The Rage Bait System

Chapter Five

Ethan smiled. Indeed, his fighting skill has improved.

[Ding!]

[Mission Evaluation Complete.]

The familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[Targets Lucas Evans and Lucy Harper have experienced extreme emotional instability and have been driven out.]

[Calculating rewards...]

Ethan frowned.

[Reward Granted.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have obtained ownership of Imperial Tower.]

“What?"

The system screen appeared before him.

PROPERTY: Imperial Tower

STATUS: Fully Owned By Host

ANNUAL REVENUE: $180,000,000

CURRENT TENANTS: 87 Companies

A few seconds passed.

Then Ethan let out a doubtful dry laugh. Imperial Tower was the largest commercial building in the city. How can it belong to him?

Before he could fully process what was going on, his phone rang.

He pulled out the phone from his pocket. It was an unknown number. He answered the call.

“Hello."

"Good afternoon, Mr Ethan Maxwell.” The caller greeted with utmost respect, “This is Mr. Henry Donald, the manager of Imperial Tower.”

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

Okay…?

“Sir, I'm calling to inform you that the documents have been finalized. Everything has been transferred under your name. All we need is your signature.”

Ethan smiled.

The system truly hasn't lied.

"Good.”

Henry exhaled in relief then asked,

"Sir, when would you like to come and inspect the building?”

Ethan looked at the wall clock. There was still time before Jenna's surgery.

“I'll be there shortly." He replied.

“Okay, sir,"

Ethan hung up.

In less than thirty minutes, Ethan was already standing outside the large building that stretched high into the sky.

Imperial Tower.

Glass walls, spacious parking lot, and an elegant exterior greeted him.

It housed dozens of powerful companies.

Once Ethan dreamt of working here. Now, he owned it.

He smirked then headed towards the building. A figure collided with him as she was rushing out of the building.

The stack of documents in her hand went flying everywhere, but she steadied herself. Sheets of paper were scattered around the entrance of the building.

“Oh shit.” Her voice rang out in panic.

Ethan looked at the lady and quickly apologized, “So sorry." He crouched down and began to pick up the scattered papers.

The woman went on her knees to join in.

"It's okay. It's my fault.” The lady replied, " I wasn't paying attention.”

She finally stood to her feet and carefully accepted the documents from Ethan.

" Thank you,” she said with a low, feminine voice.

“No problem," Ethan replied with a nod.

The lady was properly arranging the files when a mocking laughter was heard from the side. They both turned to see a man walking towards them.

He was dressed in an expensive suit with an arrogant smirk on his face. He wasn't alone. With him were three bodyguards. The man asked, staring at the lady,

“Why are you running away, Vanessa?"

The lady's expression darkened, " What do you want, Mike?”

Ethan lifted his brows. They knew each other.

"I told you, I want to help you. If you can no longer manage the company, I'm here to help.”

" I don't need your help.” Vanessa hissed.

" I thought you'd say that.” Mike smiled, “So cold and collected. I like it.”

Vanessa rolled her eyes at him. She wanted to leave, but the bodyguards blocked her path.

Vanessa's eyes turned sharp.

Mike slid his hands into his trousers’ pocket, "I'm willing to help. But first, you'll have to marry me.”

Ethan raised his brows.

“Never." Vanessa scoffed.

Mike's gaze hardened at Vanessa. His smile completely disappeared.

He stepped closer, "Think before you speak, Vanessa. I'll solve everything if you just say the word."

"I'll never marry you.”

The air froze.

No one spoke. Not even Ethan, who stood by the side watching the drama.

Then, he pointed at Ethan with a growl, "Is it because of him?”

"What?” Both Ethan and Vanessa asked in shock.

Mike sized up Ethan, who was still dressed in his outfit from this morning. Just a simple brown long-sleeved shirt and plain trousers.

"Don't tell me you're rejecting me because of this idiot loser!"

Ethan stared at the scene before him with confusion. What does he have to do with anything?

