Part-164

  Overwhelmed by their ued offer of fiveness, Alex covered his face, trying to hide the emotions welling up inside him.

  ..............That's what he made them to thought.

  ..............Suddenly, Alex burst into ughter.

  As Alex's ughter echoed through the rooftop, a wave of disbelief washed over James, Ryan, and Sourov. They had been so caught up in his emotional story that they had pletely fallen for his act.

  "You're kidding me," James said, his voice filled with anger. "You were just pying with us."

  Alex shrugged nontly. "Of course," he replied. "I'm a artist. It's what I do."

  Sourov, his anger boiling over, shouted, "How dare you! You tricked us!"

  Alex ughed again, his eyes filled with amusement. "It was fun," he said. "You guys were so gullible."

  "You're a monster," James said, his voice trembling with anger.

  Alex shrugged. "Maybe," he replied. "But I'm good at what I do. You guys are so easy to fool. This geion is naive and easily maniputed. That's why students fall for my oraps so easily."

  James felt a surge e. He had been so sympathetic to Alex's story, believing that he was a victim of circumstance. But now he realized that Alex was just as bad as the other scammers.

  Alex broaden his hands. "It's just business," he replied. "People fall for scams because they're greedy. They want something for nothing. And I'm here to give them what they want, for a price."

  Ryan was furious. "You're a heartless bastard," he shouted. "You're ruining people's lives."

  Alex just smiled. "Life's tough," he replied. "You either sink or swim. And I'm a swimmer."

  James khat arguing with Alex ointless. He was a sociopath, incapable of feelihy or remorse. The only way to stop him was to expose his crimes.

  With renewed determination, James turo his friends. "We o find a way to expose him," he said. "We 't let him get away with this."

  Alex, sensing James's hesitation, taunted him further. "So, do you think you stop me?" he asked, his voice dripping with pt.

  James didn't respond immediately. Instead, he g Alex's status, which dispyed his strength level. 192. It was a formidable number, but James was fident in his own abilities.

  With a fident smile, James replied, "Yes, I will stop you."

  Alex's grin widened. "Oh, really?" he said, his tone ced with amusement. "You do realize that fighting on the rooftop is forbidden, right? The school will hand down severe punishment. Even the four bully emperors don't dare to do this. Are you guys really willing to take that risk?"

  James hesitated for a moment. Alex was right. Fighting on the rooftop could have serious sequences. But he also khat he couldn't let Alex get away with his crimes.

  "We'll take that risk," he said, his voice firm. "We won't let you hurt anyone else."

  Alex ughed. "You're delusional," he said. "You think you stop me? You're just a bunch of kids."

  James's anger was beginning to boil. He wao punch Alex right there, but he khat would only make things worse. He had to stay calm and focused.

  "We'll see about that," he said, his voice cold.

  Alex shrugged, his arrogandeterred. "Whatever you say," he replied. "But don't expect me to go down without a fight."

  With that, Alex turned and walked away, leaving James and his friends standing on the rooftop.