...

After a call that lasted for over twenty minutes, Aaliya placed the phone back on the table as she asked, "There. I did what you asked. Happy now?"

Over the call, she had talked about being fooled and how someone cheated her and said that it was his individual research that he wanted to conduct in her company because of lack of funds. Throughout the explanation, she placed herself as the victim of cheating.

In that way, she protected herself and her company's reputation because it was bad if someone called her company thieves of research that belonged to others.

"Leave now," she told Ryder after she finished up.

"Yeah. I'm not willing to stay here for longer than I have to anyway," Ryder answered as he stood up.

"But keep in mind. Things have ended here. Don't bring trouble to yourself again. Let bygones be bygones," he added before he turned back and departed from this place.

"Hah. Let bygones be bygones? Sure? I'll let that happen. But that doesn't mean you'll get to live for longer for what you did to me. Just watch your back, young man. Not only you, but your whole family will suffer," she said as if she was talking to herself after Ryder had left.

She didn't realize that Ryder was listening to her as he stepped out of the building.

"Sigh, why is it that these villains never learn of my goodwill? Whatever, I tried, at least. No one can blame me now," Ryder muttered as he stepped in his sports car, which departed.

A few moments after he left, the Manager of Aaliya walked towards her office to check if everything was fine. After confirming that nothing was wrong, he left. Unaware that something big was about to happen.

A few moments after he left, Aaliya's head went blank as she lost her consciousness.

"Is mam fine?" One of the staff asked the middle-aged man.

"Yeah. She's fine now. I talked to her myself. She's not hysterical like before," he replied as he went back to his work.

Time kept passing slowly, and soon, it was night. Everyone felt a bit odd since it had been so late, but Aaliya hadn't left.

The manager once again went to ask her.

He kept knocking on the door, but no one opened the door. There was no sound coming from inside either.

"Mam! Are you inside? Please reply!"

He kept shouting, but no reply ever came.

Worried, he was just about to break inside when he finally heard a voice from inside.

"Uhmm..."

The noise sounded like someone just waking up from sleep and yawning.

"Mam, open the door. I'm worried for you!" The man called out.

It didn't take much longer for the door to open at this time, but something seemed strange. Even though Aaliya was standing before him, he couldn't feel the same.

Instead of the big boss who was arrogant, Aaliya seemed like a young girl who was confused.

"Madam? Are you alright?" He asked.

"What madam? Who are you? And why are you calling me madam? Where even am I? I remember being in college. How did I get here? Did you kidnap me?" Aaliya asked arrogantly.

"Do you know who my father is? He is one of the richest in the land! He can kill you with ease! Are you sure you want to mess with him?" she declared.

Seeing her, the man was surprised. What happened to her? Why was she talking like that? And her father? Didn't he die already? It was she and her sister who were handling the company now. What was she even talking about?

"Wait, did you forget your memory? Tell me which year it is?" He asked, peering in her eyes.

"Yeah? It's... "

The woman replied while talking about how tomorrow was her graduation exam and she needed to prepare.

Hearing her response, a deep sigh escaped the lips of the man.

"I'm right. You lost the last few years of your memory. First the hallucinations, and now this... Let's go to the doctor. Also, I'll inform your sister too," the man said, sighing. Things are really troublesome now.

His boss... She lost her memory. The company was going to be in turmoil for a little while.

....

Ryder was completely uncaring about what was happening behind. Instead, he went straight to the authorities, which now knew the research belonged to his company, to take the permission.

Now that it was clear, there was no problem in him getting the permission since the previous one was going to be canceled.

As he went back there, the men apologized to him for being suspicious of his company just because it was new. And now that the truth was out, they felt bad.

Just because of that, they worked even faster for him and promised him that he would have the permission in a day.

Ryder left the place as well. It was still not evening, and there was plenty of time. He didn't feel like going back home yet since it was just going to be empty.

"Where to go... Office? That's boring. As for the other things, those aren't ready yet. Gambling? Well, that seems like a good idea. I haven't been there in so long. It would be good to get some free money as well."

It didn't take him long to come up with a plan as he remembered the first use of his power. He had used his time ability to gamble in horse race and win millions.

That was the money that started it all. With that money, he brought his first car, which was destroyed by some people in a kidnapping attempt.

That was also the money he started the company with. And when he needed more money to buy Herriet's company, he again used horse betting as his personal bank.

At that time, he had decided that he would never go there again since he already had the company up and running. Too much betting was also bad for him since it might attract some risk.

That was what he had thought at that time when he decided not to go back there. But now that he had the strength he needed to protect himself from anyone, why was there a need to worry?

Determined, he decided to finally have some fun after such a long time of seriousness.

He also decided to invite someone else. A woman he had a relationship with, but he wasn't able to meet her as often as he would have liked. Both of them were often busy with their work.

Sitting inside the car, he dialed the number of Esmi.

"Esmi, where are you right now?" He asked as he started the car.

"At home? Why?" Esmi asked. "Are you planning to come?"

"How about we go on a date? We can also have some fun? If you're not busy, come with me," he said.

"Not busy at all. Where do you want to go?" Esmi inquired.

"Alright. I'll send you the coordinates. Get dressed and reach there in half an hour. I'll also get there after finishing some work," he told Esmi before disconnecting the call.

He sent her the address before he went to finish his important work, which was none other than eating.

He had been starving, and going back home seemed like too much work. Instead, he just went to a fast food restaurant. He was feeling the need to eat some junk food today since he hadn't in a long time.

As he reached the fast food restaurant, he took a table and ordered a few burgers and a drink.

....

"Feel much better now. This fast food really tastes so good sometimes."

After finishing the food, he left the restaurant and went inside the car as he left for the betting arena. He had given Esmi half an hour to get there. As for him, that place was already nearby, so it didn't take long to get there.

Despite hurrying, as he reached there, he realized that she was already waiting for him near the entrance of the place.

"She's fast," he muttered as he stepped out of the car after parking it.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," he told Esmi apologetically.

"It's fine. I just got here as well. Anyway, when you said a date, this surely wasn't the place I was assuming," Esmi replied as she gazed towards the betting arena.

"Don't worry; it will be fun. Also, we can bet a little to win as well. Come on, let's see who gets the most right," Ryder said as he caught the hand of Esmi and brought her inside the building.

...

"Sir, that guy is back on the premises!"

A middle aged man hurriedly barged inside a room and informed the man who seemed like the boss.

"Which guy? What are you talking about?' The boss asked, curious.

"The man you told me to keep an eye on. He's back here to bet! What should we do?" The man asked. B