“Don't act dumb, Spice. You and I both know that your offer is completely ridiculous yet you still called me over. What exactly were you expecting?... That I accept your offer with open arms?”Spice remained silent, her expression impassive as she watched Ethan berate her.Finally, she let out a sigh before moving to take a seat across from him. Then she began. “Fine then, here's the catch. We want a way into the Empire and I am willing to bet that you are capable of being such a person. Champion our cause and absolutely nothing will be far from your reach.”“You wish for me to betray my motherland?”“Exactly. We wish to bring the empire down. They have stood for way too long but they are past their glory days. Lumina needs to fall for Northland to rise.”“And you think that I'd let you destroy the Empire?”“Oh come on, don't start acting patriotic. I can assure you that making you a citizen of Northland would be as easy as ABC. No need to overthink things.”“And the Council?”“We co
By the time Ethan arrived at the auction venue, others were already there with several making conversations and forming cliques in the process while keeping wide berths from those that they considered enemies.His presence quickly drew the attention of quite a few parties as they couldn't help but ponder the depths of this young man who had dared to show up at such an esteemed gathering.Every other attendee was connected to a ridiculously rich family with no single person which meant that Ethan stood out as an outlier.Due to his disguise and the fact that he wasn't using his real name, they were unable to determine who he truly was and what right he had to be in their midst.Some had even begun to speculate that he was connected to the GK Council or perhaps he was connected to Lady Spice but even then, they didn't feel like he belonged in their midst. His heroics were enough to make many ponder if he was truly all that considering he had gone against the Gunther family and gotten o
Instinctively a few began to look down on the Sarabias, but the Family head did not care.He had seen it in Ethan's eyes, the unique image of murder.If he didn't stop this, Aiden would die tonight.Unfortunately, even his son failed to see what he saw.“What nonsense are you saying, Dad?... This fool has slandered our family name and deserves to be put in his place, else he'd think everyone is like the weaklings he humiliated back at the harbor.”“Hmm.”“Aiden, I said back down.”“I don't accept that father. Now watch me put this fool in his place.” Aiden remarked, already prepared to humiliate Ethan.Ethan sighed before shoving Aiden aside after which he began to move in a different direction.“You coward!... Run as much as you like but know that you will always remain a coward!”Ethan finally paused in his step.Aiden grinned from ear to ear, knowing he'd done well in ensuring Ethan's disgrace at the party, with several already looking upon Ethan as a coward.To think that the Gunt
Ethan's heroics had done well to draw many to him with the other leaders approaching him, especially Gary and his son Daniel.Gary was the first to approach him, using the pretext of forcing Daniel to apologize to Ethan for his actions earlier.Ethan naturally knew what he wanted and so did well to keep a distance, accepting the apology while making it clear that he wouldn't back down from the auction.“If I may ask, what makes the invitation so important that you are willing to stand alone?” Gary inquired.Even as others had decided to leave Ethan, considering he wasn't planning on joining their camp, Gary had stayed, causing Ethan to question him.“Why are you still here?”“I asked first.”Ethan rolled his eyes before responding. “I have to save someone and to do that, I need the ticket.”Gary's eyes flashed with understanding as he inquired. “Someone you cared about is taking part in the Gauntlet?”Ethan raised a brow causing Gary to cough awkwardly. “Ah, sorry, it's my turn to ans
Though the ticket being auctioned off could not generate money by itself, it presented an opportunity greater than anything: a chance to be acquainted with some of the most powerful members of modern society.Since they couldn't achieve the power themselves, it was only right that they gain it through other sources.As long as they could attend the Gauntlet, even those powerful bastards would have to accept that their wealth is something worth respecting.It would be easy to gain a powerful ally that would aid them in further establishing their roots.With such prospects, it wasn't shocking that the moment Spice announced the starting bid, the greatest bidding war to ever occur in that auction hall began.From 50, it quickly arrived at 500, inching closer to the 800 mark.Most had already dropped out at this point, realizing that true to expectations, in the world of the nouveau riche, there was always someone richer.It was disappointing but one had to know when to concede a loss.“D
Immediately, several turned their gazes to Jeremiah, blaming him for the current situation.Ethan glanced at Jeremiah. “Is that enough evidence or do you need more?”With that said, he no longer paid him any heed as he got on stage to take the ticket from Lady Spice who seemed unwilling to let go of it.Jeremiah was left to lick his wounds while other attendees left, feeling rather regretful about how things had turned out.Not only had they missed the chance to purchase the items but they missed the opportunity to get close to the richest man in the room.Meanwhile, Ethan and Spice got into a minor confrontation on stage.“I believe the ticket is mine now,” Ethan remarked as he reached out his hand to take the ticket.Spice regarded him briefly before replying. “You will pay a heavy price for rejecting my offer, Ethan Jones.”“As I said before, do what you want, I will do what I want.”Snorting, Spice intoned. “We'll be meeting again soon.”“If we meet again, I will not hesitate to d
Ethan kept silent as he stared at Jaime who was grinning from ear to ear.“Well?... How do you wish to die?... I have quite a few ways to make it happen. Some painful, others less painful, some quick, others slow. Make your decision.”Ethan replied. “I don't plan to die.”“Oh?”“I'll give you a chance to walk away. Leave now and I will spare you. Keep up with this and I will have no choice but to make an example out of you.” Jaime could hardly control himself as he burst into mocking laughter, taking out a knife which he then pointed at Ethan. Ethan stared on with an impassive expression though his eyes flashed with strong emotions.Jaime grinned wickedly as he remarked. “You know one thing I hate more than stuck-up rich brats, are delusional fools. Tueh, absolutely disgusting.”“Walk away.” Ethan calmly remarked as he placed his hands in his pocket, his gaze transfixed on Jaime.Rolling his eyes, Jaime responded. “Last chance to choose how you wish to die.”“You really won't back o
Ethan shot down an assassin, leaving behind a trail of bodies in his wake. His expression was incomparably cold and he swore it wouldn't lighten up until those responsible for this perished.Just then, he paused before shifting his gaze toward a camera he noticed hidden in a corner.“You think you got me all figured out but I'll tell you now, you don't. I will look for you, I will find you and I will surely kill you all.”With those words, he aimed the gun he carried and shot, destroying the camera with incredible precision. His message was delivered to those watching causing them to grow tense almost immediately.Of course, not all were tense as Milicent glared at the screen. “That fucking bastard thinks he can threaten us and get away with it?... I'll make him realize the folly of his ways!” The other Musketeers were also in agreement as apart from tension, they all felt insulted at the audacity of this young man.Unfortunately for them, they had no way of knowing that they were