NOVEL NEXT Chapter 145
Upon hearing what the man just said Ethan couldn't help but ask.
"Private security?"
Ethan's voice carried a hint of amusement, his head tilting slightly.
The man couldn't help but his smile shifted, becoming more genuine – and somehow more dangerous.
His eyes glittered with dark pride. "Not exactly,"
he purred, stepping closer. His expensive cologne couldn't quite mask a subtle scent of gunpowder. "We operate in the shadows, you might say."
His gaze was still focused on Ethan and for some reason, he doesn't look even afraid or moved.
But he couldn't help but continue.
"The underground's elite trust us with their lives,"
he continued, gesturing to his men. Each stood like a coiled spring, ready to unleash violence at a moment's notice.
"We're the best in the business. Those who can afford us, fear nothing because we offer the best when it comes to securing them."
"Is that so?"
Ethan's tone remained casual, almost playful. but deep Inside of him, his mind started calculating the angles, distances, threat levels he might be facing soon.
"Then tell me..."
His eyes locked onto the man's with intensity.
"How much would you sell your company for?"
Upon hearing what Ethan just said his dorm friends choked, their mind screaming as they tried to process everything.
'Shut up, shut up, shut up!'
Jake's knees nearly gave out, cold sweat started running down his spine.
'We're going to die. We're actually going to die'
He said to himself frantically.
At that moment Chris grabbed the wall for support, his face draining of all color.
'Why is he provoking them? Has Ethan lost his mind?'
His fingers dug into the rough brick until they bled.
Upon hearing what Ethan just said The armed men shifted uneasily, their hands hovering near their concealed weapons. Their training told them to react, but something in Ethan's demeanor made them hesitate.
Even their boss's practiced smile faltered for a moment, the first
crack in his polished veneer. In all his years in the underground security guard, nobody – nobody – had ever dared to mock them so boldly.
'Who is this boy?'
he wondered, a sliver of doubt creeping into his thoughts.
'What makes him so fearless?'
" It's Priceless,"
the man laughed softly, but his eyes remained sharp as razors. His fingers brushed his tie pin unconsciously.
"Our organization isn't for sale at any price."
'Let's see how this arrogant boy handles that'
he thought smugly.
"Everything has a price,"
Ethan's voice cut through the night air like silk over steel.
"One billion dollars, perhaps?"
The words fell casually from his lips, as if discussing lunch money. 'Your little empire is worth pocket change to what I'm hunting for'
he thought.
Upon hearing what Ethan just said The man's laughter died in his throat. His perfectly maintained composure cracked, his eyes widening slightly.
'One billion? Impossible... unless...'
The other suited men exchanged glances, their disciplined stance faltering. immediately Cold sweat started forming on their leader's brow as his mind raced.
'The entire organization isn't worth half that. Who is this kid really working for?'
"I have somewhere to be,"
Ethan said, checking his watch with deliberate casualness.
"We can discuss this... another time."
He stepped past the stunned men as if they were nothing more than mannequins.
immediately without wasting anymore time his friends followed him from behind.
Then they entered a taxi then went straight to the school.
Upon arriving in their dorm, they collapsed onto the dorm couches, adrenaline finally draining from their systems. The reality of their escape hitting them like a tidal wave.
"Man, that was brilliant!"
Marcus exclaimed, running shaky hands through his hair.
His laugh carried a hint of hysteria. "Playing it off like some rich kid making jokes!"
"We should be dead right now if not for your smartness"
He said calmly.
"The look on their faces when you mentioned a billion dollars,"
Jake laughed nervously, his hands still trembling.
"That got them too shocked to even think straight!"
'Please let this be the end of it'
He prayed silently.
Chris nodded enthusiastically, normalcy finally returning to his face.
"Quick thinking, bro. Best way to escape – make them think you're just some crazy rich kid messing around."
However Chris was still curious because something tells him Ethan wasn't joking at all.
he thought, studying his friend's unchanged expression.
"Got to run, I just remembered I had this very important night shift to attend to"
Ethan said casually, leaving his still-shaking friends in the dorm. The ancient bracelet was still in his pocket, like a second heartbeat. 'Time to expand my collection'
he thought.
Without saying anything, Ethan Walked out of the dorm.
And then he brought out the business card that was given to him by the man from earlier and called him.
Ethan was directed to their hangout.
Not long after he arrived and stood before an imposing mansion. Armed guards lined the curved driveway, their weapons visible and threatening. Security cameras tracked his every move.
'Such an obvious display of power' Ethan thought, almost amused. 'Like children playing with toy soldiers'
The boss received him in a grand study, leather-bound books lining walls that stretched two stories high. Heavily armed men stood at attention every few feet – at least thirty of them. Their fingers twitched near triggers, their eyes locked on Ethan's every movement. Crystal chandeliers worth millions sparkled overhead, casting rainbow shadows across the marble floors.
"Impressive, isn't it?"
The boss spread his arms wide, indicating his wealth and power. His gold rings caught the light as he gestured.
'Let the boy see what real power looks like'
He thought smugly.
"Perhaps now you understand what you're dealing with."
At that moment his smile turned predatory as he leaned forward over his mahogany desk.
"So, about that billion dollars you mentioned..."
His voice dripped with condescension.
"if you can't produce it, well,"
he tapped a thick contract with one manicured finger. Enjoy new stories from empire
"We have other ways and it's to ensure you join us."
'No one walks away from us'
He said to himself.
The armed men shifted closer, a subtle reminder of the threat.
'This kid's about to learn a hard lesson'
They thought collectively.
Ethan's eyes barely scanned the room before settling back on the boss.
His gaze held the same bored expression one might have while waiting in line at a coffee shop.
"1.2 billion dollars,"
he said flatly.
"For everything. Including this mansion."