The Rich Flu Crisis

The Price of Stardom

As a celebrated star in the film industry, Laura had to endure countless script pitches. Most were dreadful, but she smiled through them to spare people’s feelings. One evening, at a glamorous party, her ex-husband, Tony, approached her. Instead of a casual conversation, he cleverly disguised his real concern within a fake script pitch—calling her out for not being present in their daughter’s life.

Tony, a struggling screenwriter and a recovering alcoholic, had been battling his inner demons. Their discussion escalated into an argument when he asked if Laura had gotten a birthday cake for their daughter, Anna. Laura lied and said she had, but the moment she left the conversation, she instructed her assistant, Christian, to get one immediately.

Competition and Deception

Laura’s night took another turn when her rival, Alba, boasted about a billionaire named Snail arriving nearby to select a lead for his new project. Determined to secure the role, Laura approached Snail’s son, Sebastian, hoping to learn more. Instead, he mocked her outdated watch and ranted about the world’s richest men, accidentally revealing that Alba had already been chosen.

Hiding her disappointment, Laura feigned support for Alba. But revenge was never far from her mind. When Alba admitted she hadn’t watched the film she was presenting that night, Laura seized the moment. She provided a fake summary, leading to Alba’s public embarrassment.

The Beginning of Chaos

While Laura relished her small victory, the world around her was shifting. Tony, stuck at an airport due to a flight cancellation, attempted to call her. Before he could speak, the line went dead. Moments later, Christian checked the news— the Pope had died. This marked the third wealthy man’s death in mere days.

Despite the chaos, Laura secured a spot on Snail’s private jet, replacing Alba. However, Christian was left behind. Onboard, a fellow guest mentioned yet another billionaire’s sudden death, while his eerily white teeth unsettled Laura. During a video call with Anna, Laura’s daughter refused to celebrate her birthday without her parents present and abruptly ended the call. The tension between Laura and Tony grew as she insisted he sign the divorce papers.

A Sinister Journey

The jet landed in Alaska, where Snail welcomed the newcomers with a grand speech about hard work and resilience. He claimed his company’s new division would focus on philanthropy and renewable energy, offering unparalleled salaries. Laura, enticed by the financial benefits, signed the contract without hesitation.

Later, Snail personally assigned her a mission—an extravagant shopping spree at Buckingham Palace. As a parting gift, he handed her a book, insisting she read it. The next day, Laura departed Alaska alongside Mr. Yi, who was sent to audit refugee camps. His crude jokes about slavery made Laura uneasy.

The World in Crisis

Upon arrival in London, Laura discovered that Buckingham Palace had been attacked. Billionaires and world leaders were mysteriously dying, triggering widespread panic. The internet buzzed with conspiracy theories, with many blaming a virus dubbed ‘Plutoobia’—a hatred-induced disease targeting the rich.

During the auction, Laura frantically bid on an expensive painting while receiving a distorted call from Anna. Before she could finish the conversation, chaos erupted as the King collapsed mid-auction. Soon after, news channels were flooded with discussions about the so-called ‘Rich Flu.’ Authorities declared a state of emergency, grounding all flights.

The Escape Plan

Realizing she had to leave, Laura instructed Christian to find an alternative way out of the city. Protesters filled the streets, their graffiti calling for the elimination of the rich to stop the virus. Laura’s broker informed her that, due to the economic downturn, her stocks had skyrocketed, making her wealthier than ever. Fearful, she ordered him to sell everything, only to learn the stock market was frozen.

Back at her apartment, Laura noticed something alarming—her teeth were glowing. Before she could react, three soldiers arrived, offering her ‘special protection.’ Instead of complying, she escaped through the fire escape, meeting Christian, who secured her a seat on a private jet.

A Deadly Flight

At the airport, people fought desperately for seats. In the commotion, a furious man threw a woman’s dog, which was tragically struck by another plane. Once airborne, tensions escalated as passengers noticed a man with glowing teeth. Fearing infection, they attacked him, causing a brawl that ended with both him and another passenger being thrown from the plane.

As the world descended into madness, Laura reached Spain and secretly met Tony. Searching for Snail’s name online, she discovered he had vanished, along with his assets. Looking through the book he had given her, she suddenly realized the truth—there was never a new project. Snail had merely transferred his wealth to them, cleverly disguising it as salaries and stock benefits. By doing so, he had shed his fortune and disappeared, escaping the fate of the infected elite.

A New Reality

The Rich Flu had changed everything. Laura, once desperate for fame and fortune, was now one of the world’s wealthiest—making her a target. With no choice but to run, she realized that in a world where being rich meant death, survival wasn’t about money anymore. It was about escaping it.