Oddly powerful, the neighbors hardly dared to breathe in front of them. In this strange
silence, Aiden's voice seemed louder and more powerful. We, the owners of Midnight
Snack Corner, are honest business people and skilled at what we do.
We have no need to add drugs to our food. We're not like some other shops I won't
mention. They're not so good at making decent food, but what they are good at is
spreading lies about other people.
He glanced over at Rudy, who was still lying on the ground. Rudy quickly turned his head
to avoid Aiden's gaze. Aiden then took one last look at the crowd.
You guys better remember what you said and did today, he said coldly. When the truth is
out, I hope you won't regret it. With that, he turned around and went back inside the
shop.
Morris and Clara followed him, slamming the door behind them. It wasn't until Aiden had
been gone for a couple of minutes that the neighbors finally regained their ability to
speak. Bah! The kid has no shame! I didn't expect them to be so stubborn.
They refused to admit their mistakes, so I'm not going to feel sorry for them when their
reputation is ruined and they go out of business. After several minutes of grumbling and
cursing, the crowd gradually dispersed. When Saturday arrived, Aiden finally had the
time to execute his revenge plan.
He left home early that morning and boarded the bus to Lovelace Mountain.
Until a few years ago, Lovelace Mountain had been a popular destination for
the residents of Bayside District. Then the wealthy Anthony Kaye bought up the entire
mountain, and since then, Lovelace Mountain had been the Kaye family's private
property.
Aiden was going to visit Anthony Kaye at Lovelace Mountain today. If he wanted to clear
the Midnight Snack Corner's name, he would first have to prove that the rumors
currently circulating were false. Anthony Kaye had enormous influence in the area.
If he agreed to vouch for the Dales and Midnight Snack Corner, that would certainly go a
long way toward redeeming it in the eyes of the public. Aiden had called Anthony Kaye a
few days ago and explained his situation. Anthony Kaye did not agree to help him
immediately.
Instead, he asked Aiden to visit him on Lovelace Mountain when he had the time.
Impatient but having no other choice, Aiden arranged to make the trip on the coming Saturday. He rode the bus for over 45 minutes and walked for half a mile.
Finally, he arrived at the foot of Lovelace Mountain. To get to the top of the mountain,
one had to ascend a narrow winding staircase that was almost constantly shrouded in
fog. The bottom of the stone staircase was guarded day and night by a group of security
officers wearing black suits and sunglasses.
Hey, stop! This is private property! A security guard had noticed Aiden approaching and
waved a police baton at him in warning. Sir, my name is Aiden. Mr. Kaye and I have an
appointment, Aiden said.
Aiden? No one said anything about any Aiden. Just turn around and get lost, kid. If you
think you're going to get past me, you've got another thing coming.
Noticing the cheap clothing Aiden wore, the security guard made no attempt to hide his
disdain for the boy and waved his hand at Aiden as though he were swatting at a fly.
Dude, I have an appointment with Mr. Kaye. That's the truth.
If you don't believe me, you can call him now and ask him. Although Aiden was irritated,
he tried his best to maintain his composure as he spoke. The security guard snorted.
Are you out of your mind? You think I'm going to believe Mr. Kaye wants to talk to you?
I've seen hundreds of kids just like you. You'll say anything to get up that mountain.
Well, it's not going to work today.
I'll tell you one more time. You'd better beat it right now if you don't want to get your ass
kicked, kid. Aiden's eyes turned cold.
Just as he was wondering whether he should try to force his way in, he heard the sound
of a car's engine behind him. An exquisite red Audi pulled up, and a young woman with a
cold face and an impressive figure slowly emerged. The security guard's expression
became respectful the instant he saw the woman.
He smiled and approached her, bowing. Miss Ava, good morning. Still as beautiful as
ever, I see.
This woman was naturally Mr. Kaye's secretary, Ava, whom Aiden had met once in his
shop. Ava didn't pay attention to the security guard. Instead, she walked over to Aiden.
Mr. Dale, why haven't you gone up yet? She asked, looking puzzled. Mr. Kaye has been
waiting for you for days. The security guard was shocked when he saw that Ava seemed
to know Aiden.
