The Rage Bait System

Chapter Seven

Vanessa stepped into the office and froze when she saw Ethan seeing behind the desk.

"E—Ethan?” Her eyes grew wide in shock.

"Miss Vanessa, meet the new owner of Imperial Tower, Mr. Ethan.” Henry announced.

Vanessa gasps in shock.

Her eyes remained on Ethan, who stared back at her with amusement.

The man who had helped her outside… was actually the new owner of Imperial Tower.

She suddenly recalled everything she had said outside. Her face burned with embarrassment. She had even offered him her business card.

With the way he was dressed so casually, no one would have guessed.

Finally, she forced herself to move forward and bowed,

“Chairman Ethan, I… I didn't know—"

“It's alright." Ethan waved it off with a smile.

“I know the situation you're facing in your company. I am willing to allow you to stay until you are able to pay."

“What?!" The yell came from both angles.

Henry and Vanessa.

They couldn't believe that Ethan was actually doing that without any explanation.

Vanessa stared at Ethan in shock. She wasn't even allowed to recite all she had rehearsed.

He agreed to help her just like that.

‘Why?’ she wondered. ‘Was it because of what happened outside?’

" I admire your hard work and persistence.” Ethan continued. “As you should know. It is because of your character that I'm willing to help you. In fact, I'd like us to talk more about business."

He stretched his hand towards the chair opposite him, gesturing to Vanessa to sit.

Vanessa stood frozen in one spot. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Henry cleared his throat, “Miss Vanessa." He called.

Vanessa blinked the tears away, “Yes." She sat down.

"I would like to invest in your company, Miss Vanessa.”

Vanessa's heart skipped. She looked at Ethan in shock as she pointed at herself.

“Yes." Ethan nodded. “I want to invest two million into your company."

Vanessa's eyes widened.

Even Henry was shocked.

That amount was enough to solve nearly all of Glorious Corp's immediate problems.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Vanessa finally recovered.

"Chairman Ethan..." She looked at him seriously, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"But why?"

Why would someone invest such a huge amount into a company that everyone believed was dying?

Ethan smiled.

“Most people invest in successful companies. I prefer investing in capable people. Companies can recover. Characters are much harder to find.”

Vanessa stared at him.

No investor had spoken those words to her before. Most only cared about profits. Others treated her like a burden.

Yet this man was willing to support her. Her heart felt strangely warm.

"In exchange, I want shares," Ethan explained.

Vanessa quickly nodded, “I won't cheat you.”

"Fifteen percent.”

Henry gasped.

Vanessa's eyes widened.

The percentage Ethan requested was far too small. Compared to the money he was investing, it wasn't a fair deal at all.

In fact, Ethan was practically giving her free money.

"Chairman Ethan." She looked up seriously, "This won't work."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, "Why not?"

"The amount you're investing is too large for 15 percent shares,” she explained, "You deserve more shares than this."

"So you're trying to give away your company to me?" Ethan chuckled, but Vanessa didn't smile.

"I'm serious. I’ll give you twenty-five percent.”

"I refuse." Ethan replied calmly but firmly, "The percentage stays exactly as it is."

Ethan leaned back on his chair. "I'm investing in your future, not your current balance sheet.”

Vanessa was touched by his words. She sighed after a while,

" Fine.” She finally agreed.

" Good.” Ethan turned to Henry, " Prepare the official contract.”

" Y–yes sir." Henry replied, shocked at what had just happened.

“Thank you." Vanessa blinked back her tears, “Thank you so much."

Her heart was light. This was too stress-free and easy. No matter how she looked at it, Ethan was clearly helping her.

" You're welcome, Miss Vanessa,” Ethan replied as he reached to shake hands with her.

Vanessa reciprocated before standing to her feet,

" I'll take my leave first.”

The moment she left the office, Ethan stood to his feet as well.

He looked at his wristwatch; he still had to go to the hospital to visit Jenna.

Ethan left the office and headed downstairs. He was already running late for the hospital.

