NOVEL WEB Chapter 45: Denied Entry
Jin changed his clothes and was just preparing to go out when nurse Sophie and Dr. Bheem came in. Jin's eyes were filled with love and tenderness towards Sophie that made Dr. Bheem feel uncomfortable and nurse Sophie confused. He was a bit sad that he recovered so quickly and wouldn't be able to spend more time with Sophie. The thought of leaving her behind made his chest tighten—when would he see that angelic face again? Those caring hands that had eased his pain, that gentle voice that had given him hope when he felt like dying.
"Ahem," Dr. Bheem interrupted his fantasies and said with a smile, "You saved such a prominent figure, I never expected that. I can't believe you are already leaving."
He sighed and then looked into the distance, his expression wistful like a wise old man recalling a fond memory. "It was like yesterday when you came into the hospital unconscious, covered in shi... ahem, brown substance."
Jin jaw clenched and his mouth twitched. He really didn't want to talk about this in front of his future wife. "It is only the third day doctor."
Dr. Bheem continued, ignoring him. "When I first saw your case, I thought that some black man from behind had—"
"Get. To. The. Point." Jin was really about to lose his patience with this man.
Seeing Jin like this, he hesitated and then raised a blank sheet. "Can you sign an autograph for my son and tell him that if he eats junk food then the same thing can—"
"Damn it, fuck you." Jin was afraid he would lose his temper completely, so he directly walked out. It was unfortunate that he couldn't say goodbye to his Sophie—well, he'd just come to meet her later.
Jin wasn't in the mood to drive, so he booked a taxi. As he sat down and looked outside at the passing cars and people, memories of that horrific day kept flashing through his mind. The screams, the running, the looks of disgust and terror—all because of that damn intern. The taxi driver kept glancing at him through the rearview mirror, his eyes widening with recognition. Jin didn't notice though, too lost in his dark thoughts about revenge.
During the ride, the driver's hands grew increasingly sweaty on the steering wheel. He kept stealing glances, his breathing becoming more rapid. This was him—the infamous man from the viral video! Should he say something? Call someone? The driver's mind raced with possibilities as they approached the mall.
As the car stopped at his destination—the mall where it all started—Jin got out ready for confrontation. The familiar sight of the building sent a chill down his spine, but he steeled himself. Before going in, he decided to eat something first since he was hungry. After finishing his butter chicken, he felt prepared to face whatever awaited him.
He started walking towards his store in the mall, but before he could reach the entrance, his taxi driver was frantically making a phone call behind him. "Yes, yes, he's here! The Mr.Brown guy! He's going into the mall. He is a terrorist!"
Within minutes, a squad of police carrying guns and shields came out of nowhere and surrounded him.
Jin was dumbfounded, but before he could speak, a loud voice came through a microphone: "Raise your hands and slowly get on your knees. I won't repeat myself. Raise your hands and get on your knees. Now."
What could Jin do? Gritting his teeth, he got on his knees. An officer approached with great caution and checked his whole body. Not finding what he was looking for, he went to report. Soon another officer came, checked him thoroughly, and then his gaze softened a bit.
"Shields down," then turning to him he asked, "What's your name, young man? You can stand up now. We got a call about a terrorist attack with your description."
"NO, YOU CAN'T!" It was the taxi driver from before. "Can't you see his face? He is going to the mall. He is going there again." The driver didn't look at Jin. He didn't dare to meet the eyes of such a terrifying existence.
The leading officer couldn't understand, but then two of the junior officers present gasped one after another. They seemed to have realized something. Their vigilance shot up as they raised their shields. "SIR, GET AWAY. He is Autumnvale's Chernobowel." As soon as the words fell, people started to stir up. They all took two steps away while the audience started to gather.
"Gasp, it's really him. The pressure cooker."
"What pressure cooker? He is called The Diarrmonk."
"Ah? But I heard it was The Stainwalker."
"Is it safe to be this close to him?"
"I heard three people were hospitalized that day"
"Sir Thousand Flush Blade, please accept my son as your disciple."
Jin felt his face burn with humiliation and rage. These ridiculous nicknames, the pointing fingers, the barely concealed laughter—it was all too much. His hands clenched into fists as he fought the urge to lash out at everyone around him. The shame from that day came flooding back, but beneath it burned a cold fury directed at the one person truly responsible for his predicament.
Jin slowly stood up, his presence commanding enough that all the chatter suddenly stopped. The crowd fell silent, sensing something dangerous in his demeanor.
