Before Lisa could say anything else, another voice cut through the crowd—younger, sharper, more aggressive."Oh my God, is that really Alex?" A young woman in her early twenties pushed through the crowd, her designer dress and perfectly styled hair marking her as someone who spent considerable time and money on her appearance. "What are YOU doing here?"Alex recognized her immediately. Vanessa Warren—Lisa's younger sister. Still in college, studying business at some prestigious university, and just as condescending as her older sister, if not worse."Vanessa," Alex said tiredly. "I'm just passing through. I'll be gone in a minute.""Passing through?" Vanessa's voice rose incredulously. "THIS occasion? Do you have any idea what this is? This is the annual Riverside Charity Gala fundraiser! It's invite-only! For important people! Not for..." She gestured dismissively at his hospital gown and bandages. "...whatever you are right now."She turned to her group of friends—three other young

The doors of all the luxury vehicles opened simultaneously, the sound echoing through the now-silent market. From each car emerged men in black suits—tall, professional, moving with military precision. They lined up in formation, creating a human corridor that led from the Bugatti directly toward the crowd.The entire charity gala seemed to pause. Music stopped. Conversations died. Every single person at the market turned to stare at this unprecedented display of wealth and power."What is happening?" someone whispered."Is this for the gala?""I've never seen anything like this..."Jace Chen stood beside the Bugatti, his gold-rimmed glasses glinting as he surveyed the scene. His eyes scanned the crowd methodically until they locked onto Alex, who was still pressed against the wall, surrounded by his accusers.Then Jace began walking. Not hurrying, not running, just walking with absolute purpose and authority directly toward Alex.Alex felt his stomach drop. No. Not now. Not here. Not

Several people in the crowd murmured agreement. Others looked uncertain. But all eyes turned between Vanessa and Jace, waiting to see how he would respond.Jace slowly turned to face Vanessa, and his expression was absolutely glacial. "I warned you to stay quiet.""I will not stay quiet!" Vanessa was practically screaming now, her composure completely gone. "I don't know what scam he's running, what lies he's told you, but Alex Carter is nothing! NOTHING! He's broke, he's divorced, he's worthless! He's a nobody who doesn't deserve a second of your time!""Vanessa, shut up," Lisa hissed from somewhere in the crowd, but Vanessa was too far gone to listen."Look at him!" Vanessa pointed at Alex viciously. "He's standing there in a hospital gown with no shoes! He just assaulted me! He's clearly unstable! Why would you waste your time chasing after him when there are so many better people here—people with actual status, actual worth, actual—"CRACK.The slap came so fast that nobody saw it

Alex pulled his arm away from Jace's supportive grip, stumbling slightly but staying upright through sheer stubbornness. "I said I'll go to the hospital. That doesn't mean I'm accepting anything else.""Mr. Carter, please—" Jace began."No," Alex interrupted firmly. "I don't want the money. I don't want the property. I don't want any of it. Find someone else to give it to. Someone who actually wants to be a billionaire.""But Mr. Grey specifically chose you—""I don't care!" Alex's voice rose, drawing attention from the lingering crowd. "I didn't ask to be chosen! I just saved a man's life because that's my job! That doesn't mean I want my entire existence turned upside down!"Jace adjusted his glasses, clearly struggling to find the right words. "Alex, I understand this is overwhelming. But you need to understand what Mr. Grey is offering you. It's not just money. It's power. The ability to change lives, to make real differences in the world. Think about it—as a firefighter, you save

"I don't want to be one of the wealthiest men in the entire country," Alex said flatly. "I want to be a firefighter.""You can still be a firefighter," Jace said carefully. "Nothing stops you from continuing your career. Mr. Grey isn't asking you to give up who you are. He's asking you to add to it. To expand your capacity to do good in the world.""By becoming someone completely different.""By becoming a better version of who you already are," Jace countered. "Alex, think about it practically. You were nearly fired this morning because you didn't have enough money or power to protect yourself from Morrison's petty politics. With Mr. Grey's resources behind you, that can never happen again. No one can threaten your career. No one can make you feel powerless."Alex turned his head to look at Jace. "You think money solves everything.""No," Jace said honestly. "But it solves a lot. And the things it doesn't solve, Mr. Grey's network can help with. Alex, do you understand how isolated y