When Ethan said about having breakfast outside, Alice was stunned at first.
But then she chuckled. "Brother you aren't still dreaming, are you? Don't you know how costly it is to have breakfast outside even if it's from a street stall."
What she said was true. Even a normal meal in the street stalls would cost twice the price from what it took to prepare it at home. And quality would be far from tolerable. And if one wanted to have good food in a good environment then the price would just sky rocket.
Hearing her, Ethan smiled. "Well you don't need to worry about money from now onward."
He walked toward her and caressed her hair with affection. "Your brother has got a good job and it pays really well."
Alice clasped her hands in excitement. "Really brother? You aren't joking with me right?"
Ethan grinned. "Nope.... Those old days in poverty will be staying in our memories only. Today when you finish your school, we will go shopping. What do you think?"
"Hurray!" Alice jumped up from her seat in excitement. It was a common hobby for every girl to go shopping. And Alice who always had a hard time, who was used to being mocked for her old and shabby clothes was even more thrilled.
With that both of them came out from the house carrying their own satchel.
Both walked toward Ethan's scooter.
Ethan revved up the scooter, Alice sitting lightly behind him, her small hands clutching her brother's shirt. She leaned closer, resting against him as the scooter glided smoothly onto the main road.
The streets bustled with life—rows of food stalls lined the way, tempting aromas drifting through the air. Alice's eyes sparkled. "Surely, big brother will stop here."
But Ethan didn't.
Soon they passed by a few modest restaurants. "Maybe here." These weren't too expensive, Alice thought hopefully. Yet again, Ethan drove past without slowing down.
Then came the mid-range two-star hotels. Alice blinked in surprise. "Has brother earned that much? Could he actually afford this? Maybe he'll stop here." But Ethan didn't.
Finally, as they crossed into the heart of the city, gleaming hotels rose on either side. Alice's heart skipped when she saw a three-star… then a four-star… then a shining five-star. "Impossible… is brother actually—?"
Her heart was already in her throat, but when Ethan finally pulled the scooter to a stop, her mind went blank.
Not in front of a two-star.
Not even in front of a five-star.
He stopped before the towering gates of the most extravagant building in the entire city—Hotel DS Palace, the only eight-star hotel in the country, catered exclusively to the billionaires.
Alice nearly lost her balance. She grabbed his shirt tight, eyes wide in panic. "Brother! What are you doing?! Are you crazy stopping here?"
But Ethan only smiled faintly, parked the scooter with calm composure, and helped her down.
They stepped toward the glittering doors. A broad-shouldered security guard stood watch, his lip curling the moment he saw them. His eyes carried mockery. "Another poor fool who'll get thrown out after trying his luck."
Ethan caught the look and instantly understood what the man was thinking. Once, such contempt would have burned him with shame. But not today. Not ever again. "I'll show them… how it feels when the people they scorn shake their world instead."
Without a word, he guided Alice inside.
The grand first-floor dining hall gleamed with chandeliers, yet empty at this early hour. They quietly settled at a table.
A waitress approached, slender with a graceful figure, but the moment she saw Ethan and Alice's shabby clothes, her lips curled. She turned away and reached the receptionist. Then whispered something into the her ear.
The receptionist glanced over. Her eyes lingered for a moment before she walked toward them, the waitress following.
Ethan expected the same contempt in her gaze, but to his surprise, her eyes carried no ridicule—only a strange politeness. She was striking, her mature beauty wrapped in a classy aura, every curve of her body dignified and alluring.
"Sir, are you staying at this hotel?" she asked gently.
"No," Ethan replied evenly. "We're just here for breakfast."
Her lips curved with regret, her voice soft yet firm. "I'm truly sorry, sir. But for guests who aren't staying, dining requires a membership. Since this is an eight-star establishment, we must uphold certain policies and decorum. I hope you understand."
Her tone was courteous, alluring even. Unlike the waitress, she wasn't dismissive, and Ethan couldn't help but be impressed.
"That's fine," Ethan answered politely. "I don't have a membership. But I'd like to get one."
The words struck both Alice and the staff like thunder.
The receptionist blinked, her poise faltering for a brief second. "Are you sure, sir? Even a normal membership costs one million dollars. Do you understand what you're saying?"
Her disbelief was clear, yet she still forced herself to remain polite.
Ethan leaned forward slightly. "How many types of membership are there?"
"Ah—" She hesitated, then replied. "Normal membership is one million. Bronze costs ten million. Silver, twenty million."
"Silver is the highest?" Ethan pressed.
She shook her head. "No… Gold is the highest. It costs one hundred million."
The waitress beside her sneered silently. "What nonsense! Why is Synthy Madam wasting her time explaining to these paupers? I am sure they can't even afford a thousand dollars note."
Alice sat frozen, eyes darting between her brother and the receptionist. "People… spend astronomical sums like this for a membership? That's insane!"
But the next words she heard nearly shattered her mind.
"I'll take the gold membership then," Ethan said calmly.
All fell silent.
Alice's breath caught. Her entire body trembled as if struck by lightning.
The receptionist—Synthy—was stunned speechless.
But the waitress exploded. "Enough of this! Do you think this is a place to play games? Madam is too kind to scold you, but don't think we don't have security!" She turned, ready to call the guards.
"Wait." Synthy raised her hand, stopping her. Her eyes lingered on Ethan, drawn to the confidence radiating from his calm gaze. For some reason… she didn't think he was lying.
"Are you truly sure, sir?" she asked again softly.
"Yes," Ethan replied without hesitation. "Bring the card swipe machine. Let's finish this quickly—I still have classes to catch with my sister."
The waitress fumed but obeyed Synthy's order, fetching the machine with a glare.
Alice sat drenched in sweat, her trembling hands gripping the edge of the table. "Brother, have you lost your mind? Do you want us to be humiliated beyond measure today?"
Yet Ethan sat back in his chair as if the world could not shake him.
Moments later, the waitress returned with the machine, practically slamming it onto the table.
Synthy herself typed in the amount—$100,000,000—before gently pushing it toward Ethan.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity sparking in her chest. "Who exactly is this young man?"
And then, before her eyes, amidst Alice's anxious tears and the waitress's mocking sneer—
Smething utterly shocking happened.