Damian felt a brief flicker of hope, realizing someone was about to stand up for him.“I hope you all know that’s an offense,” the man said coldly, the words like an icy slap.Damian’s eyes flickered around the room, trying to gauge the reaction.The crowd was still, frozen in uncertainty, before murmurs began to spread again. Some seemed to hesitate, the weight of the legal consequences sinking in, but others were not so easily deterred.Then, he stood up and approached the bartender. "How much does he owe?"The bartender looked surprised. "Thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents."The man pulled out his wallet and slapped sixty dollars on the counter."That covers his tab—and mine too,” he said calmly.The whole bar went silent. Everyone just stared, completely caught off guard.Relief washed over Damian's face. "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it."He hesitated, then added in a whisper, "Could you spare a little more? Just to get me through the night?"With his car now impounded by

Damian blinked in confusion.“Ethan Aurelius?” he muttered, his brows furrowing as silence filled the air.Then he tilted his head slightly. “Wait… don’t tell me you’re really talking about that filthy dog, Ethan.”He chuckled. "You think he's related to Chairman Aurelius because he's been affiliated with him of late? That's—"A harsh laugh cut him off."You always try so hard to be stupid, don't you?" The mysterious man sighed, shaking his head, almost as if pitying Damian.Damian stiffened at the insult."If you weren't so determined to be an idiot, you wouldn't be in this mess," the mysterious man added coldly.Although Damian could not see his face, he felt the mysterious man's eyes piercing at him."What are you talking about?" Damian shifted uncomfortably in his chair."If you’re talking about the Ethan I know… that pathetic trash—he’s Ethan Cross. Ethan fucking Cross!""The guy has never even sniffed what a real life feels like. He’s the kind of lowlife who survives in the shad

The mysterious man leaned forward slightly, his face still hidden in shadow. "For a start, you'll have to retaliate against your father. Make him pay for what he's done to you.""The lion cub has to bite."Damian shook his head, his brows furrowing. "That won't be enough. Copper Group is struggling. The stock market has crashed, and investors are pulling out because of the incident"."My father is barely holding on, which would be the same for me if I took over. And what about the court proceedings with the government against us? That's not going to just disappear."The mysterious man tapped his fingers against the armrest, the soft clicking sound echoing through the warehouse. "Smart observation."He straightened up, adjusting his cuffs. "Here's what will happen. The Copper Group will be rebranded. New name, new image, but with the same core assets and properties.""Then, we'll bring in strategic investors who are waiting for an opportunity like this—people who see value where others

Ethan sat in Magnus’s private office, fingers drumming on the desk, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. It was finally time to get back at Vanessa and her family—for using him and for every bit of humiliation they put him through.His eyes flickered to the large screen on the wall, set up for a video call with one of the biggest construction contractors in the country."They're ready," Lara said, entering the room with a tablet in hand. She paused, her gaze softening as it landed on Ethan. "Are you sure about this?"Ethan's lips widened. "Aside that I'm doing this for revenge, for years, the Callum have built their empire on lies and deception. It's time they faced the truth."Magnus, standing by the window with his arms crossed, nodded firmly. "He's right."Then, he turned to face Lara. "Callum Construction has been getting away with cutting corners for too long. Not anymore."She pressed a button, and the screen flickered to life, revealing a stern-faced man in his sixties

The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. Jonathan's face was ashen as he straightened his shoulders and moved toward the door. Every step felt heavier than the last."Act normal," he hissed over his shoulder at his family. "Don't say a word, no matter the pressures they put on you," he instructed them.With trembling fingers, he pulled the door open. Three stern-faced individuals stood in front of him, their expressions unreadable."Mr. Jonathan Callum?" the woman in the center asked, her voice sharp and professional."Yes," Jonathan replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "How can I help you?"Before she could answer, a wave of reporters surged forward behind them, microphones thrust in Jonathan's direction."Mr. Callum, did you knowingly use substandard materials in your projects?""Is it true that your company falsified safety documents?""How many lives have been put at risk by Callum Construction's negligence?""What do you have to say to the families whose homes