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2024-10-29 19:42:56The same evening, as soon as Ethan saw the bills on the document, which were handed over to Isabella by the doctor, he exited the hospital. He must find a way to come up with money to pay the bills, even if he has to reach out to various bank to secure a loan. His daughter's life was paramount to him, and he could not afford to lose her.
Isabella, on the other hand, crawled to her parents' feet and begged them for money, only so that her daughter would not die, as she was now ready to do everything they wanted.
"I already told you, the pauper has nothing to offer you. He will only make you go through hell with him," said Alexander Rosewood behind his desk as he puffed out smoke from his mouth like a wealthy tycoon exhaling the success that he was.
"I’m sorry, Dad. You are right. I should have listened to you," Isabella pleaded, standing at the front of her father’s desk, consumed by guilt for not listening to them all these years.
"So, tell me, how much are we talking about?" Alexander asked, standing up from his almighty desk chair and facing the beautiful view of his office.
Alexander Rosewood was the manager of Woodmark Industries, which was a branch of one of the most successful companies in the country. And undoubtedly, his huge salary and compensation were a mighty ocean compared to the mere $100,000 his daughter would demand.
"The half payment is $100,000, Dad," Isabella said, fully aware of her father's worth.
Alexander Rosewood chuckled. He could not believe that his daughter would flinch at the sound of a mere $100,000. He turned to look at her suddenly before he started pacing around slowly like a panther in his private den.
He then exhaled another puff of smoke and said, "You see, your lifestyle has turned out to be like that of a beggar on the street, all because you disobeyed me. $100,000 is too small a sum out of what I send to you monthly."
"I know you regret your actions, and that is why you are here. The pauper threatened you with marrying him. I understand, which is why I will help you. But don’t defy me again."
Isabella, who had been looking at Alexander's face as he talked, now sank her head to the ground in regret for her actions. It was true. Her father always sent her a monthly allowance of nothing less than $500,000, and all she had to do was sleep, wake up, and order their servants around. But after she disobeyed her father, he made sure she stopped enjoying that benefit.
"Come to the beach house for dinner. See your mother; she misses you. I will also send you a million so that you can divorce the pauper and be restored to who you are supposed to be," Alexander said, turning back towards his desk chair and sitting back into it before he breathed out his last smoke from his cigar.
***
Ethan was standing at the front of the bank. Aurelius Bank was known throughout the country for its generosity. According to the rumors flying around about them and according to the bank customers who have approached them for a loan, they always give cheerfully and provide repayment options with low interest. It was a bank for the poor, and this was why Ethan was using it in the first place.
He took a deep breath as he watched people walk into the bank and come out of it. The amount of money he was going to ask them to loan him was so huge that he did not even know how he was going to repay it. However, his daughter's life was on the line. If they loaned him the money this once, he did not mind being blacklisted so that he would not get another loan again.
"So, you are Ethan Mark?" asked the loan officer, sitting appropriately in his chair and crossing his right leg over his left leg.
"Yes, sir! That’s me," Ethan answered with a fake smile that sounded silly like a Cheshire cat. The reason he laughed that way was simple. The office he was sitting in depicted how poor he was compared to the officer who was talking to him, as he looked so clean, like a freshly polished diamond.
He needed no one to tell him before he began to doubt if they would loan him this huge amount. Of course, this was not the first time he asked for a loan from the bank. But this time, $100,000 was too much compared to the $5,000 he had requested a loan for in the past few days.
"What collateral do you have, sir?" the loan officer asked, gently folding his fingers into one another and having his palms touch each other. Ethan understood this gesture; it was the judgment written boldly on the officer that there was no way he could pay back. And the officer was right. He knew there was really no way he could pay it back.
"Um... um... just loan me this once. I promise to pay back in due time," Ethan said, leaning towards the desk and sweating profusely even under the air conditioning.
"I am sorry, but that is not allowed by the rules of the bank," the officer declared before ushering in a pause. "Would that be all, Mr. Ethan?" he asked.
"You don’t understand. My daughter's life is in danger. I really need this money to save her life," Ethan pleaded, holding the edge of the office desk firmly as if he would jump over it if given the chance.
"I am sorry to hear about your daughter’s condition. But if you want us to loan you this money, you must provide collateral worth more than the total amount you want us to loan you."
