2024-10-30 11:21:03Melissa’s mocking smirk widened as she crossed her arms, glancing at Ethan with a mixture of disdain and amusement.
“You know, Ethan, you’re actually considering joining us? I mean, since when have you ever gone to a group event? Oh, right,” she sneered, “you’d rather save your pennies and skip out.”
Ethan met her gaze with calm amusement.
“Maybe I’ve decided it’s time to change things up.”
Just then, Mike swaggered over, flashing Melissa a possessive grin before casting a condescending look in Ethan’s direction.
Mike was the reason Melissa had dumped Ethan, and he was determined to remind Ethan of it every chance he got.
“Oh, so this is the dinner everyone’s talking about?” Mike said, smirking.
“Well, count me in.” His gaze flickered toward Claire with a glint of interest.
“Can’t let the most beautiful girl in class be left with… undesirable company.”
Claire raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by his insinuation, but Mike wasn’t done. He turned to Ethan with a mocking chuckle.
“But… I gotta say, Ethan, if you don’t have the funds, maybe you should sit this one out. Don’t want you blowing your monthly budget on one meal.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk creeping onto his face.
“Who says I can’t afford dinner?” he shot back, his tone steady.
Mike let out a loud laugh, looking to Melissa as if seeking confirmation.
“Oh, this is good. Now even a beggar thinks he’s got the cash to dine with us? Alright, tell you what—why don’t you just pay for the whole group, Ethan? Show us all how much money you’re really packing.”
Melissa snickered, clearly entertained by the idea. “Yeah, come on, Ethan,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery.
“Let’s see just how much you’re willing to spend. Since you’re suddenly so eager to join in on things.” She glanced at Claire, raising an eyebrow as if to say, Can you believe this?
Ethan met their taunts with a calm, knowing smile. He took a moment, letting the silence build, then shrugged casually.
“Sure. I’ll cover dinner for everyone.”
Mike’s laughter died instantly, his confident grin replaced by a flicker of surprise. He quickly tried to cover it up with a scoff.
“Wait—you’re serious?” He rolled his eyes, trying to play it off.
“What, you’re taking us to the corner fast food joint or something? Because unless you’re serving up a round of dollar-menu fries, I don’t buy it.”
Claire’s frown deepened, and she shot Mike an irritated look. “Honestly, Mike, that’s enough. You’re being rude.”
But Ethan just looked at Mike calmly, ignoring the insults. “I meant what I said. It’s my treat tonight. You don’t have to believe me.”
Mike raised an eyebrow, giving Ethan a look of exaggerated disbelief.
“Wow, so now Ethan’s the big spender. What happened? You find a winning lottery ticket in that trash bag you’re always hauling around?”
He looked around, smirking as a few of their classmates chuckled under their breath.
“Look, maybe save yourself some pride and sit this one out, alright?”
Ethan merely shrugged, unbothered by Mike’s digs. Let him talk, he thought, keeping his face neutral.
He didn’t need to justify himself to anyone—especially not Mike.
Claire, catching the calmness in Ethan’s gaze, softened a little. “Well, I think it’s really nice of you, Ethan,” she said, ignoring Mike completely.
“You’re welcome to join us, and if you’re offering to pay… I’m sure we’ll all appreciate it.”
Melissa scoffed, crossing her arms.
“Well, if Ethan’s offering to cover it, then I’m ordering the most expensive thing on the menu,” she sneered, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“Hope you’ve got enough in your piggy bank for that, Ethan.”
Ethan chuckled, his voice tinged with amusement.
“Order whatever you want, Melissa. Like I said, it’s on me. And who knows? Maybe it’ll be a nice change from all the cheap stuff you’re used to.”
Melissa’s smile faltered, a faint blush of annoyance crossing her face. “Cheap? I only expect quality,” she retorted, her voice slightly more defensive.
“Oh, I’m sure you do.” Ethan’s tone was smooth, and he gave her a look that hinted he knew exactly what her “quality” actually looked like.
