“So, are you telling me now that that useless Ethan is so powerful that he can take on the three families?” Jane asked, her brows furrowed deeply, her voice tinged with disbelief and frustration.“I think so,” Lara Jean replied, her tone heavy with worry. “That incident with my precious son—what happened to him—and we were unable to trace it back to Ethan. If not for Dr. Jos telling us the truth, we would still be in the dark.”“Can Dr. Jos's word even be trusted?” Jane shot back, crossing her arms. “I mean, he might just be bluffing to stir the waters.”Lara Jean shook her head firmly. “He’s certainly not bluffing. Why would he lie to us? Dr. Jos has no reason to fabricate such a story.”The two women continued to discuss the matter, their voices low and cautious. They weighed the potential consequences and decided the most pressing issue was to ensure all traces of evidence were thoroughly erased. They couldn’t afford to leave anything that could be linked back to their families. Af

"Of course," Lauren answered firmly, her voice steady and confident as if the matter was already settled in her mind. She hesitated briefly, her gaze flickering with curiosity, before adding, "What about Katherine?"Ethan's lips curved into a cold, calculating smile, the kind that could send chills down anyone's spine. His eyes gleamed with an unspoken promise of retribution. "If Katherine really has a hand in this," he began, his tone measured and deliberate, "I will ruin her. But if she doesn't..." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the air, "I will still ruin her. Finding out whether she was involved only determines the level of punishment I’ll give her."Lauren felt a surge of delight at his response, a wave of satisfaction coursing through her. She had hoped for exactly this outcome, but she knew better than to reveal her true feelings. Instead, she kept her expression neutral, forcing herself to remain composed. If she allowed even the slightest hint of a s

In the military, he wasn’t beaten or treated unjustly like some might assume. He had spent five long, grueling years there, undergoing rigorous training, battling harsh conditions, and proving his resilience. Those years shaped him, molded him into a man of discipline, honor, and strength. When he returned home, he wasn’t just another soldier—he was a commander, a rank he had earned through unwavering dedication and countless sacrifices. He had come to share the good news with his family, to inform them of his promotion and to let them know that he was being transferred out of Valeria, where he had spent the last few years.His heart had been full of pride and excitement as he walked into his family’s mansion, expecting to be received with open arms and warm congratulations. But the moment he stepped inside, he was met with his grandfather’s cold, distant gaze. The old man barely looked at him, shaking his head in disdain as though being in the military was something to be ashamed of.

At the Walker's Mansion.Katherine was inside her room, lounging on her plush velvet armchair, watching a film she had recently participated in. It was one of her smaller roles, but she cherished every scene she had managed to land. The light from her television cast a faint glow across her elegantly furnished room. She was trying to enjoy the movie, but her mind was restless.Her father had been monitoring her closely these days, his protective nature reaching new levels. He rarely let her out of the mansion unless it was absolutely necessary, and even then, he insisted on security trailing her. Katherine had tried complaining, voicing her frustrations over and over, but all she received in return were his cryptic warnings."Valeria is extremely dangerous at this moment," her father would say.She knew exactly what he meant. He wasn’t speaking about random threats—he was talking about Ethan Maverick.Ethan Maverick. Just the sound of his name sent shivers down her spine, but not out

Katherine’s heart sank the moment she heard Ethan’s voice. His calm, steady tone held a sharpness that pierced through her defenses. She had spent sleepless nights rehearsing an explanation for him, imagining how she would confront the man whose trust she had shattered. Yet, nothing prepared her for the reality of this meeting. The unexpectedness of it all threw her off balance.She glanced at him cautiously, taking in his composed yet intimidating demeanor. Ethan’s sharp features seemed carved from stone, his cold, piercing eyes locked on her with unwavering intensity. The weight of his gaze felt like a boulder pressing against her chest. Katherine’s palms were clammy, and she struggled to keep her breathing steady."I... I..." she stammered, unable to find the words to begin. She had always thought that when the time came, her emotions would take over. She’d envisioned herself telling him everything through tears, her sincerity evident in the rawness of her pain. But now, faced with