Michael exhaled a cloud of smoke, his gaze fixed on the young man across from him through the haze. "You seem to hold a lot of resentment toward me."
"Shouldn't I?" Ethan shot back. "My mother was a brilliant woman. I've seen her old photos, the books she kept. She was beautiful. Loved painting, romance. And now? Her hands are covered in calluses. She cuts hundreds of pounds of grass feed every day. When she was lying in that hospital bed with brain cancer, all she could do was watch other patients surrounded by their families."
Michael let out a derisive chuckle, his eyes filled with unconcealed disgust for Ethan. "If it weren't for you, your mother and I would never have parted. She could have lived a life of comfort! Luxury! Status! All of that was ruined because of you!"
Ethan shook his head, his eyes filled with contempt. He uttered two quiet words: "You're pathetic."
"What did you say?" Michael's imposing aura flared instantly.
"I said you're pathetic." Ethan remained completely unaffected. "You blame me for you and my mother splitting up? That's not my problem. It's yours. Because you're weak. Because you were constrained. Because you lacked the courage to stand by your actions!"
Michael's fists clenched, his breathing growing heavy. "Ethan. Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
Ethan sighed. "You know, you don't need to put on this act of being all-powerful and infallible around me. You're not as strong as you pretend to be. Right now, you need someone with the status of your 'son' to do a job for you. That kind of condition wouldn't come from a business rival—it's pointless in that context."
"So the answer is..." Ethan's eyes seemed to pierce through Michael. "You need a 'son' to do this thing to prove your loyalty or commitment to someone. Right?"
"Yeah, you're rich. You have countless businesses. You're a 'big shot' in people's eyes. But in a way, your situation is more desperate than mine. One wrong move, and you could lose everything." Ethan's voice was steady. "You and I are in an equal transaction. I need money. You pay me. I do the job. Neither of us is above the other."
Michael opened his mouth, then closed it, swallowing his words.
Summer poured Michael a drink. "I told you he's more interesting than you thought, right?"
Michael downed the glass in one go. "One hundred and twenty thousand."
Ethan nodded. "Deal."
Michael looked surprised. "Aren't you going to ask what the job is?"
Ethan shrugged. "For that much money, does it matter?"
Michael brushed off his sleeves and stood. "Summer, get him dinner. Brief him. Then take him home."
"When do I get the money?" Ethan asked.
Michael paused. "What if you fail? What if you don't make it back?"
"That's exactly why I need it upfront," Ethan said naturally.
"Give him half first!" Michael waved his sleeve and strode away.
As he turned, an unconscious smile touched the corner of his lips.
The dinner Summer arranged was extravagant, a feast Ethan had never seen before.
Ethan didn't stand on ceremony, eating heartily.
"Slow down. If it's not enough, we can order more. You can even take some home."
"No." Ethan shook his head. "If I bring this home, my mom will know I contacted him. She doesn't want that."
Summer didn't press further.
Once Ethan was nearly finished, she explained the situation.
First, as Ethan had guessed, Michael needed him for this job to gain favor with someone higher up—someone Summer had no contact with, whom Michael only referred to as 'The Boss.'
The Boss had a business associate, a man named Mr. Kun. Kun had been coveting a specific shipment of goods held at the 'Lansway Club.' He'd spent six months planting an undercover agent there—a very beautiful woman.
Two weeks ago, several Lansway partners were drinking at The Dynasty. Kun's people planned to make their move then. But Lucas, driven by lust, saw the woman and tried to drug her. When she realized, he attempted to force himself on her. A fight broke out. While no one gained the upper hand, it alerted the Lansway people, and Kun's operation was ruined.
Furious that Michael's son had sabotaged the plan, Kun went straight to The Boss, demanding an explanation. The Boss, in turn, put the pressure on Michael.
Ethan wiped his mouth. "What do I need to do?"
"The woman is still inside Lansway. It's disguised as the city's most luxurious spa, but the real action is three floors underground—a casino. You need to go into the casino, link up with her, and help her extract the shipment."
"Got it." Ethan nodded. "If I succeed, I'm Michael's 'son,' proving his commitment. If I fail, no one can trace it back to him. Right?"
Summer's silence was his answer.
Ethan stood and slung his backpack over his shoulder. "It's late. Don't bother driving me. If my mom sees a sports car dropping me off, she'll figure everything out."
He reached the door, then turned back. "By the way, when do I get the money?"
"Not yet," Summer replied. "Even though your answer to Michael was definite, he wants you to think it over. Call me once you've decided."
Ethan started to say something.
"Ethan." Summer cut him off gently. "You're a smart kid. So you should understand this isn't a one-time, 'go in hard and get paid' deal. Once you step into this world, you're in it. You told me earlier... you're your mother's whole life. Right?"
Ethan finally said nothing more. He walked out and headed home.
It was past eight now. The November air in the city was cold, the night fully descended. People hurried through the streets, no conversation, not even eye contact.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Ethan looked at the caller ID, and a bad feeling clenched in his stomach. It was Maya, his neighbor. She never called unless something was wrong.
"Ethan! You... you need to get to the hospital! Now! Your mom... she collapsed!"
Collapsed!
The words hit Ethan like a physical blow. He knew his mother's illness was brain cancer. The doctors had said her condition was stable for now, but the thing they feared most was her losing consciousness!
For many brain cancer patients, a coma could mean the end was near. It could be a matter of hours, days, or weeks.
Ethan hastily flagged down a cab and rushed to the hospital. Maya was waiting outside the ER. She was a quiet-looking girl, about his age, with a simple ponytail. Her winter coat was worn, and her clasped hands were red and calloused—clear signs her family wasn't well off either.
Seeing Ethan, she ran over, her eyes wide with panic.
"I... my dad asked me to get some fish from your place. I knocked, but no one answered. Called, no reply. So I climbed the fence, and your mom was just... lying there..."
"Family of Lydia Chen?" a nurse's voice called out, cutting through the tension. "The doctor needs to see you in his office."