter 10-

-Chapter 10-

-5 days later-

-December 17, 2006-

"Today, I would like to welcome you to the large family that is Copperfield Enterprise. I know that many of you still have numerous doubts about my abilities and the mission of our company for this year, but I want to promise you one thing: as long as you work for me, you and your families will never be in need again. I personally commit to this," I said with my hands behind my back, standing in front of the 500 new recruits of Copperfield Private Security.

Once I finished speaking, everyone stood up and applauded me warmly. How could they not be happy to work for me? I was paying each of them $5,000 just to be there, without having to participate in any mission.

I have thought a lot over these last five days and asked myself why I necessarily had to go through legal channels since I wasn't using the full potential of my system at all. I pondered and found myself trying to understand how to exploit the power of my inventory.

My inventory, in simple terms, at level 1, allowed me to store ten items as large as a 40-foot container at maximum, but for each slot in my inventory, I could only store one thing. Whether it was a needle or a container, I only had ten storage slots.

So I tested it, and ultimately, I realized that I could store backpacks with items inside.

"This opened my mind to the best way to use my inventory," I thought, looking at the container filled with bags of flour in front of me.

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-December 20, 2006-

-Las Vegas-

-Mirage Casino-

"Wow, your casino is really incredible. I could never achieve such a result," I said, observing all the people gathered in Michael's casino.

Michael smiled and said, "David, I think you're underestimating yourself greatly."

I shrugged and said, "Who knows?"

"God knows, and I know too," he said with a small smile.

"That touches me deeply," I said, placing a hand on my chest.

"So, what is this new opportunity to make a fortune?" he said, signaling a waitress to bring us refreshments.

"You seem quite enthusiastic," I said, a bit confused by his eagerness.

"I made $40 million from our last deal. I'm eager to see how much this one will bring me," he said with a small smile.

"Alright, then I won't beat around the bush. As you know, my family has many connections," I said seriously.

He nodded and then said, "Yes, I investigated you and was surprised to learn that you are the son of a US Air Force General."

I nodded and then said, "Thanks to our connections, I discovered that I could send additional baggage on US Army and NATO military cargo planes."

"These planes go to which destinations?" asked Michael Trevor, bringing his glass of whiskey to his lips.

"Worldwide," I said with a sly smile.

He froze and then said, "What you're trying to tell me is that you can deliver anything, to anyone, anywhere in the world."

"Yes, but I won't deliver just anything. I need quick cash."

"So you're going to sell drugs," said Michael.

"Powder, to be precise," I said.

"How can I be of help?"

"I need two things. First, I need to arrange a meeting with the Alvarez family of the Sinaloa Cartel, and second, a loan of $50 million."

"Hahaha, hahaha."

Upon hearing the amount of the loan I was asking for, Michael immediately burst out laughing and then said:

"$50 million, is that a joke?!"

"No, and I know it's a lot, but…"

"It's not a lot; it's one-twentieth of my entire wealth," he said.

"Let's be honest with each other, this money is currently sleeping in a bank at best. It’s not doing you any good, whereas with me, I'll make you earn two, three, four times the amount."

"Those are just words."

"No, it's a bet you'll make, and you know deep down that I'm neither a scammer nor an idiot. I can be wrong like anyone else, but when I tell you that I'm certain of my success, then I think you should give me a minimum of trust," I said.

He raised his eyebrows and then said, "50 million is way too much. I can't give you that amount. However, what I can do is give you $25 million, but with certain conditions."

I nodded silently, waiting for him to tell me his conditions, and then he said:

"My first condition is that I will take 50% of the profits. My second condition is that you give me a written and notarized IOU for $25 million, because if you ever try to cheat me, I want to have a legal trace to recover my money. Lastly, I would like to become a shareholder in your company, a 25% shareholder of Copperfield Enterprise."

I smiled and then said, "Just that?"

"Just that," he repeated with a small sly smile.

"And here I thought I was greedy," I said, smiling.

"If we are getting into this kind of business together, we need to tie our interests to each other."

I smiled and then said, "I agree to give you 50% of the profits from the sale of the powder, but only on the money you will have invested. Secondly, I agree to sign an IOU on the condition that you grant me a loan of at least $30 million."

"And what about the shares of Copperfield Enterprise?"

I rolled my eyes and said, "My goal is that in five years, to have even a 1% stake in my company, you will have to shell out at least a billion dollars. And you think I'm going to give you $25 billion just because you gave me a $30 million loan."

"You seem very confident."

"Drugs are just a way to make quick money, to reinvest it after laundering it in my businesses. Legal business is all that has ever interested me."

"I understand, I understand very well what you're trying to say. But what I don't understand, however, is how you plan to achieve it. If it was possible for everyone, everyone would have done it long ago."

"If I told you, then I wouldn't have any value, would I?" I said, raising an eyebrow in a teasing tone.

Michael nodded and then said, "I grant you that. So how much for 25%?"

"$250 million."

"Seriously?"

"Of course, I'm serious."

"By next March, Copperfield Enterprise will be valued at at least a billion dollars."

"Alright, then let's do this: I'll invest $50 million for 5% of Copperfield Enterprise right now, and if by March, Copperfield Enterprise hasn't reached a billion-dollar valuation, I will get an additional 15% for free. However, if by March, Copperfield Enterprise surpasses the billion-dollar mark, I commit to paying $200 million for an additional 10% stake."

I nodded and then said, "You said it."

"And I won't go back on it."

"That's perfect."

"However, don't forget that I only want clean money," I said.

"Don't worry about that; you'll have the funds you want. Pardon my curiosity, but what are you going to invest in with all that money?"

I smiled but remained silent, which amused him because he said, "Alright, don't tell me anything."