After chatting with Edgar for a bit, Noah makes his way back to Alan and the rest of the group.
However, before Noah can say anything, Alan, who had already heard from Emma and Jason, quickly asks. "Noah, why do these people come after you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Uncle Alan. No need to worry." Noah said.
He also informed Alan that the medical aid would arrive shortly, and the police would be coming to handle everything. The person responsible for this damage will compensate the company tenfold for their losses.
"Noah, I'm so glad to hear that..."
"It's my responsibility to assist, Uncle," Noah replied.
They continued discussing the company, ignoring Emma and Jason, who exchanged confused glances at the scene.
...
Jason leaned closer to Emma and whispered, "Emma, did you hear that?"
Emma nodded thoughtfully, her eyes still on Noah and her father.
"Since when did Noah and my father become so close? He even calls him 'Uncle' now?"
"I know, right!? Since when has your dad dropped the formalities and acted just like family to Noah!?"
Jason frowned, witnessing something he had never seen before. Typically, Alan Caldwell, the company owner, seldom interacted with them.
Even when interacting, he was very formal, addressing them as their employees. Alan knew their names simply because they were close to Emma, his daughter.
But now, hearing Noah call him "Uncle" doesn't sound right.
After a while,
Jason abruptly faced Emma.
"No way! Did you guys date, and your father now knows about it?"
Emma's eyes widened in surprise.
"What the heck, Jason! Stop assuming something like that. Noah and I are friends and nothing more, alright?!" Emma shook her head and turned her focus back to Noah.
"Ah, my bad! Sorry, Emma..." Jason said with a faint smile, gently rubbing his neck.
Emma chooses to focus on her thoughts rather than Jason's words.
"This is weird. Why did my dad report to Noah about the company?"
"You are right, Emma. Why does your father seem to have reported any updates about the company to Noah? Like Noah is the company's owner, or something..." Jason chuckled amusedly.
"Hmm... should I ask my Father why?"
Emma's frown deepened, confusion clouding her mind.
"Why not? So, let's go!"
Jason agrees. His curiosity about Noah grew when he discovered that nearly a dozen gangsters had wreaked havoc at this company simply because they wanted to capture him.
"Jason, Emma, you guys here..." Noah smiled upon seeing them approach.
They both nodded at him, and none remembered what they intended to ask. Noah had already returned to see Alan, ignoring them.
"Uncle, I will return when I finish my business. For now, I'll leave the company in your good care..." Noah said, slightly nodding to Alan Caldwell before turning back to Jason.
"Jason, would you mind coming with me? There's something I need to talk to you about," Noah said, leaving Emma and Jason even more puzzled.
'Did I hear it wrong? Noah asked my dad to take care of the company?' Emma gasped in surprise.
'Damn! What did I hear? Seriously, Noah, did you even dare to say that to our boss?' Jason blinked, looking at Noah with surprise.
"Huh!? Where's he headed?" Emma saw Noah heading to the door.
So did Jason, who remained where he was, still confused as he looked at Noah.
"Jason, you better follow him now," Alan Caldwell said, pulling Jason from his thoughts.
...
After the Caldwell Construction incident, Noah took Jason to a nearby luxury restaurant, just a few minutes walk from their office.
As they settled into the VIP room, Noah noticed Jason's expression; he looked confused and scared.
"Noah, I can't afford to eat here. Let's go to our usual place..." Jason got up, ready to leave for their favorite burger stall, but stopped when he heard Noah's response.
"I know, Jason. That's why I will pay for us," Noah calmly said while gesturing for Jason to sit again.
A frown deepened on Jason's forehead. He knew for sure Noah had financial struggles just like him.
"Y-You will pay?" Jason asked.
"Of course I will. Don't be stressed about it. Order whatever you want to eat and drink," Noah signaled for the waitress.
Later,
Noah chose the expensive steak he had never been able to buy before. The cost meant nothing to him, considering how easily he earns money.
He stifled a smile as he recalled the $25,000 he had just received in his bank account after the system notified him of his revenge on William Wood's success.
...
When Jason noticed Noah's order, he gasped, the worry in his eyes returning.
'Damn Noah! Has he gone insane after that gangster hit him?' Jason thought, watching Noah and trying to stop him, but he completely ignored him.
Jason swallowed, trying to hide his fear from the waitress, and glanced at the menu before him. He noticed the prices of the A5 Wagyu ribeyes that Noah had just ordered and a bottle of expensive vintage wine.
Suddenly, a sweat began to run down his forehead. He worried they might end up in jail if they couldn't pay.
The price was no joke. The cost of a ribeye steak equaled a month's groceries, and the wine price was nearly his yearly income from Caldwell Construction.
While he could afford such luxuries during his military service, now he is broke. He had just a few bills in his wallet, and with an empty bank account, he couldn't make any withdrawals.
After some time, he decided not to bankrupt Noah today. He ordered the less expensive dish on the menu.
Once the waitress left, Jason glanced curiously at Noah.
"Seriously, what's going on with you, man? Did you... Maybe... win the lottery? Why are you dining in this pricey place?"
Noah chuckled at his question, shaking his head in amusement. He relaxed in his seat, arms crossed over his chest.
"Would you believe me if I said I'm undercover in Caldwell?" Noah asked casually.
However, veins appeared on Jason's forehead. His once calm eyes now looked fierce.
"Did the army send you to capture me?"