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Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 3. The Suitor
The night came too early, and Isabella was fully dressed for dinner at the beach house. One thing paramount to the Rosewood family was that they never dressed shabbily. Isabella's mom hated it with so much passion, like an inferno consuming everything in its path.Victoria Sinclair was Isabella's mother, who was in her early 50s. She was the epitome of sophistication and refined elegance. Her perfectly coiffed blond hair and flawlessly applied makeup always added to her polished appearance. And she was indeed the one whom Isabella took after in terms of beauty.Isabella arrived at the beach house, knowing full well that it had been a while since she had been there due to how her parents had disciplined her for disobeying them. She took in a deep sigh, as if she had gulped down a large portion of a sophisticated drink. It was time to see her mother after such a long time, and she could not explain why she was nervous at this moment.The beach house was indeed a house by the large, wavi
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 4. The True Identity
"Hello, young master, it is I, Jackson Smith. Please look to your front," said Jackson Smith, Augustus Markwood's personal assistant. He had been working for Ethan’s father since he was in his 20s, and now he was a 57-year-old man standing under an umbrella a little distance away. Though Ethan had left home angrily over ten years ago, Mr. Smith still treated him with respect and asked for permission before coming close to him."Can I walk close to you, sir?" he asked, as it was starting to rain and the weather was cold and breezy, like a melancholic symphony played by the elements.Jackson Smith, dressed in a black suit and a charcoal gray morning coat that cascaded down his knees, gracefully accentuating his tail and commanding presence, was still on the phone with Ethan and waiting for him to give permission before taking a step forward.Ethan was obviously confused. As he looked ahead, as Mr. Smith had requested, he recognized who Mr. Smith was and was taken aback. Thoughts raced t
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 5. The Payment.
Throughout the night, Ethan couldn't get a peaceful sleep. Every time he closed his eyes to slumber, he would jolt awake, as if he had just had a terrible dream.Two things troubled his mind. First, he doubted whether Mr. Smith would fulfill his promise to send him the money. Despite knowing Mr. Smith as a man of his word since childhood, Ethan found it hard to believe that he would receive the money before morning.Secondly, he was worried about his wife's whereabouts. It was past midnight, and she hadn't returned home. This was out of character for Isabella, and Ethan wondered if she was still upset with him and chose not to come back.Restless as a bird returning to its nest, Ethan repeatedly checked his phone for any notifications."It's 5 a.m. He should have made the transfer by now," Ethan muttered, standing up from the sofa where he had been sitting all night and grabbing a glass of water.As he took a sip from the glass, his phone's distinct chime, reminiscent of a delicate ch
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 6. Alexander and Victoria.
Still surprised at the drastic turn of events, like shit poured on his face, Ethan waited at the hospital entrance, hoping Isabella could come back and tell him that whatever had happened was not real and perhaps it was only a prank.At 8 a.m. in the morning, Isabella was nowhere to be found. The security guards who had thrown him out of the hospital still lingered at the entrance, eyeing him with hostility and making it clear that if he dared to enter the hospital again, he would face physical harm and imprisonment.Ethan understood the hostile looks from the security guards, which is why he didn't attempt anything foolish. Instead, he continued trying Isabella's cellphone, but all his attempts were in vain, except for her voicemail playing in his ear."Hi, this is Isabella Rosewood. I’m sorry, but I’m unable to take your call at this moment. If you're hearing this, it means that I'm either busy or unavailable. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I'll get back to
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 7. The Return Message and Condemnation
"You see, I know why you're here!" Alexander said, looking straight into Ethan's eyes and not taking his gaze away."You want me to talk to my daughter and make her come back to you, and blah blah blah..." He continued; his words filled with disdain."I sure can do that," he said, rising to his feet and pacing slowly around Ethan, his breath almost tangible."But I won't," he declared, firmly stating his decision.Ethan's eyes widened with surprise. It was as if he hadn't heard it correctly and needed Mr. Alexander to repeat his words."What?" he muttered, though Mr. Alexander heard him loud and clear."You see, there's nothing a pauper like you from the ghetto could possibly offer my daughter, who belongs to the richest class. She is way above your league, and you don't deserve her.""I'm sure there are ladies, even ugly ones from the slums and gutters, who would suit you better. You can make a home with them, but not with my daughter.""I'll forgive your ignorance this one time, but
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 8. The Acknowledgment
Parked at the hospital, Ethan was still in the limousine with Mr. Smith and the chauffeur. Beside the chauffeur in the front seat, Mr. Smith sat, and none of them said anything to one another.Ethan took a deep breath. The thought that Isabella had just stolen his right to see his daughter away from him baffled him, and he was still broken within like a shattered mirror."Mr. Smith," Ethan called suddenly, and as Mr. Smith answered him and turned to look at him, he talked on."What do you think?" he asked, his eyes brimming with sincerity like a child's innocent gaze."Young Master, you are the heir to your father's billionaire companies. You have all it takes to get down here, walk into that hospital, and get your child out with you, and everyone can do nothing about it, not even your wife or her father. They have nothing compared to what you have," Mr. Smith said."But I will be depriving Sophia of the right to motherly care.""With everything you have, sir, you can always hire a go
