NEVER NO DOLLAR

Noble Lady

"What?"

"What if I say no...? I spent a night here and my money was stolen. I got so much loss and it's ridiculous if I say to the police that nothing happened last night."

Marcus’s eyes narrowed at Leonidas' bold response. His fists clenched, but something about Leonidas made him pause. There was a shift, an intensity in Leonidas' gaze that hadn’t been there before, and it sent a chill down Marcus’s spine. It was that same feeling he’d had last night when Leonidas had held the gun.

Without a word, Marcus stepping back slightly. His face full of hesitation, making Derek looked at him with wonder.

“What are you doing?” Derek hissed, glaring at Marcus. “He’s just bluffing. Are you gonna let this little loser scaring you? You'll be dealing with the police!"

"Let's find other way," Derek said, his voice was law.

"What the fuck did you just say to me, Marcus? Find another way? Are you scared of him?"

"I'm not—" Marcus didn't finish his sentence as he glanced at Leonidas, staring straight into his cold blue eyes; representing power, an aura of something that could harm Marcus if he took a single step ahead. Just like when Leonidas almost pierced through his ear with the bullet.

"Move. Lemme finish this slumbag alone!"

“I’m telling you, Derek—” Marcus held Derek's to stop him, but Derek wasn't listening.

With an angry snarl, Derek stepped forward, towering over Leo. “What do you think you’re doing, Leo? Acting tough now, huh? You think just because you got lucky once, you’re somebody?”

Leonidas didn’t flinch. His expression remained calm, unnervingly so.

"You just a slumbag loser struggle to survive, you can't even afford your brother's bill and you wanna be a big boy now, huh?" He locked eyes with Derek, but said nothing.

This only fueled Derek’s rage. He shoved Leonidas' shoulder, causing him to stumble slightly. “You wanna act like a big man now, Leo? Fine, let’s see how tough you really are.”

Tobby reached out, realizing Derek's voice was a little too much. He grabbing Derek’s arm. “Not here, man. We’re in a hospital. It’s not the place for this.”

But Derek shook him off. “Screw that. This trash needs to learn his place.”

Some people had started to gather near the surgery room, watching the escalating situation with growing curiosity. Leonidas stood tall, his jaw clenched, his patience fraying. He had spent too long being pushed around by Derek and his cronies. Enough was enough.

I need to end this right now, Leonidas thought. His mind raced as he silently activated the system. He imagined something—something small but powerful enough to defend himself, to stop Derek in his tracks without causing too much chaos.

Should I hit his head with a heavy brick? Should I stab him with sharp wood? Or should I buy a gun again?

[Transaction initiated.]

A dark gleam appeared in Leo's eyes as he felt the familiar weight materialize in his hand. Just one move and it'll be over, he thought.

But before he could act, a firm, cold voice cut through the tension. “I can see that you can't hold yourself back from making a scene in any place, Derek.”

Everyone turned to see Claire Adwell approaching, her presence instantly commanding the room. Her calm, elegant demeanor was enough to silence even Derek. Leonidas instantly canceled the transaction, the thing he held disappeared within a flash.

Claire’s icy blue green landed on Derek. “You really do enjoy causing trouble wherever you go, don’t you?”

Derek blinked, his anger faltering. “Claire... didn't expect to se ya here. What are you doing anyway?”

Derek, the rudest man that Leonidas ever met, could be like a dog when he saw Claire. His cold dead tone turned into the softest ever, and his eyes full of hatred and disdain toward Leonidas, would show a galaxy when it came to look at Claire. No wonder, it was Claire Adwell; every man in the world would be on his softest side to Claire, only to win her heart.

"None of your business." But the price of it was ignored coldly like this. "If you love causing mess everywhere, at least consider about where you are. It's hospital, making a scene here and ignoring the rules just shows how pathetic you are. Can't understand even for a public rule." She ignored soft demeanor, her tone cutting.

Derek’s face flushed red, his pride bruised. He was the type of guy who never backed down, but Claire’s presence made him pause. He had always been infatuated with her, dreaming of winning her over, and now she was watching him humiliate himself.

"Come on, let’s get out of here,” Marcus muttered, with Tobby, he sensing Derek’s embarrassment. He grabbed his friend’s arm, pulling him back.

Derek shot one last glare at Leonidas, but the fire in his eyes had dimmed. “This isn’t over, rat.”

Leonidas remained silent, his gaze steady. Marcus, Derek, and Tobby turned and left, muttering under their breath, leaving Leonidas standing there with Claire.

The crowd slowly dispersed, and making Leonidas realize that some people came to see the noise. He held a sigh of relief, thinking that if he really brought the weapon out in front of some people, he would made more mess. Leonidas didn't concerned about that since he was too focused to his desire to beat Derek and Marcus.

Claire didn't acknowledge them, she handle it like a professional. She simply turned to Leonidas, her face expressionless, her posture composed.

Leo opened his mouth, wanting to thank her, but Claire’s cold, indifferent stare made him hesitate. She didn’t seem like the type who wanted gratitude.

“Thank you—” he started.

“Save it,” Claire interrupted. “I didn’t do it for you. Derek just annoys me.” She glanced toward the door they had left through, her eyes narrowing. “He causes too much trouble.”

Leonidas blinked, unsure how to respond. “Still… thanks.”

She gave him a slight nod, barely acknowledging his words, then turned to leave.

“Wait,” Leonidas called out, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Why are you here? In the hospital?”

Claire paused but didn’t turn around. “None of your business.” She said the same reply as she gave to Derek, making Leonidas hold his embarrassment. He shouldn't think about asking her in the first place.

And with that, she walked away, her calm, confident steps echoing in the hallway. Leonidas watched her go, something stirring in his mind. There was more to Claire than met the eye.

Why would someone like her be here? He wondered, activating the system by his mind.

"Hey, system."

[I'm here to help, User]

"I want to know how could you know about my brother, Alex. How could you know that I need to pay Alex's surgery cost soon?"

[Sure, I tell you. The system was made by the newest and highest future technology where it help the user to solve his problem. I read your face, studying about that and I concluded that you need my help]

[At the same time, I was connected to you surrounds, and I found someone's data that was relative to you. Alex, your brother, was hospitalized here as a lung patient and needed to have a surgery soon while you didn't pay the cost yet. I knew that was my time to help, User]

"Wow, that's amazing. So, can you do the same thing about Claire Adwell. I want to know what's brings her here. Can you find her data?"

Leonidas didn't really know how the system work by its explanation, but he wanted to testing its sophistication.

[Sure, I can]

Leonidas smiled and slightly impatient to know.

[Searching…]

A moment later, the system responded.

[Claire Adwell is the representative for patient Donna Adwell, her mother, who is receiving treatment for a serious medical condition. Financial records indicate they are struggling with the medical costs.]

Leonidas' eyes widened. She’s in the same situation as him, he realized. His mind started working, piecing together an idea. Claire was highly influential on campus. People admired her, feared her, and Derek clearly had a weak spot for her.

A small, dangerous smile crept onto Leonidas' face.

I could use this, He thought back to the humiliation Derek had caused him over the years. Now, he had the system—and a perfect opportunity for revenge.

He turned back toward the surgery room, where Alex was undergoing his operation. I’ll make sure Derek knows what it feels like to be powerless, Leo thought, his resolve hardening.