Mr. Raghavan accepted his wallet from Alex's hands.

He smiled with manufactured kindness "Thank you for your hard work delivering this. Please sit down and enjoy some tea with me."

Alex observed that the other party was being so hospitable and he felt slightly thirsty too so he did not refuse the generous offer presented to him.

"Very well then. I will not be overly polite."

He had not anticipated this development from a rich man of his calibre.

There were some wealthy persons who were also apparently kind-hearted individuals!

He was even inviting a lowly security guard to share tea! However magnificent is it.

It is too rare, impossible to happen in daily life of a person. Most wealthy people wouldn't even make eye contact with someone in his uniform.

However for some inexplicable reason Alex always sensed that something about the other party felt slightly off.

But this particular feeling remained frustratingly vague and impossible to pinpoint precisely. Something in the man's eyes didn't match his smile.

The situation seemed strange and calculated too. Too convenient, too welcoming.

Moreover as soon as he had entered the villa this man appeared to have been waiting specifically for him. This is too suspicious. Who waits in their lobby for a delivery person?

"I will observe carefully to see what scheme this man is attempting to execute."

Alex calmly sat down while waiting to witness the middle-aged man's performance and true intentions. His instincts rarely failed him.

"Here please try this exceptional black tea."

Seeing Alex seated Mr. Raghavan personally brewed fresh tea. He handed an expensive teacup to Alex with elaborate ceremony. Each movement was practiced and deliberate.

Through this he would demonstrate to this presumptuous security guard something fundamental.

Show him how social classes were strictly hierarchical!

People were divided into different levels by wealth and status!

"This black tea tastes quite delicious," Alex commented after his first sip. He had to admit the quality was remarkable.

"The tea possesses a rich aromatic flavor and feels smooth on the palate. The aftertaste is quite pleasant and lingering."

Alex drank tea regularly as part of his routine.

He knew a reasonable amount about tea quality and varieties. His grandmother had taught him to appreciate good tea.

Therefore after taking just one sip he immediately recognized this tea was something special and expensive. The complexity of flavor told him this was no ordinary brew.

"This tea is certainly excellent quality as you noted."

"It comes from a century-old Darjeeling tea estate in the Himalayas."

"It costs two hundred dollars to brew this single pot of tea."

"The glass you are currently drinking is worth twenty dollars."

"The water used to brew the tea consists of underground mineral water transported from sacred mountain springs."

"Both the water and the tea leaves represent top-tier quality."

Mr. Raghavan smiled with obvious pride and superiority. He watched Alex's face carefully for any reaction of intimidation or awe.

This tea had been prepared especially for this specific purpose of course.

Otherwise who in their sane mind would drink this regularly? Surely some would drink it but not Mr. Raghavan. Sure he is rich, he can afford it but he thinks this was just a waste of money. His usual morning tea cost a fraction of this.

If not for showing Alex his place he might have not brought this tea from his collection to flaunt his wealth. The box had been gathering dust for months.

The goal was to make Alex realize through this experience the enormous difference between himself and Riya. The gap was unbridgeable. The chasm was vast and impossible to cross.

He wanted Alex to back down voluntarily and leave his daughter alone! To understand his own inadequacy and walk away with dignity.

Mr. Raghavan continued with false sympathy dripping from every word "Son making money in this harsh society is not easy at all. If you lack ability and capability it becomes difficult to even enjoy a proper cup of quality tea."

Alex remained silent listening carefully. He sipped his expensive tea without any visible reaction.

Mr. Raghavan pretended to sigh deeply with theatrical emotion "To be completely honest I went through that struggling age myself. I understand very well the helplessness you must feel as a youngster.

Being a security guard represents difficult work. Standing guard every single day regardless of rain or sunshine you work yourself to exhaustion.

Yet you still do not earn even four hundred dollars monthly.

The money you earn is not even sufficient to brew one pot of decent tea if you minus those daily expenses.

If you happen to have a girlfriend from better financial circumstances how can you provide her with proper clothing and lifestyle?"