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 9. Words at The Grave
"We are here," Mr. Smith said suddenly after a long drive through the woods. At this moment, the stars were shining like diamonds in the sky. The hour was silent, except for the symphony of crickets playing in the background.Ethan stepped out of the car, followed by Mr. Smith, the chauffeur, and the drivers of the entourage vehicles in front of and behind him."Why these woods of all the great places he could have been buried?" Ethan asked in a low tone, as if the trees themselves held a secret."It was one of the late master's wishes to be buried in the woods, where he could become a tree and live forever," Mr. Smith explained. He stood behind Ethan, with the other chauffeurs standing beside the cars they drove.Ethan remained silent, glancing around. The towering trees resembled skyscrapers reaching towards the heavens. Their thickness formed an impenetrable and strong fortress-like wall. As Ethan looked further, he noticed what appeared to be a graveyard."It seems my father was n
Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise 10. Ethan In Eldridge
The next morning came quickly, as if time were racing ahead of the world. It was crisp and cool, with a gentle breeze that carried the fresh scent of blooming flowers around Ethan's mansion.Mr. Smith was the first-person Ethan saw when he opened his eyes, and immediately he said, "Good morning, Master Mark. It is time to meet the board of directors at the central company here in Eldridge."Upon hearing this, Ethan rose from his almighty bed and, after his bath, a man in a black suit and black hat, carrying a briefcase, entered the room. After Mr. Smith had given him the go-ahead. The man looked like a character straight out of a film noir."Good morning, Master Mark. My name is Sartorial Elegance. You must have heard of me, as I am a very popular brand in the country. Mr. Smith here ordered your suit, and I am delighted to work with you. I will be your personal tailor from now on."Ethan looked at Mr. Smith, raising an eyebrow like a student trying to understand a difficult concept.
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- Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise
Chapter 245: The Tears And Redemption
Pushing her back into her prison cell like a reluctant pawn being returned to its square on a chessboard, Isabella fell on the prison floor, resembling a fragile autumn leaf descending with a surrender to the inevitable embrace of the cold, hard ground. No matter how her voice had risen in anger towards her mother in the meeting room, she knew very well that she wanted to read the contents of the letter in the envelope and discover the help Ethan Mark had promised her. "Would he file for my release?" "Has he bought me a home as a sign of my forgiveness?" "Would he take me back as his wife?" Different questions rushed through her mind like a tumultuous river, each query cascading over the other. As she held the envelope in her hand, she sat at the corner of her cell and stared at it much more closely. In this way, she saw that the surface of the envelope bore a faint trace of handling, like a blank canvas marked only by the weight of the untold. She also observed the edges, crisp
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Chapter 244: What Was She Told?
As Isabella saw her mother through the glass panel, her eyes first peered at her face, which was fresh and glowing like a sun-kissing morning, radiating warmth and vitality. Similarly, she observed her hair, cascading strands of silk, flowing effortlessly, resembling a gentle waterfall gracing a serene landscape.But if that were all, it would be a lie. She also noticed her dress, which was as beautiful as a field of blooming flowers, each petal a vibrant hue, creating a tapestry of elegance. Likewise, her neck, ears, and wrists were adorned with jewelry, resembling constellations adorning the night sky, each piece a sparkling star in the galaxy of her elegance.Taking in this perfect image of her mother, the thought immediately struck Isabella that her mother's current appearance was the complete inverse of hers—a mess in a uniform and in a confined space, akin to a wildflower struggling to bloom in a cramped garden bed."Been a while," Victoria Sinclair said again, immediately as Is
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Chapter 243: Isabella and The Tears
Like a fish forced to live in the desert for the crime she had committed, Isabella's prison days wove a bleak tapestry of monotony and despair. The cold, unforgiving reality of prison life left her yearning for freedom, with each passing moment feeling like an eternity. The absence of familiar faces and the pervasive loneliness created a profound sense of desolation that permeated every aspect of her existence.Most especially, the daily beatings from her tormentor, Elara Whitewind, resembled an unrelenting storm, leaving Isabella's spirit battered and broken, akin to a shipwreck in the tempest of her despair. This was the reason she wished she had never set foot in the prison yard, mess hall, or communal bathroom ever again.However, whether she wished to visit those places or not, prison protocol had to be followed, leaving her no choice but to be present even in the devil's face if the protocol demanded it.In the dimly lit mess hall, clattering trays and hushed conversations fille
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Chapter 242: The Heart of Gold.
