Episode 18

Everyone there was stunned. Even his three friends were slack-jawed. Just a few days ago, it had been Jade, and now this girl.

No one expected that the owner of the sleek Lamborghini, a girl who was both sexy and beautiful, actually knew Noah.

Especially since they all witnessed Laura emerging in haste and immediately greeting him.

"Miss, do you know this young man?"

Incredulous, a girl from Jade's class asked to confirm.

"Yes, of course. I know him."

At that moment, everyone looked at her with an indescribable gaze. Apart from his three friends, to the rest, Noah was just a poor youth.

"Noah, how do you come to know such a beautiful lady?" asked Barney, who was still standing not far from Laura.

"Oh, that. Miss Fanes is a friendly and kind person. How could I not know her?" Noah replied nonchalantly.

Noah's answer was not what his friends wanted to hear. However, before they could probe further, Laura spoke up again.

"Noah, do you need a ride? I can take you."

At that, Laura looked at Noah. Suddenly, she remembered that perhaps Noah did not want his true identity revealed to his friends. So, she corrected her address to him.

Noah pondered for a moment, then nodded. "If it's not too much trouble, thank you, Laura."

"Alright then. Let's go!"

Noah turned to everyone and announced, "Friends, it looks like I've got a ride. So, I'll be leaving first."

Everyone stood rooted to the spot as the sportscar squealed away, leaving them behind.

"What just happened?!" Barney mumbled to himself.

Jade watched Noah's departure with a host of question marks in her mind. Ever since their first meeting, Noah had been nice but seemed indifferent to women.

Now, she understood. Noah was not the simple youth he appeared to everyone else.

Even a beautiful girl with a sports car seemed to be vying for his attention.

Somehow, this realization unsettled Jade. "Leyton, I think I'd rather take a cab."

Leyton, completely losing face, did not respond. By the time he regained his composure, Jade had already entered a cab.

***

"It seems that beautiful girl has taken a liking to you."

"Who? Oh, you mean Jade?"

"So, the girl's name is Jade?"

"Yes, she is a nice girl," Noah replied simply.

Laura just shook her head. In her heart, she could only empathize with Jade. Like her, she was very attracted to the young man beside her.

But Laura knew her place. To her, Noah was not someone she could claim just because she desired him.

She had no idea how to attract the attention of a foreign young man who could afford to buy two Lamborghinis and gift one as if it were nothing.

Laura believed there were many girls like them around Noah. Perhaps those girls would crawl into bed at the slightest nod from him.

Not wanting to ruin what was, Laura was content to only watch over him. She was happy that Noah was not a man easily swayed by women. That alone brought joy to her heart.

"Thank you, Laura. I'm sorry to trouble you."

"Hahaha, Mr. Evans, are you kidding? I wouldn't mind being your driver all day long," Laura responded, shortly after Noah got out of her car.

Noah simply answered with a smile before closing the door and walking away.

As he walked into the hotel, Noah considered what Laura said. "Does Jade really like me? ... Nah, it's not possible! ... Besides, I can't be distracted by things like this right now. There's so much work to be done," he muttered, continuing on his way.

"Ding"

Noah checked his status on the Bar System panel. Nothing had changed. "I need to master this System quickly. Otherwise, I won't achieve anything."

Just after entering his hotel room, Antonius called him.

"Mr. Evans, am I disturbing you?"

"Oh, Antonius, what's up?"

"We wanted to inform you earlier, but you seemed to be dining with your friends."

"Yes. I've just finished."

"Alright, we are launching the World Order headquarters officially. It signifies the start of our Network Business. Can you come tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course. I'll be there."

His face immediately lit up with excitement. Finally, World Order was ready to operate. Noah was quite pleased with the work by Alice and the rest.

Meanwhile, in the grandest building at the center of DevilHill's Business and Entertainment district, a few people watched as Antonius made his call. Once finished, Antonius approached them.

"The Bigboss is coming. You better be careful how you behave in front of him. Show that you are worthy to work under the World Order banner."

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, Mr. Antonius, we understand."

They were businessmen who had joined the World Order Business Network.

With significant funding from the company, their businesses had grown rapidly, overtaking their competition.

They were staking their families' fortunes and futures on the policies of a company now known to be owned by a very mysterious figure referred to as the Ghost.

The next day, since the World Order headquarters inauguration would take place in the evening, Noah spent the afternoon shopping for an outfit he thought appropriate for the event.