Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 48: Trash Successfully Face-Slapped — Part 1

After Gregory stormed out of the room in a huff, muttering something under his breath.

Ethan’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"Gregory’s going to stumble on something... money, an item, maybe even a rare antique. And I should be right behind him to take it."

Ethan turned his gaze to the little girl beside him, her head bobbing as she ate cookies like it was her life’s mission.

"Mina," Ethan said with a slight smile. "Didn’t you say you’d show me around the city?"

She perked up instantly, eyes gleaming.

"Yes! Brother, let’s go! I’ll show you my secret spots!"

Natalie, who had been quietly observing, narrowed her eyes.

What was that smirk he wore now? That was the smirk of someone planning something.

"What’s this fox up to now..." Natalie muttered under her breath.

Ethan caught her glance and raised an eyebrow.

"What? Want a date with me so badly you’re feeling left out?"

Natalie scoffed, flipping her hair with a cold snort.

"Who wants to date a clown like you?"

Ethan grinned. "You say that, but your eyes tell a different story."

Before Natalie could throw something at him, Ethan turned toward the parents seated near the window—Clarissa sipping tea, and Damian reading documents on a tablet.

He bowed slightly, respectful but not meek.

"Sir, Ma’am. Would it be alright if I took Mina out for a short trip? She really wants to show me the city."

Clarissa looked up with a warm smile.

"Of course. I’ll arrange a driver."

She was already reaching for her phone when Alistair raised a hand to stop her.

"Albert," he called calmly.

From the hallway stepped a man in his mid-forties, dressed in a perfectly ironed black suit. He had slicked-back silver hair, a faint scar under his left eye, and gloves so clean they looked new. Despite his age, his posture was upright,military sharp and his gaze was like a hawk’s: calm, observant, and deeply aware.

"You called, Master Alistair?" Albert’s voice was smooth, low, and respectful.

Alistair gestured toward Ethan and Mina.

"Take them wherever they want to go. Keep it casual."

Albert gave a short bow. "Understood."

Then Alistair leaned closer, speaking in a voice only Albert could hear.

"Be on alert. Watch the boy. But don’t interfere unless necessary."

Albert’s eyes flickered for half a second,then he nodded. "As you command."

Ethan, of course, noticed the whisper. He didn’t comment. He simply smiled and reached down to hold Mina’s hand.

"Alright, guide me, Miss Tour Guide."

"Yes, brother!" Mina said cheerfully. "We’re going to the best place for hot buns!"

As the three walked out, Natalie watched them from the window, arms folded.

"What are you really after, Ethan?"

The car slid out of the Hayes estate gate smoothly. Ethan leaned back in the backseat while Mina sat beside him, her short legs kicking in rhythm.

Albert glanced at Ethan through the rearview mirror.

"Where do you want to go first, Young Master Ethan?"

Ethan turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing on the car that had just exited moments before theirs.

Gregory’s.

"Just follow that car," Ethan said calmly, pointing ahead.

Albert raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Interesting.

As they tailed Gregory discreetly through the city, the surroundings gradually changed. High-end stores gave way to older streets,weathered buildings, narrow lanes, and shops that looked like they belonged to a forgotten era.

Gregory’s car came to a stop outside a worn-down marketplace. Albert brought their vehicle to a slow crawl behind and asked,

"Should I park?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes. We’ll walk from here."

"Very well, sir," Albert said. "Please wait a moment."

Mina leaned over, frowning. "Brother, why are we stopping here? This place looks boring."

Ethan chuckled. "Hehe... Mina, this place isn’t boring. It’s fun. Full of surprises."

Mina pouted, crossing her arms. "But I wanted to go to the game center or the big mall..."

Ethan smiled and ruffled her hair. "We’ll go after this. Promise. But first, how about some ice cream?"

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Yay! But chocolate flavor, okay?"

"Of course." He stepped out of the car just as Albert returned.

Albert opened the door politely and said, "After you, sir."

The three of them stepped into the marketplace. It was cluttered and chaotic,stalls crammed together, each selling odds and ends: old clocks, faded postcards, cracked vases, rusted swords, worn paintings, dusty books.

Ethan handed Mina a cone of chocolate ice cream, and she walked happily beside Albert, licking it with full focus.

Ethan, meanwhile, had only one target: Gregory.

He spotted him a few stalls ahead, pacing and frowning, clearly frustrated.

"What’s this clown up to?" Ethan thought, watching discreetly.

Gregory cursed under his breath as he scanned the items on display.

"Ugh... I thought I’d find something good here. Everything looks worthless..."

Then he stopped.

Just off the main path, sitting on the ground, was a man with a few items laid out on a torn cloth: old compasses, used watches, and a rolled-up painting.

Gregory’s eyes gleamed.

"Finally found it," he muttered.

Ethan saw the shift in Gregory’s expression and immediately changed direction, walking toward the same man.

Gregory pointed at the painting.

"How much is this?"

The shopkeeper yawned. "Finally, a customer. Tch. Of all the things, he picks the dumb painting. Whatever."

He said lazily, "$300."

Gregory grinned to himself.

My skill showed me , this is worth $7 million... and he’s selling it for $300? What a steal."

"Pack it. I’ll take it," Gregory said proudly.

Just as the man reached to hand it over—

"I want that," a calm voice cut in.

Ethan.

"I’ll give you triple the price."

Gregory’s face dropped. "You?! What are you doing here?!"

Ethan smiled. "Just exploring the city. You know—sightseeing."

Gregory narrowed his eyes. "Why that painting?"

"I’m a fan of art. And this one caught my eye," Ethan said casually. "Besides, I’ve got enough money. I’ll spend it where I want."

He turned to the seller. "So? What do you say?"

The man blinked. Triple the price?

Triple?! That’s $900! My wife will finally be happy, i can have sex after a long time.

He grabbed the painting and handed it to Ethan. "It’s yours, sir."

Gregory clenched his fists.

"F*ck you," he hissed in his mind. "Always coming in my way."

Still, he forced a grin.

"Fine. I’ll pay $1,200."

The seller’s eyes widened.

Before Ethan could respond, he smiled coldly.

"$7,000."

Ethan knew Gregory has only $10,000 and he can’t afford to spend this much.

Gregory froze.

"Sht. I’ve only got $10,000. If I pay that much, I’ll be left with crumbs..."*

He took a step back.

Tch. Whatever. It’s just $7 million. I’ll find something better.

And just like that, he turned and walked off.

Ethan stepped forward and accepted the painting. The seller smiled, already dreaming of his night with his wife.

"Sir, my money?"

Ethan handed him only $200.

The man blinked. "Wait... you said $7,000..."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Really? Is this painting even worth $200?"

The shopkeeper paused. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

"I—I mean, of course—"

Ethan leaned in, whispering, "Tell me the truth or should i call police to check your all items.l"

Shit, I will be gone , if he calls the police and it looks like he is not even joking.

The seller broke.

He sighed. "Fine... I picked it up last week from a junk heap."

Ethan smiled. "So. $200. Fair?"

The man nodded miserably. "Better than nothing..."

Ding!!!!!

Trash successfully face-slapped.

Reward: $50,000

Ethan turned and walked away, the painting rolled under his arm.

"You keep walking, Greg. I’ll keep winning."

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