2024-11-04 23:19:26Amanda held up the luxury handbag, twirling it with a radiant smile.
“Johnson, isn’t it stunning? This bag would be perfect for me! You wouldn’t want me to leave without it, would you?”
Johnson laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Amanda, didn’t I… just get you that luxury car last week? Maybe we could take it easy for a bit?”
She pouted, her eyes widening in exaggerated disappointment.
“Oh, Johnson, it’s just one little handbag. Imagine how perfect it would look with my wardrobe. Plus, everyone would know I’m spoiled by you. Don’t you want that?”
Johnson hesitated, glancing at the price tag.
This would go over my budget, he thought. If he gave in, he’d risk his dad’s wrath for overspending again.
“Well…” He stalled, trying to think of a way out.
“I mean, it’s… beautiful, but maybe we could find something similar, but, you know… less?”
Amanda’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Less? Johnson, it’s not about the price; it’s about showing that you care. Are you telling me you can’t get me a simple bag?”
He chuckled, desperate for an escape.
“It’s not that I can’t, Amanda. I just… think we’ve done enough splurging this month. Let’s keep a little surprise for next time, alright?”
Amanda rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically.
“Fine, but just know everyone’s going to think you’re frugal.”
Johnson forced a smile, relieved but feeling the sting of her comment.
“Max?” she sneered, her voice loud enough to catch his attention.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you? Are you following me again?”
Max looked up, his brows arching in disbelief.
“Following you? Amanda, you’re out of your mind. I didn’t even know you were here.”
“Oh, please.” Amanda let out a laugh that dripped with contempt.
“It’s almost impressive how shameless you are. I can’t go anywhere without seeing you lurking around, like some stray dog hoping for scraps.”
Max clenched his jaw, feeling his patience wear thin.
“Amanda, not everything is about you. I’m here with Emily, shopping. I don’t care where you are.”
Amanda scoffed, glancing at Emily with a pitying look.
“Oh, shopping. How cute. Emily, do you even know who you’re with?” She smirked.
“Max can barely afford coffee, let alone anything in a store like this. I mean, I can’t stand people like him—those who think they can sneak into places where they clearly don’t belong.”
Max took a deep breath, his eyes cold as he looked at Amanda.
“Listen, Amanda, no one’s sneaking anywhere. Unlike some people, I don’t need to announce my arrival with a fanfare and a luxury handbag.”
Amanda gave a mocking laugh, linking her arm tighter with Johnson.
“Please, Max. This store is meant for people like me and Johnson—people who can actually afford to be here, not… whatever it is you do.”
“People like you?” Max shot back, eyebrows raised.
“You mean people who don’t know the difference between luxury and common decency?”
Amanda’s face reddened, but she recovered quickly, patting Johnson’s arm.
“Max, I know this might be hard for you to understand, but I have standards. I don’t settle. Unlike… well, you.”
Emily, sensing the tension, took a step forward with a small, amused smile.
“Actually, Amanda, I’m here with Max. He brought me to this store, and he offered to buy me something I liked.”
Amanda’s eyes widened, her gaze flicking between Emily and Max.
“Oh, so he’s trying to impress you? That’s… adorable. But you’ll find out soon enough, Max’s little… odd jobs can barely cover a sale rack, let alone something from this store.”
Emily shrugged, smiling politely.
“I don’t think that’s for you to decide. Max has been very generous.”
Amanda’s smile turned colder.
“Max, generous?” She laughed, tilting her head at Max with a mocking glint in her eye.
“Oh, honey, generosity requires money. Something you… don’t exactly have.”
Max smiled coolly, unbothered by Amanda’s words.
“Amanda, for someone who’s so into wealth, you sure don’t seem to get it. Money isn’t everything. Some of us don’t need to use it as a personality trait.”
Amanda’s face flushed, but she tightened her grip on Johnson’s arm, ignoring the jab.
“Right. It’s not everything—it’s the only thing,” she replied smugly.
“Which is why people like me and Johnson shop here. Unlike you.”
