Chapter 160
+25 BONUS
Chapter 160
Aleostood atop the Harlan mansion, surveying the pandemonium below.
Down on the street, he spotted Marco racing along as if a rabid dog were nipping at his heels.
But that wasn’t Alex’s concern.
Yes, Marco had scammed the Lancasters, but Alex had warned everyone. They’d chosen not to listen. They’d let it happen.
His time was better spent on his own pursuits: finding more money, securing more elixir, leveling up.
There was a battle on the horizon, and his parents‘ enemy wouldn’t wait forever. Careful progress was the only way forward.
A sudden buzz from his phone cut through his thoughts.
“Alex?” came the familiar voice of Ruth, the matron of the orphanage.
“Hey, Ruth. Everything okay?” he asked.
“Are you in Vancouver?”
“Yes. Need something?”
Ruth sighed audibly. “Josephine’s in Vancouver on business, and now she’s lost. Her phone battery died, and she can’t find her way back. Could you help her?”
“Of course,” he replied without pause. “Send me her number, and I’ll track her last known location.”
“Thank you, Alex,” Ruth said, relief flooding her tone.
“No worries.”
Meanwhile, Josephine sat on a cold metal bench, arms folded tight against her chest.
Frustration etched itself into every line of her face.
“Perfect,” she muttered, glaring at her dead phone. “Stranded in the middle of nowhere, and this ancient thing doesn’t even have a charger anyone recognizes.”
A voice from behind made her jump. “You’ve got plenty of money, don’t you? Why not just buy a new phone?”
She spun around, her face brightening at the sight of Alex.
He stood there with that same cool smirk.
“Alex!” she exclaimed, rushing over and grabbing his hands. “Thank God you’re here!”
He arched an eyebrow. “What are you doing in this part of town?”
She fished a small card from her pocket and showed it to him. “Do you know this place?”
Glancing at the card, Alex nodded. “I can take you there.”
“Great! I’m already late.” She tugged him toward the bus station.
“Let’s just grab a taxi,” Alex offered.
“Taxi?” she asked, grimacing. “No way. That’s expensive.
Chapter 180
+25 BONUS
“I’ll pay,” he said.
A relieved grin spread across her face. “Well, in that case taxi it is!”
Inside the cab, Alex eyed Josephine suspiciously.
“Why are you going to Southern Community Bank? Didn’t you have money left from the last time?”
She blew out a breath. “You wouldn’t believe how many orphanages depend on us around Vancouver. Mom shares our funds to help keep them running; they need it even more than we do.”
Alex knew the type–good people who never hesitated to give, even when they had nothing to spare.
“So, what’s this bank trip about?” he asked.
She smiled, and for a moment, Alex found his heart skipping a beat.
Josephine was beautiful in a refreshingly real way–no makeup, no fancy clothes, just her authentic, tomboyish charm.
“There’s some good news,” she explained. “Our orphanage in the slum area is finally being renovated. But we’re still short on funds to finish everything.”
Alex frowned. He had invested millions into that place. “Didn’t anyone else pitch in for the rebuilding?”
“They helped with roads, gardens, and a few small houses,” she said, rubbing her temples, “but we still need furniture and proper livable rooms. About a hundred thousand dollars more. If the bank’s generous, maybe fifty- if we’re lucky.” 1
Upon arriving at the bank, an assistant whisked Josephine straight into a private office, while Alex was instructed to wait in the lobby.
Inside, Josephine found herself facing Mr. Kelvin–a heavyset man crammed behind a mahogany desk, his bulbous stomach pressing against the edge.
His eyes gleamed the instant she stepped in.
“Well, if it isn’t Ms. Everheart from the orphanage,” Kelvin drawled. “What can I do for you today?”
She swallowed her distaste and got right to the point. “I’m here for the loan we discussed last year. We need a hundred thousand dollars to finish rebuilding the orphanage. The same interest rate as you promise before.”
Kelvin leaned back, stroking his chin with greasy satisfaction. “A hundred grand isn’t pocket change, Ms. Everheart.”
Her voice remained level. “I understand that. But you promised you’d help us. Even half would be appreciated.”
A low, smug chuckle rumbled from his throat. “It’s not just about the money. It’s also about…my mood.”
Josephine’s brow creased. “Excuse me?”
He leaned forward, voice slithering into a filthy whisper. “We both know how this works. I’ve had my eye on you for a while. One night with me, and I’ll sign off on the money–fifty thousand, a hundred thousand, whatever you need.”
Her eyes flashed with righteous anger. “Kelvin, do you even realize what you’re suggesting?”
He sneered, openly shameless.
“Of course I do. And you’re in no position to refuse, are you? No other bank in Vancouver will grant you a loan if I
Chapter 180
+25 BONUS
blacklist you. Your orphanage will crumble, and you’ll be left with nothing but regret. Think about it: one night. Such a small price to pay to save those poor kids.”
Her face went ice–cold. “Are you blackmailing me?”
“Call it a fair trade,” Kelvin replied, shrugging with faux inlifference. “I need a companion for the night, and you need funds. Win–win, don’t you think?”
Her glare turned deadly and stood. “You are absolutely revolting.”
Kelvin slammed a meaty palm on his desk. “Sit down! Walk out that door, and I’ll make sure no one in this city gives your orphanage a single dime. Your orphanage will rot in front of your eyes.”
She shot to her feet, words trembling with fury. “I won’t do any dirty deals with you, Kelvin. You disgust me. In fact, just looking at your pig face turns my stomach.”
His expression darkened to an ugly red. “You dare insult me?! You should be honored I’d even consider you!” His curled as he spat, “Acting high and mighty, as if you’re some saint, when you’re just a whore–”
“Shut your mouth,” Josephine growled, her voice shaking.
He gave her a vile smirk. “I’ll ruin your orphanage with a single phone call.”
She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “I’d like to see you try.‘
Kelvin’s face contorted with rage. “Mark my words, you’ll be begging for my help soon enough!”
“Go to hell!” Josephine roared, grabbing the steaming cup of coffee on the desk and hurling it into his face.
Kelvin shrieked, stumbling back as the scorching liquid scalded his skin. He bellowed like a wounded beast, clutching his reddening cheek.
“You… you bitch!” he howled, lurching forward in a blind fury.
But Josephine was faster. In one swift motion, she drove her sneakers into Kelvin’s crotch. “Go to Hell you bastard!”
He collapsed instantly, howling in agony, his face mottled purple as he writhed on the floor.
Josephine stood over him, her voice trembling with rage. “You make me sick.”
Without a backward glance, she stormed out, leaving his enraged, pain–filled screams echoing down the corridor behind her.
Josephine barreled straight into Alex, who had been lingering by the door. Startled, she glared up at him.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped.
He shrugged, a faint smirk on his lips. “Just checking to make sure you were all right.”
His attention drifted past her to Mr. Kelvin, still sprawled on the floor, wheezing in pain. Alex’s eyes gleamed with a cold satisfaction; he silently thanked Josephine for handling the situation before he had to.
If he’d intervened, Kelvin might never have used his birdie again.
“We’re done here,” Josephine declared, her tone sharp.
She spun on her heel and strode away. Her mood was as sour as it looked.
Chapter 160
+25 BONUS
Suddenly, Kelvin’s voice thundered through the air, dripping with malice. “Stop right there! You think you can assault me and just waltz off? Who do you think I am?!”
On his command, security guards scrambled into a tight formation at the main entrance, blocking their escape.
“You little bitch!” Kelvin roared, lumbering to his feet.
“Kick me, will you? I’ll make sure you never see daylight again!” Spit flew from his lips as he lunged at Josephine, hand raised to strike.
