"And what exactly are you trying to say?" As Ethan smirked knowingly, Alex couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ah… here we go again." He had already guessed what Ethan was going to do next. Because this was Ethan's usual trick. It was always the same pattern:
Step 1: Point out a real problem in someone's life.
Step 2: Make a vague, mystical claim about why it happened.
Step 3: Pretend to have the solution.
It was a cheap parlor trick, something that worked only because of the power of suggestion.
But Alex? He wasn't just seeing through the illusion. He had already surpassed it. Ethan's smirk widened.
"You see, Mr. Stane… The reason your fortune has been declining isn't because of bad business decisions." He took a dramatic pause, letting the tension build. "It's because of a single object."
"A vase." Gasps filled the hall. Ethan raised his voice, delivering the final punchline.
"Years ago, you had a vase placed at the entrance of your house—right in the center of the main hallway. While it was there, your fortune flourished." He said and stopped for a dramatic turn and than recealed the reason like on some drama.
"But the moment you gave that vase away—Everything started to go downhill." Ethan Finished and then added.
"Am I wrong?" For a brief moment, the tension in the hall shifted once again.
Stane's face twisted in thought, his brows furrowing deeply. His mind raced as he searched through his memories. And then… realization struck.
"Wait a minute… that does sound right." His voice carried a mix of shock and suspicion. "Ever since I gave that vase away, my fortune really did start declining!" A hushed silence spread across the room.
And then, Ethan Carter delivered the final blow. Ethan's smirk widened as he spoke with absolute certainty— "That vase was the financial focal point of your home—your Fortune Skills 'core.' By giving it away, you didn't just lose a decorative item."
"You handed over your prosperity." He let the weight of his words sink in before casting a meaningful glance toward one of the other business elites— Walter Lane.
His tone turned playful, yet dangerously sharp.
"Tell me, Walter… Do you think I'm wrong?" Walter Lane's expression stiffened immediately. His entire demeanor changed, his shoulders tensing, his gaze flickering slightly.
It was a minuscule reaction, something most wouldn't notice. But in a room filled with ruthless businessmen and cunning socialites, such a shift didn't go unnoticed.
Even Stane, who had initially been lost in thought, suddenly snapped his head toward Walter. His eyes narrowed, suspicion burning bright.
"Wait a damn second…" He gritted his teeth as realization dawned. "You were the one who insisted on buying that vase from me. You offered an insane price, even when I told you it was just decoration." His voice rose as anger flooded his veins.
"Did you know about its Fortune properties all along?!" His fists clenched as he stepped forward, his rage mounting. "You bastard! You stole my fortune!" Walter's face was drained of color. He raised his hands in defense, his voice filled with panic.
"I swear, I didn't know! This is just a coincidence—!" Said Walter as he faced Stane.
"Coincidence my ass! You scammed me!" The banquet guests watched in stunned silence as two of the city's top business tycoons erupted into a heated argument.
For once, no one cared about maintaining social decorum. The sheer shock of the accusation was too much to ignore. And amidst it all… Ethan Carter stood tall, watching the chaos unfold with a victorious smirk.
Slowly but surely, the murmurs returned. But this time… They weren't mocking Ethan. They were in awe.
"Wait… so everything Ethan Carter said was true?"
"Did he really expose a hidden Fortune Skills conspiracy?!"
"How did he even know about the vase?! That's insane!"
"I can't believe it… but I think he's actually the real deal!"
For the first time since the banquet began. The power dynamics had shifted again. Where there had been doubt and ridicule. Now there was respect. Caution. Even fear.
All eyes turned to Ethan Carter. And he felt it. The admiration. The reverence, the awe, this was what he had been waiting for.
'Heh… now they finally understand.' Ethan straightened his posture, drinking in the gazes that surrounded him.
The last few minutes had been rough. For a while, it had seemed like he would lose all credibility. But now? Now he had turned the tables. Even Walter Lane and the other elites.
The very people who had mocked him moments ago, were now reevaluating their opinions. He could feel it. Their desire to be on his side. Their hesitation. Their growing belief.
"This is how it should be. Wherever I go, I will be the center of attention. I will be the one they admire, the one they fear." He muttered to himself as his confidence soared.
And then, he turned to Alex. His smirk deepened. Ethan Carter was basking in his moment of glory.
For the first time tonight, he felt like the true protagonist once again. He had successfully turned the tide of the banquet, earning the admiration and fear of the elite.
And most importantly. He had forced Alex into silence. Or so he thought. Ethan turned to see Alex's reaction, expecting to see shock, disbelief, or maybe even grudging respect.
But instead… Alex just looked… unimpressed. No, more than that. He looked amused.
There was no panic, no hesitation, no reaction of a man who had been outplayed. Instead, Alex's expression was calm, relaxed, and— Mocking.
It was the way a teacher looks at a student who just got the answer completely wrong but is still bragging about it.
And that… That made Ethan furious.
"What the hell is with that look?!" Ethan's brows furrowed deeply. A creeping sense of unease began to settle in his chest.
'Why isn't he reacting the way I expected? Why does he still look so… confident?' More importantly— 'Why does he look at me like I'm an idiot?" The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.
(A/N: Next Chapter Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)
Don't forget to add this novel to your library and sent some power stones for support if you like the novel.