Johnson, who’d been mostly silent and trying to avoid the awkwardness, looked around for an exit, but he couldn’t help glancing at Emily.
“Um, Amanda, maybe we should… you know… just let them do their thing?”
Amanda glared at him before returning her attention to Max.
“See, Max? Even Johnson agrees. Just because you’re in the same store doesn’t mean you can afford anything here.”
Max chuckled, reaching into his wallet and pulling out a sleek black card.
He held it up with a smirk. “
Guess I’ll have to prove you wrong then, Amanda. I’ll take that handbag you’re clinging to so desperately… for Emily.”
Amanda’s eyes went wide, her confidence flickering.
“You… you’re buying that handbag? For her?” She looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“What is that, some prank card? There’s no way you’re actually paying for this.”
Max shrugged, his smirk widening. “Let’s see, shall we?”
The store clerk stepped forward, taking the card from Max with a nod and beginning to process the transaction.
Amanda stood frozen, her hand tightening on Johnson’s arm.
“Johnson, he’s just doing this to show me up,” she hissed, trying to regain her composure.
“Say something!”
Johnson’s eyes widened as Max held up the sleek black card, the rare, coveted piece of luxury reserved for the elite of the elite.
But almost immediately, his lips twisted into a sneer.
“Oh, please,” Johnson said, chuckling.
“A black card? Did you pick that up off the sidewalk, Max? I’ve seen props in cheap magic tricks that look more realistic than that.”
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Amanda joined in, rolling her eyes. “It’s probably a piece of plastic from a toy store. Come on, Max. You’re really out here trying to fool people?”The other shoppers had started to take notice, their whispers creating a soft buzz of judgment in the air. Max stood quietly, the black card held loosely between his fingers."Max," Emily whispered urgently beside him, "you don't have to do this. Let me—"Johnson cut her off with an exaggerated gasp. "Emily, dear, don't tell me you actually believe this circus act? Look at him! He probably colored a regular card with a Sharpie!""The craftsmanship is quite poor, if you ask me," Amanda chimed in, examining her reflection in a nearby mirror. "You can practically see the marker strokes."Emily's face flushed as she reached for her purse. "I can handle this," she said quietly to Max. "There's no need to—""To embarrass himself further?" Johnson interjected, slapping his knee. "Oh no, please let him continue! This is better than dinner theater
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The machine beeped loudly, and the dreaded word flashed across the screen in unforgiving red: DECLINED.Max felt the weight of that single word hit him, his confidence momentarily shaken.He frowned, glancing down at his black card, disbelief flickering across his face.From behind him, a loud, exaggerated laugh echoed through the store. Amanda stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a cruel amusement.“Oh, look at Mr. High Roller. Can’t even afford a little shopping spree? Poor Max!”Johnson chimed in, crossing his arms and smirking.“Guess it’s true what they say, huh? All bark, no bite. Or should I say, all card, no cash?”Bystanders, intrigued by the commotion, paused in their own shopping to watch the scene unfold.Their whispers grew louder, blending with Amanda and Johnson’s taunts.“Isn’t that the guy who’s always bragging about his car?” one bystander murmured.“Yeah, what a fake,” someone else agreed. “Probably rented the suit, too.”Max tried to ignore the whispers and forc
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Max handed over a sleek, metallic card to Mr. Collins, the store manager.The manager's eyes widened slightly as he received the card, and his fingers trembled slightly as he inspected it.The unique design, the modest insignia—they were recognizable. This was no ordinary card.How could he get anything like this?Mr. Collins' eyes flickered up, assessing Max with curiosity and skepticism.Could he truly be important?"Excuse me," Mr. Collins said, his voice hesitant."This is a very rare card. How did you get it?Max grinned calmly. "This is mine. Is there an issue?"Mr. Collins gulped, his attention returning to the card.He'd heard rumors that a strong family's ownership had lately been passed to an unknown heir—a young guy whose name was kept secret.Could it be him?"None at all, sir.I just didn’t expect..." He stopped himself, recognizing how rude his first reply must have been. He straightened his posture and adopted a more professional demeanor."I apologize, Mr. Max. Please l
