Ethan was about to accept dinner invitation, suddenly a system notification popped in front of him.
Mission Alert:
Save Augustin Marclaire and Julia Marclaire
Rewards:
Affinity with heroine +30
2x money reward
Hidden spoiler about the future.
[YES]/[NO]
The rewards are really great this time, if i want to build my empire i need both of them , i need their business. Besides I want to know the reason behind all of this, my curiosity as a reader will not stop until I discover it. And the most important thing, I want to do this for Rhea, a reader will do anything and everything for his waifus.
"Yes," He accepted the mission mentally.
" I'm sorry, Ma'am. I can't accept your offer."
"Okay, if that's your wish,"
" But, I will accept your offer, if you let me pay all the bills." Ethan suggested.
In this way I can complete my previous and this mission together.
Both Julia and Rhea hesitated, they didn't want Ethan to spend money for them, since it's the first time he met with her family and it was uncomfortable for introvert Rhea, whose classmate wants to spend money for her family, whom she just got talk today.
" You are a really interesting young man. You impressed me." Augustin hugged Ethan." Alright, I accept your offer."
Sorry no homo, I want your daughter not you."
"What???" Both mother and daughter shouted in union.
Julia's eyebrows twitched." Honey, you can't."
"It's okay Ma'am."
"See!" Augustin grinned, Julia and Rhea gave up seeing how excited he was.
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Sky Orchid Imperial hall wasn't just a restaurant- it was a symbol of wealth, power, and elegance in the city. It was towered with seven magnificent floors, each designed for different types of clients. From luxurious private booths for socialites to executive lounges for tycoons, every level of the building screamed money.
But what made the sky orchid imperial hall truly legendary was the seventh floor. The VVIP pavilion, also known as the heavenly orchid room.
It was an architectural marvel. Designed to resemble a four petal orchid from above, the top of the restaurant had four luxurious private rooms. Each petal named after a rare orchid jade blossom, midnight drew, crimson silk, and white phantom. Reserved only for elite families, top CEOs, Celebrities or political giants.
"Finally arrived here," Ethan said as he walked out of the car. It was a Rolls Royce. Initially, he wanted to drive his car, but due to his mission he didn't leave them for a second.
Those novel descriptions really didn't do justice to this place, this place is beyond magnificent.
In the novel Rhea used to come here regularly, because before the death of her parents, it was their regular place for dinner.
But their death happens 2 years later, so why did the system suddenly assign me this mission?
Maybe this is the thing the author warned me about, the characters may or may not follow the original plot.
"So, which room did you book for us Ethan?"
Augustin signaled his driver to park the car.
The driver and his many other bodyguards, who were guarding him secretly, had questions: who is this young boy? Augustin stopped all the questions saying he is family.
"White Phantom." Ethan answered.
"...."
"...."
"Ethan, why did you book that place? You didn't have to spend so much money on dinner." Julia asked, feeling a bit guilty because Ethan had spent so much money on them.
They usually booked a room on the second or third floor, it's not that they couldn't book vvip rooms, they didn't think it was worth spending so much money, unless it was really important, because to book a vvip room, it costs $150,000.
"Young man, you are doing so much for us. Are you trying to be my son-in-law or what?" Augustine laughed.
"Dad, what are you saying?" Rhea shouted, feeling a bit embarrassed by what her dad said.
"You are overthinking, sir. I can do this because I've the money to do it." Ethan answered, gesturing to the Marclaire family to enter the restaurant.
Ethan led the way to the white phantom room.
The manager stopped them at the door.
" I have booked the white phantom for us." Ethan said.
The manager didn't believe his words, but he checked and the room was booked on a person named Ethan." Are you Mr. Ethan?"
" Yes, I am."
The manager wanted to ask something, but then he saw the Marclaire family," Hello, sir Augustin." He bowed a little and opened the door for them." Please enjoy your dinner, Sir and Madam."
Before Augustin entered, he looked at the manager," This boy is the one who is treating us, so he should be the one to enter first."
Who is this boy? He even booked one of the heavenly orchid rooms and came with the Marclair Family. I know this city's all rich person's, but I have never seen or heard any news about this boy.
" Ah, yes. Sorry, please sir Ethan." The manger held the door as all of them entered.
The room was pure class and luxury.
