10:00 AM – Downtown Iron Brew Flagship
The new Iron Brew cart didn't look like a cart anymore.
It had grown into a compact, mobile coffee station—polished oak, steel counters, branded chairs set up for the influencer tasting event.
Customers gathered around. Some were already livestreaming. Others snapped photos beside the new Iron Wolf Roast signage.
Jason adjusted his sleeves, clean in a navy shirt and Iron Brew apron. He looked less like a street vendor now and more like a man building an empire.
> [Event Activated: Iron Brew Public Tasting]
[Influencer Guests: 8 Confirmed]
[Projected Impressions: 75K – 120K]
Across the street, the Flash Brew cart was suspiciously closed.
Kong was gone.
Jason's instincts told him that wasn't a victory.
It was a setup.
---
11:15 AM – Tasting Event Begins
Vanessa walked in at the exact moment the crowd began clapping. Dressed in a cream dress suit, she looked elegant, sharp—but her eyes searched for Jason immediately.
"Wow," she said as she approached. "You leveled up."
He handed her a hot Iron Wolf espresso.
"I need this to go viral," he said. "The whole brand's hanging on this event."
She took a sip, then nodded in genuine surprise. "This… is exceptional."
Just then, one of the influencers—Rina Luxe, 800k followers—shouted, "Guys! I'm legit shaking. This is better than that $10 Brooklyn espresso."
Everyone laughed. Cameras flashed.
Jason smiled.
> [Tasting Impact Multiplier: x2.8]
[Loyalty Score: +6%]
[Sales Spike in Nearby Zones: 37%]
Vanessa leaned closer. "You've almost cleared the investor threshold."
Jason blinked. "Investor what?"
She smirked. "There's a league of private investors who don't just look at projections. They look at fire. And right now, you're glowing."
Then her tone changed.
"But it also means the big boys are watching."
Before Jason could ask, a black Audi pulled up to the curb.
Out stepped a man in a fitted suit, silver hair slicked back, sunglasses on even though the clouds hung low.
Vanessa's smile vanished.
Jason tensed. "Who is that?"
"Ethan Quan," she said under her breath. "CEO of Trident Holdings. Flash Brew's shadow backer."
---
11:30 AM – The Proposal
Ethan strolled through the crowd like he owned the block.
He didn't look at anyone—until he reached Jason.
"You must be the boy making all this noise," he said, voice rich and slow. "Jason Chen."
Jason didn't shake his offered hand.
"I've heard you like coffee," Jason replied.
Ethan chuckled. "I like money, son. Coffee's just the vehicle."
Vanessa stepped in. "Ethan, if this is about territory, Iron Brew's operating fully under licensing."
"Oh, I'm not here to fight," Ethan said, smiling wide. "I'm here to buy."
Jason narrowed his eyes. "Buy what?"
"You," Ethan said bluntly. "The brand. The carts. The digital network. All of it."
Jason didn't respond.
"I'll offer ten million, upfront," Ethan continued. "You'll get a job title, a comfy suite, and all the resources to do what you want without worrying about sabotage or 'system fatigue.'"
Jason laughed once. "Let me guess. I become a mascot. My brand becomes just another soulless franchise."
Ethan shrugged. "Or you keep fighting uphill until someone crushes you."
Vanessa stepped forward. "You're not getting Iron Brew, Ethan."
"I wasn't talking to you," Ethan snapped, and something dark crossed his eyes.
Jason looked the man up and down. Slick. Powerful. Dangerous.
But he'd seen wolves before.
"No deal," Jason said.
Ethan's smile vanished.
For a second, the charm drained—and Jason saw the killer behind the teeth.
"I'll give you 48 hours," Ethan said coldly. "Then we stop playing nice."
He turned and walked off, sliding his glasses back on.
The black Audi disappeared seconds later.
> [System Alert: Threat Level Escalated – Trident Holdings: Hostile Mode Activated]
[Warning: Cart Raids, Supplier Cuts, Legal Traps Imminent]
Jason's hands clenched.
The real war had just begun.
---
3:30 PM – Iron Brew Headquarters (Rented Loft)
Jason stared at the whiteboard covered in ideas—new roast lines, regional carts, supply logistics.
Everything was starting to work.
But now? Ethan had the power to choke it all out.
"Jason," Vanessa said gently. "You don't have to do this alone."
"I've come this far alone," he replied. "I'm not backing down."
She stepped closer. "Then let me help—for real. You need structure. You need an inner circle."
Jason turned to her. "What are you offering?"
She looked him straight in the eyes. "I become your COO. Full operations. No salary, just 15% equity. I clean your messes, manage growth, and protect you from the boardroom wolves."
Jason hesitated. "You sure this isn't just another angle?"
Vanessa's gaze softened. "I believe in you. I've seen people fake hustle for a decade. But you? You make people move. You're worth betting on."
He held her gaze. Then nodded.
"Welcome to the war."
They shook hands. But this time, her fingers lingered slightly.
Something more was building—and neither of them could ignore it much longer.
---
8:00 PM – Flash Brew Sabotage Attempt
> [System Alert: Sabotage Attempt Detected – Iron Brew Warehouse]
[Action Required: Respond in Person or Dispatch Hired Security]
[Cost to Dispatch: $2,000]
Jason grabbed his jacket. "I'm going myself."
Vanessa caught his arm. "Wait. You can't just charge in."
He looked at her, jaw tight. "I'm not letting them torch my dream."
She held his stare for a moment… then grabbed her coat.
"Fine. I'm coming with you."
---
8:25 PM – Iron Brew Warehouse, South End
The metal gate was half-open. Lights flickered inside.
Jason and Vanessa crept in quietly.
Footsteps echoed ahead—two men loading crates into a dark van.
Flash Brew uniforms.
Jason stepped out. "Going somewhere, boys?"
The men froze.
One dropped a crowbar.
Then they ran.
Jason chased one. Vanessa grabbed a pipe and swung hard—crack!—catching the other's knee. He screamed, collapsed.
Jason tackled the first one against the wall.
"Who sent you?" Jason demanded.
The man spat. "Ethan doesn't like to lose."
Jason's fist tightened.
Vanessa touched his shoulder. "He's not worth it."
They called the police, gave the footage, and let them take the saboteurs.
But the message was clear.
Ethan was playing dirty.
---
11:50 PM – Jason's Apartment
Jason stood by the window, sipping his own Midnight Brew, shirt undone, bruises on his arm.
Vanessa sat on the couch, her heels off, feet up.
"I should've called security," he muttered.
She shrugged. "And missed the chance to hit someone with a pipe?"
They both laughed.
Then silence stretched between them.
"I meant what I said earlier," she added, her tone quieter. "I'm not here to control you, Jason. I'm here to build with you."
He turned to her. "I don't trust easily."
"Neither do I," she said. "But maybe we don't need to figure it all out tonight."
Jason walked over and sat beside her.
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then he leaned in.
Their lips met—slow, electric.
No pressure.
Just truth.
Then she whispered against his mouth, "Let's crush them, Jason."
He smiled.
"Together."