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"Is that... Max?" Amanda whispered to Johnson, her perfectly manicured nails digging into his arm as they watched Max being escorted into the private shopping room. "Why would they even let him in there?"The boutique's crystal chandeliers cast elegant shadows across the marble floor as Max disappeared behind the mahogany doors with the store manager hovering attentively beside him."Probably just window shopping," Johnson scoffed, adjusting his designer watch. "You know how these stores let anyone in these days."The manager quickly escorted Max to the VIP lounge, his hand hovering nervously behind Max's back. The exclusive space was a stark contrast to the chaotic scene outside – all leather chairs, dim lighting, and soft jazz playing in the background."Please, Mr. Max, make yourself comfortable. I'll handle your withdrawal personally," the manager said, gesturing to a plush armchair. "Can I get you anything? Perhaps our finest scotch?"Max settled into the chair with a slight smir
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The glass doors of the luxury boutique swung shut behind them as Emily and Max stepped onto the bustling sidewalk.The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the designer shopping bags they carried, and a gentle breeze ruffled Emily's perfectly styled hair."I have to say," Emily began, her lips curving into an amused smile, "when I first spotted you in those clothes earlier, I was all set to play fairy godmother. But it seems my charity services aren't needed after all, Mr. College Student."The way she emphasized the last words made Max chuckle. The shopping bags in his hands rustled as he shifted his weight, designer labels catching the sunlight."About that..." Max started, preparing to explain his true identity.The weight of his American Express Black card seemed heavier in his pocket after the day's events."No, really," Emily continued, her eyes twinkling with genuine interest."Most college students I know are surviving on ramen noodles and student loans. But here you ar
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"This has nothing to do with you."Max stood his ground and said, "It is now. You went too far. She did something wrong. It doesn’t give you the right to treat her badly like this."Elliot Stoke fiddled with his expensive watch in a fake-calm way."Do you know who I am? No one dares talk to me like that!""You messed up someone you shouldn’t have. How much are these shoes?" He made a big gesture to point to the scratched leather. "One of a kind, limited edition, and worth more than you can imagine. And she messed them up."Max looked at the shoes with a bored look on his face."Perhaps you wouldn’t be acting this way if you spent less on shoes and more on learning how to be decent."The man was very angry, as you can see."Do you really think that talking about your shoes will scare me away?" Max responded with his eyebrows raised. "Is that all you have?"The man sneered and laughed in a mean way."Do you think this is a joke? I'm going to make her pay every penny. She doesn’t belong
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“How dare you insult my shoes!”Elliot sneered and looked at Max's shoes with a look of pure disgust on his face. "What are those on your feet? Did you get them for a low price?"Max looked down at his worn-out shoes. They weren't brand new, but they had served him well for years. He turned around and looked back at the man. "They are fine.""'Just fine,'" the man said again, his face twisting into a grin. "Maybe to someone like you. But real men—real men with money—don't wear rags.” He put out his leg and showed off his shoes, which sparkled in the diner lights because they were shiny. "These? Ten million dollars is how much they're worth.”A lot of people gasped, and whispers went around the room. Everyone looked at Max, whose quiet appearance stood out against the man's flashy clothes. Some people leaned in close and asked, "Is he really that poor?Perhaps he's just trying to get the waitress's attention."As the conversation went on, the waitress hovered nearby and watched with
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The bunker’s silence was suffocating.Max’s fingers hovered over the button, every muscle in his body screaming for him to end this.One press.One moment.Elliot’s empire—gone.Emily, bruised and breathless, rushed into the chamber first, Red Fang and Molly behind her.“Max!” she gasped, eyes darting between him and Elliot. “Do it. End this.”Red Fang, ever the pragmatist, cocked his gun. “Push the damn button, boss.”Molly’s gaze flickered to the mainframe. “We don’t even know what wiping it will trigger.”Max knew that.That’s why he wasn’t pressing it.Something wasn’t right.Elliot, bloody but smirking, watched him carefully.“You hesitate,” he murmured. “Smart.”Emily’s breath hitched. “Max, don’t listen to him.”Elliot’s smirk widened.“You think I built this entire empire just for it to collapse with me?” His bruised fingers tapped the device in his palm. “Go ahead. Destroy it. But you won’t be stopping anything.”Max’s grip tightened.“Then what am I stopping?”Elliot chuckle