Aiden looked over at the security guard and shrugged helplessly. Mr. Master of the
Universe over here says I'm not qualified to see Mr. Kaye. Before you got here, he was
threatening to beat me up, and it looks like he's still hoping he'll get the chance.
Ava's gaze was like ice as she stared at the security guard. This is Mr. Aiden, Mr. Kaye's
benefactor. He's the most distinguished of the Kaye group's guests, and you think he's
not qualified to see Mr. Kaye? Really? And who is? You? The security guard looked
terrified.
I was wrong. It was a mistake. I apologize sincerely, he sputtered, trembling.
Shut up, Ava said casually. You're fired. Your last paycheck will be in the mail.
Kindly gather together your belongings and leave the premises. At this, the security
guard felt dizzy. He staggered, then lurched backward and fell to the ground.
Ava was Anthony Kaye's most trusted assistant. Once you'd gotten on her bad side, you
knew your days were numbered, and there would be no forgiveness or redemption after
that. He understood what had happened and why it had happened, and he knew he'd
never return to Lovelace Mountain again.
And all because he'd offended someone he wasn't supposed to have offended. This big
fat mouth of mine. After Aiden and Ava left, the security guard continued cursing to
himself.
He wanted to cry, but found he was unable to. He simply had no tears.
Aiden watched Ava swaying back as she walked ahead of him.
She has a different style, he thought to himself. Olmia and Viola had an innocent, pure
beauty.
Ava, who was in her early twenties, was more like a rose in full bloom. Regal and
sophisticated. Aiden looked at his surroundings.
Beautiful, but cold. If it weren't so cold, it would be even more breathtaking. He was
surprised when Ava didn't walk toward the stone steps.
Instead, she went further around the side of the mountain, where a steel door was
embedded in the mountain wall. The door looked very technological, with various gizmos
and gears embedded in it that Aiden had never seen before. Two bald men with bright
eyes stood guard in front of the door.
They were large and muscular. He could tell that they were on a different level than the
security guard who had collapsed a minute earlier. The two burly men bowed to Ava and
made way for her and Aiden.
Ava approached the door and tapped her index finger lightly on the fingerprint lock on
the door. The door beeped and wrenched, then opened suddenly. Ava stepped inside
before waving at Aiden to follow.
Aiden was in a daze, but he went with Ava down the shadowy corridor that lay behind
the door. The pair walked for about two minutes when another door like the first
appeared. Again, Aiden used the fingerprint lock to open the door.
Suddenly, glaring sunlight became visible up ahead. As they walked through the door,
another world appeared before them. It seemed to be a small, sealed valley with several
cable cars parked in the middle.
A few thick steel ropes extended from the valley to the top of the mountain. Let's go. Get
in the car.
Ava's face was expressionless. Aiden followed her to one of the cable cars. Ava saw that
Aiden was doubtful.
That stone step is for someone else to walk on, she explained. The entire journey will
take a little more than half an hour. Mr. K doesn't have time to take the stairs every day,
so he spent a few hundred thousand installing a cable lift to the top of the mountain.
I guess poverty really has limited my imagination, Aiden thought to himself wryly. Ava
fiddled with the panel in the cable car. With the sudden start, the car slowly began its
slow climb to the top of the mountain.
Soon, the bayside district skyline could be seen through the cable car's glass windows.
The sight of the mountains refreshed Aiden, and he felt some of his earlier anxiety begin
to dissipate. Someday, when he had the money, he'd live in a place where the world was
forced to look up to him, just like Mr. K. A person's view of the world is limited by their
understanding.
Ava's eyes, usually so calm, suddenly grew stormy. She was overcome by a feeling that
the youth beside her had an indescribable temperament, which somehow reminded Ava
of her boss, Mr. K. Whenever Anthony K looked out at Bayside District from the cable car,
he gave off a similar aura of dignity and dominance. Ava was finally beginning to
understand why Mr. K valued this young man so much.
Aiden turned to look at Ava. Before he could meet her eyes, however, she had averted
her gaze and turned to look out the window. Despite the tense atmosphere, the cable
car finally reached the top of the mountain.
It had come to a stop inside a quiet house. Aiden followed Ava as they exited the cable
car. Two bald men stood outside the house, similar in appearance to the men who
guarded the door at the bottom of the mountain.
Holding two instruments in their hand, they stepped forward to greet Ava and Aiden.