'Why isn't he reacting the way I expected? Why does he still look so… confident?' More importantly— 'Why does he look at me like I'm an idiot?" The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.

And before he even realized it. He had spoken aloud. His voice dripped with frustration as he glared at Alex.

"Alex… After all this, do you still not believe in my abilities?" The banquet hall fell into an anticipatory silence. Everyone turned toward Alex, waiting to see his reaction.

And finally— Alex spoke. His lips curled into a lazy smirk. His tone was calm, almost playful. "Believe?" He nodded slightly, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Oh, I believe." Ethan's chest swelled, thinking Alex was finally conceding. But then— Alex's tone shifted. His smirk widened as he continued— "I believe… That your Fortune skills are absolute garbage."

After saying those words the hall fell into silence. Dead silence. Then… A gasp rippled through the banquet hall.

Ethan's face darkened instantly. "What… did you just say?!" His hands clenched into fists, his body trembling with anger. "You're calling my Fortune Skills trash?!" His voice rose, filled with disbelief.

"Do you even realize who you're talking to?! I just exposed a financial conspiracy in front of everyone! And you still dare to question my skills?!"

The anger on Ethan's face was visible. The face of someone who always believed that everything will always go its way.

Ethan couldn't stand it. His most powerful weapon, his Fortune Skills, was being openly mocked. And by Alex Reid, of all people.

The same man who had spent years as Rose's obedient lapdog. The man who had never once challenged fate, who had always followed the script, never daring to step out of line.

But now— Now he dared to look down on him?! Ethan's fists clenched, his face burning with frustration.

"What the hell do you know?!" His voice rose, his anger barely restrained. His sharp glare locked onto Alex, his pride wounded beyond measure.

"I built my entire reputation on my Fortune techniques! Do you think you can just dismiss it with a few words?!" His chest heaved, his breathing heavy. This wasn't just about a simple disagreement anymore.

This was about his legitimacy. This was about proving that he was the protagonist. The one destined to be at the top. The one who should be admired. The one who could not be challenged.

Silence followed his outburst, tension crackling in the air. Walter and Stane, standing nearby, exchanged uncertain glances. They had seen Ethan's abilities firsthand.

And regardless of their personal feelings toward him— They couldn't deny that his Fortune Skills had worked for them. Walter, always composed, took a step forward. His voice was calm yet firm.

"Alex, I understand your skepticism. But I can personally vouch for Ethan's abilities." His words carried weight. Walter was not the type to speak without reason.

Stane, standing beside him, let out a low sigh.

"As much as I dislike him…" He cast a sideways glance at Ethan, his expression sour.

"I have to admit—his readings on my situation were eerily accurate. He might be arrogant, but his skill is real." His admission caused a ripple of agreement to spread through the room.

"That's true… he did expose a major financial shift."

"Even if he's obnoxious, we can't ignore his results."

People nodded, whispering among themselves. The energy in the room had shifted.

Doubt, which had been clouding Ethan just moments ago, started to fade.

And in its place— Confidence. Ethan could feel it. The momentum was coming back to him. His fear of losing control? Gone. Now, only arrogance remained. A smirk crept onto his lips as he looked back at Alex.

"Well, Alex? Are you still going to doubt me?" His voice was filled with amusement, as if the idea of losing this argument was laughable. His gaze swept across the banquet hall, where several elite businessmen stood in his defense.

"I told you—I don't just talk big." His tone was smooth, dripping with superiority. "Even the top tycoons in this room can attest to my abilities." He spread his arms, basking in the attention, as if this moment was something he had orchestrated all along.

"What about you?" His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Do you have any proof that my Fortune Skills are wrong?" A mocking chuckle escaped his lips.

"Or are you just jealous that I've surpassed you?" His words, sharp and taunting, rang throughout the hall. Then, after a dramatic pause, he spoke once more.

"I'll give you one last chance, Alex." He took a single step forward, tilting his head. His smirk widened, his confidence soaring.

"Admit that you were wrong." His voice was almost gentle, like a teacher offering a foolish student a chance to correct himself. "Admit that my Skills is superior." He let the words linger.

"And I might just forgive your ignorance." The hall buzzed with anticipation. All eyes were on Alex. Would he back down? Would he admit defeat? Ethan stood tall, convinced that Alex had no way out.

And then— Alex laughed. It wasn't a forced chuckle. It wasn't a scoff of disbelief. It was a genuine, amused laugh. And somehow— That single laugh sent a chill down Ethan's spine.

Because it wasn't the laugh of a man who had been defeated. It was the laugh of a man who already knew the outcome. Alex finally stood up from his seat. His movements were slow, deliberate. His expression? Unreadable. He didn't look angry. He didn't look rattled.

He looked… bored. Then, he spoke. "I don't need to prove that your Skills is garbage." His voice was light, almost playful. He tilted his head slightly, the corner of his lips quivering in amusement.

"You already did that yourself." The banquet hall fell into dead silence. Ethan's smirk disappeared. His face twisted, his eyes flashing with irritation.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" His voice was sharp, demanding an answer. But the way Alex was looking at him… Like he was nothing more than a joke… That was what truly sent his blood boiling.