Vincent couldn't help but catch a glimpse of Nile's jealous expression, and though he detected the frustration brewing within him, he couldn't suppress a subtle smile in response. He wasn't intentionally trying to cause trouble; after all, one couldn't blame him for being undeniably handsome.
Unfortunately, Nile couldn't help but feel that he was being treated as a mere side character because of Vincent. The sense of being overshadowed and disregarded intensified within him, adding to his growing frustration and resentment.
The women at the table sensed his growing discontent, fully aware that he wouldn't simply let it slide. However, they also believed that Vincent hadn't done anything wrong. After all, it was Beyone who had initiated the conversation with him, not the other way around. They saw him as an innocent party who was just too charismatic for his own good.
"Sister Beyone, I truly admire your latest songs. I'm actually planning another event, and I would be delighted if you could perform again. Of course, I will make sure to compensate you at the premium talent fee rate," Nile interjected, his tone emphasizing the premium aspect of the payment.
"Alright," Beyone responded, briefly acknowledging Nile before making her way to sit beside Vincent. Her actions clearly indicated her lack of interest in building a closer connection with him. It was evident that her presence at the event was primarily motivated by the substantial talent fee she got from him.
"Oh, that's an interesting idea," Vincent said, turning his attention towards Sophia. The room fell into a hushed silence as everyone anticipated his next words.
"I heard there will be an upcoming event at your school. How about we hire Miss Beyone to perform there?"
Sophia was pleasantly surprised by his suggestion, not expecting him to bring up the topic.
Meanwhile, Beyone's eyes flickered with curiosity as she awaited his next words.
"By the way," he continued, his voice filled with intrigue, "how much did the Hummer family pay for your "Premium" performance here?"
Beyone was momentarily taken aback by the directness of Vincent's question. Caught off guard, she unintentionally blurted out, "2 million USD."
Those words hung in the air, causing a slight stir among the guests. It was a huge amount for a private concert, and everyone couldn't help but be impressed by the figure.
"Oh, that's quite a fair price," Vincent chuckled, his tone implying that the offered amount was nothing to him.
"I will pay you 4 million USD instead. Consider the additional two million as a generous tip for your exceptional talent." His statement sent shockwaves through the crowd, causing whispers and gasps of astonishment. Four million USD was an exorbitant amount, surpassing the expectations of even the wealthiest individuals present.
His actions had subtly shifted the dynamics, making it evident that Nile's attempts at flaunting his wealth and connections paled in comparison to Vincent's effortless charm and financial powers.
"Hey! Are you really trying to humiliate me?" Nile gritted his teeth in anger, his voice filled with frustration. The atmosphere tensed as everyone watched the confrontation unfold, unsure of what would happen next.
"Oh, what do you mean, Mr. Nile?" Vincent replied with an innocent face, relishing in the verbal duel.
"I simply want to hire Miss Beyone here because I genuinely appreciate her talent. Is she your exclusive artist, perhaps? Do you own her?" His sharp tongue struck like a dagger, provoking Nile even further.
"You..." Nile's face turned red with anger, his fists clenched tightly. He glanced at Beyone, and her expression revealed her displeasure.
"Nile," Alice finally interjected, her voice laced with concern.
"Let's all take a step back and calm down. I believe you may have misunderstood Vincent's words. There's no need for this to escalate further." She tried to diffuse the tension, hoping to bring about a resolution and prevent any further confrontation.
"You bitch!" Nile cursed, unable to believe that his own girlfriend was siding with another man.
"I..." Alice felt hurt and insulted at being called such a derogatory name by her own boyfriend.
"Oh, it's getting late now. We will take our leave for the night. Thank you for the excellent food and drinks, Mr. Nile... I must say, I was truly impressed by your hospitality," Vincent interjected. His words carried a sharp edge, yet there was an undeniable aura of charisma surrounding him.
Nile, seething with rage, struggled to find words to retort. He knew he had been outmatched in this encounter, both in terms of wit and composure.
"Fine, leave if you want." His pride was wounded, but he realized that continuing the confrontation would only bring further humiliation.
