Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines
Chapter 38: Discharged Into a Mafia Family

Chapter 38: Discharged Into a Mafia Family

A small girl in a frilly pink frock, her black hair tied into two neat buns like a cartoon princess. She clutched a teddy bear under one arm, her eyes sparkling like stars as they scanned the room.

Following behind her was an old man dressed in a classic three-piece suit—gray pinstriped, with polished leather shoes and a gold pocket watch chain glinting across his vest. Despite his age, his back was straight, and there was an effortless dignity in his steps.

The girl’s eyes lit up when they landed on the bed. "Big bro superhero!"

She dashed forward, arms wide.

Ethan blinked. "Huh—Mina?!"

He smiled as the little girl practically leaped onto the side of his bed. He gently tugged her cheeks.

"Hehe!" she giggled, eyes scrunching. "You remember my name!"

Ethan grinned. "How could I forget my cute little sister?"

The old man chuckled softly at the scene.

Ethan turned toward him with," Hello Sir."

Before the old man respond,

Natalie’s voice cut in like a whip.

"What are you two doing here?"Grandpa... Mina...?"

She asked, arms folded over her chest, her tight police uniform still not helping Ethan focus.

The old man turned with a calm smile. "We came to see Ethan."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. Wait—what? Grandpa?

And how did they know I was here?

Before Natalie could ask further, Mina turned and puffed her cheeks. "Big brother’s the one who saved me when I was trapped in the mall fire!"

Natalie’s eyes widened . "I’d heard from Grandpa about the fire incident. That a young man carried Mina out while flames were rising... I didn’t know that was you."

She stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Thank you... for saving my sister."

Ethan scratched his head awkwardly. "Ah, it was nothing. Just being at the right place at the right time."

Natalie’s expression turned serious again. She stepped toward the bed. "Grandpa, Mina—could you please leave the room? I need to question him further about the incident."

Mina immediately pouted. "Noooo! Big sis, no more questions!"

"Mina, it’s important—"

"We can talk at home!" Mina insisted, folding her arms like a stubborn queen.

Ethan blinked again. At home? Whose home?

Natalie sighed and looked at the old man. "Grandpa..."

He simply chuckled, hands behind his back. "You know how Mina is. No one can refuse her."

Natalie looked defeated. "Fine."

Ethan stared at the three of them like they’d just agreed to kidnap him politely.

Excuse me? Why don’t all of you ask my permission first?

He cleared his throat. "Um... Thank you for the offer, sir. But I’m fine here—really."

"No." Mina put her foot down like a toddler queen ruling an empire.

Ethan blinked. "What do you mean, no?"

The old man—Mr. Hayes, as the badge on his cane subtly hinted—smiled with grandfatherly kindness. "You’ll recover faster at our estate. We’ll arrange for a private nurse and a visiting doctor. You’ll be taken care of."

Mina clasped her hands together and leaned forward. "Pleeease, big brother? You’ll have your own room! There’s a big TV too!"

The sparkle in her eyes was too dangerous.

Ethan hesitated at first, but seeing mina—

He sighed. "Alright, alright. I’ll come."

Mina raised her hands in victory. "Yaaay!"

Natalie rubbed her temples. "I’ll go inform the doctor and finish the discharge procedure."

Ethan slumped into the pillows again, whispering under his breath.

"Can someone please ask me first next time?"

No one responded.

Of course not.

Just as the door finally shut and Ethan thought he could enjoy a moment of peace, it swung open again—this time with force.

Two familiar figures burst in like they were trying to break a speed record.

"Ethan!" both voices cried out at once.

It was Nate and Sasha.

Nate had a backpack slung over one shoulder, his shirt half-buttoned in his usual disheveled style. Sasha’s face pale with worry.

They rushed to his bedside.

"Are you okay?" Sasha asked, her voice almost trembling.

Ethan blinked, surprised. "You guys—how’d you even know I was here?"

He tried to sit up a little, waving with one arm.

Bad idea.

Pain shot through his shoulder and ribs like a lightning strike.

He winced.

Okay... note to self. Don’t act tough with cracked ribs

Nate gave him the "you idiot" look. "You don’t have to flex your injuries to impress us."

Sasha rolled her eyes, then answered. "The bus explosion was all over the news. They didn’t show your face, but we knew you were on it."

"Yeah," Nate said. "We tried calling your number, but it was off. Finally, after a long back-and-forth with the police, they confirmed someone matching your description was here."

Ethan nodded slowly. So that’s how Mina and Mr. Hayes knew too...

He exhaled.

Good thing my face wasn’t on the news. If my mom saw me on TV lying in a burning wreck, I’d be buried alive by now.

Good thing, I already told her, I’m on a trip with my friends and it looks like this trip is gonna take a little longer.

Sasha leaned forward and flicked his forehead lightly. "Idiot."

"Hey—ow! I’m already injured, lady!"

They all laughed. Just for a moment, the tension in the room lifted.

"I’m okay, really," Ethan said. "I’m not gonna die that easily."

Just then, the door opened again,

Mina poked her head in, her little pigtails bouncing.

"Big bro! Everything’s ready! Grandpa said it’s time to go."

Right behind her stood the old man.

He glanced at Nate and Sasha, his eyes briefly scanning them with practiced precision.

"Ah," he said with a warm smile. "Friends of young Ethan. Good. We’ll wait outside while you say your goodbyes."

Ethan gave him a short nod.

The door closed behind them.

Immediately, Nate and Sasha’s expressions transformed.

Their smiles dropped. Their posture stiffened. Their eyes... full of fear.

Ethan blinked. "What...? What’s with those faces?"

Sasha grabbed his wrist. "Ethan. Please tell me you’re not going with them."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah? I mean, not like I had much say in the matter. They basically decided my life for me."

Nate facepalmed. "God help you."

"What?" Ethan said, confused. "Why? What happened?"

Sasha looked him dead in the eye. "That old man—Hayes? He’s the Hayes."

Ethan blinked again. "Okay? And...?"

Nate leaned closer and whispered like they were surrounded by spies. "He runs the black market in this city."

"..."

"The entire underworld, bro," Sasha added. "Not just the city. Maybe the whole country."

Ethan stared at the door where the old man had just stood.

"...Wait, what?"

Nate nodded grimly. "You’re moving into the home of the Hayes family. They’re the kind of people who can make you disappear, and you wouldn’t realize you disappeared."

"And you’re going to live with them," Sasha added. That’s like walking into a lion’s den and asking for milk."

Ethan blinked slowly." I think you guys are wrong, they were not bad people."

Nate patted his shoulder. " Everyone said that. It was good knowing you, man."

Sasha nodded solemnly. "We’ll light a candle for you."

And just like that, I was getting discharged... into the home of a mafia family. A mafia family... with a policewoman living under the same roof.

What could possibly go wrong?