Kurt narrowed his eyes at Max, his frown deepening."You really think you can pull this off, huh?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief."No way someone like you can afford this kind of lifestyle."Max didn’t even flinch, his calm demeanor only making Kurt more annoyed.You’re just upset because I’m actually going to enjoy myself," Max replied "Well," Kurt started, his voice oozing with condescension,"since you think you’re so rich, how about we start with a bottle of the finest wine on the menu?"He grinned, certain that Max would falter at the price.Max’s lips curled into a smile, but there was no hesitation in his eyes. "One bottle? That’s barely enough to wet your whistle," he said, his voice light."Give us ten bottles."A stunned silence fell over the table.Ten bottles of wine?The total would cost more than some of their entire tuition fees.Kurt’s face instantly went pale, his eyes widening as his pulse quickened."T-ten?" he stammered."Y-you want ten bottles?"Max’s
The room buzzed with conversation as the classmates enjoyed the lavish meal.Plates were cleared, wine glasses refilled, and laughter echoed around the Supreme Room.Most of them, enchanted by the experience, paid no attention to the impending drama about the bill.Max, however, sat relaxed, his expression unreadable, while Kurt squirmed in his seat.The waitress walked in, her smile polished and professional.“Gentlemen, your total comes to $160,000. How would you like to settle the bill?”At her words, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to Max and Kurt.Max leaned back casually, pulling out a sleek black card from his wallet.“I’ll cover my half,” he said, sliding the card across the table.Kurt’s eyes widened like a startled owl, his lips twitching with disbelief.He broke the silence with a forced laugh.“A black card? Max, are you serious? That thing probably has less value than my little cousin’s toy credit card. Did you buy it at a flea market?”The room erupted into chuckle
Kurt’s head snapped toward the door, his eyes narrowing.“Security? What’s that for? I’m paying, alright? No need to call the zoo keepers!”The waitress, who was clearly enjoying the spectacle, chimed in with a playful tone.“Oh, no, sir. It’s just protocol for situations like this. You know, in case someone tries to duck out without paying. Not that you’d do that, of course.”Another student piped up, grinning mischievously.“Kurt, you’re not planning to bolt, are you? You’d make a great cheetah with those long legs, but I don’t think you’d outrun them.”“Shut up!” Kurt snapped, his face turning beet red.“I’m not running anywhere! I just need to—ugh—sort out some funds.”“Funds?” a girl from the back of the group teased, giggling.“I thought you were loaded, Kurt. Or were you bluffing like a puffed-up peacock?”Kurt glared at her, his pride rapidly deflating.“I said I’ve got it!” he barked, though his voice trembled.Max’s voice cut through the laughter, smooth and confident.“Kurt
The waitress glanced at Kurt with an air of restrained pity.“Sir, it appears you’re unable to cover your bill. Shall I call the manager, or will you be making alternative arrangements?”Kurt, sweating profusely, tugged at his collar as if it had turned into a noose.His credit cards lay lifeless on the table, rejected one after the other like a failed audition.“I-I’ll figure something out,” he stammered, though his voice wavered like a frightened lamb lost in a field of wolves.Max, who had been watching the fiasco with a barely concealed grin, finally stood.“Alright, I’ll pay for him this time,” he announced, pulling out his sleek black card and handing it to the waitress.“But only because I don’t want this circus act to drag on any longer.”The waitress’s demeanor shifted instantly.“Thank you, sir,” she said, her smile now warmer as she processed the payment.Kurt’s head snapped toward Max.“I didn’t ask for your help!” he barked, his voice cracking like an agitated rooster try
The restroom door swung open with a squeak as the class monitor, Lisa, stepped inside, flanked by two of her female classmates.They positioned themselves in front of the mirror, each pulling out their makeup kits."Did you see Max back there?" Lisa asked, dabbing some powder on her cheeks."He's acting... different. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but he doesn't seem like the same guy who used to work all those odd jobs."One of the girls, Jessica, rolled her eyes."Different? Please, Lisa. A monkey wearing a suit is still a monkey. Just because he flashed some cash tonight doesn't mean he's suddenly royalty.""Right," chimed in another girl, Vanessa, as she applied a fresh coat of lipstick."Max can buy himself a nice dinner, but he'll always have that street rat vibe. You can dress up a stray cat, but it still meows the same."Lisa frowned at them in the mirror."You two are so judgmental. Maybe he's been saving up or came into some money. You can't deny he handled Kurt pretty we
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway as a group of classmates burst out of the restroom, their faces pale and panicked."Help! Someone help!" one of the girls screamed, her voice trembling.“What’s going on?” Kevin asked, rushing toward the commotion.“It’s Lisa!” the girl panted.“A gang cornered her in the restroom! The leader slapped her, and now they’re threatening her!”A collective gasp rippled through the gathered students. Kevin’s eyes widened in alarm.“What? Are you serious? Where is she now?”“They dragged her into the hallway,” another classmate added, her voice shaky.“They’re saying she dared to slap their leader, and now they’re going to make her pay.”Kurt, who was sulking near the side after his earlier humiliation, perked up at the mention of a gang. Smoothing his jacket, he strode forward with a practiced smirk.“A gang, huh? No problem. I know people in the underworld. Whoever they are, they’ll give me face. I’ll handle it.”Kevin spun toward Kurt,
