2025-08-15 15:14:31
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Paul just stood there, grinning like he’d already won. Ethan’s jaw was so tight it looked like it might break.Then, suddenly, the leasing agent stepped back from Paul. He walked straight to Ethan and bowed his head a little. His voice was polite and very respectful. “Mr. Storm,” he said, “here are the contracts you asked for.” He placed five thick folders in Ethan’s hands. Paul froze. His smirk wavered.What was happening? Ethan’s expression shifted. His anger went away, and a smile appeared on his face. He opened the first folder, looked through it quickly, and then looked at the agent.“Good job,” Ethan said quietly. “You did well.”Paul blinked. “What…?”Ethan let out a soft, amused laugh that made Paul’s stomach turn. “You didn’t ask any questions, did you?” Paul’s shoulders straightened, his smugness starting vanishing. “What the hell are you talking about?” Ethan closed the folders with a snap. “This entire building is mine.” Paul let out a short, sharp laugh, but it d
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Ethan’s eyes darkened. “You’re overpaying for something you don’t even want.” Paul’s lips curled into a slow, mocking grin. “Wanting it isn’t the point. Taking it from you is.” The leasing agent gave a strained smile, clearly regretting showing either of them the property. “Gentlemen, I really think—”Paul lifted his hand slowly, cutting him off without taking his eyes off Ethan. “Go ahead, gentleman. Write up the papers. My name only.”Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he stayed still, watching Paul lean on the counter and sign his name like he was just signing an autograph.The leasing agent pushed the papers over. “Congratulations, Mr. Bellano. That’ll be $800,000 upfront.”Ethan’s brows twitched. Eight hundred thousand? For a place worth a hundred grand a month.Paul didn’t even blink.He took out a black card and set it on the counter like he was just paying for coffee. When the receipt came, he gave it a quick wave before slipping it into his jacket pocket.“I’ll take the twentiet
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Paul’s smirk grew wider, like he’d just found the perfect way to get under Ethan’s skin.He turned to the leasing agent, puffing out his chest as if he owned the whole building. “Listen,” Paul said, his voice carrying extreme arrogance. “Here’s how this is going to go… you don’t offer anything to him.”He tilted his head toward Ethan without even looking at him, as if Ethan wasn’t worth his attention. “I’ll take whatever space he’s looking at. And I’ll outbid him by twenty percent. No questions asked.” The leasing agent’s eyes darted nervously between them. “Sir, I—” “I’m serious,” Paul cut in smoothly, raising a hand to silence him. “Twenty percent more than whatever he offers. Put it down right now. I’m ready to sign.” Ethan frowned, a line forming between his eyebrows. “You think this is a game?” he asked, his voice low.Paul finally looked at him, grinning wide, showing all his teeth. “It’s not a game when I always win.”Ethan stepped closer, closing the space between them.
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When Paul saw Ethan across the lobby, he froze for a moment. Then he whispered something to Sierra. She looked at Ethan, her eyes opening wide for a second before she forced a smile. Paul smirked, clearly pleased with himself.He pulled Sierra close, one arm around her waist, and walked forward like he was showing her off.“Well, well… small world, huh?” he said loud enough for others to hear. “This is my new girl. Sierra’s been keeping me busy.” He laughed and leaned in to whisper to her.Sierra smiled at him, but the smile got stiff when she saw Ethan staring.Ethan’s lips curved a little not friendly, not warm just a sharp look that said he wasn’t impressed. “Oh,” he said lightly, “your face is still in bad shape. Let me guess—makeup didn’t hide it? Still swollen from when Marcus slapped you?” Sierra froze, her cheeks heating under the layers of powder she’d carefully applied that morning. She had spent hours trying to hide the faint bruise and puffiness, but Ethan could still
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The next morning, Alice stood in line at the government office, holding her folder tightly. Inside were all the documents she had prepared, her business plan, ID papers, application forms, everything she needed to register her company. When her turn finally came, she stepped up to the counter, feeling confident.The clerk barely glanced at her before flipping through the papers with a quick, dismissive look. “Your application is incomplete,” the clerk said flatly. Alice blinked, confused. “Incomplete? I checked everything thrice. What’s missing?” The clerk didn’t bother to explain much. “It’s not our job to explain. Come back when it’s all complete.” “But I brought everything it says on the checklist.” Alice tried to keep her voice steady but felt her frustration building. The clerk shrugged and began typing on the keyboard as if she didn’t have time for this. Alice looked around at the other people waiting, some grumbling, some just quiet. She bit her lip. “Is there so
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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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