CHAPTER 1: THE YOUNG MAN NOBODY RESPECTED
The shopping center was one of the most luxurious places in the city.
Its glass walls stretched several stories high, reflecting the afternoon sunlight. Expensive cars filled the underground parking garage, designer stores occupied the ground floor, and wealthy customers walked through the polished corridors carrying shopping bags from famous brands.
Everything about the building suggested money, status, and success.
People dressed in expensive suits entered private showrooms. Couples enjoyed coffee at elegant restaurants. Businessmen spoke into their phones while walking toward important meetings.
In such a place, appearances seemed to matter more than anything else.
And that was exactly why nobody paid much attention to the young man sitting near the entrance.
His name was Ethan Miller.
He was twenty-eight years old, with messy brown hair, a slightly tired face, and an ordinary brown shirt. His trousers were faded, his shoes were worn, and his clothes looked completely out of place among the expensive outfits surrounding him.
Beside his chair rested an old brown leather duffel bag.
The bag had scratches along its sides, a broken-looking handle, and several patches where the leather had been repaired. It appeared to have been used for many years.
Ethan had arrived at the shopping center nearly twenty minutes earlier.
He had not entered any luxury store.
He had not asked anyone for money.
He had simply been waiting.
However, his appearance attracted the attention of two security employees.
One of them was a tall man named Brandon.
Brandon was thirty-five years old and had worked at the shopping center for almost five years. He took pride in maintaining the building's reputation as an exclusive destination.
Unfortunately, he had developed a habit of judging people by their appearance.
He believed that wealthy-looking customers deserved special attention, while people who looked poor should be watched carefully.
His colleague, a younger security guard named Kevin, was standing beside him.
Brandon pointed toward Ethan.
"Who's that guy?"
Kevin looked over.
"I've seen him sitting there for a while."
"Does he have a shopping appointment?"
"I don't know."
Brandon frowned.
"Then why is he sitting here with that enormous bag?"
Kevin shrugged.
"Maybe he's waiting for someone."
Brandon shook his head.
"People who belong here usually don't look like that."
Kevin said nothing.
Brandon approached Ethan.
"Hey, you."
Ethan looked up.
"Yes?"
"How long have you been sitting here?"
"About twenty minutes."
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for someone."
Brandon looked at the bag.
"What's inside?"
"Some personal belongings."
"Open it."
Ethan frowned slightly.
"Excuse me?"
"I said open the bag."
Ethan looked at the security guard.
"Is there a problem?"
Brandon crossed his arms.
"You're making people uncomfortable."
Ethan glanced around.
Several shoppers were walking past them.
Nobody seemed particularly concerned.
"Who is uncomfortable?" Ethan asked calmly.
Brandon became irritated.
"Don't get smart with me. This is private property. If you have nothing to do here, you need to leave."
Ethan looked at his watch.
"I'm expecting someone. I'll leave when we're finished."
Brandon laughed.
"Someone? Who exactly?"
Ethan gave him a simple answer.
"Someone who has an appointment."
Brandon shook his head.
"Right. And I'm supposed to believe that?"
Ethan remained silent.