The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 91

"You..." Elliott shot to his feet, his face contorting with rage, eyes glinting with a cold, dangerous light.

In River City, his connection to the Lessing family had always been his trump card, granting him deference wherever he went.

Never had he encountered someone so brazenly disrespectful as Stefan, who not only refused to show respect but also outright told him to get lost.

"What do you mean, 'you'?" Stefan's gaze hardened as he glared back. "Trying to rob me in broad daylight? This medicine is mine. Why should I hand it over just because you say so? Do you expect me to indulge you like a doting father?"

His tone was unyielding, showing not the slightest fear of Elliott.

Samuel and the other shop assistants watched in stunned silence.

Having dealt with Elliott before, they knew him to be petty and vindictive—someone they deliberately avoided provoking.

With the power of the Lessing family behind him, ordinary people like them dared not risk his displeasure.

Crossing Elliott could easily lead to broken limbs or even a mysterious disappearance.

Seeing Stefan stand his ground and insult Elliott so openly left them both astonished and quietly concerned for his safety.

"Are you mocking me?" Elliott's expression darkened further.

He wasn't stupid; he caught the insult hidden in Stefan's words—the implication that he was acting like a spoiled child. It made his blood boil.

"Oh, you actually understood that? I was beginning to think you only knew how to bark like a mad dog," Stefan smiled faintly, gathering the herbs from the counter to leave.

The Elixirs Dispensary was busy with customers, some there for medicine, others for consultations. A crowd had already gathered during the argument, and Stefan's last remark drew bursts of laughter from the onlookers.

Elliott's face flushed with humiliation. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, fury simmering just beneath the surface.

But with so many witnesses, he knew he was in the wrong. Swallowing his anger, he spoke through gritted teeth, "Fine. Then I'll buy those three herbs from you."

Elliott's uncle? That could only be Arthur Lessing, the eldest son of the Lessing family patriarch.

With the current head advanced in years, Arthur was effectively the heir—a figure of immense influence in River City.

Quietly, Samuel moved closer to Stefan, intending to advise him to stand down. Sometimes it was wiser to yield and avoid making powerful enemies.

But before he could speak, Stefan replied flatly, "Who's your uncle? Never heard of him. I said I'm not selling, and no amount of money will change that. Save your posturing—it doesn't work on me."

"I've tried reasoning with you politely. Doubling your price means you walk away with tens of millions in profit—and earn the Lessing family's gratitude. Yet you still refuse? Seems to me you're just holding out for more, trying to extort me because you know I'm desperate. Isn't that right?" Elliott retorted, his voice turning sharp.

His words stirred murmurs among the crowd.

For most, making tens of millions in an instant was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Elliott's offer seemed more than generous, and Stefan's stubborn refusal began to strike some as unreasonable. Whispers and pointed glances started to circulate around the shop.