Becoming A Tech Tycoon Begins With Regression novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Face Slapping IS Real

"I-I think I miss heard that," Chris said, letting out an awkward chuckle, "cause I could have sworn you said Ethan is the owner of this company."

"You heard right, Mr Bell," Irina said with a smile, "Ethan is the new owner of Solterra Development Groups."

Christopher Bell’s face immediately turned pale as he stuttered out, "T-that’s impossible, t-there must be something wrong—maybe he’s lying to you or something... Yes, that’s it, he must be lying."

Irina was having fun watching Chris struggle to comprehend how someone he thought was beneath him... wasn’t actually beneath him at all.

Ethan, on the other hand, didn’t actually care. Just like with Chad, he didn’t care what Chris thought about him. After all, their opinions held no weight. He didn’t need validation from gnats.

"Lying? How so?" Irina asked, pretending as if she was surprised by the possibility that Ethan might be lying to her.

Hearing her tone, Christopher perked up as he said, "You might not know this, but this guy’s only source of income was working as a part-time teacher. And I even heard that he just quit."

"Is that so?" Irina was genuinely surprised at the fact that Ethan was a teacher, but did that change her opinion of him?

Not in the least bit.

But someone else mistook her surprised face as shock. So, of course, Chris doubled down.

"Maybe he just did it to impress you, but Ethan Carter is far from being able to afford a company such as this."

His confidence began to crawl back as he straightened his tie and leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was letting Irina in on some big secret. "In fact... if I were you, I’d call security right now. People like him, are always after something."

Irina blinked once, then twice, before covering her mouth with her hand. For a second, Chris thought she was gasping in realization but that’s when he heard it.

It started as a low chuckle before it turned into a full blown laugh, as Irina could hold it in no longer.

She continued laughing for a minute before she calmed down, wiped off the tear that formed in her eyes before turning to the confused Chris.

"You said you were here concerning a contract right?" She asked, "what company are you here to represent?"

Still not understanding why she was suddenly laughing, he just dismissed it as a weird quirk of hers, after all, none of those with the Romanova last name was normal.

So he wouldn’t point it out, after all, he might lose the chance to curry some favor from one of the Romanovas.

"Bell & Partners," Chris said, his chest puffing with visible pride as if the name alone should command respect. "We’ve handled multiple real estate expansions across Atlanta. This contract—" he tapped the folder in his hand "—is practically in the bag. That’s why I find it laughable that some nobody like Carter thinks he belongs in this office."

Ethan could see exactly how much fun Irina was having by the glint in her eyes but Chris was none the wiser.

"Bell & Partners..." she repeated softly. Then her smile widened. "I see. So you came here to secure Solterra’s expansion contract."

"Exactly," Chris said firmly, confidence returning back into his tone. "And if you’ll allow me five minutes with the real owner, I’ll show him why we’re the best choice."

Irina glanced at Ethan, who hadn’t moved an inch, his expression unreadable. She then looked back at Chris, lips curling into a smile.

"Mr. Bell, I think you just lost the chance to do that." She said, her expression was that of pity as she looked at him.

"What do you mean by that Ms Romanova?" Chris asked in confusion, he was pretty sure he hadn’t even talked to the owner yet, so how had he even lost the chance.

Unless...

"Are you also interested in the contract?" He asked, realizing that there might be a reason why she was also here, "if the Romanovas are also interested in the contract, I’ll be more than happy to back off."

There was a greedy glint in his eyes as he believed this was the fastest way to gain her favor.

"Not in the least bit Mr Bell," Irina answered, "rather Solterra Development Group was one of mine."

"Ah, sorry for the confusion then." He apologized, but before he could say anything else, she ccit him off.

"And as I told you this company is officially Ethan Carter’s from a few minutes ago," she continued, her voice losing its playful tone, turning colder.

Chris’s breath hitched. He looked between the two of them, his desperation could now be heard in his voice. "P-please. You don’t understand. If I don’t close this deal, my grandfather—" He stopped himself, realizing too late how pathetic he sounded.

Ethan tilted his head, studying him with a clear sigh that he was looking down on Chris "your family’s problems aren’t mine," he said simply.

The silence that followed was suffocating. Chris looked like a drowning man reaching for air that would never come. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Finally, with trembling hands, he brought his folder to his chest, his pride lying shattered at his feet.

"You’ll regret this," he muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness.

Ethan’s smile widened just a moment, though his eyes remained cold. "The only thing I regret, Chris... is that I wasted even five minutes listening to you."

Irina’s laugh rang out again, it was clearly a mocking one. "Go on now, Mr. Bell. Don’t let the door hit your ego on the way out."

A few minutes after Chris left, the CEO came rushing back, a couple of folder in his hands as he was breathing heavily, almost as if he had run up and down a couple of stairs...

Which he had.

He was completely unaware of the drama that had just went on as he stood before Ethan and Irina.

"I brought them all," He reported, completely breathless.

Honestly, he didn’t need to bring all these files since only the company’s own was needed but as stated before, he’d do as much as possible to avoid being thrown under the bus.

Even if he had an idea of what his employees were doing and he hadn’t done anything to stop them.

"Good job," Irina said, before adding, "now lead the way to Ethan’s office."

"Right away," not even being given the chance to take a rest, he continued forward with the files in hand.