Chapter 838
Pushing open the heavy doors, the fading notes of a pipe organ washed over them, carrying the faint scent of wax. The stained glass cast biblical scenes onto the kneeling benches, the light shifting with the breeze like the turning pages of an ancient script.
In the back pews, suit jackets were draped casually over the armrests. Their owners sat with heads bowed and eyes closed, the residual heat of their keyboards likely still clinging to their fingertips.
The weak flames of white candles danced on the altar, sitting in stark contrast to the flashing numbers on the digital ticker outside the window-one counting prayers, the other counting profits.
“Putting a stock exchange right next to a church-one hand in heaven, the other in hell p>
Wesley muttered, true to his chatty nature. “Does it make people want to be saints or sinners p>
“It has nothing to do with saints or sinners. The choice to pull the trigger is entirely your own.
No one forces you to wager everything. Whether you make a killing or lose your shirt depends entirely on your ability to measure your own skill, your own capital, and your own limits p>
Mira replied smoothly.
“Exactly. If you don’t have the talent but still choose to gamble your life away, you can’t blame anyone but yourself p>
Cyrus Montgomery agreed.
The group stepped back out into the bustling street, the sound of church bells blending seamlessly with the roar of traffic.
As they walked past the church doors, their shadows briefly overlapped with the intricate carvings left by stonemasons centuries ago, feeling almost surreal.
Everyone snapped plenty of photos, and Owen made sure to take several pictures with Mira.
“When we get back, I’m making an album out of these,” he said. “I’ll call it ‘The Wall Street Campaign.’ We can show it to our kids p>
Mira didn’t shy away. “What if the kids aren’t interested p>
“Then we’ll keep it just for us p>
Since it was still early when they left the church, the group hopped into their cars to tour the rest of Manhattan’s famous landmarks.
They visited the city’s most iconic sites: the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, World Trade Center, Flatiron Building, Park Row Building, Nordstrom Tower, and Trump Tower.
Sometimes they parked to get a closer look and take photos; other times, they were content just gazing out the windows.
These towering structures weren’t just landmarks; they were monuments cementing Manhattan’s status as the global epicenter of skyscrapers.
They stopped here and there, with Jax Weaver and the others buying loads of snacks and souvenirs.
They played tourist until dusk began to settle, finally forcing themselves to head back.
“Let’s do this again tomorrow,” Wesley said. “And next weekend too p>
“Let’s hope we’re in as good a mood next weekend,” Hank chuckled.
The truth was, with that much capital on the line, how could they not be stressed? But seeing the
effortless calm on
Mira’s face kept
them anchored.
Back in the hotel parking lot, Gene Kingsley spotted the group lugging their shopping bags. “Things are expensive around here.” he noted
with faux helpfulness. To to
blow all your cash in two days p>
“Don’t worry. Even if I go broke, I wouldn’t ask you for a dime p>
Jax shot back.
“Ungrateful punks p>
“You p>
Jax lunged forward, ready to throw a punch, but Silas Vane held him back. “Why are you even acknowledging him p>
After dinner, Mira retreated to her
room and immediately collapsed et
onto the bed Ower looked at her
softly. “Let’s get married as soon as we get back. What do you say p>
“Get married? I’m only eighteen. I’m not even legally old enough yet p>
“That doesn’t matter. We’ll have the wedding first and sign the papers later p>
“No way. I am not having a premature wedding just so people can laugh at me p>
Owen looked at his untouchable fiancée, desperately wishing he could fast-forward time.
“Fine. I’ll wait another year or so, and then we’re getting married p>
“In a year, I’ll only be a sophomore. Didn’t we agree to wait until after I graduate p>
“I can’t wait that long p>