The Dragon King Hotel's dining hall was like something out of a palace. A long table draped in white cloth was loaded with expensive steaks, fine wine, and silver-trimmed porcelain. Ken sat at the head of the table, trying to look relaxed, but Ethan noticed his eyes constantly looking toward the exits. It was a classic case of 'Jekhane bagher bhoy, shekhane sondhya hoy'—where the tiger is feared, the darkness falls. Ken knew no amount of money could protect him from the man sitting across the table.
Ethan sat directly across from him. He didn't touch the wine or the food. He just sat there like a stone statue; his gaze locked on Ken.
"You should eat, Ethan," Ken said, cutting into a steak. "This meat costs more than most people make in a month. It'd be a waste not to."
"I don't care about the price," Ethan replied, his voice flat. "I care about why you brought up my kids."
Ken's hand paused for a split second. He took a slow sip of wine, trying to keep his cool. "Look, your children are special, Ethan. Word gets around. People in the Inner Circle have heard about their... unique health. We have a biological research vault that needs a specific kind of 'key' to unlock its potential. We think your bloodline is that key."
Ethan felt a cold rage bubbling in his chest. To these men, Thomas and Athena weren't babies; they were just tools. He kept his [Eye of Discernment] active and saw that Ken's heart rate was through the roof. The man was terrified, even while he tried to act tough.
"My children are not keys," Ethan said slowly. "And they are not for sale."
Ken gave a nervous laugh. "Of course not! We want to partner with you. Think of the power! We can give you the legal protection you need to build your island without the government breathing down your neck. In exchange, we just need a few samples. A little blood, maybe some hair. It's for the future of humanity."
Ethan leaned forward. The air in the room felt heavy. "Humanity doesn't interest me, Ken. Only my family does. You think you're inviting me into your circle, but you're actually inviting a wolf into your home."
Ken's smile finally froze. "Are you threatening the Council, Ethan? We have resources you can't even imagine. Don't you know what happened to the rising powers before you?"
"And I have the strength you just felt in the lobby," Ethan countered. He stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the marble floor. "I'll accept your 'invitation' for now. I'll meet your Council. But if any of them so much as look at my children the wrong way, I won't just destroy their businesses. I'll erase them from existence."