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

By the time he arrived at Holloway Medical, it was already noon.

The building stood tall against the afternoon sky, its glass facade reflecting the golden sunlight.

The silver lettering above the entrance gleamed in the light, Holloway Medicals, a symbol of both healing and exclusivity.

Well-dressed professionals walked in and out, their faces weary but composed. Patients were wheeled across the well-manicured front garden, where the scent of fresh lavender mixed with the sterility of hospital-grade disinfectant.

Darren stepped out of his Aston Martin, the deep rumble of its engine cutting off as he shut the door behind him.

He held a large bouquet in his hand, full of roses, tulips, and lilies arranged meticulously, while the neatly wrapped box of cookies in his other hand gave a homely touch to his otherwise sharp and professional look.

He adjusted his cuffs, exhaled, and started toward the hospital's entrance, his polished shoes clicking rhythmically against the pavement alongside the sounds of life around him.

Suddenly appearing in view, from the side of the street, was Rico Evans.

He seemed to have been waiting. Leaning against a lamppost, smoking a cigarette.

He was dressed in dark casual clothing, a beanie pulled low over his short-cropped hair.

Rico watched Darren closely, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. His eyes followed every movement the unsuspecting Darren made as he walked into the hospital.

Rico's silent eyes narrowed, his palms clenched. Then, as Darren disappeared through the sliding doors, his gaze flicked to the Aston Martin parked by the curb.

The sleek, expensive machine gleamed under the sunlight. A car like that didn't come cheap.

Rico squinted, tilting his head, a mix of confusion and intrigue shadowing his face.

He waited.

Two hours later, the sun had dipped lower, casting warm hues across the hospital parking lot.

The traffic had thickened, the occasional honk and chatter of people filling the air. Rico had waited patiently through these two hours, shifting positions every so often, blending into the background like a ghost.

Then, finally, the automatic doors slid open.

Darren emerged, his hands now empty. The bouquet was gone. The cookies, too.

His face was unreadable, though calmer, almost happier, like the sight of someone had refreshed him. Or some good news had brightened his day.

Rico returned to the lamppost, blending with its black color. Then he watched.

Darren moved towards his car, pulling out his key fob. The Aston Martin beeped in response.

Then, just as his hand reached for the door handle, something in the window's reflection made his heart jolt.

A shadow. A figure.

He spun around instantly, clenching his fist to prepare himself for an attack. But then he paused.

Rico stood there.

For a split second, neither moved.

'What the hell?' Darren's thoughts spoke. 'What is Rico doing here right now?'

Rico's expression quickly shifted to one of surprise, eyebrows raised, lips parting slightly as if he hadn't expected this at all.

"Yo. No way… is that you, Darren?" Rico's voice was laced with disbelief, a slow grin forming.

Darren, still catching his breath, exhaled sharply, his muscles unclenching. He blinked before shaking his head, letting out a half-laugh.

"Shit, Rico?" He ran a hand through his hair, forcing himself to relax. "What the hell, man?"

Rico chuckled, taking a step closer. "Damn, bro, I didn't even recognize you at first! You look… different. Sharper. Richer." His eyes flicked to the car behind Darren before settling back on him. "You a millionaire or something now?"

Darren smirked. "Something like that."

Rico whistled, shaking his head. "Damn. College must've treated you nicer than I thought, huh?"

Darren shrugged. "I mean, that's not all of it, but I guess. I thought we were going to meet in my house?"

"Yeah! I thought so too! But I just ran into here, and look at that? Awesome coincidence don't you think?!"

Ding!

┏This person is being dishonest to you┛

Darren's gaze darkened as he studied him for a second longer, then chuckled. "Yeah. We have to catch up properly, right? How about we hit that bar nearby? You know, reminisce about the old days."

Rico appeared ecstatic with the idea. "Yeah, man. Sounds good."

"Great."

The bar was a familiar place. Dim lighting, old wooden furniture, a jukebox playing blues in the corner. It smelled like whiskey, cigars, and nostalgia.

They found a booth near the back, away from the noise. Rico ordered a beer; Darren went with whiskey.

"To old times," Rico said, raising his bottle.

Darren clinked his glass against it. "To old times."

The conversation started light; memories of college life, late-night cramming sessions, stupid pranks they'd pulled on professors.

Even though Darren knew his old friend was being devious at best, he found himself easing into the flow, laughing as Rico reminded him of the time they nearly got suspended for hacking the school's grading system— an incident Darren had barely avoided getting blamed for.

"So, really, man," Rico leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "How'd you pull it off? The car, the suit. You got money, now huh? What's the secret?"

Ding!

┏This character is maliciously curious of you.┛

Darren gave a practiced chuckle, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "I got lucky. Made a good investment at the right time."

Rico raised an eyebrow. "Stocks?"

"Something like that." Darren kept his tone casual, but he was watching. Observing.

"You're being too cryptic, man. I'm not digging it. Come on! Help me out here. I need to make some investments too. Anything to get me out of the dregs here."

Rico took a sip of his beer. "And I've not forgotten. You were always into crypto back in the day. Remember? Used to go berserk about it." He let the words settle before adding, "Still into it?"

Darren's grip on his glass tightened slightly.

"Not as much," he lied smoothly. "Market's unpredictable. I dabble here and there, but nothing crazy."

Rico tilted his head. "Huh. That's surprising."

Darren raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because I figured you'd be all over what's happening right now." Rico leaned back, arms stretched across the booth. "There's this insane dude called FuglyDuckling. You haven't heard about him, have you? Surely you must have!"

There it was.

Darren didn't react immediately. Instead, he took a slow sip of his drink, setting the glass down carefully. "Can't say I have. Some new influencer?"

Rico laughed. "Man, you really been out of the loop, huh? Dude's making waves. Insane returns, crazy buys — real mysterious guy, too." He watched Darren closely. "No one knows who he is."

Darren met Rico's gaze, his expression unreadable. "Sounds interesting."

Silence hung between them for a beat too long.

Then Darren leaned forward slightly, eyes sharp. "But, Rico. This... coincidence. It's just way too aligned for a coincidence, right?"

Rico chuckled nervously. "I know right? Maybe God just wanted us to reunite as soon as possible."

"Mhm," Darren took a sip of his whiskey and placed the glass dome gently. "You haven't yet told me... What were you doing at the hospital?"

The question came out smoothly, but certainly caught Rico off guard.