The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 115

"Stefan, that ex-convict, had a petty mind fixated on trifling gains. How could someone like him ever fathom my grand ambitions?"

Evan scoffed, then pressed the call button beside him.

A waitress soon appeared, her face lighting up when she saw him awake. "Mr. Sterling, you're up! I'll let the boss know right away."

"No need, I'll go see Mr. Reed myself—" Evan quickly interjected, knowing better than to act presumptuous.

"It's fine, Mr. Reed asked to be notified as soon as you woke. Please wait here in the lounge," she insisted.

With that, she left.

Shortly after, Ethan arrived, trailed by several security guards.

Evan felt a flicker of unease at the sight but greeted him warmly, "Mr. Reed, good to see you—"

"Mr. Sterling, sober now? Feeling clear-headed?" Ethan's friendly tone put Evan at ease.

"Absolutely, thank you. I'm sorry for the trouble—I must've had a bit too much to drink."

"Not at all. Hospitality is part of our service." Ethan waved a hand dismissively. "Now that you're alert, let's settle the bill."

Evan paused, expecting small talk first, but nodded. "Of course."

"Is the statement ready?" Ethan asked a nearby attendant.

"Yes, sir."

Ethan skimmed the paper, then passed it to Evan. "Take a look. If everything's in order, we can proceed."

"I'm sure it's fine," Evan replied casually, expecting a total around five to six million—a sum he could manage.

But as his eyes scanned the numbers, his body went rigid. His jaw dropped in disbelief.

Over 17 million? For one meal?

This had to be a mistake—a cruel illusion.

Him? Smashing up the Peak Chamber in a drunken fit? He hadn't been drunk at all—he was pretending the entire time! None of this made any sense.

To him, the story sounded like a wild fabrication, something too ridiculous to be real.

His memory was clear: he'd faked intoxication, stayed fully aware, and never stepped out of the lounge once he was taken there. The accusation felt completely detached from reality.

"Mr. Reed, there must be some mistake. I never caused any disturbance, and I certainly didn't damage anything in the Peak Chamber. I swear it," he insisted, voice tense.

Ethan's smile remained mild, almost patient. "Memory gaps are common after heavy drinking. Let me show you."

He took Evan's arm and led him down the hall.

Evan followed, his mind reeling, until they reached the private dining room. Inside, the scene was one of pure chaos: the round table lay in splinters, chairs were overturned and broken, the floor-to-ceiling window was fractured like a spider's web, and the door dangled loosely from a single hinge.

Stunned, Evan could only shake his head. "This... this wasn't me. You can't pin this on me, Mr. Reed!"

"Pin this on you?" Ethan's tone cooled noticeably. He glanced at the staff standing quietly nearby. "Tell him exactly what you saw."