Just then, he heard someone call from behind,

“Isn't that Ethan?"

He cannot miss the voice.

He turned to see his ex-girlfriend, Lucy. Beside her was Lucas. The useless boyfriend.

The couple approached hand in hand.

His mood almost turned foul, but recalling that beating them earlier had led to him being the chairman of Imperial Tower, he smirked.

" What are you smiling about?” Lucy asked with sharp eyes.

Ethan's eyes roamed over Lucas's face. A bandage covered one side of his face and the other, bruises.

Not to mention the injuries hidden beneath his clothes. He had beaten Lucas really well.

" Are you guys just coming from the hospital?” Ethan asked.

" You—!” Lucy pointed at Ethan. But she calmed herself as she folded her hands,

" Well, yes.” She replied with a smirk. She looked unusually confident, as if she had found something worth bragging about.

Ethan had a feeling she was up to no good.

"Lucas is the CEO of one of the companies here at the Imperial Tower. I know you do not have an idea what that is like.”

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

While Lucas straightened his back, a proud expression appeared on his face.

"He still has to come to work, unlike you, who is jobless and broke.”

"The entire third floor in this largest commercial property belongs to my boyfriend. He runs a company raking in millions.”

“Is that so?" Ethan glanced at the building behind him.

“Of course." Lucas scoffed, “But it's not something I can explain to you because a loser like you won't understand."

Lucy nodded. “Yes. He is too shallow."

Ethan sighed and shook his head.

“What?” Lucy snapped.

" I am just wondering how two people can be so proud while surviving entirely on stolen money and borrowed achievements.”

The smile on Lucy and Lucas’s faces vanished.

" What did you just say?!” Lucy's voice rose.

“You heard me.”

The surrounding pedestrians immediately looked over. Some even stopped walking. The crowd was beginning to gather to listen.

Lucy's face turned red.

" You—!”

[Ding!]

[Rage detected from Lucy.]

[+30 Rage Points.]

Lucas stepped forward as he pointed at Ethan, "Watch your mouth."

Ethan laughed, "Or what?"

Lucas's expression darkened, “You think you're impressive because you got lucky once? Do not forget you're in my territory now."

Ethan almost burst into laughter.

“Whose territory?” He asked, amused, " Yours?”

He didn't wait for Lucas to answer as he stepped forward and asked, " And who said I was lucky? You were simply too weak."

The veins on Lucas's forehead bulged.

[Ding!]

[Rage detected from Lucas.]

[+40 Rage Points.]

Lucy hissed in rage, "Lucas earns more in a month than you'll ever see in your entire life!"

" Is that so?” Ethan asked, " Then, why did you guys decide to steal someone's savings?"

He shrugged, not waiting for his reply, he added, "At least, I earned my money without getting punched into a new facial structure."

Several people nearby burst into laughter.

Lucas took a step forward, and his fists trembled violently.

[Ding!]

[+50 Rage Points.]

Lucy and Lucas looked furiously at Ethan.

But Ethan couldn't care less. Rather, he was thoroughly enjoying how angry they were becoming.

What a wonderful system.

"You bastard!" Lucas roared.

Ethan shrugged, "I'd rather be a bastard than a thief."

Lucy's entire body trembled, "You have no right to judge us!"

Ethan tilted his head. He stepped forward, causing Lucy to step back. She held Lucas.

" You stole my savings, tried to steal my house, and now acting all righteous. That's impressive.”

[Rage detected from Lucy.]

[+40 Rage Points.]

Ethan clicked his tongue.

"Your level of shamelessness is truly inspiring."

Lucy's face burned with humiliation.

[Rage detected from Lucas.]

[+60 Rage Points.]

“That's it!" Lucas finally snapped, "Security!"

His voice echoed through the lobby.

In less than a minute, several security guards rushed over.

Lucas didn't waste time. He pointed at Ethan, “Throw this church rat out of here!"

“What the hell is happening?!" It was Manager Henry.