Chapter 158
Upon hearing what Ethan just said they couldn't believe their ears.
"A contract?"
Marcus laughed, but it came out slightly strained.
His fingers drummed nervously against his thigh.
"Look who's trying to back out now!"
"He knows he can't do it,"
Sarah whispered loudly, tossing her perfectly styled hair. Her red-soled shoes shifted restlessly on the pavement.
"Now he's trying to scare us with legal stuff. So pathetic."
Jake stepped forward, his designer shoes scraping against the pavement as he gained courage from the group's mockery.
"What's wrong, Ethan? Afraid to follow through?"
His voice was cold, though his eyes darted nervously to the security cameras.
"First you lie about houses, now you're chickening out of bets?"
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"Classic move,"
Thomas sneered, adjusting his collar for the tenth time.
Sweat stained the edges of his silk shirt despite the cool air.
"Make impossible claims, then look for an escape route when challenged."
At that moment the group's confidence swelled visibly - shoulders straightening, chins lifting, smirks growing wider as they convinced themselves they'd caught Ethan in another bluff.
They exchanged knowing looks and nudges, their designer clothes rustling as they clustered closer together.
"If you're so confident about getting in,"
Marcus taunted, his arrogance back in full force, though his right eye twitched slightly.
"Why do we need paperwork? Unless..."
his smile turned predatory, even as his fingers nervously adjusted his Rolex.
"you're looking for an excuse to back out?"
However Ethan wanted to say something when Marcus pointed at the paper in Ethan hand.
"And you think I would agree to that trash you're holding, if you're really serious about this, let's do it properly, since you claim you're rich, it means you also have a lawyer, call them let's make it more official, not this child play."
Immediately all of them nodded to Marcus' words.
with a deadly gaze they face Ethan.
Ethan however didn't say anything, he wanted to go easy on them, but it seems that want him to be rootless.
Without wasting any more time he brought out his phone.
Ethan's phone call was brief and precise.
Within minutes, a sleek black Mercedes pulled up, and a professional-looking woman in a Chanel suit emerged with documents in hand.
Her presence alone made several of them shift uncomfortably.
The group huddled around as the contract was presented, their perfumes mixing with nervous sweat.
they thought Ethan wouldn't be able to get a lawyer but within minutes he provided one.
Their eyes widened comically as they read the terms.
And one of the penalty caught their intention.
"Failure to comply when Ethan fill his words, would result to a $100 million penalty."
"If Ethan fails: $1 million compensation to each participant."
"A hundred million?"
Marcus scoffed, but his voice cracked like a teenager's.
And his perfectly nails drummed anxiously against his thigh.
"This is ridiculous! Who do you think you are?"
" I can see he's really committed to this joke,"
Jake laughed nervously, tugging at his collar until the expensive fabric wrinkled. His face had gone pale.
"He's making rules as if he could pay us a million each when he loses."
At that moment Sarah leaned over to Thomas, her perfume barely masking her anxiety.
"He's just trying to scare us,"
she whispered, her glossy lips trembling slightly.
"Nobody would risk that kind of money. It's not even legal, right?"
At that moment they all nodded agreeing, they know Ethan wouldn't be able to pay either he's just trying to scare them.
The contract passed from hand to hand, each adding their signature with exaggerated flourishes and forced laughter.
knowing Ethan would be owning them a million dollars soon.
Thomas's hand shook so badly he nearly tore the paper.
Marcus kept checking his phone, as if fighting the urge to call his father's lawyers.
"This is the most elaborate bluff I've ever seen,"
someone muttered, voice trembling.
With wasting any more time the lawyer notarized each signature with professional efficiency, her face betraying nothing as she stamped the documents.
Meanwhile, Ethan watched their false bravado crumble bit by bit, noticing every nervous twitch, every uncertain glance.
"The trap is set, and they fell for it"
He said to himself.
At that moment The lawyer collected the signed contract, her heels clicking against the pavement as she returned to her car.
without even saying anything.
The group stood smugly, exchanging confident glances and subtle fist bumps, certain of their impending victory.
At that moment Ethan pulled out his phone, fingers moving swiftly across the screen.
A few quick messages, then he slipped it back into his pocket with practiced ease.
"Shall we?"
he said casually, as if he was inviting them to a coffee rather than the most exclusive property in the city.
His voice carried just a hint of amusement.
"Sure,"
Marcus snickered, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "Lead the way to your imaginary—"
Immediately his words died in his throat as Ethan approached the security panel.
The group's collective breath caught as he pulled out an elegant black card with gold trim.
Sarah's perfectly manicured hand flew to her mouth.
Jake's knees actually buckled slightly.
A soft beep echoed in the sudden silence.
The massive gates began to swing open smoothly.
At that moment the group's faces transformed in waves, first skepticism, then confusion, followed by dawning shock, and finally absolute horror as the impregnable fortress of the Grand King mansion welcomed Ethan like a returning master.
They couldn't believe the card he was holding actually opened the gate.
"Oh my god,"
Sarah whispered, her designer clutch slipping from nerveless fingers.
"The contract... we signed... oh my god."
Just as the gates swung open, security guards materialized from every direction, their black suits pristine, their police batons raised threateningly toward Ethan.
Their earpieces gleamed in the light as they moved with military precision.
"Ha!"
Marcus's laugh carried a note of hysteria and relief. His perfectly styled hair bounced as he threw his head back.
"I knew it! You're so stupid, Ethan!" His confidence came flooding back as he straightened his designer jacket, his hands only slightly trembling.
"Should've known better than to try this!"
Sarah squealed, clutching her bag with renewed vigor.
The group's laughter echoed across, their earlier fear transforming into mocking triumph. Their bodies literally bounced with relief and glee.
"Say goodbye to that million dollars!"
Jake called out, high-fiving Thomas with enough force to make their Rolexes clink together.
"But instead you would be the one owning us a million dollars each."
At that moment their celebration froze mid-motion, their faces stuck in expressions of joy that slowly morphed to confusion as the mansion's massive front doors swung open with impressive silence.
An elegant woman emerged, her Louboutin heels clicking against marble steps with measured precision.
Her presence immediately commanded attention.