Chapter 87: Chapter 87: The Rules of Celestial Garden
Ethan, Jason, and Cassandra were just finishing the elaborate breakfast—a rare moment of peace and domesticity—when Ethan’s phone vibrated on the marble countertop. He glanced at the screen: Santiago.
Ethan wiped his mouth with a linen napkin and answered. "What is it, Santiago?"
"Boss, I’m at the gate of your place right now," Santiago’s voice was tight with frustration. "I showed them the card, just like you told me, but they won’t let us through. They said we need authorization."
Ethan frowned, the remnants of his good mood dissipating instantly. "Pass them to me."
A moment of static, and then a smooth, modulated voice came over the line—the voice of authority.
"Good morning, Mr. Blake. Agent Alpha speaking."
"Alpha," Ethan said, his voice instantly cold. "Tell your men to let Santiago and his associates through. They are here on my business."
A soft, condescending chuckle came from the other end. "I didn’t realize you had such deplorable friends, Mr. Blake. Bringing that kind of element into Celestial Garden is highly irregular and against the residency protocols."
Ethan clenched his jaw, the disrespect hitting a nerve. "What I do and who I associate with is none of your business, Alpha. Let them pass."
Agent Alpha laughed again, a sound devoid of genuine humor. "My apologies. I didn’t expect you to get angry over a bunch of human waste. Consider it a lapse in judgment on my part."
[Human waste! That’s $5,000 in psychological damage! Wait, is that a mission? Champion, insult him back! He’s disrespecting your new army!] The System urged, sensing an opportunity for conflict.
Ethan controlled the explosion of anger. He needed Santiago compliant, and he needed the access. "Just let them through, Alpha. Now."
The line went dead. A moment later, the gate opened.
"They’re testing you, Boss," Jason, who had heard the entire exchange, looked grim.
"I know," Ethan confirmed, standing up. "Come on. Let’s make an entrance."
They walked out onto the grand drive just as Santiago’s vehicle pulled up. It was a faded, dented 90s sedan, its paint chipped and its engine coughing, contrasting enormously with the Ferraris and high-end SUVs parked discreetly around the estate. Inside the sedan, Santiago and two of his burliest men looked utterly out of place, their eyes wide and nervous as they took in the wealth surrounding them.
Santiago scrambled out of the driver’s seat, rushing to meet Ethan. "Boss, what the hell was that? They treat us like dirt! That guy..."
"They are dirt, Santiago," Ethan cut in, his gaze sweeping over the dusty car and his nervous subordinates. "But you are my dirt now. Understand the difference. You showed the card, they let you in. They follow the hierarchy."
[Look at them, Champion! They are terrified of the rich people’s lawnmowers! This place is a better deterrent than your assault rifle!] The System gloated, amused by the cultural shock.
"The contrast is... remarkable," Cassandra murmured, walking out and standing beside Ethan, her presence adding a layer of sophisticated mockery to the scene.
"Let’s go inside, Santiago. We have business to discuss. And next time, rent a cleaner car. You’re giving my security team a complex".
Ethan finished, gesturing for Santiago and his two men to follow him toward the mansion.
They settled in a sleek, modern library, the contrast between the well-dressed thugs and the minimalist luxury stark. Cassandra discreetly retrieved a notepad and pen, positioning herself to take notes. Jason stood guard near the door.
"The Congressman who is threatening us, his name is Hiram Vance," Ethan began, leaning against a custom-built oak desk. "He is upset because Jason broke his bodyguard’s arm and we stole a rifle. He wants $5 million and Jason’s head. Since I won’t give him either, we have a problem."
Santiago blinked. "Five million dollars? For a broken arm? That’s rich, Boss. But Vance is protected. He’s a big name."
"He’s a Congressman," Ethan corrected sharply. "That means he has enemies, and he has secrets. I want to make sure he regrets trying to extort me."
Ethan looked at Jason, his tone becoming professional. "Jason, I need you to focus your investigation on his political and financial dealings. Look for any pending legislation, any business he’s quietly backing, any signs of outright corruption. Start tracing the money flow from his last campaign. Focus on anything related to construction or city contracts. Use our established channels, but keep it discreet."
"Understood, Boss. I’ll start with campaign finance records," Jason confirmed, his expression serious.
Ethan then turned his sharp gaze to Santiago. "Santiago, I need the street-level view. Vance is a politician, but every politician has dirty laundry being aired in the alleys. I need you and your Dukes to find any information that hasn’t been digitized."
"What kind of information, Boss?" Santiago asked, leaning forward, eager to prove himself.
"Mistresses, gambling debts, drug habits, unreported offshore bank accounts, or any evidence of him using his muscle to intimidate small businesses," Ethan listed calmly. "I want anything that could ruin his career or put him in jail. Something that will make him forget about $5 million and be happy to leave my guard alone."
"That’s doable, Boss. The street always knows," Santiago replied with a grim nod.
"Good. And for expenses," Ethan paused, taking out his phone and typing a number. "You will communicate directly with my financial agent, Lena Rossi. If you need money for bribes, information, or to set up a situation, you will message her. She will deposit the funds you need. Do not abuse this. She handles billions; she won’t tolerate incompetence."
[Lena Rossi! The one with the amazing legs and the brain! Champion, you are delegating brilliantly! Now you have a clean way to fund illegal activities! Score!] The System applauded the smart move.
"Lena Rossi..." Santiago repeated the name, nodding firmly. Having direct access to Ethan’s billions—handled by a dedicated agent—was a clear sign of trust and power. "Understood, Boss. We will get you the dirt on Vance."
Despite not actually having the billions at his disposal, Ethan maintained a strong façade of unlimited wealth so that no one would suspect his immediate financial constraints. Jason had played the part perfectly, making Santiago believe he was standing next to a super fat fish.