Jason had pulled the Escalade over and was listening to Ethan's tone. The news that the reports from the previous night were all over the news channels hit him like a bullet.

"No, sir. My apologies. I didn't see the news. I checked with my men. Something happened, but I didn't think it would reach that level of... publicity. I'll handle it. Santiago didn't clear the area properly; I assure you he will pay for it." Jason's voice, though firm, contained a note of frustration.

Ethan sighed, his mind already working three steps ahead. "It's not entirely bad, Jason. Don't worry too much about the cleanup. It might be Olympus, or someone else who wants something in the area; honestly, we don't care."

Ethan sounded dangerously calm. "Take advantage of this chaos. Throw more fire onto that burning building. Make all the gangs burn. Use the uncertainty and fear to legally buy the properties at a disgustingly low price. We knew we couldn't hide it with so many people interested in the area, so what we'll do is maximize the profits."

Jason fell silent. He never expected Ethan to prefer a strategy of absolute chaos over concealment. He had underestimated him.

A mysterious smile formed on Jason's face. "Understood, Boss. I will handle this personally. We will make this gang war feel like the end of the world."

"If you need reinforcements, call me. I'll personally go help you take those bastards out," Ethan said, a dark energy running through his voice.

"No need, Boss. If I couldn't handle a bunch of gang members, I wouldn't deserve the title of Dark Reaper," Jason replied, the seriousness of his title implied.

Ethan hung up the phone.

[Wow, Champion. Ruthless, huh? Yesterday you were crying because you didn't see him, and today you're sending him to war. Are you bipolar or just a slow-acting idiot?]

Ethan didn't respond to the System's mockery. He trusted Jason. He knew his Dark Reaper wouldn't lose to a handful of thugs.

At that moment, Ming and Max emerged from the bathroom. Both were immaculate, hair combed, and clothes fresh.

"Let's go, before we're late for calculus!" Ming urged.

They headed towards the dormitory lobby. Just as they were leaving, they ran into Hailey, Quinn, and Ruby.

"Hailey!" Ethan exclaimed, his tone returning to his cheerful student persona.

Hailey approached him, but before they could speak, Max cut in, trembling with nervousness.

"Ruby," Max began, his voice barely a squeak. "I... please accept this. I'm so sorry I passed out and ruined your night. Please forgive me."

He held out a small, square box. Ruby took it in her hand and, upon opening it, let out a high-pitched scream. It was a small, classic Hermès bag, a timeless model that cost more than Max's tuition for a semester.

Ethan blinked, completely astonished. Ethan thought: "Where the hell did he get a Hermès at 6:30 AM? Did he buy a private jet and pick it up in Paris?"

Ruby, overcoming her initial shock, jumped onto Max, hugging him with immense force and planting a loud kiss on his cheek. "Max! Oh my God! I love you! Of course I forgive you! You're such a sweet fool!"

As Max blushed, stunned by his success, Ming and Quinn exchanged a look of 'we're better than this, right?' and shared a shy smile, reinforcing their adorable bond.

Hailey moved closer to Ethan, leaning lightly against his arm. He hugged her from behind, pulling her protectively and possessively against his body, and whispered in her ear with a teasing smile.

"Don't go grabbing my gear shift lever, okay? We're in public."

Hailey rolled her eyes, but instead of blushing as she had before, her expression hardened with a new resolve. Yesterday, the girls had told her she couldn't be a coward. A handsome, smart, millionaire boy like Ethan would have a line of admirers longer than the new iPhone on launch day. If she didn't want him to get bored with her, she had to make the first move.

Hailey, without fear, deliberately moved her hand and reached down between them, finding his erection and firmly taking hold. She then began to gently stroke him.

"Why shouldn't I hold your gear shift lever?" she said, her voice quiet but confident. "It's mine to play with."

Ethan felt a jolt of surprise and intense pleasure. The change in the girl was spectacular.

[Well, Champion. She changes faster than the weather in Boston. It seems the Koala has woken up and claimed its branch!]

Ethan loved the feeling of having her so close, and Hailey's discreet, yet firm, stroking was too much to bear in a university hallway.

"Follow me," he said in a low, gravelly voice.

Hailey blushed but nodded with a determined look. Without a word to Max, Ming, or the others, Ethan and Hailey broke away from the group and walked off together in the opposite direction from the classroom building.

They had only taken a few steps, with Hailey's hand discreetly but firmly gripping Ethan's erection, when they ran directly into the Calculus professor.

The professor, an older man with a severe face, stopped and peered over his glasses. "Mr. Blake and Ms. Miller. Your class is about to start. I remind you that attendance is mandatory, and I will not tolerate tardiness."

Ethan was about to explode. His mind screamed the response: "Fuck you, old man! Can't you see my cock is about to burst my pants? Your damn calculus class is the last thing I care about!"

However, he couldn't say it. The facade had to be maintained. Ethan swallowed his fury and, with a forced smile, nodded. "Yes, Professor. Sorry. We were just heading there."

They both walked behind the professor, heading to the calculus lecture hall. Hailey noticed the look of pure hatred in Ethan's eyes and saw how the "tent" in his jeans looked ready to pop. She squeezed his shaft a little harder, sending a jolt through him.

They entered the classroom. Ming and Max were seated in the front row, as usual, with their books open. The guy who had provoked Ethan the day before was nowhere to be seen.

Ethan started to sit in the same area as yesterday, closer to the front, but Hailey tugged his arm with a daring smile. "Follow me," she whispered, and she sat down in the furthest seat, right in the back corner of the auditorium, as if she wanted to go completely unnoticed.

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