Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 54: Crying Plea

Laughter burst from the table, some of it lighthearted, some of it sharp-edged. Darren sat back, watching as the amusement played out around him.

Sophie raised a perfectly shaped brow, swirling her wine glass between her fingers. "So let me get this straight," she said, a slow smirk forming. "You’re saying that if you get Ava Monroe to sign, my company will owe you?"

Darren leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the table. "That’s the deal," he said simply.

The laughter came again, louder this time.

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Tamara, who had been more composed, let out a small chuckle. "Darren, Ava Monroe is the biggest name in the city right now. Getting her to sign anything requires connections, power, and a whole lot of money. No offense, but I’m not exactly sure where you stand on that spectrum."

Terry scoffed, shaking his head in exaggerated disbelief. "This is priceless," he said, throwing a hand in the air. "Look what I was saying. This guy is clearly living in La La land!"

Alison didn’t say anything. She just stared at Darren beside her. ’Everything he’s told me so far has been authentic. Darren... Does he really know Ava Monroe? I mean she’s as big as there is. How can he get her to sign with Sophie’s company?’

"Listen, Death Wish Darren, you’re really laying it on thick tonight, aren’t you? First, you waltz in here looking like you stepped out of a billionaire’s closet, now you’re making deals like you’re some big-time player?"

Darren said nothing.

Terry continued, unable to let it go. "Man, you must’ve saved up every last dime for this little stunt. What’s the next trick? You gonna tell us you’ve got dinner with the mayor next week?" He threw his head back and laughed, the sound obnoxious and sharp.

Sophie, however, watched Darren more closely. ’What if he’s being serious right now? What if...’

"Alright," she said suddenly, leaning forward with a smirk. "I’ll entertain this. If you actually pull it off, if you bring Ava Monroe in as my front cover sponsor, then yes, my company will owe you."

Tamara turned to her, surprised. "You’re serious?"

Sophie shrugged. "What’s the harm? It’s not like it’ll happen, right? And if it does, that’s a big win for me."

Terry wiped at his eyes, still shaking with laughter. "Oh, this is gold," he said. Then, suddenly, his expression shifted. "You know what? Since Darren’s feeling so generous tonight, let’s make sure he gets to play the part properly."

Darren looked at him without expression.

Terry grinned wide and gestured toward the bar. "Hey, everyone! Eat and drink to your heart’s content! My good pal Darren Steele is covering the bill tonight!"

A cheer rang out as waiters moved to take more orders. Sophie, Emily Tamara exchanged looks, and even Alison tensed slightly.

"Thank you Darren!"

"Darren! You’re the man!"

"You rock, Mr Steele!"

Darren didn’t flinch, merely watching as the wine kept flowing. Alison looked at him.

"Hey, are you okay?" she whispered, placing her hand on his arm.

Darren looked down at her. "Yes," he replied. "Nothing I can’t handle."

Terry noticed this moment with narrowed eyes. ’Hmmm.’

Eventually, the girls began to rise from their seats, stretching and adjusting their coats. They thanked Alison for inviting them, sharing hugs and goodbyes.

"Well, Darren," Sophie said with a playful smile, pulling out her phone. "You better give me your number. If we’re going to become business partners, communication is important."

Tamara chuckled, following suit. "I just want to keep in touch."

Even Emily brought out her phone. "Same here."

Darren glanced at all of them. Pretentious. Women were so pretentious.

However, he agreed and they exchanged numbers. As they left, Sophie winked. "Thanks for dinner, mystery man."

Darren barely reacted, just a handsome eyebrow raise.

Terry, meanwhile, rose to his feet and turned to Alison, his grin dropping into sternness. "Meet me outside."

Alison stiffened, hesitating. "Terry—"

"Now," he said, voice cold. "Don’t waste my time."

A long pause. She and Darren exchanged a look and then she swallowed and nodded, rising from her seat and following him out.

Darren sat still, waiting as the check arrived. The number was high, double digits in the thousands but he paid it without a word.

Then, with a slow breath, he stepped out of the bar, while the female bartender stared at him in awe.

"Hey. You’re the man, Darren!" Another customer said as Darren walked out.

Darren glanced at him for a moment, and the man gave him a casual salute.

Outside, he found Alison leaning against the wall, arms folded, her head lowered.

She looked up as he approached, her gaze weary and sad.

"So, you actually paid it off," she murmured. "You really are rich, huh?"

Darren stopped beside her, studying her face.

She let out a shaky breath. "Everyone is. Everyone except me." She lowered her head again, fingers gripping her coat.

Darren took a step closer. "What’s your business with Terry?" His voice was gentle. "Was he the reason you invited me out here?"

Alison hesitated. Then, after a long pause, she lifted her gaze to his, eyes shining with unshed tears. "I think... I think I need help, Darren."

He waited.

She swallowed, then finally confessed. "My life is a mess. And Terry... Terry said he’d help me if I did some things for him. And I..."

She swallowed again. "I did. So he took money from Moon Enterprises. A lot of money. For me."

Darren’s expression darkened. "Terry stole from his boss?"

Alison’s voice dropped to almost a whisper. "He told me it was a fund for one of their private research projects. Two hundred thousand dollars. But he told me they wouldn’t be needing it for at least two years. So he redirected it. Used his access to reroute the funds and gave it to me."

Darren’s jaw clenched. Two hundred grand. That was not pocket change. Not something the Mooneys would overlook.

"Terry wants the money back because he said they’ve started sniffing around ." Alison wiped her hands over her face. "If they find out, Tyler and his father will eat him alive. And Terry… he’s terrified of losing his position under them. He told me if this ever gets out, if they come after him, he’s going to make me suffer for it."

Darren grimaced. ’So even now, Terry’s still afraid of the Mooneys. Fucking bottom feeder.’

Alison swallowed hard. "I just—I just needed someone else here. Someone other than Terry. Just in case things got bad."

She let out a shaking breath. "My life... Ngh... My life is just a complete mess. I’m worthless. I’m nothing. I’m not making a difference like you guys. I don’t know what I’m doing sometimes. Why I even bother waking up..."

Darren’s gaze didn’t waver.

She hesitated. Then, she looked up at him, her eyes wet with tears. "I know how I treated you in college," she whispered. "I was awful. I was a snob. I wasted my time on guys like Tyler and Jaxon. And now…"

Her hands curled into fists at her sides. "Now I have no one." Her voice broke. "Not one person from back then even cares about me. But when I ran into you a few days ago…" Her lip trembled. "It felt like I was looking at hope. Like I’d seen hope face-to-face."

She wiped at her eyes, sniffling.

"I haven’t stopped thinking about you since then," she admitted softly.

Darren didn’t move.

She lowered her gaze once again. "I know I don’t deserve much from you. I don’t deserve anything at all, and I wouldn’t ask you to go out of your way to help me. But..."

A shaky breath.

"Take me with you."

His brows furrowed slightly. ’To where?’

She swallowed. "The College Reunion is at the end of this month," she clarified. "I can not face our classmates as the disgrace I am now. Please, Darren. All I want... is for you to take me with you."

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Darren said nothing.

He merely looked down at her, silent eyes unreadable.

And Alison waited.