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The bunker loomed before them, half-buried beneath ice and reinforced steel. The frozen wind howled across the tundra, but Max barely felt it.He could only see one thing.The entrance to Project Nemesis.Red Fang, Emily, and Orlov’s strike team flanked him. The Russian general’s men were hardened operatives, armed to the teeth.“Thermal scans show minimal movement inside,” Molly reported through the comms. “But that’s impossible. Elliot wouldn’t leave this place unguarded.”Max’s jaw tightened.“He’s waiting.”Emily’s hand hovered over her gun.“So what’s the play?”Max stepped forward.“No more tricks,” he said. “I go in alone.”The bunker’s inner doors slid open, revealing a massive, circular chamber bathed in dim, blue light.And at its center—Elliot.Standing alone, dressed in a black combat shirt, his expression calm.Waiting.“You made it,” Elliot said smoothly. “Was starting to think you’d given up.”Max stepped forward, muscles coiled.“No more games.”Elliot smirked.“No. J
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Max’s eyelids cracked open, and the first thing he felt was pain.His wrists were bound.His head throbbed.His breath came out in short, sharp bursts, the frigid air burning his lungs.The room was concrete and steel, dimly lit by a single overhead bulb.A black site.Siberia.He flexed his fingers, feeling the bite of handcuffs against his skin.Across from him, Emily and Red Fang sat in matching restraints, their eyes flicking toward him as he stirred.Emily’s lip was split. Red Fang’s knuckles were bruised.Max let out a slow, steady breath.Elliot had planned for this.And now?Now they were in his trap.The heavy door groaned open.A man strode in—tall, broad, and radiating pure military authority.General Dmitri Orlov.His icy blue eyes swept over them, calculating, judging.He stopped before Max, arms crossed.“I should execute you where you sit,” Orlov said in flawless English.Max didn’t flinch.“You’d be making a mistake.”Orlov’s expression didn’t change.“You are Maxwell
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The skyline of Dubai gleamed under the desert moon, an empire of glass and steel stretching toward the heavens.At its peak stood the Desert Crown, a private skyscraper Elliot had turned into his personal fortress.Tonight, Max was walking straight into it.Max adjusted his collar, stepping out of the sleek black car that had been provided for him.No weapons.No backup.No second chances.Elliot had made that clear.The building’s penthouse elevator was already waiting.Red Fang’s voice crackled through the hidden earpiece.“You sure about this, boss?”Max stepped inside.“No.”The elevator doors sealed shut, carrying him into the lion’s den.The penthouse was a study in excess. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering skyline, the city pulsing with unmatched wealth and power.And at the center of it all—Elliot.Sitting in a high-backed chair, dressed in a custom black suit, a drink in hand, smirking like he’d already won.Emily was nowhere to be seen.Max’s fists clenched.
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The screen on Viktor’s phone lit up.A live news broadcast.Max turned his head slightly—and felt his blood go cold.His own face flashed across the screen.BREAKING NEWS:“Interpol confirms Maxwell Montgomery is in possession of a classified bioweapon. Global alert issued. Immediate capture or termination authorized.”Max’s heartbeat thundered.No.Elliot’s voice hummed through the line.“You see, Max… while you were busy looking for me?”The smirk was almost audible.“I made the world believe you’re the real threat.”Viktor gave him a mocking shrug.“Sorry, Max. It’s just business.”Gunfire roared through the abandoned warehouse, bullets sparking off rusted steel beams as Max dove for cover behind a stack of shipping crates. The acrid stench of gunpowder filled the air, mingling with the heavy scent of betrayal.Red Fang was already firing back, his rifle barking as he clipped one of Viktor’s men.But it wasn’t enough.They were outnumbered.And worse—Emily was gone.“Max, we gotta
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CHAPTER 210
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