Chapter 304 A Lesson
As soon as those words were out, Lily, Charlotte, and the crowd were stunned!
Ethan was only about six, but he could say such nasty things! How was he raised?
The most absurd was that Olivia didn't see anything wrong. She patted Ethan's head and said, "You're right. If they get any more arrogant, tell your dad to take all the pets in the store and slaughter them!"
Then Olivia turned to Lily and snapped, "Did you hear that? Five thousand dollars in compensation. When are you paying up?"
Lily's face changed a bit. Olivia didn't look like an ordinary person. Her threat to slaughter the pets might not a bluff!
But Lily wouldn't back down. She tried to stay calm and said, "Sorry, I can only pay a hundred dollars."
"Bitch, you asked for trouble!" Olivia cursed, raising her hand to slap Lily!
Just as it was about to hit her, Ryder's voice cut in, "Hold on! It's just money. We can talk this out!"
Olivia turned and saw Ryder, dressed plainly. She looked at him with disdain and asked, "Who are you?"
Ryder smiled, "I'm a friend of Lily's."
"So? Can you come up with five thousand dollars for Ethan's emotional distress?"
Ryder shook his head. "I can't come up with five grand."
Olivia glared, annoyed. "Then why are you talking, poor man?"
Ryder gestured, "Don't get angry. Let me finish. You might not know, but I'm a journalist in Houston, covering the lifestyle channel."
Olivia was momentarily confused. "So what if you're a journalist? Is that supposed to impress me?"
Ryder stepped closer and lowered his voice, "Being a journalist is nothing, but I love exposing things. If I upload the surveillance video to the Internet and stir things up, what do you think will happen?"
Olivia frowned. "Are you trying to ruin my reputation and have everyone online attack me?"
Ryder quickly shook his head. "No, no. I just want this pet store and you to get some public attention. As long as it sparks discussion, that's all I care about."
Olivia seemed to get it, and her expression changed. Reluctantly, she said, "Forget it. I don't want your compensation anymore. I'll consider myself unlucky this time. It's embarrassing to argue with you!"
She was about to leave with Ethan when Ryder called out, "Wait!"
Olivia, annoyed, asked, "What now?"
Ryder smiled, "Please sign a statement in case you would change your mind and come back for the money later. It would be awkward for everyone."
Olivia's mouth twitched, and she tried to hold back her anger. "Fine! I'll sign. Give me paper and pen!"
Lily, not sure why things had changed, quickly got Olivia to sign.
The crowd, seeing it resolved, dispersed.
In the pet hall, only Ryder and Ethan were left.
Suddenly, Ethan spat on Ryder's leg and arrogantly said, "Who do you think you are? Do you believe my dad can kill you?"
Ryder looked down at Ethan.
Ethan cursed again, "What are you looking at, idiot!"
Ryder had never met such an arrogant kid. What kind of family would raise a child like this?
"Ethan, it's not good to use foul language. Didn't your teachers teach you manners at school?" Ryder asked.
Ethan spat in Ryder's direction. "None of your business. Who do you think you are? If you make me mad, I'll tell my dad to deal with you!"
Ryder squinted slightly. "You keep mentioning your dad. Who is he?"
Ethan's face lit up with pride. "You'll be scared to death if I tell you! Everyone calls my dad Mr. Davis. He's really powerful! Someone like you isn't even worth his time!"
Ryder hadn't heard of Mr. Davis, but given Ethan's behavior, he felt the kid needed a lesson in manners. Of course, he wasn't going to slap him.
Ryder took out seventy dollars from his wallet and handed it to Ethan. "You're really something. From now on, whenever you see someone else's dog, go hit it. If anyone says anything, spit on them! Every time you do it, I'll give you seventy dollars. Deal?"
Ethan's eyes lit up, and he pocketed the money. Seventy dollars was about two days' worth of allowance for him.
"Alright! You promised. If you don't give me the money, I'll have my dad deal with you!" Ethan said excitedly.
At that moment, Olivia finished signing the document, muttering curses, and left the pet store with Ethan.
Seeing them leave, Lily sighed and asked Ryder, "Why did that woman back off when you said you were a journalist and would expose this?"
Ryder smiled. "Because, although she seems wealthy and powerful, she's not the legal wife. She's a mistress, and the last thing a mistress wants is too much attention, especially nowadays, in such a network age. She wouldn't dare take that risk."
Lily was surprised. "You could tell she was a mistress? How?"
Ryder gave a mysterious smile. "It's all experience! If I told you, it wouldn't be useful anymore."
Lily pouted, pretending to be angry. "Stingy!"
But inside, she felt warm. Being around Ryder always gave her a strong sense of security.
Meanwhile, Olivia and Ethan headed to Michael's pet store across the street.
As soon as they stepped in, Olivia wrinkled her nose and complained, "What is that awful smell! It's even worse than that shabby pet store across the street!"
Michael, who was grooming a Doberman, heard this and wasn't pleased. "What did you say?"
Olivia glanced at him and said indifferently, "I said your pet store isn't up to par. You should upgrade it!"
Already in a bad mood, Michael snapped back, "If you want to buy a pet, pick then. If not, get out!"
Olivia glared. "Who are you to order me to get out?"
Michael shouted, "I just said so. So what?"
Just as they were about to argue, Ethan picked up a broom and hit the Doberman hard, cursing, "Stupid dog! I'll beat you to death! Come bite me!"
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