Surviving In This Filthy World As A Novel Villain

"If I scrape together everything, I should be able to raise Forty million dollars for this."

A satisfied smile crossed Ethan’s lips.

"Good." Ethan nodded. "Then I’ll handle the remaining Thirty million dollars."

With the agreement settled, the once-tense atmosphere shifted. Harold leaned back in his chair, his earlier doubts now replaced with hope and anticipation.

"Haha! Now this is what I call loyalty!" He laughed heartily, shaking his head in admiration. "Ethan, you’re a true man. You’re nothing like that snake Alex Reid! That bastard stabbed me in the back, but you—you brought us a future."

Lillian, who had been hesitant before, now nodded eagerly.

"That’s right! If our family manages to climb back up again, we’ll owe everything to you, Ethan!"

Their attitudes had completely flipped. Just a few minutes ago, they were questioning his presence at their door. Now? Now they treated him like an honored guest, a savior.

Harold, still riding on the high of his decision, leaned forward again.

"Alright, Ethan," he said seriously. "Since we’ve decided to do this… when do you need the money?"

Ethan didn’t hesitate and straight up gave the answer.

"Tomorrow."

Harold’s smile froze. "…Tomorrow?" His eyes widened, his body stiffening. "Isn’t that too soon?!"

Ethan’s voice was calm but deadly serious.

"It has to be as soon as possible." His sharp gaze flickered toward the window, as if scanning for potential threats.

"The Reid Industries is watching us. The moment they realize what we’re planning, they’ll do everything in their power to sabotage our investment." His voice dropped to a cold, dangerous tone.

"We cannot let them find out.If they do, they’ll block our suppliers, our distributors, and every possible investor who might support us." His expression darkened.

"We need to move before they strike first."

Harold sucked in a deep breath. He knew what kind of man Alex was especially now or to be more accurate from the party hall. If that man caught wind of their plans, he would crush them before they even had a chance to rise.

There was no time to waste. Harold clenched his fists. "Alright," he said. "I’ll head to the bank right now and start the loan process!"

From that moment on, both Ethan Carter and the Winters Family moved at full speed in the process.

There was no room for mistakes. Everything had to be done quickly and quietly, before Alex had the chance to react.

By noon the next day, the Forty million dollars loan amount was successfully transferred into Ethan’s account.

At the same time, Ethan had also secured his thirty million dollars share.

With Seventy million dollars in funding officially locked in, Ethan wasted no time.

Within hours, preparations for mass production had begun for the ointment.

•Factory site selection: Completed.

•Production line construction: Launched immediately.

•Raw material stockpiling: Trucks rolled in non-stop, unloading shipment after shipment.

Everything was moving at full throttle.

…. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

One week later, Ethan stood at the newly established factory site, watching as construction workers worked tirelessly, assembling the production line.

Giant trucks carrying rare medicinal ingredients moved in and out of the facility, ensuring that when the time came, production would begin without delay.

Looking at the rapid progress, Ethan finally allowed himself to smile.

He clenched his fists. This time… He would not lose. This time… He would crush Alex Reid.

….

Unbeknownst to Ethan Carter, everything he had worked tirelessly for over the past few weeks, every investment, every risk, every move, was already within Alex ’s grasp.

Far from scrambling to keep up, Alex had been watching. Waiting. Because this was not a battle of strength. This was a game of patience.

The city below was a sea of lights, a sprawling like jungle that never slept. But inside Alex’s penthouse office, the atmosphere was eerily calm, almost unnerving.

His trusted aide aka his butler, Mr. Waters, was pacing in front of Alex’s massive oak desk. There was an unmistakable edge to his movements, a nervous energy that hadn’t been there before.

"Sir," Mr. Waters finally spoke, his voice tight with urgency. "Ethan Carter’s production line is almost fully operational."

He stole a glance at his employer, who was seated in his leather chair, completely relaxed, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"They’ve secured all the raw materials they need," Mr. Waters continued. "The factory is running at full speed, and information has it they’re gearing up for an official product launch in just a few weeks."

His voice lowered, laced with concern.

"Are we really going to keep waiting?"

Alex took a slow sip of his drink before setting the glass down with a soft clink. Then, finally, he stood, strolling toward the massive floor-to-ceiling window.

He gazed out over the city, his sharp blue eyes reflecting the golden glow of the skyline.

"Waters," he began, his voice casual yet laced with something dangerous, "do you know why I haven’t made a move yet?"

Mr. Waters furrowed his brows. "I… assumed you were waiting for the right moment?"

Alex’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk.

"Exactly." He turned his head slightly, just enough to see the growing confusion on his aide’s face. "Why waste our own resources when Ethan is doing all the work for us?"

Mr. Waters froze. His breath hitched. And then, suddenly, everything clicked.

"Sir…," he exhaled sharply. "…You’re waiting for them to build up their production line… to invest all their money… to stockpile as much inventory as possible…"

His voice trailed off as realization struck like lightning.

"…Then you’re going to make your move to crush them."

Alex let out a soft chuckle, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and cold precision.

"We let them launch first," he said smoothly. "And then… we introduce our own product."

Mr. Waters felt a chill crawl down his spine.

"But… if we let them release first," he hesitated, "won’t they already have an advantage?"

Alex turned fully now, facing him with a gaze so calculating that it made the older man’s throat run dry.

"An advantage?"

—

Bonus Chapters on: 500, 1000, 1500 Power Stones.

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(A/N: Next Chapter Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)

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