The atmosphere in the dimly lit alley was suffocating.The class monitor, Lisa, huddled against the wall, her tear-streaked face filled with terror.Three gangsters loomed over her, laughing crudely.Their leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered as he grabbed her wrist.“You’ve got guts, princess,” the leader jeered, his voice dripping with malice.“Slapping me in front of my men? You’ll pay for that—one piece of dignity at a time.”Lisa struggled, her voice cracking.“Let me go! Someone will come for me!”The gang burst into laughter. One of the lackeys, a wiry man with a hyena-like grin, cackled.“Who’s gonna save you? That pack of kittens you call classmates?”As the leader tugged at the fabric of her blouse, Lisa screamed.“Please, don’t! Somebody, help me!”Right then, Kurt’s voice rang out from the entrance of the alley.“Stop right there!”Lisa’s tear-filled eyes lit up with hope.“Kurt! Thank God! Help me, please!”Kurt sauntered into the alley, trying
The class monitor, Lisa, stood trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at Red Fang.The gang leader leaned back lazily against the wall, his wolfish grin taunting her.His men chuckled and leered, their laughter echoing in the dimly lit alley.Red Fang glanced at Kurt, who was still frozen in place.“Tell you what, peacock boy,” he said with a mocking smirk, “since you’re her ‘knight in shining feathers,’ I’ll give you a chance. Pay me—let’s say... $10,000—and I’ll forget this little incident ever happened.”Kurt’s eyes widened in panic.“T-Ten thousand? Are you insane?” he stammered, his voice cracking.Red Fang shrugged, his grin widening.“Cheap price for a friend, don’t you think? Or would you rather I let my boys have their fun? I bet she’d fetch a nice profit in certain markets.”Lisa gasped in horror, clutching her chest as the gangsters laughed cruelly.“Come on, Kurt!” Lisa cried, her voice breaking. “You promised you’d help me! Please!”Kurt’s mind raced.H
Emily looked at Kurt, a frown forming on her face."Don’t talk to him like that," she said, her voice firm as she stood closer to Max."Max is more than deserving of being here, and you don’t get to insult him."Kurt couldn’t believe what he was hearing.Emily was standing up for Max? The same Max who had humiliated him?Before Kurt could say anything else, he felt a cold gaze fall on him."You really think you can be so careless, don’t you?" Johnson said, addressing Emily as if she were a child who had misbehaved."You’re standing up for someone like him? You should know your place."He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I’d be careful, Emily. If you keep defending him, I might just let the Montgomery family know about your little... Rose family."Emily blinked, surprised by his sudden change in tone."What are you talking about, Johnson?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion."I’m talking about the Montgomerys and their cooperation with your Rose family," Johnson said, hi
Kurt’s face turned red as he clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his composure."What are you doing here, Max?" Kurt snapped, unable to hide his disdain."Did they run out of animals for the zoo, so they invited a stray dog like you?"Max chuckled, not bothered by the insult in the slightest."I don’t know, Kurt. Maybe I’m the one who’s been invited to this fancy banquet, while you’re still licking your wounds from our last ‘meal’ together. How’s that going, by the way?"At that moment, Emily, who had been standing nearby with some of the other guests, noticed the tension between the two men.Her gaze shifted between Max and Kurt, her brow furrowing in confusion."Are you both invited here?" Emily asked, walking over to stand beside Max, clearly curious. She didn't expected that Max would be here.Max turned to her with a playful glint in his eye."Oh, nothing. Just a little walk down memory lane with our dear friend Kurt here." He turned back to Kurt, his voice louder this time."Yo
Kurt nodded, trying to absorb what Johnson was saying."I understand. Loyalty and discretion. I can handle that, no problem." He gave a confident smile, hoping it didn’t sound too rehearsed."Good," Johnson said, his tone approving."Just remember, it’s not about who you know—it’s about how you handle yourself. If you want to work with them, you have to show that you’re trustworthy. One wrong move, and it’s over.""I get it, Mr. Kingsley," Kurt said quickly, his voice steady."I’ve learned that the hard way in business before. I won’t make the same mistakes."Johnson patted him on the back."I’m sure you won’t. You’ve got the right attitude. Now, let’s see what happens.""Thank you again, Mr. Kingsley. I really can’t express how much I appreciate this," Kurt said, standing taller, feeling a rush of excitement. He knew this was his big chance.Amanda, now looking a bit more interested, spoke again."By the way, there’s something else you should know. The Montgomerys are making a big an
