The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166 Do You Have Time?

Chapter 166 Do You Have Time?

Korbin had called ahead. Outside, a dozen of his guys were waiting.

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They filed in, found thick ropes, and tied up every downed security guard in the casino. Damian, Zora, and the others were bound tight as well.

“Mr. Bryant, what’s the meaning of this?” Damian looked around, completely confused, and couldn’t help but ask.

“Honestly? At first, I was gonna kill you,” Stefan said with a smile. “But death would’ve been too easy. Plus, it wouldn’t solve the casino problem. As for what I’m really up to? You’ll find out soon enough.”

Damian’s face went pale with shock. He finally realized Stefan never intended to let him off the hook.

“Do you even know who I am?” Damian shouted, struggling against the ropes. “If you go through with this, Aether Spire Society won’t let you slide. And my uncle? He’ll come for you.”

But he couldn’t break free from the tightly bound hemp rope.

Stefan ignored Damian’s yelling like it was just noise. He turned and walked out of the casino with Eliza and the others.

Outside, Stefan fixed a cold stare on Bob, who was trembling. “Made up your mind yet? It’s time to choose between the two options I gave you.”

“I… I…” Bob flinched, unable to meet Stefan’s gaze.

His

eyes

darted to Ava and Eliza instead, pleading silently.

Eliza kept her arm around Ava. She ignored Bob’s gaze and stayed silent.

Bob realized then-there was no turning back.

Tears streamed down his weathered face. “I’m… I’m a bastard,” he choked out. “I failed you both. I failed this family. I’ll keep my hands. When I get out, I’ll work hard. I’ll make it right.”

He turned to Stefan. “I’ll take prison.”

Stefan nodded and waved Korbin over. “Have two of your men take Bob to Dragon- Suppressing Prison tonight. Tell them he’s from me.”

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Chapter 166 Do You Have Time?

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He grabbed a piece of paper, scribbled a few lines, and handed it over-a makeshift pass.

“Easy. On it.” Korbin signaled two guys, who escorted Bob into a car. It roared off into the night.

“Bob… I hope you mean it. I hope you come out a real man.” Ava watched the car disappear, and the tears finally came.

“Mom…” Eliza’s eyes welled up, too. She held Ava close, whispering softly.

In the distance, sirens wailed. A fleet of police cars was closing in.

“Let’s get out of here,” Stefan said. “Let the authorities handle the rest.”

Stefan borrowed a black sedan from one of Korbin’s guys. He’d drive Ava and Eliza home himself.

Behind the wheel, it hit him-he really needed to buy a car. It was a hassle not having one.

Stefan hadn’t driven since before his prison stint. But the muscle memory was still there.

Eliza sat in the back with Ava, who had finally calmed down.

For Ava, the night had been a whirlwind.

Her family had been on the edge of collapse, but someone had yanked them back from the brink. The worst had been stopped.

“Stefan… I don’t know how to thank you. If it weren’t for you, my family… we…” Ava’s eyes were red. She couldn’t finish.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself. “You saved us. You’re our hero. Thank you doesn’t feel like enough.”

“Ava, don’t say that,” Stefan said. “Eliza’s my classmate. When something like this happens, of course, I’m going to step in. I wasn’t about to stand by and let evil win.”

“That damn Bob,” Ava said, her voice cracking with pain. “What was he thinking? Selling off his own daughter like some fool blinded by greed.”

She clutched Eliza’s hand tightly. “If it weren’t for you, Stefan, I might never have seen her again.”

“Mom, it’s okay. It’s all over now.” Eliza rubbed her hand gently, soothing her.

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Chapter 166 Do You Have Time?

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“Ava, the real fault lies with the casino,” Stefan said. “Bob’s not blameless. He’ll do time, and when he gets out, he’ll change. Things will get better.”

“You’re right, Stefan. You’re right. We will.” Ava nodded quickly.

The car pulled up outside Eliza’s neighborhood. As it came to a stop, Eliza said, “Mom, you go ahead. I want to talk to Stefan for a minute.”

“Of course. I’ll head in.” Before leaving, Ava thanked Stefan again, her voice thick with emotion.

Stefan lit a cigarette and pulled the car over to the curb. He turned to look at Eliza in the backseat. In the shifting glow of the streetlights, her face was striking-delicate and beautiful. He smiled, “So… you wanted to talk?”

Eliza nodded, her big eyes soft, fixed on him. “Do you have time? Or do you need to get back?”

“I’ve got time. Always got time for you.” Stefan grinned, pushed open the driver’s door, and stepped out. Then he opened the back door and slid in next to her.

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