2025-08-08 20:14:29
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Alice stared at the sleek black car Ethan had just started driving away in. It gleamed softly under the streetlights, a clear sign it wasn’t some cheap ride. And besides she had heard Loic saying it was fucking expensive. “Ethan,” Alice said quietly, still holding his hand, “This car… it’s beautiful. When did you get it?” Ethan glanced at her with a calm smile. “I saved up a bit over time. Wanted to get you something special. A gift.” Alice’s eyes widened. “You saved up all this?” She looked at the car again, then back at him, feeling a warmth in her chest. “I mean… it’s not cheap, right?” “No, not cheap.” He nodded. “But I kept some money aside for things like this. For you.” Alice felt touched, almost overwhelmed. But then, a small thought poked at her mind. “Ethan… how does someone save up nearly eight hundred thousand dollars?” She tried to keep her voice casual but her eyes searched his face. Ethan’s smile faltered just a tiny bit, though he quickly recovered. “I work hard
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Nolan’s hand was still in the air from the slap. His cheek hurt, and his eyes showed shock and anger. He looked at Leo, his big brother, not able to believe it. “Leo… what did you do?” Nolan said, his voice shaking. “You can’t just hit me like that!” Leo was quiet. He took a deep breath. He looked worried and scared. He looked at the people, then back at Nolan. “This is not about you,” Leo said soft. “I want to stop problems.” Nolan wanted to yell but no words came out. He stepped closer and spoke loud. “I don’t care who he is!” Nolan said, pointing at Ethan, who was already walking away. “That guy came here to make us look bad. To show we’re weak. We can’t just let him do that!” Leo shook his head, looking serious. “You don’t get it. This isn’t about pride. Ethan’s dangerous. You think I wanted to hit my own brother? But you went too far.” Nolan’s hands turned into fists. “Too far? He started it! And you’re just going to let him win?” “Ben already paid for it,” Leo said quiet
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The small man stopped in his tracks, a confused look flashing in his eyes. Ethan stepped forward slowly, his eyes locked on the taller, broad-shouldered man standing a few steps behind, the Irvings No. 3, Leo. His voice came out low and sharp. “So,” Ethan said his voice cold as ice, “you know who I am.” Leo’s face twitched. He gave a small nod, and his whole posture shifted… no longer threatening, but clearly afraid. “I… saw you earlier,” he said quickly, bowing his head slightly. “At the negotiation meeting. You were standing behind Mr. Devon.” A faint smirk touched Ethan’s lips, but his eyes stayed cold. “Then you know what to do,” he said. “Take your people and leave. And while you’re at it… stop throwing the Irving family’s name around to bully people.” “Y-Yes, sir… understood, sir!” Leo stammered, his fear plain in his voice. The small man’s face twisted in disbelief. “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t care who you are, I’ll kill—” SMACK! The sound echoed acr
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Ben was too shocked to even cry out. His jaw dropped, and his eyes darted between Ethan and the shiny, untouched BMW. “No… no freaking way…” he stammered. “That’s a damn fortress on wheels…” His face twisted with disbelief. How?! How could a guy like Ethan buy something eight times the price of my car? He’s supposed to be garbage. Trash. Nobody. He stared, still clutching his stomach, his pride in shambles. But the small man, standing a few feet away, just snorted. He crossed his arms and gave Ethan a long, unimpressed look. “So what? You’ve got a fancy toy. Big deal,” he said coldly. “You think owning a car like that puts you on top? Let me tell you something, boy—people like you think money equals power. But the Vaughn family doesn’t just have money. We have roots. Power. Control. Real control.” His eyes narrowed. “You? You’re just a spoiled brat with a fast car. That car can’t save you from us.” Ethan gave a soft laugh, brushing a hand through his hair. “Ah, yes,” he said
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The crowd of classmates that had been watching from the sidelines suddenly stepped back, faces pale, eyes wide. One of the boys, Brian, raised his voice shakily. “Ethan, bro… don’t be stupid. Just stop, man.” “Yeah,” said Melissa, clutching her purse tight. “You don’t wanna mess with them. That’s Nolan Vaughn. The Vaughn family? Vaughn Towers? Vaughn freaking Hotels?” “Are you crazy or just want to die young?” someone else muttered from behind. A guy in glasses spoke louder. “They’re connected to the Irvings. The Irving family owns almost everything around here. Construction, real estate, even politicians. If the Vaughns don’t finish you, the Irvings will.” “You’re a dickhead if you think you can throw punches and walk away alive,” Linda scoffed. “You just attacked someone from that family.” Ben was still crouched on the ground, groaning, but he forced himself to speak. “Ethan, just shut up and beg already. Stop being stubborn. Let Alice go with Nolan, okay? He’s right.
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Ben wobbled closer to Alice, one hand clutching his ribs, the other wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His voice came out shaky, rushed, and low.“Alice… Alice, Al, please,” he said, glancing nervously between her and Nolan. “He’s serious. Just—just do what he says, okay? Don’t make it worse.”Alice’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell did you just say?”Ben took another step toward her, desperation painted all over his face. “If you go with him. Just for tonight. Maybe he’ll drop it. Maybe it ends here, and nobody else gets hurt.”Alice blinked in disbelief. “You want me to go with him?” She looked him up and down, disgust growing on her face. “Are you out of your damn mind, Ben?”Ben swallowed. “He’s Leo Vaughn’s brother. The Leo Vaughn. Vaughn Hotels, Vaughn Towers—he’s from that billionaire family, Alice. This guy could bury all of us. I messed up, okay? If you just go, it might fix it.”Her mouth fell open, a bitter laugh escaping. “So because you messed up, I’m supposed to be
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