The grand hall of the Montgomery estate was alive with chatter and laughter as people mingled in groups.The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, lighting up the golden decorations that sparkled around the room.Kurt adjusted his tie nervously.He had been looking for Johnson Kingsley and his girlfriend, Amanda, all afternoon.Finally, he spotted them standing near a group of influential guests."Ah, there he is," Kurt muttered to himself as he began making his way over to them.As Kurt approached, Johnson noticed him first. He smiled broadly and waved."Kurt! I was wondering when you'd show up," he said, extending his hand.Kurt shook his hand with enthusiasm, a bright smile on his face."Mr. Kingsley, it’s such an honor to see you. Always a pleasure," he said, the words flowing easily.Amanda, standing beside Johnson, gave Kurt a polite smile but didn’t say much.She was used to these types of interactions and didn’t seem particularly impressed.Kurt kept his focus on J
Red Fang, still trembling from the earlier ordeal, bowed so low his nose nearly scraped the ground.His voice was shaky but laced with desperate gratitude."Young master, thank you for your mercy! I swear I’ll release the girl immediately, and I’ll make sure the one who dared to kidnap her learns his lesson. He’ll regret the day he was born!"Max leaned back against a nearby wall, arms crossed, his expression one of amused indifference."You should regret your choices too, Fang. But I suppose there’s hope for you yet. Show me that you can follow through, and maybe, just maybe, I won’t remember tonight as the day I should’ve crushed you like the bug you are.""Of course, young master! I’ll handle it personally!" Red Fang snapped his fingers, gesturing frantically to his men."Bring the girl here! And get that idiot who took her—tie him up and drag him out!"The thugs scrambled to obey, their earlier bravado replaced by sheer terror.Two of them disappeared into a side room, and moments
Winston's expression darkened as he adjusted his pristine white gloves, his voice cutting through the warehouse air like a steel blade."Since you seem woefully ignorant of whose time you're wasting, allow me to educate you. I am Winston, chief butler of the Montgomery family."The Red Fang, who had been sneering just moments before, froze mid-gesture. His face twitched as the implications sank in."The Montgomery family," Winston continued, each word dripping with calculated disdain."Isn't some neighborhood social club you can extort for pocket change. We're the kind of family that makes people like you disappear with a phone call. And yet here you are, manhandling the young master like some common thug. Tell me, did your mother drop you on your head, or are you simply eager to test if your life insurance is up to date?"Red Fang's tough facade cracked like cheap porcelain."W-wait just a minute! This has to be some kind of mistake!""Mistake?" Winston's eyebrow arched dangerously.
Red Fang gritted his teeth as he watched Max and Winston stand before him.His eyes burned with fury at the sheer audacity they displayed.“You dare insult me in my territory?” Red Fang growled, his voice echoing through the warehouse.“Do you know who I am? People tremble when they hear my name!”Max dusted off his shirt, looking unimpressed. “Oh, we’ve heard your name,” he said nonchalantly.“It’s just that we don’t care. You’re a small-time loser who took my money and now thinks he can take my life too.”The gang members stirred uneasily, looking to their leader for a reaction.Red Fang’s face turned crimson with rage.“You little punk!” he bellowed.“I’ve ruled this area for years! No one disrespects me and walks out alive!”Winston stepped forward, his demeanor calm yet menacing.His piercing gaze landed squarely on Red Fang, and the air in the warehouse seemed to drop several degrees.“Let me make one thing clear,” Winston said coldly.“You’ve already crossed a line by taking m
Lisa’s sobs grew louder as the gang members encircled her like vultures eyeing their prey. Red Fang leaned against the wall, arms crossed, smirking as he surveyed the scene.“Well, sweetheart,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery, “your knight in shining armor is tied up too. Who’s gonna save you now? The tooth fairy?”The men around him laughed cruelly, their leering gazes sending shivers down Lisa’s spine. One of them stepped closer, running his fingers through her hair.“She’s a pretty one, boss,” he said with a sneer. “I say we start with her dignity first, then deal with the rest.”Lisa jerked her head away, her voice trembling. “Stay away from me!”“Oh, feisty,” another thug mocked, cracking his knuckles. “I like when they fight back. Makes it more fun.”Red Fang gestured toward Lisa, his smile widening. “She dared to slap me. Let’s teach her a lesson she’ll never forget. One by one.”The men closed in, their laughter echoing ominously in the cold, dimly lit warehouse. Lisa
Max lounged in his apartment, enjoying a rare moment of quiet, when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, frowning at the unfamiliar number.“Who is this?” he asked, his tone sharp.A gruff voice came through the line. “You don’t know me, but your little friend Lisa gave me your number. She thinks you’re her knight in shining armor.”Max stiffened. “What do you want?”The man chuckled darkly. “Money. Fifty grand. Bring it to the warehouse on 6th Street. And don’t even think about calling the cops. Otherwise...” His voice turned cold, “We’ll have some fun with her first. Maybe she gets out alive, maybe she doesn’t.”Max clenched his jaw, his mind racing. Lisa wasn’t his closest friend, but she had always treated him kindly. He owed her.“I’ll bring the money,” Max said curtly. “Don’t touch her.”The man laughed. “You’ve got two hours. Don’t be late, hero.”As the call ended, Max immediately dialed his butler, Winston.“Winston, I need fifty grand in cash. Now.”Winston’s calm voi