However… Just as Ethan turned to leave, his sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure walking toward the entrance.
An elderly man, dressed impeccably in a refined suit, his expression calm but his hands clutching a folder tightly against his chest.
Ethan’s pupils contracted.
Waters. Alex Reid’s trusted man aka also a butler.
Ethan immediately sensed something was off. His eyes flickered downward, to the very folder the old man was holding.
For just a brief second, the edge of a document peeked out from between Mr. Waters’ fingers, and Ethan’s heart nearly skipped a beat.
Because that document looked identical to the patent he had just filed last night. A dark gleam flickered in Ethan’s gaze. He let out a slow, mocking chuckle and strolled forward with a casual arrogance.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Waters. What brings someone as important as you to a place like this? Running errands for your boss?” Mr. Waters’ brows twitched, but he said nothing.
Instead, he subtly pulled the folder closer to his chest, as if trying to shield it from Ethan’s view.
But Ethan had already seen enough. His suspicions were confirmed. His smirk widened, his tone dripping with false politeness.
“Oh, what’s this? Some important documents, I assume?” He let out a mock sigh, shaking his head with exaggerated pity.
“You’d better hold onto those tightly, old man. If something happens to them, Alex is going to be furious, isn’t he?”
His laughter was light, almost playful, but his words were a thinly veiled threat. Mr. Waters face remained calm, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes.
Ethan took one last glance at the folder before turning on his heel and striding away.
His coat billowed behind him as he walked, his steps full of confidence and triumph.
Behind him, Mr. Waters stood frozen in place, gripping the documents so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Ethan didn’t need to look back. Because he already knew… Alex Reid was too late.
As Ethan Carter’s figure disappeared down the hallway, Mr. Waters took a deep breath, steadying his emotions before pulling out his phone.
With practiced precision, he dialed a familiar number. The moment the call connected, his voice lowered, carrying a respectful and cautious tone.
“Sir, as per your instructions… Ethan Carter has successfully submitted the patent for the scar-removal formula.” Mr. Waters informed Alex of the events and then asked for things to do after.
“What are your next orders?”
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by the sound of a pen tapping lightly against a desk.
Then, a calm yet amused voice responded.
“What else?”
Alex Reid’s tone was casual, almost playful, as if he had anticipated this exact outcome.
“File our own patent, of course.” Hearing this, Mr. Waters hesitated for a brief moment, confusion flickering in his mind.
“But, sir… Ethan has already registered the patent. Wouldn’t that mean we can’t submit ours?”
Alex let out a soft chuckle, his confidence unwavering.
“And? Does that mean we’re not allowed to register our own version?” His words were calm, but there was a hidden sharpness behind them—a sharpness that sent a chill down Mr. Waters’ spine.
He furrowed his brows, trying to process the situation, when suddenly—his eyes widened in realization.
Alex’s voice deepened, carrying an undeniable weight.
“The formula I have isn’t just any scar-removal drug. It’s a thousand times more effective than theirs. It heals faster, lasts longer, and most importantly—it costs far less to produce.”
Alex paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in before continuing, his voice now laced with amusement.
“Do you understand the significance of that and where I’m going with this Waters?”
Mr. Waters swallowed hard. The weight of those words—a thousand times more effective—was not an exaggeration.
If what Alex said was true… Then Ethan Carter’s so-called patent victory was nothing more than a meaningless piece of paper.
No matter how fast he had registered it, no matter how well he thought he had played the game—he had already lost before this supposed so-called battle had even begun.
Realization dawned on Mr. Waters, and in that instant, his posture straightened with newfound vision and what Alex was playing.
“Understood, sir! I will guard these documents with my life and ensure our patent is submitted without issue!”
“Hahaha… Now you are just repeating some old movie line Mr. Waters, just submit it as you do, no need to risk your life or anything.
The call ended.
Mr. Waters let out a slow breath and a small chuckle at the last sentence pf Alex and instinctively tightened his grip on the folder, holding it as if it tje most important thing in his life.
He glanced around cautiously before securing the documents under his arm, then strode towards the patent office with a steely resolve in his eyes.
He would not fail.
….
Meanwhile, on the Other Side…
Ethan Carter was completely unaware of what was happening behind the scenes; he didn’t even have the possibility in his mind for something to happen.
The moment he stepped through the front door of his house, Lily was already waiting for him, her eyes filled with excitement and anticipation of hearing the news of their success.
She rushed forward, unable to contain herself.
“Ethan! Did you get it?! Did you manage to file the patent before Alex’s company?”
Ethan smirked, exuding confidence as he casually shrugged off his coat, tossing it onto the couch without a care.
His expression was one of absolute certainty, as if success was never in question.
“Was there ever any doubt?” He crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, letting out a small chuckle.
“You think I’d let someone like Alex Reid outsmart me?” There was a sharp glint in his eyes, the kind of arrogance that came from knowing he had beaten his opponent to the punch even before the game even began.
“Do you even know how much effort I put into making sure this went smoothly? I didn’t just submit the patent—I pulled some strings, called in a few favors, and made sure the process was as smooth as possible and as fast as possible.”
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Bonus Chapters on: 500, 1000, 1500 Power Stones.
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(A/N: Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)
Don’t forget to add this novel to your library and sent some power stones for support if you like the novel.