"You can admire me later. For now, let's focus on our mission. Can you do it?" Ace asked, releasing Casey's hand from his chin.
Casey then stood up and walked back and forth in front of Ace. Ace knew Casey was thinking right now. Of course, he was prepared to wait until this petite woman stopped and spoke. "But to do what you ask, we need a room and also experts. Are you up to it?" Casey asked hesitantly.
As expected by Ace, Casey would definitely take up this challenge from him. "Of course. Pick any place and I'll provide the funding. And to make it clear that I have money, I want you to fix yourself from top to bottom. Being beautiful is the first order you must obey!" commanded Ace with a serious attitude. It's no wonder because he's like that on campus too.
A notification appeared on Casey's phone.
[Brooklyn Central Bank] The account balance with account number XXX46 is USD 1,000,000.00
"Really? You mean it?" Casey asked incredulously at what she was seeing now. Her balance swelled, and it was all because of Ace—her research partner who suddenly became rich.
"Of course. I want you to look worthy as my representative. Until they can no longer refuse your offer. Can you do it?" Ace looked serious with his intent, making Casey's face tense.
"I think I can."
After confidently answering Ace's question, Casey looked gloomy again. She knew Ace's emotional character, and she just didn't want to be caught by the police after this due to the genius man's impulsive actions. This made Casey feel that she had to ask Ace for more details.
"Um...Ace, I want to ask where did you get all this money from, actually? Don't answer now because right now, I just want you to reconsider. Don't be impulsive, that's all I'm asking. You know our research is not strong enough for mass production, right?" said Casey while adjusting her glasses back into place.
This was the Casey he knew, detail-oriented. "I know. That's why I need you to plan the business model because you understand it better," Ace answered casually. "It's time for you to take responsibility since you once won the business class!" he teased again.
Casey didn't answer that question full of mockery and instead stared sharply at Ace while crossing her arms over her chest. "What's your goal, Ace?" she asked.
"My mother and revenge."
Casey could only take a deep breath upon hearing Ace's answer. When it comes to his mother, Ace is always like this.
"I can't say right or wrong for now. But I hope you can stop and realize it someday."
"One day, I will."
***
A week later, Ace had started to feel energetic again and was looking for a house with Aileen for Ace's parents and younger siblings.
"We should probably look around Royal Palm, Sir!" Aileen said.
Ace just nodded while looking at his mother and younger sibling who were still dazed in the car they were in. Ace held his mother's wrinkled hand, who had patiently cared for him all this time, and also his younger sibling's hand, as if saying, "No need to worry anymore. Our suffering will end!"
"Sir, Ace. We have arrived," Aileen said, then opened the door and got out of Ace's black Hummer.
Ace got out, and so did his mother and younger sibling. They were looking at a house that was being offered by the property marketing team.
A residence that made Ace's mother and sister stare in amazement. It was not only beautiful but also very futuristic with all the advanced technology-based systems the house had adopted. It was in line with Ace's expertise all this time.
"Aileen, take my mother inside to see!" ordered Ace. Meanwhile, Ace just sat on a large garden stone there, listening to Casey talking on his phone. Without realizing it, someone was walking towards Ace from inside the house.
"Hahahaha...what are you doing here, beggar?"
Ace turned around and hung up his phone just to see the person mocking him.
"Oh, I know! I guess you're daydreaming of owning this house, right? I think my blow to your head that time caused a really good damage," jeered Bruce.
Ace just smiled thinly and let Bruce mock him without responding. He could have fought back or just cursed back. However, that would make him no different from Bruce, who only looked respectable from the outside but was rotten inside.
Shortly after, Megan came out of the house and walked gracefully towards Ace and Bruce.
"Darling! Do you like that house?" asked Bruce in front of Ace, trying to show affection.
"I really like it. Will you buy it for me?" asked Megan, cuddling Bruce's arm. Megan's sexy clothes only made Ace feel more disgusted, especially when he remembered how easily Megan had fooled him before.
Before Bruce could answer, Megan continued her talk. "That person earlier seems interested too. I don't want to be beaten to it," continued Megan, pointing towards Aileen's group.
