2025-01-19 14:30:59
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Slumdog Billionaire 215. The Bullies
The morning sun painted the sky in shades of gold and pink as Ethan pedaled his newly restored bike through the dirt paths of the settlement. The cool wind brushed against his face, momentarily numbing the aches still lingering from his fight with Eric.People were starting to acknowledge him now. A few nodded as he passed, some even offering a small smile. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Ethan had proven himself through sweat and determination, and slowly, the settlement was beginning to accept that he wasn’t just some rich kid playing survival.But Ethan knew better than to get too comfortable. Trouble always found a way back, and today, it came in the form of Eric.Ethan spotted him by the scrapyard, standing with two of his usual cronies. They watched him with smug expressions, their whispered conversation dying the moment Ethan rode by.He felt it in his gut—something was coming.By the time Ethan reached Gus’s workshop, his instincts were on high alert. He found Gus working
The Slumdog Billionaire 216. Rise To Glory
The next morning, Ethan’s hand throbbed with a dull ache as he flexed his fingers. The cut Eric had made wasn’t deep, but it was enough to remind him of the constant tension he was living under. He wrapped it carefully with a piece of cloth Martha had given him and headed outside.The settlement was already buzzing with activity. People moved through the dirt paths, carrying supplies, fixing broken fences, and exchanging small talk. But when Ethan walked past, the usual glances were different now—there was a new kind of recognition. Respect, even.Jake met him by the scrapyard, leaning against a stack of rusted barrels. “You’re making a name for yourself,” he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Eric’s not happy about it.”Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, I didn’t come here to make friends.”Jake chuckled. “No, but you’re making enemies, and that’s just as good around here.”Ethan looked around warily. “What’s Eric planning now?”Jake’s smirk faded into a more s
The Slumdog Billionaire 217. Stop! He Is A Billionaire’s Son
Ethan stood outside the mill, staring at the cracked wooden door. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat hammering a question into his mind. Was this the right choice? He knew the risks, but the desperate need to escape this place gnawed at him like a wild animal. If Eric’s offer could bring him one step closer to his old life, was it worth it?He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.Inside, the air was thick with the scent of oil and damp wood. A single flickering bulb cast shadows across the room, where Eric and his usual crew lounged against rusted machinery. Their eyes locked onto Ethan the moment he stepped inside.“Look who finally showed up,” Eric drawled, a smug grin spreading across his face.Ethan crossed his arms, keeping his expression neutral. “I’m here. What’s the job?”Eric chuckled and leaned against an old crate. “Straight to business. I like that.” He gestured to a smaller guy standing by his side, someone Ethan hadn’t seen before. The guy opened a duffel
The Slumdog Billionaire 218. I Need 1,000,000,000
Morning came too soon. Ethan lay awake on the stiff cot in Martha’s house, staring at the ceiling as the weight of his decision pressed against his chest. The settlement was already stirring, the distant hum of activity seeping through the thin walls. But his thoughts were louder.He had until sundown to give Eric an answer. And no matter how much he tried to convince himself there was another way, he kept circling back to the same conclusion: *He needed the money.*Pushing himself up with a groan, Ethan swung his legs over the side of the cot and rubbed his sore eyes. The fight with Eric, the grueling work, and the sleepless nights were taking their toll. But he couldn’t afford to stop.Martha was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of thin porridge when he walked in. She glanced at him, her eyes searching his face. “You look like a man with too many thoughts in his head,” she said without turning away from the stove.Ethan shrugged, taking a seat at the small wooden table. “I’m fine.”Ma
The Slumdog Billionaire 219. The Bully Fooled Me
Ethan barely slept that night. Every time he closed his eyes, the blaring siren echoed in his ears, the pounding of his heart matching the frantic rhythm of their escape. The stolen duffel bag sat in the corner of the room, a constant reminder of what he had done. He wanted to convince himself it was worth it—that the money inside would help him escape this place. But deep down, he knew that line had been crossed.At dawn, he sat up, rubbing his aching legs. Martha’s voice floated in from the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. The calmness of the house was a stark contrast to the chaos raging inside him.Ethan sighed, standing up and forcing himself to walk to the kitchen. Martha glanced at him, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the dark circles under his eyes.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said, setting a bowl of porridge on the table.Ethan sat down but didn’t touch the food. “I didn’t sleep much.”Martha didn’t say anything for a moment, stirring her te
The Slumdog Billionaire 220. The Billion Dollars Deal
Ethan sat at the worn kitchen table, staring at the stack of cash in front of him. It wasn’t much—not nearly enough to get him out of this place—but it felt like a ticking time bomb. Every crinkled bill reminded him of the sirens, the shouts, and the pounding footsteps from the night before. Martha stood by the stove, her back to him, stirring a pot of something that smelled faintly of boiled potatoes. She hadn’t said much since he returned, but her silence spoke louder than words.Finally, she turned, wiping her hands on a rag. “You gonna sit there all day staring at it?” she asked, her voice laced with quiet disappointment.Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to do with it.”Martha pulled out a chair and sat across from him. “That money’s got weight to it, Ethan. And it ain’t the kind that fills your pockets—it’s the kind that drags you down.”Ethan swallowed hard. “I thought it would feel different.”“It never does,” she said softly. “Easy money alway
