Chapter 186
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One of the Lancaster cronies hissed under his breath, “Hold up. Shouldn’t Dr. Owens be taking Alex’s head off? “Why is he playing Whac–A–Mole with Vincent?”
“You flaming halfwit! You dare use my name to inflate your puny ego? To con people who don’t know better? I’ll make sure you regret the day you learned to speak!”
Dr. Owens only roared louder, launching a kick at Vincent that connected with a thud.
Vincent sprawled like roadkill, blood streaming from his cracked lips.
That smug grin he’d worn earlier? Now just a grotesque mask of pain and shame. Any bravado he had was beaten out of him in record time.
Jonathan Owens turned, meeting Alex’s steady gaze.
He could practically feel his own heart punching the inside of his ribcage.
This was the man who had once saved his life, the person he’d spent years trying to find.
And thanks to that useless pretender, he’d almost missed the chance to repay the biggest debt of his career–no, of his entire existence.
Still shaken, Sophia ventured, “Dr. Owens… Do you actually know Alex?”
Jonathan’s throat constricted as he stole a sidelong glance at Alex.
Remembering Alex’s earlier statement–the oh–so–innocent I don’t know this guy, and he doesn’t know me the famous doctor quickly pivoted, forcing an awkward cough.
“I–uh–no. I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me,” he said, voice stumbling.
It was so obvious he was lying through his teeth, but he plastered on a feeble smile anyway. 4
“But it’s never too late, right? I heard your name’s Alex. I’m Jonathan Owens. Pleasure meeting you under these… circumstances.‘
Alex merely gave a single nod, keeping it cool.
And then–like a glitch in reality–Dr. Owens dropped onto his knees before Alex.
That entire room felt like it’d been slammed into a brick wall at a hundred miles an hour.
Jaws fell open. Heartbeats practically pounded in unison.
“S–sir… I’m ashamed you had to see this ugly side of me.”
Whispers flared:
“Wh–what the hell is going on? Dr. Owens is kneeling? Like, kneeling kneeling?”
“Is Alex some kind of secret mob boss? This is insane!”
The Lancasters just stood there as though they’d all been collectively tasered. No one could spit out anything coherent beyond startled gasps.
Charles, meanwhile, looked like he’d swallowed a live frog
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Chapter 186
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Vincent, hugging his busted face, asked in a shattered voice “M–master… You actually know this guy?”
Owens spat, “Know him? I don’t know you and I don’t claim that man either. But I won’t stand here while you soil his name. Get on your miserable knees and beg for forgiveness!”
Vincent’s eyes darted like a cornered rat.
He was shaking so hard he could barely hold himself upright. “I–I’m sorry, Mr. Alex. Please… h–have mercy…” Without hesitation, he crashed to his knees, looking like a sideshow attraction that’d been thoroughly wrecked.
Dr. Owens took the chance to twist the knife deeper.
“This second–rate hack took a giant dump on my reputation. He’s too blind to see you for who you are, and worse yet, he insulted you. If you need to punish him further, be my guest. You can turn him into a smear on the floor, and I’ll take full responsibility.”
Vincent gave a strangled whimper.
He could practically see his entire future going up in smoke, courtesy of his enraged master.
Alex waved him off, voice calm as still water. “No thanks. If you really want to help, maybe make sure the people under your banner aren’t total scumbags next time.”
“Of course,” Owens agreed, bobbing his head so fast you’d think it might roll off.
“If this disgrace ever starts another con in my name, I’ll throw him onto the street myself.”
Alex nodded. “Your call. I don’t particularly care.”
“Idiot!” Owens snapped at Vincent. “You’re alive right now because Mr. Alex can’t be bothered to squash you like the cockroach you are. Thank him, you ungrateful little leech!”
“T–thank you, Mr. Alex!” Vincent stammered, pressing his face to the floor.
“That’ll do,” Alex said bluntly. “Just get up already.”
Jonathan Owens turned back to Alex, forcing a polite smile as though they were old pals.
“Mr. Alex, now that we’ve gotten this nastiness out of the way, how about joining me for lunch sometime? It’d be an honor.”
The rest of the room collectively choked on its own envy.
Getting asked to share a meal by Dr. Owens was like being handed a golden ticket in a world where everyone else had to stand in line outside with no chance of ever getting in.
“This is insane! Does Alex have a four–leaf clover crammed up his—”
“Seriously, that jackass lucked out big time. Dr. Owens doesn’t just invite people to meals.”
But Alex simply shrugged them all off. “No time right now. We can talk when I’m free.”
A ripple of disbelief washed over the crowd, leaving them spluttering.
“H–he just turned down the world’s top doctor? The same guy who literally got kicked out of the Lancaster family?”
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Chapter 186
+25 BONUS
But Dr. Owens only seemed more eager, nodding as though Alex had just promised him a pot of gold.
“Sûre, sure. Let me know whenever you’re available, Mr. Alex. I’ll drop everything.”
With that, he offered Alex a respectful handshake, then grabbed Vincent by the ear–like a mother punishing a brat—and hauled him out, leaving half the people in the room reeling and the other half on the verge of fainting.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, the place exploded in chatter.
“Alex, how on earth do you know Dr. Owens?” Sophia ventured, stepping forward first.
Alex shrugged. “You just watched us not know each other, didn’t you?”
Sophia blinked, torn between suspicion and confusion. “That was it, huh?”
He gave her a bored look. “What else did you want? A love letter from him?”
Even though that answer didn’t clarify a damn thing, most of the crowd looked relieved.
It was as if they needed an excuse to tell themselves that Alex had simply lucked out, that he wasn’t actually connected to the legendary Jonathan Owens.
A few, though, still refused to swallow their pride. “Ha! So you got a little polite chit–chat outta Dr. Owens. Big whoop. Doesn’t mean he’s going to solve your problems, does it?”
“Exactly. You can’t ride someone else’s coattails your whole life, Alex. Good luck finding him next time you need a favor. He’ll be too busy to remember your name!”
Their jabs were laced with a petty bitterness that practically fizzled in the air.
‘Some people will hate you simply because your strength reminds them of their weakness.‘
Sophia, suddenly uneasy, cleared her throat. “Alex, I… thank you for helping my grandfather earlier. Really.”
He cut her off before she could finish. “Don’t mention it. He’s your family, but I did what I did because I wanted to -not because anyone forced me.”
Sophia froze, a spark of confusion flashing in her eyes. She’d tried to be gracious, and he’d brushed her off with an icy retort.
“Okay, fine. I thanked you, so… what else do you want?” she thought, biting down on her lip in growing irritation.
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Chapter 187
