chapter 008 Deadly Encounter

Crisis"That evening, atAs twilight descended upon the city, the Starlit Club...

Eric sat at the bar. ""Beauty, I want began to hum with the rhythm of the night. Eric found himself perched at the bar, his eyes focused on the enchanting woman behind the counter. "I need information on Kaden, a sophomore at New York University."" Eric handed," he said, sliding a stack of money tobills across the captivatingpolished surface.The woman behind the bar.

Her, with her wine-red wavywaves of hair exuded an intoxicating allureand a gaze that seemed to hold a thousand secrets, was a sight to behold. Her thick eyelashes, framed captivating gazeeyes, and her vibrant lips constantly emitted all kinds of charm.

She exuded seductiveness, seemingly tempting men at every moment, and were a constant source of allure. She was a siren in the midst of the bustling club, her seductive aura stirring theirthe nerves.

Yesterday, Eric used this woman for information about the situation at New York's branch of The Power Group.

""You again, handsome. Let's have a drink first, and I'll bring the information."" The woman smiled taking the money.

Eric drank his drink while waiting. He knew that by injuring Kaden today, he would definitely seek revenge.

He needed of the men who dared to approach her. Just the previous day, Eric had utilized her services to gather information about Kaden in order to have a better understanding of him and deal with him more effectively.

After about ten minutes, he got the information.

Kadenthe New York branch of the Power Group. "Back so soon, handsome?" she purred, her fingers closing around the money. "Let's have a drink first, then I'll fetch the information you need." Eric nodded, nursing his drink as he waited. He was well aware that his actions earlier in the day, injuring Kaden, would not go unanswered. Gathering information about his adversary was crucial to understanding him and formulating a strategy to deal with the inevitable retaliation. Ten minutes later, the woman returned with the information. Kaden, a student at New York University, with an arrogant personality.

Typicalwas known for his arrogance. He was a typical second-generation wealthy individual, whosehis father isbeing Diego Thomas, the owner of the New York Flourishing Building Materials Company with. With nearly a billion dollars in assets. He is, the company was one of the main suppliers of building materials for the New York'sYork branch of the Power Group.

"""Interesting,""," Eric smiled as he read.

Eric nevermused, a smile playing on his lips. He hadn't expected Kaden’sKaden's family company wouldto be one ofso intricately tied to his own company's suppliers.

""Beauty, let me ask you a question. . Turning back to the woman, he asked, "What would happen to Kaden’s company if the Power Group severed ties with them?"" Eric asked.

""?" "It would be disastrous; you," she replied. "You could say that they rely on the Power Group to survive,"" she replied.

""Is that so?"" ."Eric's smile grew as he thought.

""Handsome, people call me Hedda. widened at her response. "Is that so?" he said, his mind already spinning with possibilities. The woman flashed him a charming smile. "People call me Hedda. If you don't mind, you can call me Hedda too,"" she flashed a charming smile.

"".""Sure thing, Hedda!""," Eric responded politely.

""Do you mind me asking for politely. "And what might your name be, young gentleman?""?" Hedda asked with a smile.

Eric appeared to be a poor inconspicuous boy wearing clothes that could easily be mistaken as cheap, but , her eyes twinkling with curiosity. Despite his unassuming appearance and seemingly modest attire, Eric's generous nature when seeking information, he was generous, making Hedda believe this man was complicated.

had intrigued her. He finished downed the rest of his drink in one swift gulp and said ""before answering, "Eric.""

Hedda couldn't think of anyone with that."Hedda frowned slightly, unable to place the name in her mental catalog of New York.

""York's who's who. "How much for thisthe drink?""?" Eric placedasked, setting the empty glass down.

""on the counter."This one's on the house.""," Hedda said with areplied, her smile.

"" returning. "Thanks."" He," Eric said standing up to make, rising from his way outseat. He didn'twasn't particularly likefond of bars.

Just then, Eric spotted, but they served their purpose. As he made his way towards the exit, a familiar figure.

"" caught his eye. "Sharon!""

!" he exclaimed. The girl singing on the bar counter was none other than thehis class monitor.

Seeing Sharon reminded Eric The sight of her brought back memories of the incident this afternoon. Whenearlier that day when Kaden had threatened to hit him, only to be interrupted by Sharon had intervened.

