Camille didn't react.
Instead, Lucas subconsciously glanced forward.
Standing not far away was a drunken man in a black suit, clutching his jacket in one hand.
He looked to be around thirty-four or thirty-five years old.
The waiter approached him, bowed respectfully, and said,"Mr. Liu, your total comes to 4,703. We'll round it down—4,700 will be fine."
This man was a regular here.
He was also friends with the restaurant's owner.
The boss had personally instructed that he should always receive a discount.
But—
This waiter was clearly inexperienced.
Normally, one would announce the discounted price directly.
Instead, he stated the original amount first.
That instantly made the man unhappy.
"What's wrong with you, kid?" the man snapped. "Do I need a discount when I eat here? Am I that cheap?"
"Am I, Liu Tianxiang, short on money?"
The waiter's smile froze. Cold sweat broke out immediately.
"N-no, Mr. Liu, you misunderstood—" the waiter hurriedly explained.
But Liu Tianxiang ignored him.
He pulled out his wallet, grabbed a thick wad of cash, and slapped it onto the table.
"Here. Take it," he said impatiently. "Count it as your tip."
Then he scolded coldly,"Be smarter next time."
With that, he turned and left.
The waiter stared at the money in his hands, stunned.
This…
Do rich people really like smashing others with money?
Judging by the thickness, there had to be at least six or seven thousand.
Lucas withdrew his gaze, his eyes flickering.
Liu Tianxiang.
Another plot character.
I didn't expect that even a simple meal could trigger a storyline.
Camille rested her cheek on one hand and looked quietly at the man across from her."Lucas."
Lucas snapped back to his senses and smiled."What's wrong?"
"Can you walk with me for a bit?" Camille asked softly, anticipation in her eyes.
Lucas replied casually,"Eat first."
"Oh." Camille was a little disappointed.
Under normal circumstances, Lucas would have agreed.
But now that he had encountered an important plot figure, his attention had shifted.
After all—
Women could be coaxed anytime.
But plot characters weren't so easy to come across.
Lucas stood up and said gently,"Miss Laurent, eat here first. I need to go meet someone. I'll be back soon."
"Where are you going?" Camille stood up as well.
Lucas stopped her and reassured her,"I'll just be out for a moment. Eat obediently—I'll be right back."
With that, he left quickly.
Watching his retreating figure, Camille felt a slight sense of unease.
But fortunately, the short story Lucas had just told still lingered in her heart, easing her mood.
"…Alright then," she murmured. "I'll wait for you."
She sniffed lightly.
Outside the restaurant.
Lucas pressed the elevator button and took another elevator down to the underground parking garage.
The moment the doors opened, he walked out briskly.
His gaze swept around, searching for Liu Tianxiang.
Soon enough—
He spotted Liu Tianxiang holding his suit jacket and walking toward a Mercedes-Benz S500.
Liu Tianxiang's steps were unsteady.
Despite it being late autumn, the underground parking lot was stuffy and hot.
He loosened his tie and cursed irritably,"Damn it, unlucky as hell."
"I paid such a huge price, and all I got was one million?"
Muttering incoherently, he pressed the car key, pulled open the door, and was about to get in.
Bang!
Suddenly, a pair of hands shoved the car door shut.
Liu Tianxiang exploded in anger."Who the hell is it? Looking for trouble?"
"Don't you know I'm in a bad mood?!"
He turned his head—and immediately saw a man standing in front of him.
Lucas smiled lightly."Liu Tianxiang?"
"Who are you?" Liu Tianxiang demanded, his gaze hostile.
Lucas replied calmly,"Tianying Technology. Lucas."
Hearing that name, Liu Tianxiang paused, then nodded slowly."I know you. President Lucas."
Knowing Lucas's identity, his irritability eased slightly.
After all, everyone in Jiangcheng's business had heard of Lucas.
Lucas didn't speak further.
Instead, he patted his own clothes, opened the car door, and unplugged the dashcam and recording devices inside.
This puzzled Liu Tianxiang.
"President Lucas, what are you doing?"
Lucas closed the door, clapped his hands, and smiled."I'm here to talk business with Mr. Liu."
Business?
Money?
Hearing those two words, Liu Tianxiang immediately became interested.
He loved making money.
"What business?" he asked.
Lucas didn't answer directly.
He simply looked at him and chuckled faintly.
"What are you laughing at?" Liu Tianxiang frowned.
Lucas spoke slowly,"This is a rather big deal. I just don't know whether Mr. Liu is interested in… overthrowing the person above your head."
Boom.
Liu Tianxiang's face turned pale instantly.
Most of his drunkenness vanished.
"President Xu (~Lucas), are you joking with me?" he said grimly.
Who was the person above him?
That man had once been the second-largest underground force in Jiangcheng.
Even now, a third of the city's entertainment venues were under his control.
"You want me to rebel?" Liu Tianxiang hissed."Are you trying to get me killed?!"
His veins bulged as he whispered angrily,"Do you even know who he is?"
"Don't tell me he wants me dead—even if you promise me my life, I'd still die!"
"You know what kind of identity that is?!"
Lucas remained calm.
He had already seen too many reactions like this.
To people like Liu Tianxiang, survival mattered more than anything.
Rebellion?
Only in dreams.
Liu Tianxiang grew more agitated as he spoke."Young man, if you want to die, don't drag me with you, alright?!"
He turned, ready to get into the car.
"This guy is insane."
But just as he was about to sit down—
Lucas's voice sounded lazily behind him.
"If…"
"If he found out that you've been living long-term with his sixth lover…"
"And secretly got the ninth lover to kill his heir…"
"What do you think he'd do?"
Liu Tianxiang froze.
Then—
He slowly straightened up.
He turned around.
A relaxed smile appeared on his face.
"How big is it?" he said calmly."Let's discuss it."
Mad.
Completely mad.
How did Lucas know about this?!