Mike, sensing he was losing control of the conversation, jumped back in, leaning close to Ethan with a smug grin.
“Look, don’t think you’re impressing anyone. It’s cute you’re trying to act all generous, but just remember you can’t bluff your way into money you don’t have. I mean, you couldn’t even keep Melissa happy, and that’s saying something.”
Ethan laughed, unfazed.
“Right, because you’re so great at keeping everyone happy, aren’t you, Mike?” His eyes flicked to Claire.
“Or maybe just interested in keeping your options open?”
Mike’s face twisted for a moment before he forced a cocky smile.
“Hey, I just know what I want. Unlike some people, I don’t waste time on things I can’t afford.”
Ethan chuckled.
“Well, that’s probably a good thing. I doubt you’d actually enjoy a real meal without someone holding your hand through it.”
Claire stepped in, her voice firm.
“Alright, that’s enough. Mike, if you don’t want Ethan at dinner, then don’t come. No one’s forcing you.”
Mike’s face darkened as he turned to Claire, trying to recover his cool.
“Oh, I’m coming. Just curious to see if Ethan’s new act can hold up.”
Ethan smirked, catching the flicker of doubt in Mike’s eyes.
“Oh, I’ll be there, and so will everyone else. Let’s see if you’re still talking like this by the end of the night, Mike.”
Mike scoffed, hiding his discomfort.
“Whatever. It’s just going to be hilarious watching you flounder. Don’t go asking for help when you realize you can’t afford it.”
Ethan simply shrugged, giving him a look of mild amusement.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered. Just make sure you bring your appetite—and maybe a little humility.”
Mike’s smile wavered, clearly thrown by Ethan’s confidence, but he quickly hid it, trying to keep his bravado intact.
“Fine, you want to play this game, Ethan? Go ahead. But remember, you’re not fooling anyone.”
With that, he turned on his heel, grabbing Melissa’s arm as he walked away, muttering under his breath.
Claire watched them leave, shaking her head in disappointment.
She turned back to Ethan, her expression thoughtful.
“You know… I don’t think I’ve ever seen you stand up to him like that. It was… kind of impressive.”
Ethan shrugged, a slight smile on his face. “Sometimes people need a reality check.”
Claire smiled, clearly pleased. “Well, I’m glad you’re coming tonight. Don’t let people like Mike and Melissa bother you.”
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Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 277
Ethan stood on the edge of a glass-and-steel monolith, looking down at the city that had both made him and tried to break him.Dubai stretched out in all directions—a kingdom of glass towers, neon reflections, and wealth built on power and silence.Once, he had owned this world.Once, he had believed he could shape it.But now, as he stood above it all, the question that had haunted him since the beginning refused to be ignored.Did I win? Or did I just survive?He exhaled, the wind pulling at his coat, sending strands of his hair whipping against his forehead.The streets below were alive—cars honking, people moving, deals being made in hushed conversations, just another night in the empire of the rich.None of them knew what had happened.None of them knew how close this city had come to burning with The Dominion.They only knew the headlines:“Ethan Elliot Destroys Global Crime Syndicate.”“The Fall of The Dominion—A Power Shift in the Underworld.”“The Most Dangerous Man in the Wo
CHAPTER 276
Ethan stood at the edge of the smoldering ruin, his body aching, his mind drowning in the weight of what had been done.Dubai’s skyline had changed overnight—one less tower standing.One less monster breathing.He should have felt something.Relief. Satisfaction. A sense of victory.But there was nothing.Only smoke, ash, and silence.The Dominion was gone.Their networks dismantled, their leaders dead, scattered, or in hiding.The underworld had changed in a single night, shifting like tectonic plates beneath his feet.And the world had noticed.The media had already begun spinning their stories.“Elliot Enterprises CEO Linked to Mysterious Power Shift.”“The Fall of The Dominion—A New Global Order?”“Ethan Elliot: The Man Who Killed the Shadows.”Some feared him.Some worshipped him.Some wanted him dead.None of it mattered.Because Ethan was done.Lisa was gone.Malik was gone.His empire was still standing, but it wasn’t his anymore.He had spent years clawing his way to the top,