Ethan said nothing in response to Mr. Alexander's words. Instead, as if he hadn't heard him, he seized a seat on the other side of the table and crossed his left leg over his right.Yet, this did not mean he spoke at this moment. The only sound was the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the table, as if he were playing an invisible piano.In this manner, Ethan Mark exuded authority. Gazing calmly from Mr. Alexander's feet to the tangled mess of hair atop his head, he looked at him. With a serenity akin to the gentle flow of the Nile and a voice as soft as a satisfied dove contemplating a defeated jungle lion, he suddenly spoke."Kneel and apologize."Upon hearing these words, Mr. Alexander's eyes widened in shock. He never anticipated a day when he would be asked to kneel and beg for mercy, especially from the person he had always regarded as a poor bastard.Like an enslaved cat in the presence of a lion, Mr. Alexander fell to his knees as Ethan Mark instructed, pleading, "I was a ter
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Chapter 241: The Visitation
Seeing how bold, tall, and dangerous this prisoner appeared and observing his audacious manner of poking at him was akin to witnessing a prowling lion, confident in its dominance, taunting its prey before the impending strike. Mr. Alexander then immediately turned his back, attempting to escape from this menacing part of the communal bathroom like a startled deer seeking refuge from the looming threat in the dark forest. "I have to run," he muttered in total fright, his voice a tremor in the echoing silence, like a desperate whisper carried away by the chilling wind of impending danger. However, if his intention was for success, it was a futile hope. "And where do you think you are running to, huh?" Another prisoner said this behind him and pushed him forward like a pawn on the unforgiving chessboard of the prison's power dynamics. As Mr. Alexander was pushed forward, he witnessed how the older prisoners immediately surrounded him. He also noticed how they revealed smirks on their c
- Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise
Chapter 240: The Next Morning
After speaking for hours, the man who had conversed with him advised Mr. Alexander to get some sleep. He emphasized the importance of having alert eyes to observe any unfortunate events that might occur in the morning. And with that, Mr. Alexander retreated to the corner of his cell once again, burying his head in his ankle like a ship seeking refuge in the harbor of solitude, sheltering itself from the tempest of the prison's harsh reality. He sat on the ground, succumbing to a haunted sleep. *** The next morning revealed Mr. Alexander as a mere specter of resilience, marked by the weariness of a night spent in the clutches of haunted dreams, like a tattered flag fluttering weakly after enduring the relentless storm of a sleepless night. His eyes, burdened with unrest, betrayed the toll of his surroundings. Disheveled strands of hair clung to his forehead, bearing witness to the restless hours entangled in unsettling dreams. As he rose from the dark corner of his cell, his eyes fir
- Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise
Chapter 239: The Eerie Prison Cell
"Long story, man," the man answered. However, if this was all he said, it was a lie. He began to unravel his own narrative, detailing how his legs became amputated and one of his hands irreparably broken and dislocated."You see, I entered this prison as a healthy man. My crimes weren't that significant. I robbed a bank because I couldn't bear to watch my daughter suffer. We hadn't eaten for days, and robbing the bank seemed like my only option." He took a deep sigh and continued talking."Yes, you guessed right. The mission was unsuccessful, and before I knew it, I was completely surrounded by the police. I had no guns, only a knife and a dagger. I never headed to the vault but collected pieces from each person I encountered in the bank. I just wanted to be able to feed my daughter and move on with life the next day.""While being surrounded, there was nothing more I could do than raise my hands in the air and let the police apprehend me. God knows it was the biggest mistake I ever m
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Chapter 238: The Prison
Arriving at the prison, Mr. Alexander saw how the prison walls were imposing, resembling a fortress of despair that stood as a testament to the shadows of society. Certainly, he shook his head in regret, as he had never been to a place this horrible before.He observed cold steel bars, like sentinels of incarceration, confining notorious men whose stories were etched in the graffiti of hardened souls. Similarly, he noticed how the air hung heavy with the weight of regret, whispers of past misdeeds echoing through the dimly lit corridors.The sounds of his handcuffs tucked in chains down to his ankle made obvious sounds as he was escorted through the corridor harboring the cells of different notorious men by two prison officers whose faces lacked smiles, as if they hadn't smiled for many notorious years. Hence, he saw individuals behind these cells harboring untold secrets with their unappealing faces and frightful behaviors.Upon witnessing him and the others being escorted to their r
- Ethan Mark: Billionaire in Disguise
Chapter 237: The Question and Live on TV
“Detective Sharon, we would love to ask you a few questions if you do not mind. We are sure this would help the public understand more of what is going on,” one reporter said immediately. “Alright, please go ahead. If this would help the general public understand more of what is going on, “Thank you, Detective Sharon. Now that Mr. Alexander, Mr. X, and Attorney Hughes have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms, and Attorney Reynolds is awaiting the outcome of his investigation before he is sentenced, do you think that would be the end of this deadly organization?” “Yes, Mr. X. Mr. Alexander Rosewood and Attorney Hughes have been sentenced to prison for a very long term, and if care is not taken, for life imprisonment. However, this is not the end of the organization. As you might already know, the deadly organization is a large organization that has penetrated every sector, which could even include the police, the prison officers, the legal system, and many more, which could even i
