I Am the Ruler of All

"It's not bad." Courtney nodded. "I quite like this watch."

"That's good! I'm glad you like it!" Will handed his bank card over to Julie. "Go and settle the bill."

Kingsley wanted to reject the offer, but Will beat him to it. "I insist, Mr. Nicholson! It's just five hundred thousand. Please don't feel the need to turn me down."

"Fine." Kingsley was not someone to make a fuss over small matters. He accepted Will's offer with a smile. "I'll accept this gift on behalf of my sister, then."

The crowd, not one to hold their tongue, began to chatter once more.

"Goodness me! 'It's just five hundred thousand', he says! Only Will Maslow of Scarlet Heart Group would say a thing like that!"

"Mr. Nicholson? Is that Nicholson fellow some kind of businessman too? Either way, he's gotten himself a windfall this time!"

"Didn't you hear him saying that the beautiful woman is his sister? I'm pretty sure Will Maslow is trying to become his brother-in-law!"

"I'm so f*cking envious! If only I had such a beautiful sister too!"

After hearing what the crowd was saying, Will hastened to say, "Mr. Nicholson, please don't take it the wrong way. I—"

Kingsley raised his hand to interrupt him. "I know what your intentions are."

Will sighed in relief. "As long as you understand…"

Then, he turned to look at Zeke and Catherine. "Why the f*ck are you two still here? Get lost!"

His words whipped Zeke into action. He swiftly bowed to Will and said, "Yes, of course, at once! I'll leave right now! Immediately!"

He and Catherine both hightailed it out of the boutique.

Will did not bother to watch them leave. He turned to Julie and said, "Find me a women's watch in the seventy-five thousand range and wrap it up with the best packaging you have in store."

Julie was ecstatic. "Yes, Mr. Maslow. I'll pick one out for you right away!" she hurriedly replied.

Kingsley was puzzled. "Are you preparing a gift for someone, Mr. Maslow?"

"The president of Solaris Bank—Mr. Hewitt—is organizing a birthday banquet for his wife at Helios Hotel this afternoon. I'll be attending the banquet to give her my wishes," Will explained. "It's just as well that watches from this brand are pretty decent, and I'm in no state to go looking for something else to give as a gift anyway."

However, his explanation only left Kingsley with even more questions.

"It's understandable to give a gift to the bank president and his wife, but isn't it a bit much to give a watch that costs seventy-five thousand?"

Will kept his voice low as he explained, "You might not know this, but Mr. Hewitt's son is a decorated hero recognized by our country's military. The entire Hewitt family commands a lot of power and respect in Solaris province. If the family supports you, it's equivalent to receiving the go-ahead from the government itself. Even the city mayor and the provincial governor treat Mr. Hewitt with the utmost respect."

Kingsley had a slight frown. "A decorated hero recognized by the military? How come? Did he do something commendable on the battlefield? Or is it…"