Chapter 11 – A Quiet Power

Ethan checked the time on his old Oppo phone—6:12 PM.

If he was going to meet Lucas 'Viper' Morelli tonight, he needed to make some changes first. The thought of using his outdated phone for something this serious didn't sit right with him. It was time for an upgrade.

Hailing a cab, he gave the driver a simple instruction. "Take me to the best phone dealership nearby."

The man nodded, merging into traffic as the city lights flickered to life. Ethan leaned back, watching the streets blur past. The weight of the night's meeting sat on his mind, but he kept his expression neutral. He wasn't just some delivery guy anymore. He was Ethan Cross—the rightful heir to Alexander Langford's empire.

And it was about time he started moving like it.

---

The cab pulled up in front of a sleek, modern electronics store. Through the glass windows, Ethan saw high-end devices on display—phones, smartwatches, tablets. The kind of place that catered to people who never checked price tags.

Stepping out, he entered the store. Almost immediately, he felt the subtle shift in atmosphere—the way a few employees barely glanced at him, their judgment clear. His worn hoodie and cheap sneakers didn't exactly scream 'high-end customer.'

Still, Ethan didn't care. He walked straight to the display section and picked up a Google Pixel 8 Pro.

As he examined it, a sneering voice cut through the quiet.

"Well, well. A delivery boy shopping for premium phones? Must be lost."

Ethan didn't even bother turning around.

From the reflection on the screen, he saw the man—late twenties, expensive suit, smug smirk. The kind of guy who measured his worth by brand names and inherited wealth.

Ethan calmly placed the phone down and glanced at the salesman. "I'll take this one. Unlocked, 512GB version."

The salesman, who had previously ignored him, suddenly straightened. "O-Of course, sir. Right away."

The sneering man scoffed. "You sure about that, kid? That thing's over a thousand bucks."

Ethan turned to face him, expression unreadable. "And?"

The man chuckled. "Come on. You really think you can afford that? Or are you gonna ask for an installment plan?"

Ethan simply reached into his pocket, pulled out his black premium debit card, and handed it over. The salesman's eyes widened as he quickly processed the transaction.

"P-Payment successful, sir. Would you like it set up now?"

Ethan shook his head, taking the bag. "No need."

As he walked past the stunned man, he caught his parting words.

"Tch. Probably wasted all his savings on that."

Ethan didn't react. He didn't need to.

Because unlike that fool, he wasn't just rich—he owned the people at the top.

---

Sliding into another cab, Ethan unboxed the new phone and powered it on. A few minutes later, he had it fully set up and switched out his old SIM.

Then, he dialed a number.

James Windsor picked up almost immediately.

"Young Master Ethan," James greeted smoothly. "I assume this is your new number?"

"It is," Ethan confirmed. "I'll be using this for now."

"A wise choice," James replied. "How may I assist you?"

Ethan leaned back against the seat. "Tell me about Lucas 'Viper' Morelli."

There was a slight pause before James responded. "Viper is… a necessary evil in our world. He controls the underworld economy—black market trades, high-stakes gambling, discreet protection services. He answers to you, but he doesn't know it yet. He believes his only superior is Alexander Langford."

Ethan's fingers drummed against his thigh. "Which means tonight, I'll be meeting one of my own subordinates."

"Correct."

Ethan exhaled slowly. This meeting was going to be a delicate game—one where he couldn't afford to reveal his hand too soon.

"One more thing," he said. "Marcus Kane. I need every detail you have on him."

"Already in your inbox, Young Master."

Ethan smirked slightly. James was efficient as always.

"Good. I'll call if I need anything else."

"Understood. Have a pleasant evening, sir."

Ethan hung up, staring out the window.

Lucas Morelli was about to meet the real power behind the throne.

And he had no idea.