With a final nod to the table, Vincent and Sophia gracefully stood up, leaving the hall in a hushed atmosphere.
As they departed, Vincent's charismatic presence lingered, leaving a lasting impression on those who had witnessed the exchange. It was clear that he was someone special. His allure and magnetic personality had made a huge mark on the evening, cementing his status as a captivating figure in their memories.
.
.
.
Along the road, Vincent's smile widened as he noticed three SUVs tailing closely behind his vehicle. He had deliberately slowed down, allowing them to keep up.
"That Nile is an idiot," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. He had initially planned to put the whole incident with Nile behind him after the party, but it seemed that jerk had taken it upon himself to send someone after him.
"The moment you even consider harming me or anyone I hold dear, you seal your own fate," he sneered in contempt.
Vincent parked the car at an outdated gasoline station, the flickering lights illuminating the area. He turned off the engine and stepped out, walking towards the fuel pumps. His actions seemed casual, as if he was merely refilling the gas tank, but in reality, he had a different purpose in mind.
He pretended to handle the nozzle, his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, catching sight of the three SUVs that had been tailing them.
As expected , he saw a group of men exiting their SUVs and approached him.
With a confident smile, he stepped away from the car, facing the approaching men. His eyes locked onto the first guy, a burly figure with an arrogant aura.
"Can I help you gentlemen with something?" he asked, his voice steady and filled with confidence. He wanted to make it clear that he wouldn't be easily intimidated.
"You think you can mess with our boss and get away with it?" The burly figure glared at Vincent, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"Oh, I don't mess with just anyone. It takes a special kind of incompetence to earn my attention. "Vincent's smile widened, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
"You're really pissing me off," the man growled, his hands tightening around Vincent's collar.
Sophia watched the scene unfold, her silence speaking volumes. She trusted Vincent's ability to handle himself, but she also feared the consequences of his immense strength. Her concern wasn't for his safety, but rather for the safety of those foolish enough to provoke him.
In that moment, Vincent's face remained calm, his eyes locked with the aggressor's. He could feel the pressure on his collar, but it was a mere annoyance to him.
"You really think physical force is going to intimidate me?" his voice carried a hint of amusement, his words dripping with sarcasm. He swiftly grabbed the man's wrist, applying just enough pressure to immobilize him.
"AHHHHH!!!!" The man groaned in pain as he dropped to his knees. His hands turned pale, a sickening realization setting in as he felt his bones cracking under Vincent's grip. T
"Let him go bastard !" The other men, fueled by their comrades' scream of agony, rushed forward, their fists flying towards Vincent with a sense of blind aggression.
But Vincent remained rooted in place, his expression unbothered.
CRACK!
As their punches connected with his face, a distinct crack resonated through the air, followed by the sound of their knuckles bones breaking. The force of their blows had only caused harm to themselves, their futile attempts met with the impenetrable resilience.
"This is just self defense " Vincent sneered, and with a swift movement, he seized one of the assailants by the collar, effortlessly hoisting him into the air. The man's body became a weapon as Vincent effortlessly spun him around, releasing his grip at the precise moment.
CRASH!
The airborne man collided with his companions, sending them sprawling to the ground in a tangled heap.
The scene unfolded in a matter of seconds, leaving the remaining men momentarily stunned by the sheer display of strength and power. Vincent's gaze shifted towards them, his eyes piercing through their bravado and revealing a silent warning.
As the tension escalated, one of them, driven by desperation, drew a gun from his waistband. A glint of metal caught the dim light, reflecting the imminent danger that hung in the air. However, before the situation could escalate further, a voice resonated from behind them, shattering the stillness.
"Your gun is useless against someone like him," the voice declared with an air of authority. A man with brown hair and piercing black eyes emerged from the car, his presence commanding attention.
"Ah, just a B+ Rank?" Vincent muttered under his breath, his keen perception immediately identifying the energy level of the newcomer. He had anticipated that the Hummer family would have a supernatural being among them, so he wasn't particularly surprised. In fact, he felt a tinge of disappointment at the man's strength, expecting someone more formidable.
"Put the gun down," the man's voice carried a stern authority, cutting through the tension. "You won't win this fight."
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