“Isn’t it a bit… beneath you to be tormenting a woman like this?” Ethan said, his voice echoing through the banquet hall. The moment the words left his mouth, the guests erupted into whispers, as if he’d just announced the apocalypse.
For a moment, Rose was frozen in place. Then, as the truth sank in, her heart leaped with joy.
‘He’s helping me! I knew it! A man like him wouldn’t just stand by!’ Her eyes shone with admiration, looking at Ethan like he was her personal hero.
The guests, however, were not all on the same page:
“Wait… what’s his deal? Why is he interfering in Alex’s business?”
“Yeah, this isn’t his problem. Alex was just taking back what’s rightfully his.”
“Does this guy not know who Alex is?”
A few guests exchanged curious, narrowed glances.
“Maybe he’s trying to play hero.”
“Or maybe… he thinks he can actually go against Alex.”
Meanwhile, Alex, who had been watching this play out with a hint of amusement, took a slow drag from his cigarette. The glow of the ember was brief before he exhaled a long stream of smoke. His gaze lingered on Rose, cold and unreadable, before he finally turned to Ethan.
“…And who the hell are you?” His tone was calm, yet the words carried a weight that seemed to compress the air in the room.
Ethan’s confident smirk faltered for just a second. A shadow of doubt passed over his face, but there was no going back now. He placed a hand over his chest, offering a smile meant to disarm.
“I believe Sir Walter introduced us already. But let me introduce myself again… I am Ethan Carter. And I think a man of your stature shouldn’t waste his time ruining a woman over money.” His delivery was calculated, aiming to paint himself as the noble one while subtly questioning Alex’s honor.
The strategy was clear—force Alex into a corner: back down and look weak, or stand firm and seem petty.
Ethan was already picturing the outcome, Rose grateful, the guests in awe of his bravery, and Alex forced to reconsider his actions. It was the perfect setup for a hero’s moment.
But there was one critical error in his plan. Alex wasn’t following the script.
Alex didn’t respond right away. He just looked at Ethan, his expression hardening. His lips curled, not into a smile, but into something more menacing, more threatening.
The atmosphere in the room thickened, as if the very air had turned solid. The spark in Ethan’s eyes dimmed slightly. Something about Alex’s look felt off, not at all like the reaction he’d anticipated. Before he could fully grasp the peril he’d just invited upon himself…
Alex spoke.
“…So, you think you can lecture me?” His voice was steady, but each word seemed to carry a ton of weight.
“You think you have the right?” He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Then, a smirk played on his lips, but it was devoid of any warmth.
“…Interesting.” The room went silent, like a graveyard. Ethan Carter had just entered a war zone he was unprepared for.
The tension was already sky-high, but then Walter, with his sharp gaze, turned to Ethan.
“Ethan, sit down,” Walter commanded, his tone heavy with experience from countless corporate skirmishes. His usual calm had vanished, replaced by stern authority.
“You’re causing trouble, and trust me—I won’t be able to save you if you overstep.” His warning was crystal clear.
But Ethan?
Ethan just smiled, his confidence unshaken.
“Sir Walter! You’re misunderstanding. I’m not here to cause trouble,” Ethan said smoothly, his voice dripping with moral superiority.
His eyes shifted to Alex, his face calm but with a hint of condescension.
“I simply can’t stand by and watch a helpless woman be treated so cruelly.” He paused dramatically, ensuring his words echoed throughout the room.
Then, as if offering a grand, gracious gesture, he continued—
“Alex, why don’t you sell me a favor?” His smile widened, his tone reasonable yet laced with arrogance.
“Let Rose Winters and her family go. In return, I’ll owe you a favor.” As soon as Ethan’s proposal landed, the hall fell into a shocked silence.
Then, whispers broke out:
“…Did he just say he wants Alex to ‘sell him a favor’?”
“Who does this kid think he is?”
“He’s acting like his ‘favor’ is worth something. Does he not know who Alex is?”
The sheer audacity left everyone in disbelief. They couldn’t fathom where Ethan’s confidence stemmed from. Was he out of touch with reality?
Or did he truly believe his name held enough clout to barter with Alex Reid?
But while confusion reigned among the guests, Alex?
Alex was amused. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully, fingers drumming on the table.
“Oh? Let’s see where this goes.” Ethan, completely misinterpreting the quiet, thought Alex was considering his offer seriously.
To him, this was just the usual formula. The calm before the storm. He assumed that Alex was hesitating, conflicted, perhaps even intimidated.
As for the murmurs of the guests? He dismissed them entirely.
“How many times have I seen this in my past experiences?” Ethan thought smugly.
‘They always doubt me at first… But once the reversal happens, their shock makes my victory even sweeter.’ In his mind, he was already several steps ahead.
The hero standing up against injustice. The powerful businessman was forced to acknowledge his brilliance. The stunned gasps of the audience as he turned the tide in his favor.
And most importantly—Rose looking at him with admiration, realizing that he was the true man worthy of her attention.
Yes. This was how the story was supposed to go. Ethan decided to push forward. He ignored Alex’s silence, ignored the confusion of the guests, and went in for the final move.
With a knowing smile, he continued—
“I’m sure. I know you’re wondering why my favor is worth it. I’m sure Sir Walter has already mentioned it—I am highly skilled in Fortune Skills.” His tone carried absolute confidence, as if this was his ultimate trump card.
“Having a true Fortune Skills Master owing you a favor… now that is something worth considering.” He smiled knowingly, waiting for the inevitable acceptance.
(A/N: Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)
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