He shot a sinister glance at Ethan Brooks, a scheme forming in his mind, and said, “Ethan Brooks, losing your job doesn’t feel good, does it? The cost of living in Jinguan City isn’t low—how much money do you have left in your account? If you say a few nice words to me, I’ll let you return to the company. How about it?”

Ethan Brooks swept his gaze over him with disdain and said, “Just a dog, yet you really think you’re somebody.”

James Foster’s face grew even uglier, his tone tinged with anger as he said, “Don’t be ungrateful. A high-paying job like this isn’t easy to find. I’m kindly offering to help you, so don’t fail to appreciate it.”

Just then, Ethan Brooks’s number was called. He ignored James Foster, walked straight to the counter, took out several thick stacks of US dollars, and said, “Currency exchange, I have a reservation. A total of fifty thousand US dollars.”

James Foster was stunned, his eyes full of disbelief. Fifty thousand US dollars—at the current exchange rate, that’s over three hundred thousand yuan. He didn’t even make that much in a year.

Grace Walker was also taken aback. Looking at Ethan Brooks, her eyes suddenly sparkled. She hadn’t expected him to be a rich second generation.

“Impossible!”

James Foster said in a low voice.

“You must have stolen it from somewhere!”

Ethan Brooks ignored him. After exchanging all the dollars for RMB and depositing them into his own bank account, he thanked the young lady at the counter, turned around, and walked away, but stopped beside James Foster.

“You say I stole it? Then come outside, and I’ll prove it to you.”

James Foster instinctively wanted to walk out, but after taking just one step, he stopped, looked at Ethan Brooks with some fear, and said, “Just because you tell me to go out, I should go out? Why should I?”

Ethan Brooks gave a cold snort, pushed open the door, and walked out without looking back.

James Foster stared at his back and shouted, “Ethan Brooks, don’t get cocky! We’ll see about this. I’ve been in Jinguan City for five years—I don’t believe I can’t ruin you!”

A bank security guard walked over, looking at him with contempt, and said, “Sir, please keep quiet. Don’t make a scene.”

James Foster took a deep breath. Even Grace Walker’s gaze beside him was now tinged with mockery, making him even more furious. He turned and yelled at the security guard, “Do I need you to tell me what to do? Since when does a security guard dare to boss me around?”

The security guard felt a bit aggrieved. Though he was even more disdainful in his heart, at the end of the day, he was just a security guard. If he didn’t want to lose his job, he had to bow and scrape. That’s the reality of society.

“Sir, I’m just politely reminding you. According to the rules, if you continue to cause trouble, I have the right to maintain order here and ask you to leave.”

James Foster had to swallow his pride. He wasn’t stupid—he knew that making a bigger scene would only hurt himself more, and lower Grace Walker’s opinion of him even further. So he wisely shut his mouth.

Only his heaving chest and heavy breathing betrayed the anger raging inside him.

……

Ethan Brooks walked down the street, his gaze a bit cold. He had seen blood and killed people before—more than just a few, in fact. Although with his current strength, he had to keep a low profile in the real world, if James Foster kept provoking him, he had plenty of ways to deal with him.

He took out his phone and called Olivia Brooks. Since saving this number in his phone, he’d used it less than five times.

The call connected quickly, and a sweet, soft voice came through, very pleasant to hear.

“Hello, who is this?”

Ethan Brooks was momentarily stunned, then rubbed his nose. This girl hadn’t even saved his number.

“It’s me, Ethan Brooks.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, then, “Oh, it’s you. Did you need something?”

Ethan Brooks didn’t want to say things like “I’m your brother, can’t I call you for no reason?”—with their relationship, saying that would be pointless and only make Olivia Brooks fall even more silent.

“It’s like this: Mom sent me some money and told me to take you shopping for clothes. I’m pretty free lately. When do you have time? Let’s go out and shop.”

There was silence again on the other end. After a long while, a voice finally replied, “No need. You’re busy with work, and I don’t need clothes. If I do, I’ll buy them myself.”

Ethan Brooks felt a bit helpless. So what if he used to bully her when they were kids? This girl really knew how to hold a grudge. So he could only repeat what he’d said before.

“I really am pretty free lately. Besides, Mom already transferred the money to my card.”

This time, there was no silence. Olivia Brooks said directly, “Then just transfer the money to me. I’ll buy them myself.”

Ethan Brooks was taken aback and, for a moment, didn’t know what to say. He only heard an electronic voice on the other end: Aier Mall—Bus Station has arrived. Please exit from the rear door.

Aier Commercial Plaza is a landmark building in Jinguan City. The mall brings together all kinds of clothing, dining, entertainment, fitness, and more, but the prices are very high—not suitable for the average working class.

However, there are also all kinds of snack shops, brand-name and non-brand clothing stores, entertainment facilities, and leisure spots around the mall, making it a great place for ordinary people to shop and have fun. You could say that if you come to Jinguan City, you have to visit Aier Commercial Plaza.