Content Warning: The section discusses death by suicide.

When Stone Riley is first introduced, the entrepreneur and the artist mistake him for an unhoused man. His appearance is disheveled, and he looks the part of someone down on his luck. However, when he discusses the Spellbinder’s seminar with the other two, it becomes evident that there is perhaps more to Riley than meets the eye. The artist picks up on this when he notices that Riley is wearing an extremely expensive wristwatch. Eventually, Riley invites the pair to his private retreat on the island of Mauritius, and there we learn more about his story.

Riley is a very wealthy businessperson. He is referred to as a tycoon, a magnate, a billionaire, and an industrialist. He owns his own fleet of private jets and helicopters, and his compound is private and elegant. He appears to have an ever-ready supply of assistants at his service, as he often calls them up out of nowhere throughout the book.

Riley, now in his fifties, was once critically ill with prostate cancer when in his thirties. After meeting the Spellbinder, Riley began to discover a fuller appreciation for his success and followed his mentor’s teachings, including the advice that one should pass down the teachings and lessons of the 5 AM Club.