At that moment Ethan was still adjusting his silk tie one final time, immediately Ethan opened his financial interface in the system. The bracelet was hummed eagerly against his wrist as numbers began scrolling before his eyes.


    [Total transactions processed: $150 billion.]


    Upon seeing the numbers his lips curved into a satisfied smile.


    "Just $50 billion more until the system''s second stage unlocks."


    Ethan said to himself, the thought of what he''s  going to get in the second stage made his smile even brighter, he couldn''t imagine the amount of power that awaited at the next level, he could almost taste it.


    "I know I have made so many  mistakes and at same time made so many investment mistakes just like the one of three days  but, I actually needed an underground  organization."


    He shook his head then he deleted the thought.


    "No time to talk about the past, it has already been made. Bncing my public image against the hidden empire required careful nning, and the underground organization acquisition would help cement that position."


    He nodded before leaving his suite.


    He walked out of the hotel room only to see a Rolls-Royce Phantom waiting  for him.


    without being told he could tell it was Naomi doing.


    Without wasting anymore time he step in, and he left.


    Not long after they arrived at their government house, it glided to a stop before the government house entrance, its ck surface reflecting the morning sun like polished obsidian.


    Ethan adjusted his elegant face mask - a masterpiece of ck silk and subtle golden threading that covered the upper half of his face.


    Security guards snapped to attention as he strode through the marble halls, his footsteps echoing with quiet authority.


    The ancient bracelet hummed beneath his sleeve and his staff perfectly positioned, sensing the power gathered ahead


    After some minutes of walking, the main door was opened for Ethan, and he stepped inside.


    The governor''s private chamber radiated old-world authority - heavy curtains, antique furniture, and the weight of power.


    Around a massive oak table sat the city''s most influential figures.


    the governor himself, three senior ministers, and themissioner of police, theirbined authority filling the room like a physical presence.


    Without saying anything Ethan took his assigned seat with fluid grace, feeling their eyes studying his masked appearance with varying degrees of suspicion and curiosity.


    "Young man,"


    the governor''s voice cut through the silence.@@novelbin@@


    "This is a ce of transparency and trust."


    His eyes narrowed slightly. x


    "Remove your mask. We don''t conduct business with shadows and mysteries. I must know who I''m speaking to - unless you''re some demon hiding behind that masked."


    At that moment Ethan just smiled, he knew something like this would happen so he came prepared.


    "I prefer to keep my mask, thank you,"


    Ethan replied coolly, his voice carrying a subtle authority that made several officials shift ufortably in their seats.


    ''If they think they can walk all over me they should think again.''


    he thought to himself, watching their reactions.


    Stay updated through empire


    At that moment the policemissioner mmed his palm on the oak table, making coffee cups rattle.


    "Fifty billion dors!"


    His voice echoed off the chamber walls, face flushing with frustration. "Fifty billion moved in a single day! Where did that moneye from, boy?"


    '' I can see they''re terrified''


    Ethan realized.


    ''Not of me, but of what I represent - power they can''t control''


    "Your family name,"


    themissioner demanded, leaning forward aggressively. his Veins pulsed in his neck.


    "We need to know who we''re dealing with. Are you even a citizen of this country?"


    At that moment Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the room''s perfect temperature.


    ''How dare this masked nobody threaten our authority''


    his expression screamed.


    however Ethan merely adjusted his position in the leather chair, his posture radiating casual indifference.


    "Gentlemen,"


    he said smoothly, every word measured and precise. His masked face revealed nothing of the cold amusement he felt.


    "I''ve broken nows. The money is legit, the transfers were legal, and I have every right not to answer personal questions."


    He tilted his masked face slightly, knowing how the gesture would unnerve them further.


    "Perhaps we should discuss why you really called me here? Unless interrogatingw-abiding citizens is now government policy?"


    Upon hearing what Ethan just said the governor and officials exchanged uneasy nces.


    They never expected their target to bite back.


    Ethan couldn''t help but smile, for some reason he decided not to  show them any respect, and it seems to be working, they wouldn''t look down on him this way.


    "The TV station purchase,"


    the Governor leaned forward, attempting to regain control, his manicured fingers inteced on the polished oak.


    "We must ensure public media doesn''t fall into... dangerous hands. The people have a right to know who controls their information."


    "Fascinating,"


    Ethan replied, his masked face tilting slightly. sensing his growing amusement.


    "You speak of rights while attempting to vite mine. My identity will be revealed when I choose, Governor. Or is this how you typically treat legitimate investors?"


    "And I''m sure you have no right to invite me here because of this, the authorities should do their job."


    At that moment they all gaze at Ethan with cold eyes.


    "If there''s nothing else productive to discuss..."


    Ethan rose smoothly from his chair, his movements deliberately casual.


    "SIT DOWN!"


    The Police Commissioner''s face had turned purple with rage.


    He mmed both hands on the table again, coffee cups jumping. "You WILL remove that mask, or I''ll have you arrested for suspicious activities! and we will  investigate you, I have that right, just in case you have forgotten."


    Upon hearing what themissioner just said the rest of the minister nodded in agreement.


    their eyes focused on Ethan wanting to see what he''s going to say or do next.


    Ethan however stops at his position.


    He wanted to say something when he heard  a sound, the double doors burst open with a thunderous crash. A dozen heavily armed officers poured in, their weapons trained on Ethan''s masked face. The metallic sounds of safeties clicking off echoed through the chamber like angry wasps.