Just then, a well-dressed man in a suit pushed through the crowd—the mall manager, his face flushed with anxiety and authority.
"Mr. Jin," the manager said firmly, "I'm afraid you are banned from entering this mall premises."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "I own a shop inside. I want to see how my shop is doing. You can't stop me."
The manager's expression grew more serious. "The shop is empty now. All the merchandise was ruined and all the staff left after the... incident. But that's not all." He pulled out a thick folder of documents. "Here are the expenses and charges you have to pay."
Jin snatched the papers, his eyes scanning the itemized list: Emergency hazmat cleaning - $450,000. Seven-day mall closure revenue loss - $1,200,000. Reputation damage and PR crisis management - $800,000. Psychological counseling for traumatized staff and customers - $180,000. Store renovation and air purification systems - $320,000. Legal fees and administrative costs - $650,000.
"Including everything, it comes to 3.6 million USD."
"This is extortion!" Jin's voice rose. "You expect me to pay this? In your dreams."
Jin only had about a million in his bank account. He would have to sell his villa on Sahara Street or his shares in 'Desla' to get that kind of money. Even though he could potentially pay it using his mysterious taxi system, he was still unwilling to part with such a sum.
The manager's face darkened. "All the charges are clearly documented and legally justified. You have to pay them, or we will sue you and let the police confiscate your assets."
Jin sneered and pulled out his phone. "Just you wait."
Jin dialed the number from the elegant business card he had received. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered.
"Uncle," Jin said with forced calm, "can you do me a favor?"
The call lasted barely two minutes. Jin's tone was respectful but firm as he explained his situation. The old man's response was immediate and decisive.
Within ten minutes, three black SUVs pulled up to the mall entrance. The crowd that had been watching the spectacle suddenly fell silent as men in expensive suits stepped out. The lead figure, a tall man with silver hair and an aura of absolute authority, approached Jin with a respectful bow.
"Mr. Jin, I am Abdul, Mr. Shahkuk Khan's personal assistant. I've come to handle this matter."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. "Shahkuk Khan? The Shahkuk Khan?" someone whispered. "The father of Selmon Khan, major ruler of all agricultural products and cultivation materials in the city?"
"Holy shit, this kid has connections to the Khan family?"
"Why would they show respect to Sir Flush-a-lot?"
The mall manager's face drained of all color. Sweat began pouring down his forehead as he realized that he has messed with the wrong person. His boss's small corporation was nothing compared to the Khan's influence.
Abdul turned to the manager with cold eyes. "Are you the one demanding 3.6 million from Mr. Jin?"
"I... I was just following company policy..." the manager stammered.
Jin's eyes blazed with vicious satisfaction. The humiliation, the public shame, the audacity of this man to demand such an exorbitant sum—it all came crashing down into pure rage. "Get on your knees," Jin commanded, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.
The manager's legs trembled. "Please, I was just doing my job—"
"ON YOUR DAMN KNEES!" Jin's roar echoed through the mall entrance.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as the manager slowly dropped to his knees, his expensive suit crumpling against the pavement. Tears of humiliation streamed down his face as he began to beg.
"Please, Mr. Jin, have mercy. I was just following orders. The damages were real, but we can negotiate—"
"Negotiate?" Jin's laugh was cold and bitter. "You think I did this on purpose? You think I chose to humiliate myself? Yet you dare ask me for money?"
The crowd murmured among themselves. "The manager isn't wrong about the damages, but..."
"This is getting out of hand."
"Tsk, Power really makes all the difference, doesn't it?"
Abdul gestured to his men, who efficiently dispersed the crowd with professional intimidation. The area cleared quickly, leaving only Jin, the kneeling manager, and the Khan family's representatives.
"Mr. Jin," Abdul said, producing an elegant invitation card, "Mr. Khan requests your presence for dinner at the family mansion in two weeks. He wishes to discuss matters of mutual interest."
Jin accepted the invitation, his anger slowly cooling into cold satisfaction. As the manager continued to whimper on the ground, Jin looked down at him with disdain before turning back to Abdul.
"Can you help me find someone?"
P.S- Guys I have decided to just use USD$ for convenience moving forward as the difference in purchasing power between two currencies (₹ & $) was confusing people and me too lol.
Next chapter back to present just in case you think it's getting too long. At times like these I'd really appreciate your opinions in the comments.