The Slumdog Billionaire 221. Fighting Back My Bullies
Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest as he walked away from the scrapyard, every step feeling heavier than the last. He could still hear Eric’s mocking laughter echoing behind him, but he forced himself to keep going. The cold night air bit at his skin, and for the first time in a long while, he felt the sting of fear creeping into his bones. Turning a corner, he finally reached Martha’s house. The old wooden door creaked slightly as he pushed it open. Martha was sitting at the table, a dim oil lamp casting soft shadows across her face. She didn’t look surprised to see him come back empty-handed.“So,” she said quietly, stirring a cup of tea. “You gave it back.”Ethan nodded, sinking into the chair across from her. “I had to. I couldn’t do it anymore.”Martha studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Good. But you know he won’t let it slide, right?”Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his exhaustion evident. “Yeah. I know.”Martha sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Eric’s the kind
The Slumdog Billionaire 222. The Counterstrike
Ethan barely slept that night, his mind racing with every possible way to bring Eric down without getting himself—or anyone else—hurt. He couldn’t keep running, and he couldn’t live under Eric’s constant threats. If he wanted a future, he had to take control of the present.At dawn, he stood outside Martha’s house, staring at the dusty horizon. The settlement was quiet, the calm before the inevitable storm. He felt Martha’s presence before she spoke.“You’ve got that look in your eyes,” she said softly.Ethan didn’t turn. “What look?”“The one people get before they do something dangerous.”Ethan sighed, his shoulders tense. “I don’t have a choice, Martha. If I don’t stop him, he’ll never let me go.”Martha walked up beside him, her voice heavy with concern. “You can’t beat Eric at his own game, Ethan. He’s got too many people in his pocket.”Ethan finally turned to her, determination burning in his eyes. “Then I’ll change the game.”Martha studied him for a moment, then sighed, shaki
Latest Chapter
225. My Girlfriend Left Me For A Rich Man
Ethan wiped the sweat off his brow, exhaustion settling deep into his bones as he made his way back to Martha’s house. The past few days had been a whirlwind of planning, preparing, and waiting for Eric’s inevitable return. But tonight, all he wanted was a moment of peace.As he approached the house, something felt... off. The front door was slightly ajar, and a flickering light came from inside. Ethan frowned, his gut twisting with unease. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside cautiously.Then he heard it.A soft giggle. A low murmur.His heart clenched as he followed the sound, his footsteps eerily silent against the wooden floor. As he reached the doorway to the small sitting area, the sight before him made his blood run cold.There she was—Sophia, his girlfriend, the only person he thought he could trust—wrapped in the arms of a man he didn’t recognize. A man dressed in an expensive suit, dripping with wealth and arrogance. Ethan stood frozen, staring at them. Sophia’s laughte
224. Life Is Not Fair
Ethan’s eyes followed the shadowy figure as it slipped beyond the settlement’s fence, disappearing into the thick underbrush beyond. His pulse quickened. It could’ve been anyone, but deep down, he knew Eric wasn’t done with him. He turned back toward Martha’s house, his mind racing with possibilities. Had Eric found new allies? Was he planning his revenge? The thought made Ethan’s jaw tighten. He had come too far to let Eric drag him back down.Martha was waiting for him on the porch, her expression knowing. “You saw something, didn’t you?”Ethan nodded, sitting down beside her, his hands clenched into fists. “Someone’s watching me.”Martha exhaled slowly, her gaze fixed on the dark horizon. “Eric’s got a long reach, Ethan. He might be out of sight, but he’s never really gone.”Ethan rubbed his temples, the weight of her words settling over him like a heavy cloak. “I need to be ready.”Martha nodded. “You’re smart, kid. But don’t let anger cloud your judgment. He’s counting on you ma
223. The Rise Of The Heir
Ethan stood at the edge of the settlement, watching the dust settle as Eric was dragged away by the settlement leaders. The air was thick with murmurs, a mixture of anger and relief rippling through the crowd. For the first time since arriving, Ethan felt a small glimmer of hope. But he also knew that Eric’s departure didn’t mean the fight was over.Martha stood beside him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “You did good, Ethan,” she said, her voice softer than usual. “But don’t think this means your troubles are over.”Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know. Eric might be out of the way for now, but I doubt this is the last we’ll hear of him.”Martha nodded. “You’re right. Guys like Eric don’t disappear so easily.”Ethan watched as the crowd slowly dispersed, people casting him curious glances. Some were nods of approval, others still wary. He couldn’t blame them. He had come in as an outsider, someone they didn’t trust. And while he had exposed Eric, earning thei
222. The Counterstrike