"". "What is she doing singing here!""?" Eric exclaimed.

To Ericwondered aloud. In his mind, Sharon was a quiet, studious girl of few words, but she excelled academically and was a good girl.

Now, she appeared in a bar , always excelling academically. Seeing her there, singing, completely dispelling in a bar, shattered his perception ofpreconceived notions about her.

If Had it weren'tnot been for the identicalher unmistakable appearance and voice, Eriche would even suspect that he was mistaken.

""have doubted his own eyes. "She sings quite well,""," he thought.

""I knew that Sharon was good at studying and had a pleasant voice, I didn't expect, appreciating her talent. With a newfound respect for Sharon's singing to be so beautiful as well.abilities, Eric, turned back totoward the bar when he saw Sharonstage and walked intowaded through the crowd below the stage.

Many young people in the . The audience were screaming at Sharon on the stage, includingwas a mix of young people, some vulgar and offensive language. Of courseof whom were shouting obscenities at Sharon. However, most of it was justharmless venting, as people didn't dareno one dared to cause real trouble here. After all, thisin a place was protected by influential figures, and ordinary people wouldn't dare to mess around.

After. As the song ended, Eric blockedintercepted Sharon whereas she was getting offdescended from the stage. Today, she hadHer makeup on, and enhanced her beauty, making her even more striking up close, he noticed that she was even more beautiful than usual.

"". "Class monitor Sharon, what a coincidence to meeting you here,"" Eric," he said.

When she saw, his tone casual. Upon seeing Eric, a hintflicker of panic flashed in hercrossed Sharon's eyes.

"" "You...you must have mistaken me for someone else, right? I'm not Sharon,""," she evaded his gazestammered, avoiding eye contact with him.

Sharon his gaze. She had chosen this bar specifically chose a bar that was slightly far for its distance from school, hoping to avoid running into classmates, but she didn't expect to still encounter someone she knew.

""any familiar faces. However, fate seemed to have other plans. "Class monitor Sharon, it might be a coincidence that weyou look alike, and your voices might be similar by chance, but the moles on your collarbones being exactly the same cannot possibly be a coincidence, right?""?" Eric smiled.

said, a knowing smile on his face. Caught off guard, Sharon hesitated, not knowingunsure of how to respond.

""Class

"Sharon, our class monitor Sharon, this afternoon, you defended me in the classroom, you spoke up for me this afternoon, and I didn't have a chancethe opportunity to thank you. As a token ofexpress my gratitude, let. Allow me invite youto foroffer you a drink,"" as a token of my appreciation," Eric said.

proposed. He plannedhad a plan to talk toengage Sharon and find out why she was singing in a place like this.conversation, to uncover the reason behind her unexpected performance in such an unlikely venue. His intuition toldgut instinct assured him that she wasn'twas not a bad girl, of ill repute, and perhaps she had her reasons.

""own reasons."Eric, there's no need for a drink, I don't drink.abstain from alcohol. If you really wanttruly wish to thank me, please don't tell anyone aboutpromise me you won't disclose my presence here, my singing here, can you?"", to anyone," she pleaded.

""Don't worryimplored."Rest assured, I'm not someone who gossips.one to indulge in idle gossip. I'm just very curioussimply intrigued as to why you came herechose to sing here. I don't think you're perceive you as a bad girl,"" of questionable character," Eric said.

reassured her.Sharon lowered her head and uttered:

""Short oncast her gaze downward, murmuring, "I'm in need of money.""

""You can find.""If you're financially strapped, there are part-time jobs if you're short on money, why comeavailable. Why resort to singing here? You should know what kindmust be aware of placethe nature of this isplace, it's not safe for a beautiful girl like you,""of your beauty," Eric said.

""reasoned."No, it's safe here, there. There are people to protect uswho ensure our protection, ordinary peoplefolks don't dare to causestir up trouble here. Thank you for. I appreciate your concern,""," Sharon raisedreplied, lifting her head.

At this momentJust then, a man clad in a suit walked over.

""approached them."Manager!""!" Sharon quickly greetedpromptly acknowledged the suited man in, who appeared to be the suit. It seemed that he was thebar's manager of the bar. The man in the suit glancedcast a brief glance at Eric and then turnedbefore turning to Sharon, giving her an order, "" issuing a command, "Why are you still here? Go touchfreshen up your makeup and get readyprepare for the next set!""