The implication hung heavy in the air. Mr. Raghavan leaned back in his chair, confident his point had landed effectively.

Alex shrugged this off casually while smiling "There is no need to be so demanding of ourselves. We cannot afford tea that costs tens of thousands per pot so tea costing a few dollars is sufficient.

We can drink perfectly acceptable tea. We cannot drink expensive spring water but we can drink boiled tap water."

His tone was light, unbothered. This only irritated Mr. Raghavan further.

"How can that possibly be acceptable!" Mr. Raghavan exploded with fury. His face flushed red.

"The tap water quality throughout the state is absolutely terrible!"

He caught himself barely in time, his voice dropping suddenly "How can my daughter drink that kind of inferior water? It can easily cause kidney stones and health problems!"

"What?" Alex was completely baffled by this outburst.

For a moment he could not understand what this middle-aged man was actually saying. Why was he suddenly talking about his daughter?

"Ahem ahem." Mr. Raghavan coughed with obvious awkwardness. He cleared his throat repeatedly.

Damn it all!

He had become so angry at this presumptuous security guard that he had nearly lost control and revealed too much information prematurely. The plan was unraveling.

Mr. Raghavan covered up his embarrassing slip with forced laughter "What I meant to say is that the tap water quality in this region is quite poor. If you drink it for extended periods without proper filtration you will develop health issues."

"Oh I see." Alex nodded understanding, though his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Do not worry. I still use a filtration system for my water."

Mr. Raghavan nodded while pointing to an expensive device in the distance "That basic filtration is not nearly sufficient. A water purifier must be of excellent quality. Look at my water purification system. It is an imported product costing two thousand dollars.

The filtered water contains absolutely no impurities whatsoever. It tastes clear and sweet.

Only water of this caliber can we dare to drink safely."

He gestured grandly at the sleek machine as if it were a work of art. The chrome gleamed under the villa's expensive lighting.

This time Alex finally understood the situation completely. The puzzle pieces clicked into place.

This man was deliberately showing off his wealth was he not? Every word, every gesture, every detail was calculated to intimidate.

He finished his tea in one swift gulp.

Alex stood up to leave "I am extremely busy with work responsibilities. I must depart now."

"Very well then."

Mr. Raghavan was not hurried or concerned. He smiled confidently while escorting Alex to the door "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"What?" Alex paused in confusion. His hand was already on the door handle.

"See me tomorrow?"

Alex was genuinely stunned. This was getting stranger by the minute.

Mr. Raghavan smiled warmly "It was a genuine pleasure chatting with you today. Let us continue our conversation tomorrow."

Alex stood frozen in disbelief. His mind raced to process this bizarre request.

This middle-aged man was addicted to showing off his wealth in front of others?

Was this some kind of strange hobby? Did wealthy people really have such peculiar pastimes?

Alex studied Mr. Raghavan's face more carefully. There was something familiar about those eyes, that bone structure. Where had he seen that face before?

"I appreciate the tea but I have work tomorrow. I cannot just visit randomly." Alex tried to decline politely.

"Nonsense!" Mr. Raghavan waved his hand dismissively. "I will call your supervisor. I have business connections throughout this industrial park. Taking one afternoon off will not be a problem."

Alex felt a growing sense of unease. This situation was escalating beyond a simple tea invitation.

"May I ask why you specifically want to see me again?" Alex asked directly.

Mr. Raghavan's smile widened. "I simply enjoy good company and stimulating conversation.

Is that so unusual? Besides, I sense you have potential.

Perhaps I can offer you some career advice. Some guidance from someone who has achieved success."

"I will consider it," Alex replied noncommittally. He needed time to think about what this man really wanted.

"Excellent! Do not be late." Mr. Raghavan's tone had shifted from invitation to command.

Alex stepped out of the villa into the evening air. The door closed behind him with an expensive, solid thunk.

As he mounted his electric scooter something clicked in his memory. Those eyes. That facial structure.

They reminded him eerily of someone he knew. Someone close.

Could it be?

No.... That would be too much of a coincidence, I am being delusional here.

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