"Pass the phone to your Uncle Morgan!" Richard Bear demanded over the line.
The tension in the air was palpable. A storm was brewing, and Richard could feel it. First, their suppliers had suddenly cut ties. Now, one of the founding shareholders was resigning. What was happening to the Bear family?
Ethan Bear's earlier arrogance had completely dissipated. His fiery energy from moments ago, directed toward Veronica Rivers, had been extinguished in the face of these mounting problems. With no other option, he walked out of the office, phone in hand, and handed it to Morgan Walsh.
"Save your breath," Morgan said firmly. "Richard, we've known each other for years. But people need to think about their future. It's time for me to move on."
Richard's voice trembled with suppressed rage and disbelief. "Fine. But, Morgan, do me one favor. Tell me who's behind all of this. Our suppliers, our investors—even you? Is it the same person?"
Morgan hesitated. Richard knew he was unlikely to betray his new benefactor, but what happened next stunned him.
"Yes," Morgan replied flatly. "And I'll tell you his name. It's Mike Carter."
Richard's breath hitched. "Mike Carter?"
Ethan Bear, standing nearby, visibly flinched at the name. His body trembled uncontrollably. The name struck him like a sledgehammer to the gut.
Morgan continued, "Richard, you're better off not making an enemy of him. Mike Carter is not someone you can afford to cross." With that, Morgan turned and left, his decision resolute.
In the aftermath of Morgan's departure, Richard Bear could barely contain his turmoil. He paced back and forth in his office, muttering to himself, "Who is Mike Carter?"
Meanwhile, Ethan checked his watch, beads of cold sweat rolling down his temples. There was less than thirty minutes left before the deadline Mike had given him. Ethan had laughed off Mike's threats earlier, but now he was consumed with fear.
In the span of two short hours, the Bear family's world was crumbling. Their suppliers had severed ties. Their investors had withdrawn funds. Richard's founding partner had resigned. It was a level of devastation that no ordinary businessman could orchestrate.
Ethan's phone buzzed. His eyes widened as he read the message. His lips quivered, and he erupted into a stream of curses. "Damn you, Mike Carter! What are you doing to us?"
Richard heard the commotion and rushed over. "What's happening now?"
Ethan's voice shook as he answered, "Dad, it's him. It's Mike Carter. Our suppliers, our investors, even Morgan… they're all under his control."
Richard's face turned ashen. "A college student?"
"Yes," Ethan confirmed. "But… he's no ordinary college student."
Richard slammed his fist onto the table. "What are you saying? That a college student has dismantled our entire business network in just two hours? How?"
Ethan recounted everything he knew about Mike Carter—the mysterious Californium gift, the calculated revenge, and the sudden cascade of disasters that had befallen the Bear family.
Richard's expression darkened with every word. By the end of Ethan's explanation, he looked utterly defeated.
"Call him," Richard ordered.
Ethan hesitated. "Dad, do we really have to…?"
"Call him now!" Richard's voice was sharp and unyielding.
Reluctantly, Ethan picked up the phone. The device felt heavy in his hand, as if the very act of dialing Mike's number was an admission of defeat. He dialed. The line rang. And rang. And rang.
No answer.
Ethan tried again. Still no response. Ten calls. Twenty calls. Nothing. Each unanswered call only heightened Richard's anxiety.
"What now?" Ethan's voice cracked under the weight of his despair.
Richard wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers. "Send him a message. Beg if you have to."
Ethan's hands trembled as he typed out a series of increasingly desperate messages.
Mr. Carter, I'm sorry. The Californium is still in my possession. I'll return it to you immediately. Please… let this end.
Finally, Mike answered. The call connected, and Mike's voice came through, cold and distant. "Well, if it isn't Ethan Bear."
Ethan's throat tightened. "Mr. Carter, I… I was wrong. I'll return the Californium. Let's just end this here. Please."
Mike chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth. "Didn't I give you a chance earlier? You chose to ignore me. Now, I'm just finishing what you started."
Richard grabbed the phone from Ethan and spoke directly. "Mike Carter, this has gone far enough. We're willing to negotiate. Let's sit down like civilized men and settle this."
Mike's voice remained icy. "Negotiate? Why would I negotiate with someone who thinks they can steal from me and walk away unscathed?"
Richard's desperation bled into his tone. "Fine. Name your terms. Whatever it takes."
Mike's reply was immediate and unforgiving. "I don't need your apologies. Here's my suggestion: gather every member of your family, go to the Rivers family, and kneel. Stay there until they forgive you. Otherwise, you can watch your empire crumble to dust."
Ethan clenched his fists. "You're going too far, Mike Carter."
"Am I?" Mike retorted. "You took something that didn't belong to you. Now you'll pay the price."
Richard's voice rose in anger. "You've done enough damage. Our suppliers and investors may have abandoned us, but the Bear family is far from finished. We'll rebuild."
Mike's laughter was dark and foreboding. "Oh, Richard, you're in for a surprise. You think losing your suppliers and investors was the worst I could do? You haven't seen anything yet. The real show starts now."
Richard frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Mike's next words sent a chill down their spines. "In ten minutes, I'll show you a magic trick. I'll make the Bear family fortune disappear."