Chapter 192
AI༩༢
+25 BONUS
Alex strode down the corridor leading to the VIP room, but he didn’t need to look over his shoulder to sense it.
The tension.
The ring of bodyguards fanning out behind the walls, posted at every exit and window.
With a quick mental sweep, he detected their martial auras, each one bristling with skill far beyond the average rent–a–thug.
So Raymond’s rolling out the red carpet, huh? he mused, lips twisting into a wry grin.
No matter. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“Raymond,” he said, skipping pleasantries, “you told me you’d secured a five–hundred–year–old Wild American Ginseng. I’m here for it. Where is it?”
Raymond Wellington—dressed sharp in a tailored suit–lounged on the plush armchair like he was king of the world.
“So impatient,” he teased, cl
apping his hands once.
A bodyguard slipped in, carrying a polished wooden box.
Raymond took his time setting it on the table between them, sliding the lid open slowly–almost theatrically.
Inside lay a dark–yellow root, no bigger than a palm, its long strands curling around themselves. Alex’s eyes lit up like he’d just struck gold.
“That’s it, all right–five centuries of potent ginseng,” he murmured, leaning in to inspect it. He could practically feel the energy radiating off its twisted shape.
“How’s that for quality?” Raymond asked with a silky smile. “Satisfied?”
“Very.” Alex reached for the root without hesitation.
Snap! The box’s lid slammed shut on his fingers.
“Whoa,” Raymond drawled, that easy smile fading into something colder. “What’s the rush? Have a seat. Let’s… chat first.”
Alex withdrew his hand, eyes narrowed. “What’s this about? We agreed you’d hand over the ginseng to settle your debt.”
Raymond gave an airy shrug.
“You did cure me before, and I compensated you with that swanky hotel, right? So let’s say this precious little root is up for trade only if you share something of equal value. Your Panacea Pill formula, for instance.”
“That wasn’t the deal. We said you’d owe me the ginseng–period,” Alex retorted, his voice cooling to ma Raymond’s.
Raymond’s thin smile grew razor–sharp.
“Memory’s a funny thing, isn’t it? Listen, I’m not a cheap bastard. I’ll throw in another fifty mil, in cash if you want–just hand over the formula. You’ll never have to lift a finger again.”
Chapter 192
+25 BONUS
“You think I need your pocket change?” Alex let out a short scornful laugh. “I’m not selling that formula- especially not to a snake who cannot keep his word.”
Snake, am I?” Raymond tapped the wooden box with a finger, the subtle threat echoing in the room.
“Call me whatever you like, but I’m still the guy who decides whether you leave here with your precious root–or dead body.”
Alex’s eyes flashed with anger. “Listen carefully, Raymond For Lyra’s sake, I’m willing to keep things civil. But if you try to screw me over-
Raymond’s façade cracked for a second, showing a flash of impatience. “And if I don’t hand it over? Then what, hero? You planning to just take it?”
“Exactly,” Alex said calmly. “You owe me that for saving your life.”
Raymond’s laugh was all cruelty now. “Try it. I’ve practiced martial arts for decades, and I’ve got thirty men posted outside who’d love to break your bones. Go ahead, be my guest.”
Alex didn’t waste another breath. He lunged for the box, hand darting across the table.
Raymond’s arm snapped into a claw–like grip, clamping down on Alex’s wrist.
For a moment, he wore a smug grin–right up until he felt the terrifying surge of force ripping through Alex’s muscles like an electric current.
What… the… hell? Raymond’s eyes bulged.
His bones felt like they might splinter if he squeezed any harder. Panicking, he released Alex’s wrist and hurled a desperate punch at Alex’s chest.
Alex met the blow head–on with his own fist.
Their knuckles clashed in a thunderous collision that rattled the entire VIP suite.
Chairs flew back.
Raymond was sent flying, his body hurled across the room like a ragdoll. He skidded across the cold floor, momentum unrelenting, until his spine crashed against the wall with a sickening thud.
The force of the blow was so brutal that the chair he’d been sitting in didn’t just break–it exploded into splinters, its remains scattered like debris from a wreckage.
Meanwhile, Alex sat calmly, like an immovable mountain. The difference in power was undeniable.
Raymond’s cheeks flamed with humiliation. Coughing, he forced himself upright. “I–I had no idea…” he sputtered, dazed.
Alex grabbed the wooden box off the table, shoved it under his arm, and strolled to the door.
“We’re done here, Raymond. Don’t ever try to do business with me again.”
Raymond’s eyes burned with fury as he watched Alex walk away.
“Where do you think you’re going?!” he snapped, fumbling for his phone. “Guards! Get in here right now!”
But the hallway outside stayed eerily silent.
Chapter 192
+25 BONUS
No answering footsteps, no surge of reinforcements. Viper who’d been lurking just beyond the threshold, took one peek around the corner and cursed. ong
They’re all down,” he hissed. “Every last of them is laid out like they got hit by a truck. He must have an accomplice. Or… or something.”
“Impossible,” Raymond growled, phone pressed to his ear hearing nothing but static. “I had the entire perimeter locked. How did they…?”
Viper looked stunned, helplessly glancing between Alex’s retreating form and the unconscious bodyguards
littering the hall.
“Are we just letting him leave?”
Raymond’s fist clenched until his knuckles popped. “Not a chance in hell. I’ll get that formula, if it’s the last thing I do.”
A twisted chuckle rumbled from his chest.
“Alex won this round, but I’ve got plenty of ways to break him.”
Meanwhile, outside Paradiso Bar, Megan ran up to Sophia and the rest, eyes darting anxiously. “Ms. Lancaster, is it over?”
Sophia inhaled slowly, struggling to calm her racing heart. More or less.”
Megan nodded. “So it went smoothly, right?”
She spotted Charles off to the side, face dark with barely contained rage.
But then Megan spotted someone else emerging from the bar’s doorway. “Huh? Alex?”
He walked toward them, carrying a wooden box under his arm.
His expression was cool, as though he’d just finished some boring errand, not waltzed off from a brawl with one of the Vancouver’s biggest criminals.
Alex shot them a glare so cold it could freeze a bonfire. “Seriously?” he snarled.
“What are you still hanging around for? Hoping trouble’s just gonna stroll through the door so you can cry for my help again? Newsflash–I won’t be here next time.”
Florence huffed, folding her arms. “Help? You’re kidding, right? You’re the most insufferable man I’ve ever met -always acting like some big damn hero.”
Jack crossed his arms, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.
“Aww, did your little connections abandon you, Alex? Guess you’ve got no one left to call when you finally bite off more than you can chew.”
