Suddenly, I Am Rich

One week passed quietly after that night.

Life moved forward, but something kept tugging at the back of Gray’s mind.

That morning, Gray sat in his office, staring at the computer screen in front of him. There were a lot of open files on his computer, but he barely looked at them. Instead, his attention was fixed on a familiar blue panel that was floating in front of him.

It was the mission he was supposed to be done with.

He frowned slightly as he looked at it.

[Mission: Talk to the boy and get to know him.]

[Progress: 50%]

[Reward: $20,000 bonus.]

Gray leaned back in his chair and let out a slow breath.

”That’s strange,” he muttered to himself.

After everything that happened at the foundation, after the confrontation, after making sure Eli was safe, he expected that it was already done.

However, it’s only 50%? Does that mean he had not truly talked to Eli yet? Or was there information he missed about the young boy?

Either way, that meant one thing.

He had not truly talked to Eli yet. Not the way the mission required.

Gray tapped his fingers against the armrest, his brows knitting together.

”I see,” Gray murmured as if he just understood something.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

”Come in,” he said.

With it, Mara stepped inside. She was holding a folder and her tablet in one hand. She was originally outside, making some calls. ”You called for me?”

”Yes,” Gray replied before straightening up. ”Sit here for a moment.”

Even though she was confused, Mara sat. She sensed his serious tone.

”Is something wrong?”

”There hasn’t been any update from the foundation,” Gray said. ”It’s been a week already.”

”I noticed that too. I followed up twice through email. They replied politely, but they’ve been vague.” Mara nodded.

Gray’s gaze sharpened slightly. ”Vague how?”

”They said the investigation is ongoing and that internal adjustments are being made,” Mara replied. ”But they really didn’t say any names or what.”

Gray exhaled through his nose. He did not like that answer.

”Anyway, I want you to go there today,” Gray said. ”Check in personally. Observe the place. See if anything has actually changed.”

Mara nodded at once. ”Alright. I can go this afternoon.”

”There’s something else,” Gray added.

Mara looked at him, waiting.

”Tomorrow is my free day.” Gray paused for a second, then spoke carefully.

”Yes, I already know that, Gray,” Mara said. ”I cleared your schedule already.”

”I want to meet Eli.”

”You mean... take him out?” Mara’s eyes widened in surprise.

”Yes,” Gray replied. ”Just for the day. Somewhere simple. We can have lunch, then maybe go to the park. I want to talk to him properly. I’ll see if I can bring Lily too.”

Mara’s expression softened, but concern flickered in her eyes. ”Do you think they’ll allow that?”

”That’s why I’m asking you,” Gray said. ”Check with the foundation. Ask if it’s possible for Eli to go out with me tomorrow. It can be supervised if needed. Do it by the book.”

”Alright, I’ll ask them.” Mara nodded slowly. She sighed, then added gently, ”You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

”Yes,” Gray admitted without hesitation. ”And I need to know how he’s really doing.”

Mara gave a small smile before letting out a chuckle. ”I understand. I’ll handle it carefully.”

”Thank you,” Gray said.

After Mara left, Gray leaned back on his chair again and glanced at the floating mission panel once more.

”I guess the system wants me to talk to you properly,” Gray muttered. ”I don’t know why, but it must be something worth it.”

- - -

Later that afternoon, Mara stood inside the building of the foundation. The atmosphere looked calmer on the surface. She noticed that there were also a few new staff members present while the older caretakers were gone.

Still, even with that, Mara knew that she still had to watch everything closely. Mara was greeted politely by the staff around her, especially those who had seen her already.

Mara was soon led into a small office near the main hall.

Linda was already waiting for her inside. She stood up the moment Mara entered and gave her a polite smile. She looked tired, but she still carried herself with authority. After all, she was the head of the foundation.

”Miss Mara,” Linda greeted. ”Thank you for coming again personally.”

”Thank you for seeing me,” Mara replied. ”I won’t take too much of your time.”

”Please, sit,” Linda said.

Mara sat across from her.

”I understand Mr. Gray wanted updates,” Linda said. ”I apologize if our replies seemed unclear. Things have been... complicated.”

”I understand,” Mara replied calmly. ”That’s why I came. He just wants to make sure the children are safe.”

”They are,” Linda said at once with the sweetest smile on his face. ”I assure you. We removed the staff involved and placed them under investigation. New caretakers have been assigned, and we tightened our rules.”

”That’s good to hear,” Mara said.

Linda nodded. ”We also had meetings with the children. We reassured them that they are safe here.”

As Linda spoke, Mara listened carefully. But for some reason, something felt off.

Mara could not explain it. Linda did not sound nervous. She did not look guilty. Still, there was a strange distance in her eyes. Like she was holding something back.

’Maybe I’m just overthinking,’ Mara told herself.

”I also wanted to ask about Eli,” Mara said gently.

Linda paused for a brief moment before smiling again.

”He’s fine,” she replied. ”He’s been quieter, but that’s normal after what happened. He’s eating well.”

”I see,” Mara said. ”Mr. Gray was hoping to take him out tomorrow, just for the day. Of course, with proper permission.”

”Of course, of course,” Linda nodded hastily. ”I was informed by my assistant about your call earlier. We are reviewing the request. As long as everything is done properly, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

”That’s a relief then,” Mara said.

Their conversation continued smoothly. They talked about procedures, schedules, and future inspections. Everything sounded reasonable.

Still, the uneasy feeling in Mara’s chest did not fade.

Then Linda’s phone rang.

”Excuse me for a moment. I need to take this.” She glanced at the screen and frowned slightly.

”Of course,” Mara replied.

Linda stepped out of the office, leaving the door slightly open.

Mara stayed seated at first. She took a deep breath and looked around. Her eyes moved across the shelves, the desk, the papers neatly arranged.

Then her gaze stopped at the folder on Linda’s desk. It was open, as if she was reading it before she came here.

Mara hesitated for a moment. She knew it was not right to snoop around. But something inside her was telling her to read it.

Slowly, she stood and took a careful step closer. She did not flip any pages. She only read what was already visible.

Her breath hitched when she saw what was written on it.

”Shit...” she muttered a curse.

It was an adoption application for Eli.