The two men who had just sat down didn't look friendly at all. In fact, their expressions were twisted with irritation, as if Ethan had personally offended them.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Do I… know you guys?"
He was genuinely puzzled.
"Are they some of Lucas's lackeys? Ethan wondered, suspicion flickering in his mind. "That damn bastard… Looks like today's lesson wasn't enough for him. Now he's sending goons after me even in broad daylight?"
After all, Ethan didn't have any other enemies. But what he didn't yet realize was that wealth was a beacon, a blazing torch that would draw out the darkness in others, the greed, the envy, the lust buried in their hearts.
"Know us?" one of the men sneered, his lip curling with contempt. "You are wearing rags like some street beggar but you still think you deserve to know us?"
The second man leaned forward, eyes filled with scorn. "What lies did you feed Synthy, huh? How the hell did she let you sit at a VIP table? You think you can even afford a bowl of soup here?"
At the mention of Synthy's name, realization dawned on Ethan.
"So that's what this is about…" he thought. "I saw her nametag earlier. Synthy. So, are these guys her suitors or something? What a bunch of self-proclaimed Romeos! Getting jealous over some basic manners."
He didn't say anything, just sat quietly, observing.
But his silence only agitated them further.
"Why are you so quiet, huh?" the first man snapped and said in a loud voice. "Need a little physical motivation? Maybe behind the hotel, where nobody will hear you scream?"
Ethan's gaze sharpened slightly, but he still didn't move. "I think you're mistaken," he said calmly. "I'm just here for the food."
He sighed inwardly. "I can't use Stealth in front of so many people here. And no way I can fight both of them and win. But I don't think they want to start a fight either. Maybe they are just trying to make it difficult for me. I'll have to handle this smartly."
"You're here just for the food, huh? And who's going to pay for you? Let me guess. Synthy, right?" the first man sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. "Don't you feel even a little ashamed? Living off a woman's money like some parasite?"
Then his gaze shifted to Alice, and a disgusting grin twisted his face.
"And who's this little girl with you? Cute face, I'll give her that."
Ethan's fist clenched beneath the table.
His blood boiled.... but he forced himself to stay calm.
"No one's going to pay for me," he said in a low and calm voice. "I'll be paying my own bills. So please, leave us."
"They're pushing it… But I can't afford to make a scene. Not until I get stronger. I think I should have listened to Halo and bought that Cultivation skill first," Ethan thought, trying to keep his composure.
But the two men beside him only chuckled, clearly not taking him seriously.
"You're going to pay?" Billy laughed. "Do you take us for idiots? Just sit tight. You're about to learn a life lesson you won't forget."
He then pulled out his phone and made a call right in front of Ethan.
"Liam, it's me, Billy. Sean and I are here for lunch, but you won't believe what I just saw. Some beggar walked in with a little puppy in tow, trying to mooch off Synthy. Yeah, yeah. You know how soft-hearted she is… He's obviously trying to scam her."
Whatever Liam said on the other end made Billy grin wider.
"Yeah, come down quick. I'm holding him right now."
He ended the call and pocketed the phone, smirking at Ethan like he'd already won.
"Just wait. Watch what happens to leeches who try to touch what doesn't belong to them."
Ethan let out a small sigh and opened his mouth. "You're making a huge mistake. I really..."
He still tried to negotiate but before he could finish, Synthy was back again.
The moment her eyes landed on the two men beside Ethan, her brows furrowed in confusion.
"Billy? Sean? What are you two doing at this table? Do you know Mr. Ethan?" she asked.
Billy flashed a sheepish smile. "Oh no, Synthy, I don't know him personally," he said with a laugh. "But I know his type. He's a swindler. Probably trying to sweet-talk you into footing his bill. Don't worry though. I already called my buddy Liam. He'll be here soon to deal with him."
Synthy blinked in disbelief. "What?" Her voice rose in shock. "Who said he's trying to fool me?! Billy, you're completely out of line. This is a prestigious hotel, not your backyard. So don't interfere with other customers, especially not our esteemed guest, Mr. Ethan, and his sister."
But Billy only scoffed, waving her concern away.
"I can't believe how easily you've been tricked, Synthy. Just wait till Liam gets here. You'll thank me later."
By now, curious glances had already turned into outright stares. Half the dining hall had gone quiet, ears perked for drama.
Whispers spread across the room like wildfire.
"Who is that guy?"
"Wait, did they just say he's a scammer?"
"Looks like some poor brat snuck into a VIP table."
No one believed Ethan actually belonged here.
Except Synthy.
Ethan sighed once more and leaned back in his chair, calm and composed.
"Maybe we should've gone shopping first… But fine. Let's see how they react when this backfires on them."
But while Ethan could afford to stay cool, Alice was beginning to panic.
She leaned closer and whispered urgently, grabbing his arm. "Brother… let's just leave. Please. This is getting serious."
But Ethan simply gave her a calm smile.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "I want to see how far they'll go to embarrass themselves."
Just then...
BANG!
The doors at the far end of the dining hall flew open.
"You sure sound confident even in a situation like this," A tall man in a sharp black suit stormed in, his footsteps echoing across the marble floor. "You must be very experienced in fooling people like this."
The hall fell into complete silence.