A soft piano melody in the background. A crystal chancellor shaped like orchid petals lit up the place with a warm golden glow. The table was long, polished marble with gold trimmed plates neatly arranged. Plush velvet chairs surrounded it. One wall was made entirely of glass, offering a stunning night view of the city.
Ethan sat beside Rhea, across from Julia and Augustine.
One by one waiters and waitresses move silently, bringing dishes and topping of drinks.
Ethan's eyes glowed seeing all the dishes, he never tasted any luxurious food in his past life , his instant noodles were paradise for him, he wanted to devour all the dishes by himself, but he controlled his excitement.
One waitress came forward, elegantly lifted each silver lid. Golden foie grass tartlets, crystal shrimp dumplings, orchid garden salad, sky orchid signature sashimi platter, black truffle lobster, imperial Peking duck, white truffle risotto and many more.
Ethan stared wide eyed.
His brain said, take it slow.
His heart screamed, devour everything.
Still he picked up his fork and knife like a gentleman, stealing glances at others to match their pace.
Dinner was peaceful and quiet. Julia asked a few light questions: his interest, passion, what he wants to do in the future? About Rhea how she behaves in school?
He didn't give away much, only told them about his interest in business. Even Rhea. who didn't talk too much, found herself interested.
By the end of dinner, when the bill arrived, Ethan didn't even glance at it and paid all of it.
"Oh, and...." He looked toward the female waitress who had been serving them.
"This extra is for you."
She looked at it and it was $10000.
The waitress looked overwhelmed. " Sir, thank you! I've never received something like this.
There was a faint clink as the door to their private room creaked open. A tall man in a waiter's outfit walked in… but something about him was off. His movements were too stiff. His eyes were too focused.
Ethan's smile froze. His system flared up.
System Alert!
Hostile Presence Detected!
Activate Skill: Bond-Wick's Combat
[YES] / [NO]
He mentally pressed yes.
The world shifted. Time slowed. His senses sharpened.
The "Bond-Wick's Combat" skill ,a fusion of tactical genius, gunplay, close-quarters combat, and instinctive precision surged into his body like a jolt of electricity.
The waiter reached under his tray. Ethan's eyes narrowed.
In one fluid motion, he flipped the table sideways, food and plates flying. A sharp click was heard, a suppressed pistol appeared in the waiter's hand.
But before the man could raise it, Ethan launched forward like a shadow.
CRACK!
A punch landed square on the man's jaw, sending him flying into the wall. The others screamed in shock. Augustine stood up protectively in front of his wife and daughter.
"Stay down!" Ethan ordered, his voice calm, deadly, different from the boy they thought they knew.
The waiter groaned but didn't move.
That's when the lights suddenly cut out.
Emergency lights flickered red.
BANG!
Another shot fired , a real one. A bullet grazed Ethan's shirt as he rolled across the floor, pulling a butter knife from the table as a makeshift weapon. Two more attackers rushed in, both armed with short blades.
Ethan darted forward. One attacker swung a blade at his head, Ethan ducked, elbowed him in the ribs, and slammed his knee into the man's jaw. Blood flew.
The second attacker was quicker, more trained. He jabbed forward. Ethan parried the strike with his knife, twisted the man's arm, and used the attacker's own momentum to flip him onto the ground.
THUD!
Ethan didn't stop. He turned to the stunned Marclaire family.
"Are you hurt?"
"N-No," Rhea stammered. "Y-You..."
Just then, another assassin entered — this one with a silenced submachine gun.
"Down!" Ethan shouted.
He grabbed a silver serving tray and threw it like a disc. It hit the man in the throat, making him stumble. Ethan closed the distance in a blur, dodging a wild spray of bullets, and landed a spinning kick that cracked ribs.
The man crumpled.
Sirens wailed outside. Police had been alerted.
The fight was over.
Ethan stood in the center of the room, breathing lightly, like this was nothing. Around him lay four unconscious or groaning attackers. The table was overturned, food scattered, glass shattered, but not a scratch on the Marclaire family.
The door burst open as restaurant security and some of Marclaire family bodyguards rushed in, but they were all injured. Augustine quickly raised his hand.
"These men attacked us. Detain them."
"Yes, sir!"
Ethan's system pinged.
Tycoon's Mission Successful.
Mission-2 Saving The Heroine Family Successful.