"Sir...it seems the madam is suitable for your choice!" said Aileen as she approached Ace.
Ace saw his mother and sister looking at him worriedly, but he only responded with a smile and instructed them to wait in the car.
"Huh? What? That house? You want it, Ace?" asked Megan arrogantly.
"Never mind, dear. He's out of his mind. We'd better prepare to give a farewell speech. Maybe after this, he'll want a sweet welcome, won't he?" jeered Bruce again.
Aileen, who heard this, looked angry and immediately wanted to speak out, but was held back by Ace. Making Aileen could only stare at Ace with a confused look, unable to believe that Ace held back to respond to the words of the two narrow-minded people.
"I want this house, dear!" said Megan, in a coquettish manner to her boyfriend Bruce. As if deliberately showing to the whole world that she did not regret throwing Ace away and choosing Bruce. Although in terms of attitude, of course, Ace was above Bruce.
"Of course. Don't think I'm a loser like this insincere man!" said Bruce while pointing towards Ace's face. Bruce seemed to be very disturbed by Ace since he found out that his subordinates were beaten up by Ace. It even made his business stumble because he had to replace some damaged equipment and also treat his subordinates at the hospital. All of this was because of Ace.
"Hmm...Mr. Andrew. Do you have a higher offer than this?" asked Ace casually.
Megan, who saw Ace's attitude all this time, could only guess what happened to the poor man she had thrown away.The property marketing person who had been listening to the conversation of the two potential buyers was quite confused and then answered, "Yes, sir, the Luxury type. It's more spacious because there's office space on the rooftop and wine storage underground!" he answered in typical sales style."More expensive, of course, than this one?" asked Ace again.Bruce raised his hand and was about to hit Ace, but... "Ughh...," Ace blocked Bruce's attack and said, "Don't you realize you're being recorded? You could be ruined if I reveal your behavior to your business colleagues. So stop the act!" Ace growled, throwing Bruce's hand away."You... just wait, you bastard! You'll get what's coming to you!" Bruce yelled aggressively."We can continue this in the real game, Bruce!" Ace threatened without fear.Ace then smiled a little and called Andrew to continue the payment for the hous
Ace looked up and stared sharply at Casey. It was an intimidating look, but Casey was used to it. She continued speaking carefully. "The latest diagnosis showed that Lupus is making it difficult for your mother's lungs." Ace still stared at Casey sharply, "How much percent?" "30%, our tools can't detect it until the total algorithm is distributed," Casey explained again. Ace frowned and stood up, taking the empty plate to the sink. He was hiding the pain that was hurting his heart so much. "That's why I need that hospital so that I can get a chance. We have to investigate this disease further. Early detection, so that I can prevent it earlier too!" Casey took a slow breath, not wanting to discourage Ace's desire. She heard the pain in every sound Ace made. Casey understood how much Ace loved his mother, and knew that this disease that continued to gnaw at her would definitely make the heart of any child cut. "I support you. Whatever the result, I support this research until it's
"Perhaps you have missed or been too focused that you didn't understand our explanation for the third time. But I would be happy to repeat it. DAI Technology wants full rights to operate the hospital for one purpose, to conduct further research on all early disease detection devices. Making a system without knowing the basis of the problem is certain to not find its way. Any other questions?" Casey explained elegantly and arrogantly.Ace and his team knew that Bruce was restraining himself in this meeting room. It felt too crazy if he showed his hatred in a forum that was led by his own father.Bruce tried to calm his anger with Dai's team's intentionally provocative statement that cornered him. But he knew very well that it was not possible to cause a scene at the moment, even though he really wanted to do it. "I have no other questions," Bruce replied with his sharp gaze still fixed on Ace."Thank you, Mr. Bruce," Casey replied, closing the Q&A session beautifully.After the meeting
