Urban System in America

Colin, however, remained perfectly at ease. His stride was steady, his expression unreadable, utterly ignoring the whispers and the buzz sparking in his wake. Where others saw an event worth gossip, he treated it like routine, the sheer calmness in his manner only deepening the sense of dissonance.

When they reached the front doors, he stopped, turned with the same gravitas that had earned him prestige greater than some partners, and extended his hand.

"Gentlemen," Colin said, shaking Rex's hand firmly, then offering Aren the same courtesy, "I look forward to seeing this project on screen."

"Of course." Rex returned the handshake with quiet confidence, his expression calm but sharp, the kind that left no room for doubt. Aren, a little overwhelmed by the moment but unwilling to show it, followed suit. His grip was steady, though his heart pounded in his chest like a drum he hoped no one could hear.

Outside, Victor and Kaelan were already waiting. Victor, ever the watchful shadow, stood poised by the car, stepping forward immediately to open the back door as Rex approached. Kaelan, in his usual place behind the wheel, gave the faintest nod, eyes flicking up in recognition before returning to the road ahead.

As Rex and Aren slid into the car, Colin's gaze briefly caught on the vehicle itself. Regalia Revella. The name alone carried weight in certain circles, the kind of luxury that didn't just scream wealth, it whispered influence.

A flicker of surprise flashed through Colin's eyes, though he quickly mastered his expression. On second thought, it seemed almost natural. Someone who could be invited to that party could hardly be ordinary.

Even if Rex's background remained shrouded, details like this drew a sharp line... he was far from the realm of average wealth. There were levels among the rich, strata that separated those merely successful from those who truly shaped the world around them. From the way Rex carried himself, it was clear he belonged among the latter.

It wasn't just Colin who noticed. Other lawyers in the firm, though pretending to be absorbed in their papers and files, couldn't stop their eyes from darting toward the scene outside. Their subtle glances, the way their pens stilled mid-stroke, betrayed the truth.

The car's sleek precision, the aura of craftsmanship that seemed to radiate from it, spoke to power that transcended numbers on a balance sheet. Victor's disciplined stance as he opened the car door, Kaelan's seamless readiness at the wheel, and Rex's effortless, understated confidence... all of it combined into an impression that demanded attention.

Their hushed whispers carried a mix of curiosity, envy, and awe. Even those who didn't recognize the brand could feel it in their bones. This wasn't mere extravagance... it was presence, cultivated and undeniable.

In that moment, Rex stopped being just a promising young man who had somehow managed to draw Colin's rare favor. To the watching eyes, he had stepped into a different category entirely. He was a player in his own right, someone whose presence demanded recalibration.

Colin watched the car pull away, the soft purr of the engine fading into the distance, leaving behind a silence that somehow felt heavier than before. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but beneath it, his mind was already in motion, sharp and deliberate. His eyes narrowed slightly, sharp as blades beneath his calm exterior.

Whoever Rex truly was… that question lingered in his mind like an echo. The boy carried an air that didn't quite belong to his age, an authority wrapped in quiet confidence, and Colin could sense it wasn't mere posturing. There was substance behind it, though its depth was still hidden.

For Colin, that mystery mattered less than the opportunity. What mattered now was simple... maintaining a good relationship with him. If he could anchor himself beside Rex, then maybe, just maybe, he could finally grasp what he had always dreamed of but never reached. Power. Influence. A place at the table where real decisions were made.

His gaze drifted toward the majestic building rising before him, its towering pillars and flawless façade exuding an almost oppressive grandeur. For years, that structure had mocked him, reminding him of how far he still was from the circles of true authority. But tonight, for the first time, it seemed less like an unreachable monument and more like a threshold. Perhaps, standing beside Rex, he might finally step through those doors as an equal rather than a supplicant.

Still, he forced himself to temper the rush of ambition bubbling in his chest. It was far too early to think so far ahead. First, he had to carefully deepen his bond with Rex, study him, understand him, and prove his own worth. What came afterward would depend on time, patience, and fate.

At least, that was what Colin told himself. Yet the truth showed in the small betrayals of his body. The faint curve of his mouth refused to fade, his stride held a buoyancy that had not been there in years, and even his breathing seemed lighter, steadier. Hope was a dangerous thing, but it had already taken root within him.

As he made his way back through the grounds, others noticed. Some cast curious glances, trying to discern the reason for his good mood. A few wore subtle smiles, amused at his rare display of satisfaction, while others, sharper, envious and more calculating themselves, narrowed their eyes in suspicion. Whispers would surely spread... about what had transpired, about who that boy was, and about why Colin seemed rejuvenated after meeting him.

But Colin paid no mind to their looks. He neither slowed his steps nor offered an explanation. Let them wonder, let them talk. Their thoughts were of no consequence to him. He had already begun sketching a path forward, one that no one else could yet see.

When he finally reached his office, he closed the heavy wooden door behind him, shutting out the world. The quiet of the room pressed in, but instead of feeling oppressive, it steadied him. He sank into his chair, fingers drumming lightly against the polished desk as his mind unraveled possibilities, scenarios, and strategies. Rex had entered his life like a spark, and Colin, ever the opportunist, was already considering how to fan it into a flame that could light his long-sought ascent.

And though he reminded himself once more that it was too early to dream, the glint in his eyes betrayed him. For the first time in years, the future did not feel like a wall. It felt like a door... one that might finally open.

(End of Chapter)