Digital Circus Tropes Novels & Stories

​Vivian Vance 26 An independent art appraiser searching for the truth behind her father’s sudden death. Arthur Pendelton 46 powerful billionaire philanthropist, Vivian's longtime guardian, and her "godfather." Victor Arthur’s security chief and a trusted associate of Vivian’s late father, secretly working for a hostile corporate syndicate. ​Haunted by her father's unexplained death, Vivian Vance arrives at the coastal Blackwood Manor. She has been summoned by her wealthy godfather, Arthur Pendelton, who has recovered her father's encrypted journal. The journal contains details about a high-value art collection, but Vivian quickly discovers the codes actually hide bank routing numbers and coordinates. Amidst the storm outside and the growing mystery, the years of unspoken, taboo attraction between Vivian and her older guardian ignite, culminating in an intense, passionate night in his study. ​The next morning, Vivian overhears a conversation between Arthur and his security chief, Victor. Arthur claims he is "handling" Vivian to find the hidden ledger and "take care of the rest." Heartbroken and believing she is being used to cover up her father's murder. She seduces Arthur in the estate's subterranean thermal pool to distract him while she secretly decodes the coordinates, locating a hidden wall safe in the manor's library. ​Vivian successfully cracks the safe, finding the incriminating ledger and a digital flash drive. Before she can escape, Victor corners her at gunpoint. He reveals the ultimate betrayal: he murdered Vivian's father, and Arthur was actually trying to protect her by hiding the ledger. ​Just as Victor prepares to shoot Vivian, Arthur launches a surprise tactical ambush. A brutal fight ensues, during which Vivian helps overpower Victor. he knew Victor was monitoring the house, so he had to pretend to use her to keep Victor from killing her before he could secure the evidence to dismantle the syndicate.

My father, Daniel Jacobson, teams up with the elders in my family to launch the Family app. Every child's behavior is converted into points, and those points determine who inherits the family's wealth. As the least favored daughter in the family, I am one of the first people forced to use it. "You earn one point for greeting your parents. Massaging shoulders or washing feet gives you ten points. Handing over your entire paycheck gets you 1,000 points. This is my original digital system for measuring good behavior." If I dare complain even once, or if I rank last on the scoreboard, Dad humiliates me relentlessly in the family group chat. He even forces me to kneel and wash the feet of whoever has the highest score as an apology. He looks at my hands that are red and scalded from the hot water and sighs. Then, his expression turns resolute again as he says, "I know it hurts now, but this is for your own good. A rough diamond has to be cut and polished before it can sparkle. I'm helping to smooth away your rough edges so your future will be smoother. "The points system is my greatest achievement. It's the deepest expression of a father's love." Today is Independence Day. It's also our family's annual scoreboard finalizing day. Dad invites all our relatives over. In front of everyone, he plans to announce that I, the child who ranks last, will be disowned. He wants everyone to see what happens to anyone who dares challenge his authority. "I'm doing this for the good of our family. Without rules, there can be no order. And without a strict upbringing, you won't build up the perfect character. One day, you'll understand my good intentions." But, Dad... I have already ended my own life by overdosing on some medicine. Right now, my lifeless body lies cold in the room upstairs, waiting for you to uncover it with your own hands.