Bruce fell silent, then stood up and left the room with even greater determination to destroy Ace Dai. Everyone looked at Bruce and then turned to Ace. Aileen, who had been a little pale, breathed a sigh of relief because the tension was over. Casey immediately approached Ace and looked closely at the handsome man. Casey held Ace's hand to give him indirect strength. It was no wonder Ace was shocked earlier. However, he quickly regained control of the situation. "I didn't think Bruce would use Miana as a weapon. I think we need to be prepared with maximum security for my family, Casey!" Ace instructed Casey and Aileen. "I have confirmed that Miss Miana is safe at your house, sir!" Aileen said, taking the initiative to check on Mianna's situation. "Ya... I know it's all just a small bluff out of desperation. That's why I've prepared the same thing," Ace said. Of course, he was referring to the edited photo of Bruce's father with a woman. Bruce even believed it without question. "B
"Hey, you brainless Ace!" Bob, the manager, barked as Ace heaved a heavy sack of goods into the warehouse. "I received a report that you've been slacking off on the job, you worthless piece of garbage!"Ace stopped and turned to face Bob, incredulous. "What?! That's not true! I've been working non-stop all day!""That's what I heard," Bob replied tersely, crossing his arms. "I'm afraid there won't be a salary for you today."Ace had the misfortune of being both unlucky and poorly educated, leaving him no choice but to work as a porter. Despite this, he worked diligently to find a better job in the city. Unfortunately, his manager was always accusing him of something, which often resulted in him not receiving a salary. “I've done my best, boss,” Ace said, trying to emphasize his point. “Where did you get that conclusion?”Bob, who was only as tall as Ace's chin, sternly exclaimed, "You better stop talking and get out of my sight, or you won't have to work in this place anymore! Don't
Ten long minutes passed before the ambulance finally arrived, its blaring sirens and flashing lights piercing the air. Ace's body continued to writhe in agony as he was carefully lifted onto the stretcher and loaded into the vehicle. Two paramedics stepped out of the ambulance carrying a file of documents. However, from the outset, they were suspicious because they were picking up a patient in such a narrow alley. The VIP patients they usually picked up were in luxurious and well-known places, but not this time. A man who appeared to be of Italian descent was still confused about everything around him. "Is this the place?" one of the paramedics asked. "I thought we were picking up someone at a big house or an office!" he added. "Exactly. I think there's something strange about the pick-up location. Let me check the documents we brought again!" his colleague replied. They looked confused as they saw a ragged young man lying in the middle of the road. His dirty clothes made him groa
Ace's physical condition suddenly took a turn for the worse as he began to experience tightness in his chest, struggled to breathe, and coughed up a significant amount of blood. The paramedics, who were already present on the scene, had just finished measuring Ace's blood pressure when they immediately recognized the severity of the situation. Without wasting any time, they quickly reached out to Dr. Aileen, the attending physician on duty, for assistance.Upon receiving the call, Dr. Aileen sprang into action, providing clear and concise instructions to the paramedics on how to stabilize Ace's condition. Despite the chaotic scene around him, Ace could hear the sound of Dr. Aileen's voice in the background."Stay with me. Keep your focus on me." Her tone was urgent and commanding. She knew that maintaining eye contact could help ground Ace and keep him focused on the present moment, which was crucial given his critical condition.Ace felt relieved and assisted with the presence of Dr.
Aileen looked at Ace, knowing she had already gotten the job from him made her confident. Maybe it was time for Aileen to break free from the shadow of her arrogant superior. "Please do. Just fire me!" Aileen challenged fearlessly.Brian's face turned red upon hearing Aileen's boldness. Ace couldn't help but smirk, as he had taught Brian a lesson."Your account number?" Ace asked again without much ado, facing Brian who was still glaring at Aileen.Aileen glanced at Brian and Ace alternately, then took the phone that was handed to her. Aileen entered some numbers and handed the phone back to Ace."Don't forget to multiply the salary you want by 3 months. You will undergo training for three months and then I will evaluate you," Ace said."Alright, Mr. Ace," Aileen replied, feeling challenged by Ace's statement.Ace just smiled as Aileen asked for the actual value, the standard rate for a doctor. Little did Aileen know that Ace knew she needed a lot of 0? completed, Aileen was surprised