Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!

It had been a while since Darren visited the Cottage. Nevertheless, the restaurant had remained successful and only grown bigger during his time away struggling with the facing of business and politics.

In the busy night streets of Mauravard, Castle Cottage stood proud like a fragment of an age long past. The castle-like design was more fascinating at this time with the stony walls and torchlit arches glowing against the soft evening sky.

Designed to mirror a medieval keep with warm elegance, the restaurant bore no resemblance to what it once was— the run-down outdoor eatery that was about to be dissipated by the other bigger companies around it.

Darren Steele had changed that.

He had seen the bones beneath the rot, the potential beyond the dust. And after the deal with Arnold Castle, the restaurant had risen to be on the top ten list in all of Los Angeles in only a few months.

Now the establishment brimmed with subtle grandeur. Candle-lit chandeliers hung from coffered ceilings. Iron wall sconces cast a warm glow across velvet drapes and dark timber walls. Private booths were tucked into alcoves carved with crest-shaped archways.

It was the sort of place that was catered to people who like old money, and yet, it had smaller facilities for simpler eaters.

Tonight, under Darren's orders, Sandy had reserved the best table: The Crown Nook. A stone alcove table set behind a velvet curtain, with a single iron-forged window overlooking the pool and the rest of the city.

Darren had arrived some moments ago, just seconds after his drivers had brought Sandy to the restaurant.

In her deep emerald gown, Sandy's peak maternal beauty was visible for everyone in the restaurant to see. The gown had sleeves that ran down her beautiful slender arms and a silver brooch pinned over her shoulder.

During work, Sandy usually had her golden brown hair bound in a strict bun. But tonight, she set them free. Her hair turned to dark golden waves that fell softly over her collarbone. She had dyed some strands with hints of silver, making the hair glitter under the medieval-themed lights of the restaurant.

She looked younger tonight; like the woman she was before the boardrooms and sleepless deadlines. Even though it was her maturity that added the spice to her beauty.

When Darren came in, she couldn't stop staring at him. It was hard to believe that he was the same boy that she knew early last year, who couldn't make decisions without talking to his girlfriend and who was so innocent and excited just to be working in an illustrious company.

A boy who never had any outright ambition except helping others achieve theirs.

It was like that Darren was completely gone. This one, the Darren who had just dismantled an arm of the government and ruined their image to the public just so he could make an investment. This Darren Steele was something completely different.

Tonight, in his tailored midnight-blue jacket, glistening with a subtle sheen, matched with a graphite silk shirt that clung just enough to hint at his muscles within, Darren looked astonishing.

His wrist was decorated with the newly released Rolex, though it was half-hidden beneath his cuff. Darren was flaunty and perhaps it was just that that made him even more captivating.

Heads turned as he walked past tables. Women, mostly younger, ogled at his posture and stance. When he took a seat across from Sandy in their designated area, many of the women scowled or grimaced. Clearly jealous of Darren's Director of Finance.

After he sat, he picked the glass on the table and took a sip of the dark crimson wine.

"This is nicer than I expected," Sandy said, her voice quiet but warm, running her fingers along the rim of her glass. When Darren had reached the table, she had stood up to welcome him. When he hugged her, she thought he was going for a kiss and she anxiously leaned in.

But she quickly noticed— heartbreakingly — that it was a peck on the chin he was aiming for. So she redirected her face in time, saving her a very awkward welcome.

Darren smiled faintly, swirling the wine. "It's different when you sit here and not at a desk with a spreadsheet and five unanswered emails glaring back at you."

She chuckled. "You mean like what I left behind today?"

"I mean exactly that."

Sandy sighed, realizing she'd been caught for dodging work. "I was going to get it done. Just didn't have the time with the planning. Who even told you?"

Darren smirked knowingly. "I'm the CEO. I know everything."

She smiled back at him, knowing that she couldn't really contend with that. At times, it did feel like Darren knew everything.

They were silent for a moment, ignoring the murmurs that were certainly directed at them.

Sandy took a sip of her own wine before speaking. "Things have changed, haven't they?" she asked. "Since we first met?"

Darren looked at her. "Have they? I haven't noticed. I've always owned a multimillion dollar company."

Sandy chuckled. "Surprised that you still crack jokes."

Darren scowled playfully. "Hey, I never stopped. Things just got serious for a little bit so I had to match the tone of the world around me."

Sandy took another small sip. "Wise words. I can't really argue with that since it gave you the best results. I mean, you're one of the richest men in this city, this country... the world."

Darren lifted a brow. "High praise. But I don't feel successful yet, don't compliment me yet."

"Oh..." Sandy sat back, her hair glittering even more. "What is left for the resilient and driven Darren Steele to achieve?"

Darren paused, gazing into her eyes so deeply that it caused her to freeze as well, feeling self conscious under his gaze.

"What?" she asked, nervously hiding her face behind her glass.

"You know I owe a lot to you, Sandy," Darren said softly, his eyes honest. "I can't believe I call you Sandy now. Finally after months of you begging me to stop calling you Miss Meyers."

She smiled, looking down before returning to his gaze. "You were... saying something. What was it...?" Her eyes showed how vulnerable she was in that moment, wanting to hear what he seemingly was about to confess.

Darren smiled faintly. "When we were in the old Castle Cottage, you told me you had a dream to work for one of the Empire Companies one day."

Sandy frowned, shifting her gaze. "Oh. Yes, but... It's okay. Darren, I'm not going to leave you for any of them. I love working for you."

"No no," Darren shook his head, that's not it." He took her palm in his and held onto it for a moment. "You don't have to leave to go work for an Empire Company. But... you are still going to work for one."

His blue eyes glistened with promise. "Because I'm going to make Steele Investments an Empire Company."

Sandy's eyes widened.

A/N:

Really really have to apologize for the poor updating this month. I've been suffering from the worse kind of typhoid and malaria, and I've had more syringes stabbed inside of me than dicks in a random street whore. Please bare with me readers because I finally feel better and want to give it my all to bring this novel back to the original plan I had for it!