CHAPTER 275
3:00… 2:59… 2:58…The countdown blazed across the massive penthouse screen.Ethan’s fingers tightened around Emery’s collar."Where is it?" His voice was a low growl, lethal.Emery coughed, blood staining his teeth. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"2:30… 2:29…Ethan yanked him forward, shaking him violently. "Tell me where the bomb is, or I swear I will—""Kill me?" Emery smirked, weak but smug. "That’s what I want, Ethan."Ethan’s breath came sharp. Every fiber of his body screamed to end him.But the clock was running out.Lisa’s voice echoed in his head."Don’t become them…"2:00… 1:59…Ethan dropped Emery.He turned on his heel, ignoring the bastard’s laughter as he scanned the penthouse for any sign of the bomb.Then—he saw it.A black case embedded inside the structural framework of the tower, wires running across the walls like a web of death.The fail-safe was wired into the building itself.Emery had planned this well.There was no stopping the countdown.1:30… 1:29…He had to ge
CHAPTER 274
Ethan moved first.No hesitation. No mercy.His fist slammed into Emery’s face, sending him crashing into a marble pillar.The impact cracked the surface, shards of stone crumbling to the floor.But Emery didn’t collapse.He grinned through the blood."That’s it, Ethan," he rasped, wiping his split lip. "No more business deals. No more negotiations. Just war."Ethan didn’t answer.Words were pointless now.Lisa was gone.The Dominion had burned his empire.Now, he would burn them.Emery launched himself forward, faster than Ethan expected.A knife flashed in his hand.Ethan twisted—**barely dodging—**but the blade still grazed his ribs.Pain flared, hot and sharp, but he didn’t slow.Instead, he caught Emery’s wrist and twisted.CRACK.The knife clattered to the floor.Emery hissed, his arm hanging limp, dislocated.But he still laughed."Come on," he taunted. "You’re holding back."Ethan’s rage snapped.He drove his knee into Emery’s gut, knocking the air from his lungs.As Emery dou
CHAPTER 273
The Burj Dominion towered over Dubai, a fortress of wealth, power, and secrecy. A structure built on the backs of the world’s most corrupt elites, designed to withstand anything.Anything but him.Ethan was coming.Inside the penthouse, Emery Calloway stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, the city sprawling beneath him in a tapestry of golden lights. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching the skyline with an air of amusement.Behind him, a war was brewing.Guards flooded the lower floors, rifles loaded, body armor strapped on, comms crackling with rapid orders. The entire tower was on lockdown.But Emery wasn’t afraid.He had been waiting for this."Sir, we should evacuate," one of his lieutenants suggested, nervous.Emery smirked, tilting his glass to his lips. "No."The man hesitated. "With all due respect, sir, Elliot is—""Exactly where I want him." Emery placed the glass down with a deliberate clink. "Let him in."The lieutenant paled. "Sir?"Emery turned, his
CHAPTER 272
Ethan didn’t remember getting into the car.Didn’t remember the high-speed chase through the city, weaving through traffic, running red lights, ignoring the screaming sirens behind him.All he saw was her face on that screen.Lisa.Still alive.Barely breathing, but still there.And if he was even a second too late?He wouldn’t let himself think about it.Mike’s voice crackled over the comm. “Ethan, you need to slow down. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”Ethan’s grip tightened on the wheel. “I don’t care.”Because this wasn’t about strategy anymore.This was personal.The warehouse loomed ahead, an abandoned Dominion facility on the city outskirts.Ethan didn’t wait. Didn’t plan.He crashed the car straight through the front gate, metal screeching as he tore past the defenses.Gunfire erupted. Bullets slammed into the car, glass shattering.Ethan was already out, already moving.His gun spat fire as he carved a path through The Dominion soldiers.Each shot was precise. Lethal.
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