But a favor?
A favor was a different story entirely.
If the Wells Family owed Ethan a personal debt, then their reputation was at stake. The Wells Family wasn’t just any ordinary wealthy clan—they were one of the great forces in the city.
A family of that stature would never allow their debts to go unpaid, especially not one as public as this.
In other words, if Ethan called upon them for support, the Wells Family would have to back him, no matter the cost.
The realization dawned on everyone at the table.
One of the executives, a man with sharp eyes and a calculating mind, slowly exhaled and muttered under his breath, “If it’s a personal favor… the Wells Family won’t back down. They’ll have to stand with him to the very end.”
Another businessman, one who had been skeptical just moments ago, now looked at Ethan with newfound respect.
Seeing the shifting expressions around him, Ethan knew the time was right to drive his point home. He leaned forward slightly, placing both hands on the table, and spoke in a clear, unwavering tone.
“Now, gentlemen, do you still think I’m not qualified to talk about dividing up Reid Industries’s redevelopment project?”
The room went silent for a few seconds. Then, the atmosphere completely changed.
A boisterous laugh broke the tension. One of the older executives, a man with a broad frame and a hearty voice, clapped his hands together.
“Haha! Ethan, you truly are a young man full of promise!” he declared, his previous doubts now gone. “Reid Industries? Hah! With the Wells Family behind you, Reid Industries is nothing more than prey waiting to be taken!”
Another executive, who had initially dismissed Ethan’s proposal, now grinned and raised his glass.
“If we’re splitting up Reid Industries’s project, count me in! I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to go against them for years!”
One after another, the business leaders voiced their support. The doubt and mockery that had filled the room earlier had vanished, replaced by excitement and ambition.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
….
The morning after the meeting, the business world of city was already in turmoil.
Rumours had spread fast—Ethan had secured the backing of the Wells Family, and now, with the support of dozens of major companies, he was making his move.
At the break of dawn, a convoy of luxury cars pulled up in front of the towering Reid Industries.
CEOs, board directors, and corporate representatives—all figures of great influence—stepped out, their expressions grim and determined.
At the forefront of this strong group stood Ethan, his confidence reaching skies as he led the march straight toward the entrance.
The receptionists at the front desk immediately sensed that something was wrong. It wasn’t every day that this many top business executives arrived together, let alone with such hostility in their eyes.
And the fact that Ethan was leading them? Though they didn’t know Ethan personally but they heard how he was involved in the theft with Lily on Company personal projects.
The staff didn’t dare to delay. One of them immediately picked up the phone and relayed the situation to the highest authority in the building aka Alex.
….
“Oh?” Hearing the report, Alex raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised.
“All of top companies?” he mused, tapping his fingers on the sleek wooden desk. “And Ethan is leading them?”
For a brief moment, he seemed to consider the situation seriously. But then, as if losing interest, he let out a light chuckle and leaned back into his chair.
“Interesting.” He wasn’t the least bit concerned. In fact, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“Waters,” he called out to the elderly butler standing nearby. “Arrange for them to be seated in the conference room.”
“Understood, Sir,” Mr. Waters responded respectfully.
As the butler turned to leave, Alex added casually, “Tell them I’ll be with them shortly… after I finish up here.”
From an outsider’s perspective, one might assume Alex was caught in an urgent business meeting or handling critical company affairs.
But in reality? He was playing a very simple game where the opponent is so prideful that he thinks he won’t make any mistake despite his past.
That was the game was playing in real life, but he was playing another game at the moment on his computer screen.
With a relaxed posture, he continued clicking away at his screen, completely unbothered by the storm brewing in his own headquarters. He played a couple of matches, leisurely enjoying himself, until half an hour had passed.
Only then did he finally stand, stretch lazily, and make his way toward the top-floor conference room.
The air inside the meeting room was thick with tension. The assembled executives were clearly growing impatient.
For half an hour, they had been left waiting, their frustrations mounting with every passing minute.
Just as murmurs of irritation began to spread, the double doors swung open.
Alex strolled in, exuding an air of effortless confidence. Dressed in a crisp, tailored suit, he carried himself as if he owned the entire room—which, in truth, he did.
His sharp eyes briefly swept over the crowd before he plastered on a deliberately insincere smile.
“Ah, my apologies, gentlemen!” he greeted with mock enthusiasm. “I’ve been quite busy, so I hope you all didn’t mind the wait long for me!”
His voice was light, almost playful, but there was an unmistakable arrogance in his tone.
Then, shifting his gaze to his butler, he added with feigned disapproval, “Waters, what’s going on here? Our distinguished guests have been waiting so long, yet you haven’t even served them drinks or anything? People might start thinking Reid Industries is so poor we can’t even afford hospitality!”
The sarcasm was as clear as day.
The businessmen’s faces darkened instantly. They had come here to negotiate, perhaps even threaten, but instead, they were being mocked.
Ethan, who had been suppressing his anger since stepping into the building, finally lost his patience.
“Enough with the act, Alex!” he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. “We’re not here for drinks or small talk!”
…
Bonus Chapters on: 500, 1000, 1500 Power Stones.
…
(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.