Ethan barely slept that night, his mind racing with every possible way to bring Eric down without getting himself—or anyone else—hurt. He couldn’t keep running, and he couldn’t live under Eric’s constant threats. If he wanted a future, he had to take control of the present.At dawn, he stood outside Martha’s house, staring at the dusty horizon. The settlement was quiet, the calm before the inevitable storm. He felt Martha’s presence before she spoke.“You’ve got that look in your eyes,” she said softly.Ethan didn’t turn. “What look?”“The one people get before they do something dangerous.”Ethan sighed, his shoulders tense. “I don’t have a choice, Martha. If I don’t stop him, he’ll never let me go.”Martha walked up beside him, her voice heavy with concern. “You can’t beat Eric at his own game, Ethan. He’s got too many people in his pocket.”Ethan finally turned to her, determination burning in his eyes. “Then I’ll change the game.”Martha studied him for a moment, then sighed, shaki
221. Fighting Back My Bullies
Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest as he walked away from the scrapyard, every step feeling heavier than the last. He could still hear Eric’s mocking laughter echoing behind him, but he forced himself to keep going. The cold night air bit at his skin, and for the first time in a long while, he felt the sting of fear creeping into his bones. Turning a corner, he finally reached Martha’s house. The old wooden door creaked slightly as he pushed it open. Martha was sitting at the table, a dim oil lamp casting soft shadows across her face. She didn’t look surprised to see him come back empty-handed.“So,” she said quietly, stirring a cup of tea. “You gave it back.”Ethan nodded, sinking into the chair across from her. “I had to. I couldn’t do it anymore.”Martha studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Good. But you know he won’t let it slide, right?”Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his exhaustion evident. “Yeah. I know.”Martha sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Eric’s the kind
220. The Billion Dollars Deal
Ethan sat at the worn kitchen table, staring at the stack of cash in front of him. It wasn’t much—not nearly enough to get him out of this place—but it felt like a ticking time bomb. Every crinkled bill reminded him of the sirens, the shouts, and the pounding footsteps from the night before. Martha stood by the stove, her back to him, stirring a pot of something that smelled faintly of boiled potatoes. She hadn’t said much since he returned, but her silence spoke louder than words.Finally, she turned, wiping her hands on a rag. “You gonna sit there all day staring at it?” she asked, her voice laced with quiet disappointment.Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to do with it.”Martha pulled out a chair and sat across from him. “That money’s got weight to it, Ethan. And it ain’t the kind that fills your pockets—it’s the kind that drags you down.”Ethan swallowed hard. “I thought it would feel different.”“It never does,” she said softly. “Easy money alway
219. The Bully Fooled Me
Ethan barely slept that night. Every time he closed his eyes, the blaring siren echoed in his ears, the pounding of his heart matching the frantic rhythm of their escape. The stolen duffel bag sat in the corner of the room, a constant reminder of what he had done. He wanted to convince himself it was worth it—that the money inside would help him escape this place. But deep down, he knew that line had been crossed.At dawn, he sat up, rubbing his aching legs. Martha’s voice floated in from the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. The calmness of the house was a stark contrast to the chaos raging inside him.Ethan sighed, standing up and forcing himself to walk to the kitchen. Martha glanced at him, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the dark circles under his eyes.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said, setting a bowl of porridge on the table.Ethan sat down but didn’t touch the food. “I didn’t sleep much.”Martha didn’t say anything for a moment, stirring her te
218. I Need 1,000,000,000
Morning came too soon. Ethan lay awake on the stiff cot in Martha’s house, staring at the ceiling as the weight of his decision pressed against his chest. The settlement was already stirring, the distant hum of activity seeping through the thin walls. But his thoughts were louder.He had until sundown to give Eric an answer. And no matter how much he tried to convince himself there was another way, he kept circling back to the same conclusion: *He needed the money.*Pushing himself up with a groan, Ethan swung his legs over the side of the cot and rubbed his sore eyes. The fight with Eric, the grueling work, and the sleepless nights were taking their toll. But he couldn’t afford to stop.Martha was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of thin porridge when he walked in. She glanced at him, her eyes searching his face. “You look like a man with too many thoughts in his head,” she said without turning away from the stove.Ethan shrugged, taking a seat at the small wooden table. “I’m fine.”Ma
217. Stop! He Is A Billionaire’s Son
Ethan stood outside the mill, staring at the cracked wooden door. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat hammering a question into his mind. Was this the right choice? He knew the risks, but the desperate need to escape this place gnawed at him like a wild animal. If Eric’s offer could bring him one step closer to his old life, was it worth it?He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.Inside, the air was thick with the scent of oil and damp wood. A single flickering bulb cast shadows across the room, where Eric and his usual crew lounged against rusted machinery. Their eyes locked onto Ethan the moment he stepped inside.“Look who finally showed up,” Eric drawled, a smug grin spreading across his face.Ethan crossed his arms, keeping his expression neutral. “I’m here. What’s the job?”Eric chuckled and leaned against an old crate. “Straight to business. I like that.” He gestured to a smaller guy standing by his side, someone Ethan hadn’t seen before. The guy opened a duffel
