Chapter 12: A Fruitless Visit and a Bitter EndThe next morning, Elena and Davidson arrived at the grand glass and steel edifice of Bigtale Corporation. The once-reaching prospect of a lucrative contract now felt like a distant dream, which seems that can't ever be in the reach anymore. Elena marched towards the receptionist, a young woman with a polite smile. "We're here to see Mr. Joel Manson," she said.The receptionist's smile shows some struggling slightly. "Mr. Joel Manson is no longer actively involved in the company's day-to-day operations. However, his son, Mr. Ethan Manson, is the current CEO. Would you like to schedule an appointment?"Elena's jaw clenched. Ethan, the penniless ex-husband, the good-for-nothing she'd cast aside, was now the CEO of a billion-dollar company? It was a reality she refused to accept. That will never be Ethan Allen. "Is it Ethan Allen?" Elena was forced to ask. "Excuse me?" The receptionist asked. "She's asking if he is her loser ex-husband

Chapter 14The lady swiveled in her seat, acting the part of the queen she already believed herself to be."Triana Zaragoza," Alessia said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What a delight to see you and your... little brother you call a husband? Speaking of which, I've always wondered why Mateo seems shorter than you. Maybe you should keep him at home more often. People might get the wrong idea."Harsh words, but Alessia never handled defeat gracefully.Furious, Mateo lunged for Alessia, but Ethan Manson was quick to grab his hand."Act like a gentleman," Ethan said calmly, returning to his seat."Seriously?" Mateo spat. "A cab driver is holding me back?"He stormed to the center of the restaurant."Listen up, ladies and gentlemen!" he declared, his voice booming. "I can't believe this! A moron like Ethan thinks he can stop me from going after that flashy, good-for-nothing sister of his? It's unbelievable!""As some of you may know," he continued, puffing out his chest, "the Richards

Chapter 16: Ethan Manson's expression turned glacial as he listened to his assistant's words. "Tell Mr. Charleston I'm not interested," he said curtly, his eyes never leaving Bartholomew's fidgeting form across the table."Aren't you going to meet with him, sir?" his assistant asked, surprise evident in his voice.Ethan's gaze flicked to the phone. "No, I'm not. Tell him I'm not interested, and that's final."He disconnected the call, his attention returning to Bartholomew. "Now, where were we? Ah yes, your 'ethical business practices'."Bartholomew's face paled, but he forced a smile. "Ah, yes, of course, Mr. Manson. We'll prove ourselves, I assure you."Ethan turned with anger from the call he just received. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Bartholomew's face. "I'm not sure you understand, Mr. Bartholomew. I don't do business with people who operate in the gray areas. My reputation is built on integrity, and I won't compromise that for anyone."Bartholomew's

Chapter 18"You should leave now before I call the security on you, Mr. Davidson!" the receptionist said, her voice firm and authoritative.Davidson gritted his teeth, his face twisted in anger. He couldn't believe that the live-in son-in-law, Ethan Manson, was going to become the CEO of the largest company, Manson Corporation. He knew that nobody would believe him if he tried telling the family members that Ethan Manson was actually Ethan Allen, the son of the company's biggest rival."You bastard!" Davidson thought to himself. "You should be lucky we didn't get the contract, or you would be crawling after my car by now."He knew that Mr. Charleston had used him to get what he wanted. He didn't secure the contract; he was just lying to save face because his own proposal got rejected by the Manson's family company.Davidson gently walked out of the office, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge and betrayal. He drove out of the parking lot, his anger simmering just below the surface

Chapter 20: Meanwhile, at Jag city's downtown, Ethan Manson and Alessia got home to meet a lawyer sitting down in the living room with Christie."What's going on?" Ethan Manson asked, looking at the lawyer's serious face."Please, have a seat," the lawyer said, gesturing to the couch. "I have some news about your parents."Alessia and Ethan Manson exchanged a worried glance before sitting down. "What is it?" Alessia asked, her voice trembling."Well, as you know, your parents have been going through a rough patch for a while now," the lawyer began. "They've been coming to court for the past six months, trying to work out their differences.""But they can't even stand each other!" Ethan Manson interrupted. "How are they supposed to work things out?""I know it's been tough, but they've been trying," the lawyer said. "However, despite our best efforts, they've decided to go through with the divorce."Alessia gasped, her eyes welling up with tears. "So it's official, then?" she asked, h