"What time is our flight tomorrow? Did you book hotels?""10 AM. We will arrange the hotels!""Any other flights after ours?""It's like this, Mr. Smith - the flight you chartered tomorrow is the only one to Dubai. There are no others afterward." "I see."Evan nodded at her explanation.His earlier questions were because he'd heard some airlines still ran their scheduled flights even if you chartered the plane, forcing you to wait if an earlier flight was delayed.Evan certainly didn't want to be stuck waiting at the airport for hours due to a delay.Reassured by her response, Evan set pen to paper on the contract, signing his name to secure the most crucial piece of their Dubai trip."Wonderful, Mr. Smith. All formalities are complete. Just arrive at the airport before 10 AM tomorrow with your friends, and our staff will get you boarded.""Thank you!"Time flowed swiftly beyond human control.When the Lumina City Business University students received Evan's message - "Arrive at airp
Amidst his loud yelling, the airline staff continued their orderly obstruction and negotiation.But the Dubai Prince, having to communicate through translation without any affirmative answers, grew increasingly incensed.He stormed out from the crowd, livid as he approached the boarding gate and happened to encounter Evan. But before Evan could graciously let them board as a favor, the Prince roughly shoved him aside.The furious "Get lost!" escaped the Prince's lips directly into Evan's ears.Rocked slightly by the push, Evan steadied himself, anger already simmering within.Being shoved for no reason and told to 'get lost' would irritate anyone.Yet the Dubai Prince didn't even apologize, ignoring Evan as he continued forward, ready to plow through the boarding students ahead.But Evan wouldn't let him act with impunity.Striding forward, he held the Prince back with one hand on his shoulder.Immense strength radiated out, making the Prince's shoulder ache. He glowered at Evan as he
As the staff expounded, their thoughts wandered: No doubt some merchant prince or scion indulging in diplomatic niceties. Leaving a dignified exit route.Yet a tinge of disappointment lingered. They had rather hoped this youth would chastise the insolent Arab nobles – venting their resentments by proxy.A fleeting, "Alas."Just as they resigned themselves to this anticlimax, the youth spoke once more."Very well, I shall purchase all available tickets allowing transfer to Dubai today."His words detonated a thunderous roar throughout the boarding area."He's stranding those wretched Arabs in Elysia today?""Brilliant, simply brilliant!" "Just how much will that cost?"Amid the tumult, Evan leveled his gaze upon the Dubai prince. "My apologies, what happens elsewhere is beyond my concern. But at this airport, none of you are going anywhere!"The prince and his entourage glowered darkly at that youthful, excessively dashing countenance, their expressions already dribbling with rancor.
The prince's smug delight was palpable. He had expended considerable favors securing the aircraft from Elysian contacts, even abandoning his entourage and courtesans at White Cloud's customs to hasten his return alongside only his translator. Tracking Evan's party, he had cast aside his priceless mobile device and endured unimaginable toils - all to vent this lingering outrage."Oh, is that so? Then permit me to congratulate you on your homecoming." Evan's casual indifference, relayed through the translator, wiped the smirk from the prince's face as it contorted into thunderous resentment."Do you know whose soil this is? Believe I cannot have you ejected from this very establishment?"A wry grin tugged at Evan's lips as he appraised the prince's debased state. "My, how affluent you seem!" His derisive chuckle betrayed his lack of intimidation. "But I've yet to fear any amount of wealth!"Then, addressing the entire venue, Evan called out, "Is there anyone here who speaks Elysian?"
"No...stay back!"The royal heir crab-walked away, desperate to flee this unstoppable juggernaut who had so ruthlessly crushed his men within a minute's span. "No...please, I beg you, spare me!" But the prince's plaintive entreaties fell on deaf ears as Evan inexorably advanced, his mocking smile twisting into a sneer of contempt. "A prince, you say?""Pitiful."With a single, bone-crushing strike, oblivion swallowed the prince's whimpering cries. Retrieving his phone, Evan dialed. "Adam, see if Dubai has a second prince. Identify any corporations under his purview. Dubai likely lacks deep economic ties to Elysia, so acquire whatever businesses this lesser prince may own."His tone grew animated. "Dubai drowns in oil wealth, Adam. If this fool controls any petroleum assets, you could all earn fortunes in your sleep!"He paused momentarily. "Though if it involves oil, the acquisition would require immense capital. I saw reports that Elysian petroleum firms are valued beyond $500 bi
"Hah, just teasing. Shall we?"Evan cast his gaze upwards towards the towering edifice before following Adam inside the soaring lobby.Though it was already well past Tiktoc's typical closing hour, the CEO's arrival ensured everyone would be working overtime, lavishing him with the full "Jesse Smith" directorial treatment....Finally extricating himself from the fawning throngs, Evan retreated to the sanctuary of his spacious corner office. While seldom present, Adam had thoughtfully reserved the most expansive executive suite befitting Tiktoc's paramount leader.Settling into the plush leather throne, Adam promptly arrayed the sprawling stack of documents awaiting Evan's perusal and signature."Mr. Smith, here are the acquisition contracts for Parker and Rachel's former entertainment conglomerates - you'll need to authenticate these first..."Evan's gaze swept across the daunting reams of legalese, rendering him momentarily mute with resignation."Parker and Rachel's firms were hemo
"E-Excuse me?" She blinked owlishly, her frantic mind racing to process this non-sequitur. Evan plowed on undeterred, "I'll also need five more Bentleys - the five million dollar range is acceptable. Plus an Audi R8 while you're at it." His words landed with autocratic finality, rendering the salesgirl utterly stupefied as patrons throughout the showroom craned their necks towards the commotion.Only the Assistant Director, having witnessed previous such grandiloquent bravura, managed to maintain his decorum despite being similarly dumbstruck."Five additional Bentleys sir? I'll need to coordinate with our distributors immediately. We currently only have three coupés in stock, though the R8 is available. Will these be needed urgently, Mr. Smith?"Evan waved a dismissive hand. "Not desperately so. Process the paperwork for all six vehicles. Have them prepped and detailed optimally - I'll be calling for their delivery this Saturday evening to a specified location."With that, he exten
"That vacant Lakefront Road lot you haven't broken ground on yet - that's your project, correct?""Yes sir, but might I ask who's calling?""I'm the CEO of Tiktoc...""O-One moment please sir, let me transfer you to our manager!" Clearly a premium client enquiry - far too significant for their receptionist's minor pay grade.Momentarily, a bassier timbre resonated through the line. "Hello, this is Cody, general manager for Dragon Real Estate Development Company.""Cody, Adam Johnson - the CEO of Tiktoc.""Ah, Mr. Johnson! I've heard such esteemed accounts!" Adam waved off the pleasantries. "My company requires new headquarters facilities to accommodate our expansion."Those innocuous words made Cody's heart skip - so much for his earlier disingenuous grandilities about Adam's renown. His real estate concerns seldom intersected with celebrity reputations, least of all Tiktoc's. "Purchasing an entire high-rise outright? That's...not inexpensive." Adam dismissed his trepidation. "Mo