Silence settled over the room as all eyes shifted toward Edwin and The old man, waiting to see their response.
For a moment, neither of the two men spoke.
But then… “Hah…” A single chuckle escaped Edwin’s lips, low and sharp as a blade.
“You… unmatched?” he echoed, his tone laced with disdain. “Is that what you truly believe?”
Ethan’s heart pounded harder in his chest, but he forced himself to hold his ground.
“Yes! Unless you can present someone more skilled than me, I refuse to accept your insults!” A tense pause followed his declaration—only to be broken by the sound of old man stepping forward.
“More skilled than you?” The old man’s voice carried a hint of amusement beneath its sternness. He glanced briefly at Edwin before turning his gaze toward Alex Reid.
….
Ethan Carter stood rooted to the spot, his earlier confidence crumbling beneath the weight of Edwin’s words.
“Alex?” he echoed, eyes widening in disbelief. The very notion seemed absurd—impossible even. How could Alex Reid be the one who fuced the Wells family’s Fortune layout?
“No… No way!” Ethan shouted, shaking his head as if to dispel the thought. “That’s impossible! He’s a businessman, not a Fortune master! How could he possibly outperform me?”
His voice echoed through the silent conference room, but the only response he received was a soft, derisive chuckle from Edwin.
“Are you deaf, or just slow to catch?” Edwin asked, folding his arms across his chest. “I said it clearly—Alex’s Fortune skills are leagues beyond yours. And if you’re looking for proof… Well, weren’t you the one who praised the Wells family’s layout as the work of a master?”
Ethan’s breath caught in his throat.
‘Wait… I did say that. Back at the Wells estate, I couldn’t stop marveling at the complexity and brilliance of their Fortune design. But… that was Alex’s work?’
“No! It—it can’t be!” he stammered, eyes darting toward Alex as if searching for a denial that would never come.
“Can’t be?” Edwin sneered. “Funny—you didn’t have any doubts when you were singing its praises. Or have you forgotten how you stood there gawking like a fool, calling it the work of a master… ancient master… or whatever?”
Laughter rippled through the room, harsh and mocking.
“Did he really say that?”
“Yeah! He wouldn’t shut up about how incredible it was. Kept talking like he’d found some long-lost masterpiece!”
“Hah! And now it turns out that so-called masterpiece came from the very man he’s been trying to tear down!”
Ethan’s face burned hotter with every word, but he still clung desperately to the last shreds of his pride.
“Y-You’re lying!” he shouted. “There’s no way someone like Alex Reid could—”
“Is there a problem with that?” The calm voice sliced through Ethan’s rant like a blade. All eyes turned toward Alex, who had finally broken his silence.
Seated at the head of the conference table, Alex met Ethan’s gaze with an expression as still and fathomless as a deep lake.
His posture was relaxed, his tone unhurried, but there was a weight behind his words that seemed to press down on the entire room.
“It was indeed my work that enhanced the Wells family’s Fortune layout,” Alex said simply. “If you need proof, you’re welcome to verify it yourself—though I doubt you’d even recognize half the intricacies involved.”
“You—!” Ethan’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly, but no words came out.
He could feel his carefully constructed world collapsing around him, along with the identity he had built upon his supposed mastery of Fortune skills.
But worst of all was the undeniable truth staring him in the face:
Alex Reid, the man he had looked down upon and dismissed, had just proven himself to be the true master.
As Alex Reid’s calm admission echoed through the room, Ethan Carter’s last shred of dignity crumbled into dust.
‘How… How could this happen?’
His mind raced through the memories of that day at the Wells estate, how he had stood there, overwhelmed by the brilliance of the Fortune design.
Every line, every placement had left him awestruck, convinced that only a legendary master could create something so flawless.
But now… It was him… It was Alex Reid all along.
‘I… I’m supposed to be the chosen one…’ Ethan’s breath hitched as his thoughts spiraled into chaos. ‘The system made me invincible, unstoppable. I could crush anyone and everyone beneath my feet.’
Yet ever since crossing paths with Alex, everything had begun to unravel. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, Alex Reid was always one step ahead.
“Why?” Ethan whispered hoarsely, his chest tightening with rage and despair. “Why is it always you?”
No one answered.
The room was silent save for the murmurs of the gathered executives, each one wearing expressions of disdain and disappointment.
“Look at him… Still throwing a tantrum after everything.”
“Hmph, calling himself a Fortune master? What a joke.”
“I can’t believe we almost sided with this fraud. If it weren’t for Mr. Alex…”
Their scorn pierced Ethan’s pride like a thousand needles.
“Urgh!” Blood rushed to his head. His vision swam. “I can’t accept this… I won’t…” But before he could utter another word…
Thud!
A thick gush of blood burst from his lips, and Ethan crumpled to the floor in an unconscious heap.
“Ethan!” Someone called out, but no one moved to help him. They simply stood there, unmoved by the fallen man at their feet.
At that moment, a mechanical chime echoed within Alex’s mind:
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You have successfully suppressed the Child of Destiny, Ethan Carter.
You have gained 1,888 points of Luck Value.
Notice: Your Luck has now surpassed that of the Child of Destiny. You may now influence and alter the Child of Destiny’s life trajectory.]
This system prompt and message was the one who started the reverse counter of Ethan Carter Life.
Alex’s eyes glinted with a cold satisfaction. ‘So… now I can finally get rid of him, huh?’ He had always known that Ethan’s strange luck made him nearly untouchable in the world if not dealt correctly.
Any attempt to get rid of him would have ended badly. No matter the danger, things always seemed to go Ethan’s way.
But now…
Now, things had changed. That shield of luck was gone, leaving Ethan open and unprotected. Without it, the world was a much riskier place… especially for him.
‘After all, accidents happen all the time, don’t they? A slip on wet stairs, a loose wire, a car that doesn’t stop in time—so many little mistakes, so easy to explain and understand.’
…
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.