The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 90

Samuel's eyes sharpened. "And how will you be paying, sir?"

Stefan said, "Card. Right now."

Samuel's demeanor shifted instantly—warm, accommodating. "Excellent. Some of these ingredients are quite rare, so we don't do credit or payment plans. As long as you can settle today, we're good."

Stefan waved off the concern. "Just tally it up. I'll pay."

Samuel nodded to the clerk, who began calculating.

"Alright." Samuel reviewed the final numbers. "The first batch comes to twelve million. The Azure Ginseng, Dragonflower, and Bloodvine are separate—Azure Ginseng at six point three million, Dragonflower at four point eight, Bloodvine at five point six."

Stefan nodded. "Fine. I'll transfer now."

The prices were fair. Reasonable. But the total? Nearly thirty million dollars.

Cultivation was expensive. Insanely expensive. Without money, the path was closed.

Stefan completed the transfer. Samuel's phone pinged with confirmation. His smile widened. "Pleasure doing business, sir. Let me get the last three for you."

He disappeared into the back and returned with three sandalwood boxes. Opened them one by one. The scent that wafted out was rich, ancient, energizing.

Stefan examined each. Perfect.

He was about to pack them up when a young man swaggered into the shop, pointing at the boxes like he owned them.

"Well, well. Azure Ginseng, Dragonflower, and Bloodvine? Jackpot. I'll take these."

Samuel's face went pale. Then respectful. Then practically groveling.

"Mr. Elliott Miller! What an honor. Please, come in."

Elliott didn't even look at him. "Wrap them up. I'm taking them."

"Of course." Samuel was already closing the boxes, pushing them toward Elliott.

Samuel hurried forward, wringing his hands. "Sir, please—this is Mr. Miller. His aunt is married into the Lessing family. You don't want to cross them. Just let him have the herbs."

Elliott's smile turned ugly. "Too late for that. He mouthed off to me. He's giving me the herbs and getting on his knees to apologize. Or this doesn't end well."

Stefan's lips curved.

The Lessing family was one of River City's two top-tier powers. Families like the Stewarts? They weren't even in the same weight class. They survived on Lessing's goodwill.

And this guy—just related by marriage—was already throwing his weight around like a god. That showed how much power the Lessing family held in River City.

The Jensen family had risen fast exactly because of their connection to them. Few dared to offend the Jensens—not with the Lessings behind them.

"Apologize to you?" Stefan almost laughed. "I paid for these. They're mine. You want to steal them and make me beg? That's a new level of delusion."

Elliott's background meant nothing to him. The Lessings? He'd deal with them if he had to. But he wasn't bending the knee to some minor relative playing big shot.