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."