Chapter 3 That's Going to Cost Extra

• "Are you trying to insult me with a hundred grand?"
• Liam looked at Osbert with disdain. Weren't they both from the same Snowdens? How could this guy be so stingy?
• "Is that not enough for you?"
• Osbert, taken aback, sneered quickly. "Fine, name your price!"
• "Ten million."
• Liam was in desperate need of money.
• If he could walk away with ten million right now, there'd be no need to wait a whole year.
• "Are you out of your d*mn mind?"
• Osbert flew into a rage and chided, "You redneck! You really think you're worth 10 million?"
• "If you can't pay up, then get lost and quit bothering me!"
• Liam was losing patience.
• "Motherf*cker! How dare you disrespect me?"
• Osbert waved his hand, signaling two burly men nearby. "You two, get in here and turn this sc*mbag into a vegetable!"
• The two thugs barged into the hospital room. Without a word, they swung their fists at Liam's head.
• Reacting on instinct, Liam grabbed their fists mid-air, twisting them with a slight flick of his wrists.
• "Arghhh!"
• The two men screamed in unison.
• "Get out!"
• With a shove, Liam sent both men stumbling backward, out of the room.
• "You too!"
• With a single kick, Osbert was thrown out the door as well.
• "You'll pay for this, you lowlife!"
• Osbert fumed but didn't dare come back inside.
• Liam looked down at him with contempt. Did Osbert think he could scare him? He wasn't just anyone; he was the Celestial Lord.
• However, Liam suddenly paused and realized something.
• Wait, my behavior's been influenced by the dream!
• He was such a simple guy, even a bit timid at times.
• But now? He actually liked this new version of himself.
• Liam went to the bathroom. He cleaned himself up thoroughly, put on fresh clothes and shoes, and pocketed the hundred grand that Osbert had brought.
• "Everything's sorted."
• Just then, Petra walked back into the room, freezing for a moment. "Where did you get all that cash?"
• "Oh, your cousin dropped by with a little 'get well' gift for me," Liam said with a cheerful grin. "You know, he's actually not that bad after all."
• "Osbert?"
• Petra frowned and asked, "He gave you money? That doesn't sound like him."
• She quickly figured it out. "He tried to pay you off to leave, didn't he?
• "Never mind about that," she said, waving it off. "Grandpa just called. He wants us to go see him. Osbert's probably already told him everything."
• River City is made up of many influential families. Three noble houses, eight elite families, and nearly one hundred reputable families made up the city's upper echelon.
• Noble houses controlled assets worth hundreds of billions; elite families had fortunes in the billions, and reputable families were worth at least ten figures.
• The Snowdens were one of the elite families.
• At the Snowden Estate, on the outskirts of River City.
• Petra held Liam's arm as they walked into the room, which was already full of people, including Osbert.
• "Redneck, you actually dared to show up?"
• Osbert glared at Liam, then turned to the white-haired old man beside him.
• "Grandpa, Liam doesn't care about Petra. I offered him 100,000 just to test him, and he immediately asked for 10 million!
• "He got upset when I called him out and even hit me!"
• The elderly man with white hair was Eric Snowden, the head of the family and Petra's grandfather. At 70 years old, he still commanded respect.
• "Grandpa, that's not how it happened."
• Petra tried to explain.
• "There's no need to argue."
• Eric raised his hand, silencing her. His very presence radiated authority.
• "Liam, I'm glad you've recovered," he said. "But you've already delayed Petra's life for three years. You can't keep holding her back."
• "You want money? Fine. Here's 10 million. Take it."
• Eric held out a check.
• "Grandpa, Liam and I are truly in love!"
• Petra was frantic now, clutching Liam's arm tightly, preventing him from taking the check. She looked up at him, her eyes pleading.
• "Petra," Eric said calmly, "Even true love has a price."
• The old man continued, "Liam, I'm not threatening you, but leaving with the money is your best option.
• "If money can solve this, we'd rather not use other means."
• Liam chuckled, his smile bright and relaxed. "Mr. Snowden, you're much more generous than your stingy grandson.
• "But look, Petra's beautiful, has an amazing figure, and she's wealthy. Most importantly, we are deeply in love with each other.
• "So, Mr. Snowden, this is going to cost extra.
• "I want a 100 million."