!"Sharon nodded in compliance and followedtrailed behind the manager inside.

""."Wait a minute!""moment!" Eric stopped them and said, ""She's notinterjected, "She won't be singing anymore!""

!"The managermanager's brows furrowed his brows, ""in irritation, "Who do you think you are, kidboy? You thinkbelieve you can just decidedictate whether she won't sing? ""

""sings or not?""Manager, he's mya classmate of mine. P, please don't get angry,""lose your temper," Sharon quickly intervened.

"""Your classmate? Sharon, is he your boyfriend? Is that why he doesn't want he's opposed to you to singsinging here?""?" The manager said whilequestioned, sizing Eric up.

The managerHe then contemptuously said tosneered at Eric, """You look like a pauper. Get lost!""

""!""Poor boyA pauper? "" Eric laughed coldly.

Eric took out a large sum?" Eric retorted with a cold laugh.Eric produced a substantial amount of money and forcefully threw it at the manager, causing it to scatter across the floor."Is this sufficient to buy her silence for the night?!" Eric's voice echoed.The sight of Eric's money left the manager momentarily speechless.Eric withdrew another bundle of money and slammed it hard on the manager, making it scatter all over the floor.

""Is this enough to buy her not singing tonight?!"" Eric's voice boomed.

Seeing Eric’s money, he was momentarily stunned.

Eric took out another wad of money and slammed it against the flung it at the manager while saying loudly, "", raising his voice, "Now, is it enough?!""

?!"The manager swallowed his saliva. It hard. The amount was probably in the tens of thousands, right? Just casually taking it out and throwing itCasually produced and thrown at someone like that?in such a manner? He had never encountered such a customerpatron before.

Eric tookpulled out yet another wadstack of money, fiercely smashingslamming it onagainst the manager's face and sternly asked, "", demanding, "I'm asking you! Is it enough?!""

""?!""Enough... enough!""!" The manager nodded.

in agreement.The manager wasn't awas no fool. The kind of person to casually throwCould any man who nonchalantly threw money at peoplearound like this, could he be an ordinary person? Surely, he hadindividual? He must have an extraordinary background, and the manager didn't dare to dared not offend such a person.

Besides, there was still so mucha considerable amount of money scattered on the groundfloor for him.

"""Since it's enough, then take the money and get lost!""!" Eric then pulledcommanded, before leading Sharon and walked out.

of the bar.Sharon was still a bitsomewhat dazed.

"""Eric, how...how do you have so much money? You didn't do anythinghaven't engaged in any illegal, did activities, have you?""?" To Sharon, Eric camewas from a poor family.humble background. He had even applied for a scholarship for the past two semesters. How could he suddenly have so much money?

""possess such wealth?"If I told you that I am Sean'Sean Williams' grandson, would you believe it?""me?" Eric smiled.

""asked with a smile."The Sean Williams from the Power Group? No way,""That's hard to believe," Sharon seemed doubtful.

""replied skeptically."It's understandable not toif you don't believe it. I can't evencan hardly believe it myself. Just considerthink of it as if I won the lottery.""," Eric shrugged.

Eric took outproduced another $20,000 and handed it to Sharon, saying, ""advising, "Take this money, and avoid stop singing in places like this in the future.""

"".""No, no! We're justmerely classmates. I can’tcan't accept your money, and moreover, so much.""especially such a large amount," Sharon waved her hand.

""protested."There's nothing wrong with it. You're a good girl and shouldn't be tainted by this, especially for money,"" Eric said and handed the money to Sharon.

""Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I'll go now,"" Eric smiled at her and left.

""Eric..."" Sharon looked at Eric's departing figure and then at the $20,000 in her hand, confused...

"

Chapter 009 Ethics For Money"After leaving the bar, Eric prepared to hail a car and thought to himself that now that he had so much money, he must buy a car.

Most boys dream of owning a car place, especially a luxury car. The former Eric used to envy the luxury cars passing by on the road.not for money," Eric insisted, pressing the money into Sharon's hands."Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I'll be on my way now," Eric assured her with a smile, before departing."Eric..." Sharon murmured as she watched him leave. She then glanced at the $20,000 in her hand, utterly bewildered...

But at that time