Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 148 - : CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Chris stood before Brian's house, his fists clenched tightly by his side. He had mustered all his courage to come here, slipping out without his parents' knowledge. His steps had been heavy, but now he stood in front of the door, heart pounding.

He reached out and pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed, but it was the uncertainty that rattled him more. Honestly, he was trembling—scared of who might answer.

"Great, my shitty luck," he muttered under his breath when the door creaked open to reveal Mrs. Ray—Brian's mother. Of all people, she was the one who answered.

"You…" Mrs. Ray narrowed her eyes, staring down at the boy she believed had ruined her son's path and cost their family money. "What do you want?" she asked coldly, her voice void of any warmth or patience.

Chris dropped to his knees without hesitation. "Please, ma'am. I'm sorry for everything… but my parents—they're suffering. I can't bear to watch it anymore. Please…"

Pride meant nothing to Chris now. The only thing that mattered was saving his family from the spiraling hardship they faced. If groveling could ease their pain, he'd do it a thousand times.

"Dear? Who is it?" Mr. Ray's voice called from inside the house. He stepped out, dressed in a crisp tuxedo, clearly on his way to an event. He radiated elegance and charm—so much so that Chris suddenly understood where Brian inherited his charisma.

"Nothing much," Mrs. Ray said sweetly to her husband, her demeanor changing as she turned to him. "Just the boy I told you about, here to beg us to stop doing something I don't even understand."

She adjusted Mr. Ray's tuxedo collar with care, shared a kiss with him, and saw him off with a loving gaze. Mr. Ray didn't even glance at Chris as he stepped into his car and drove away.

Chris watched silently. He had already steeled himself before coming—prepared to swallow his pride. The wellbeing of his parents meant more than anything.

"We lost a lot of money because of your stupid actions. Nearly lost important clients too!" Mrs. Ray snapped, turning back to him.

"I'm sorry," Chris said again, voice shaking. "I didn't know it would cause all this. I just wanted him to enjoy himself for once. I swear, I only wanted to be a good friend… I had no ill intentions."

"I see," Mrs. Ray said flatly. "Well, what's done is done. You can leave now."

"Please, ma'am. My family can't keep living like this!" Chris begged, tears streaming down his face.

"Ugh, don't ruin my dress with your snot," she sneered. "I don't have the power to help you. Maybe if your parents had raised a child half as good as mine, they wouldn't be in the mess they're in." With that, she slammed the door in his face.

Chris gave a bitter, hollow smile. Wiping his tears with the back of his hand, he slowly stood and turned away, accepting that his plea had fallen on deaf ears.

"Why do you look so downcast, young man?" a warm voice called out.

Chris looked up to see an old man seated on a wooden bench by the roadside, his appearance that of someone in his sixties, with gentle eyes and a cane resting beside him.

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Desperate to let it out, Chris walked over and sat beside the old man. He didn't have the heart to burden his parents with the truth, but this stranger—someone he might never meet again—was safe. What were the odds they'd ever cross paths twice?

So Chris began talking. Slowly at first, then with tears and emotion. He poured his heart out, explaining everything—the unjust punishment, his parents' suffering, and his own sense of helplessness.

"You've had it rough," the old man said with a sigh after listening patiently. "How about this: take me to your house. Maybe there's something this old man can do to help."

"No, I can't let you get involved," Chris said quickly. "You'll just get dragged into this. I can't bear to hurt another person because of me."

The old man chuckled. "Hohoho, kind boy. But worry not—no harm can come to me. Not while I'm in this city."

Chris hesitated. But there was something about the man's calm confidence, his almost noble bearing, that made Chris relent.

"My house is pretty far from here," Chris warned. "If we walk a bit more, we can get to the bus stop. I've got some money—"

"How kind of you," the old man interrupted gently, pulling out his phone. "But we won't be needing a bus."

Minutes later, a luxurious, custom-made car—clearly something only the elite could afford—pulled up before them. The driver stepped out and opened the door respectfully.

"Let's go," the old man said with a smile, ushering Chris inside.

That moment marked the turning point of Chris's life.

The old man visited their home and spent a long time speaking with Chris until his parents returned. It was only when Chris saw the shocked expressions on their faces that he realized the truth:

The old man was a retired general—one of the most respected figures in the country, a man of immense influence and connections.

With the general's help, Chris's parents found better jobs. Their run-down home was replaced with a comfortable house, complete with a new car. The burdens they carried for so long began to ease.

Chris was reinstated into school. The corrupt principal who had expelled him was fired, exposed for bribery and unjust practices. Though he became the scapegoat for larger issues, Chris didn't care—justice was served.

He rejoined Brian's class, and once more, they went to gaming cafes together without fear. More importantly, Chris had a powerful protector—the general himself, who visited often.

To Chris, the old man became like the grandfather he never had—listening to his endless stories, complaints, and dreams. In return, the general shared tales of his time in the military, filling Chris with wonder and admiration.

Through those stories, Chris learned the man had lost his only daughter and her family in a tragic car crash. His grandson had died in the same accident—someone who, coincidentally, bore a strong resemblance to Chris.

Life, for once, felt truly enjoyable.

But Chris remained unaware of the terrible fate looming ahead, ready to shatter his newfound happiness.