He wanted to walk away, but then again, he wanted Vanessa to clear the air so the man would not have the wrong thought about him.

Vanessa hesitated before gritting her teeth.

If Mike wanted to force her into a corner, she might as well use the opportunity he had handed her.

She stepped closer and wrapped her hand around Ethan's arm.

His eyes widened.

By the time he looked from his arm to her face, she opened her mouth.

“Yes.” She tightened her grip around Ethan's arm, “Yes, it's because of him.”

Ethan almost choked.

Him?

All he did was help pick up a few papers. He doesn't even know what's going on.

He was going to pull Vanessa's hand away gently but Mike's next statement halted him.

“Pathetic. And truly desperate.”

Vanessa turned her head away.

But now, people around had already gathered, wondering what was going on.

Mike stepped closer to them and said with a smug, “Don't forget the bet my family had with yours, sweet Vanessa.”

Vanessa stiffened.

Ethan frowned.

What bet?

Her fingers dug into her palm as she bit her inner cheek.

“Looks like your jobless boyfriend here doesn't know about it.” Mike's lip tugged to the side.

Vanessa spoke up, “That's enough, Mike."

He didn't listen, “Once you and your mother lose everything and are kicked out of the Wells family, you'll belong to me.”

His smile widened cruelly as he said loudly so everyone would hear, “She’ll marry me. And the best part? I won't have to pay a dowry.”

Gasps erupt from the crowd.

Ethan's jaws clenched.

"I never agreed to that bet!” Vanessa spat in disgust.

" It's not for you to decide, sweetheart.” Mike replied with a smirk, " Once Glorious Corp fails to recover before the deadline…"

His grin grew wide, “You lose. You'll be mine.”

“Keep dreaming!" Anger flashed through Vanessa's eyes as she counted her words painfully, " I will never give in to you.”

“I don't intend for you to do that willingly." Mike chuckled, "I know you are one stubborn little businesswoman. But I also know that you're losing hope.”

" The more your company loses money, the more you're slowly becoming mine.”

Vanessa's eyes darkened.

"Don't forget, ownership of the Imperial Tower has changed hands. Do you still think you have a chance?”

Ethan watched as colour drained from Vanessa's face.

“There will be an increase in rent or worse, renovation. You'll have to vacate the premises."

The word hit like a punch as Vanessa's heart dropped to her stomach.

If Glorious Corp. lost its office location, the company's reputation would collapse completely.

Mike continued confidently with a smirk, seeing that Vanessa was now getting agitated by his words.

"The previous owner was patient enough. Do you really think the new management will continue leasing office space to a failing company?”

The people around nodded to this.

"It must be someone really powerful who bought the Imperial Tower. Those who don't pay will have to leave. I bet she will last here." Someone from the crowd shook his head pitifully.

Mike smirked,

"I heard the new owner is brutal.”

Vanessa swallowed.

“T—that has nothing to do with you.” Her voice shook slightly, yet she tried to be strong.

“Are you sure?" Mike asked with a mocking smile as his eyes travelled across her body, “You still have the opportunity to come to me. I'll make you my plaything."

The words that came out of his mouth caused Ethan to scoff.

He had been watching the show for a while. He should step in. Useless men like this deserve to be put in their place.

Mike heard Ethan's scoff loud and clear. His face twisted into a growl as he looked at Ethan, then locked at Vanessa's hands wrapped around Ethan's.

“How dare you, poor loser, touch my woman?!"

The mechanical voice immediately sounded inside Ethan's head.

[Ding!]

[Rage detected from Mike.]

[+15 Rage Points.]

Ethan smirked.

“Your woman?" Ethan asked. His grip on Vanessa tightened, “Are you sure she is your woman?"

His voice low, his eyes sharp. The aura that followed him made Mike speechless. Ethan was dressed in cheap clothing; he wasn't supposed to possess such an aura.

Mike glared at Ethan before barking at his bodyguards,

“What are you standing there for? Beat this hooligan up!”