Ethan Smith: The Lost Heir

Chapter 11

Gasps arose from people around them, their gazes now focused on Ava and Ethan. Ava was aware of the attention, and knew right away that Susie wanted to humiliate her publicly.

“ You're aware we're trying to get a deal with Emerald Group, yet you still came here to get a deal for your company. The same company you stole money from us to set up? You're the reason dad died” Susie lamented, shedding crocodile tears.

“How shameless” someone commented. The comment was followed by several exclamation of agreement.

“What an unfilial daughter?”

“She should be ashamed of herself”

Ethan was not left out of the ugly comments.

“ He's a bad man”

“He's so greedy”

“He's very useless”

“They don't deserve to be here”.

“They should be sent out of here” another person suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Ava looked at Ethan, his face had deepened with visible anger. This wasn't the first time a member of her family has tried to humiliate him in public.

Susie wiped some more fake tears beneath her eyes, and then she moved to Ava, she threw the file in her hands at Ava's feet “ Take the file, take everything. Enrich yourself. We've suffered so much in your hands. Just kill mum, like you killed dad”

Ava bent down and picked up the file that was lying at her feet, she didn't open it. She stood up, then calmly she looked at Susie.

“In that case, I should tell everyone the reason the company is bankrupt, or should I tell them about your brother's crimes and how it's always covered?”

Susie's jaw all but fell to the ground, “wh…what?”

“You said she's here to steal the family's company spot,” Ethan clarified, “but you have no appointment with the vice chairman, or should I ask the receptionist?”  Ethan questioned.

“Liars” Susie said she knew if she allowed them to say more she'd end up embarrassing herself.

“Someone call the security, they need to be sent out of here”. She added in tears.

She finally got the sympathy she needed.

Susie rushed to Ethan and held his collar, “ haven't you and your wife done enough? You told lies about me and my fiancé left me. You ruined my life”.

The receptionist had already sent a mail to the vice chairman's office, notifying her of what was happening.

Ethan took out his phone and called Mabel. “Will you put that phone away?” The security guard barked as he got close to them.

The moment she saw the security, she tightened her grip on Ethan, he was able to talk to Mabel on the phone before the security guard hit the phone off his hands.

“Why are you disturbing the peace of this company?” The security guard asked.

Ethan smiled, “ my wife is here to see Miss Mabel Josh, I don't know what else you're talking about”.

“Will you shut up? Do you know Miss Josh?” The security guard sneered, as he took a quick look at Ethan's dressing.

“I don't wish to use force on you, please, leave immediately”

Ava moved but Ethan held her hand, “ what are you doing? What about your appointment here?”

Ethan looked at the security,” we have an appointment, we're not leaving here until we see Miss Mabel”.

The security guard turned to Ava's free hand, held her and dragged her but Ethan held onto her firmly. 

“Get your hands off her!” An unfamiliar voice came, everyone turned to the direction of the voice. They saw a man dressed in black suit walking towards them. The security guard recognised the face and let go of Ava's hand.

The moment Susie saw him, she smiled, “ Mr Duke, thank goodness you're here”.

Duke narrowed his eyes, and a flash of greed was seen deep in his eyes. He smiled, “ leave the young lady and send the young man out. The lady is my wife-to- be”.

Ava and Ethan were stunned by his announcement. What's he talking about? Ava knew Duke had met her mother but saying this without her consent is ridiculous.

Duke pulled Ethan's hand from Ava's and dragged her towards his office.

“Let me go, what kind of nonsense did you just say? I don't know you”. Ava rebuked him softly as she pulled away from him and went to stand beside Ethan “this is my husband, we're legally married”. 

“Come back here!” Duke was feeling slightly awkward. Now, he was engulfed in deep wrath

Susie was shocked, things were becoming heated and interesting, she stood with other on-lookers to watch things unfold.

“She's so heartless”

“She ruined her family”

“She ran off with another, her fiancé must be disappointed in her”.

A new murmur rose amongst the on-lookers. 

Ava looked around noticing the sentiment of the people. If she allowed things to go on further, she might end up ruining her opportunity to meet with Miss Josh.

“Please, I honestly don't understand what's going on here”, Ava said, squeezing Ethan's left arm tightly.” I am here to meet with Miss Josh, to present a proposal on behalf of my family and this man beside me is my legitimate husband. I don't know the other man”.

Duke sneered at Ethan when he heard Ava's defence, “ You're the useless son-in-law of Steve family, you dare hold my lady's hand in front of me”.

“How did this bastard get access into this building?” Duke asked with disgust in his eyes.

“Get this worthless being out of here!” He commanded, the security guard moved to Ethan and tried to pull him holding onto his trousers tightly.

“Get your hands off me” Ethan said with an air of authority that sent chills down everyone's spine. “ I'm not leaving until we meet with Miss Josh*.

“What the fuck? Are you stupid? Why would Miss Josh want to see your good- for-nothing face?” Duke asked coldly.

Duke Is a manager in Emerald Group. He has worked in Emerald Group for four years and he met Miss Josh just once. And Ethan was bluffing about meeting her. How daring of Ethan? 

Moving close to Ethan, he touched his outfit “ You're very daring, you wish to see her dressed like this? Do you think this is a charity organisation?”

Duke smiled at Ava, “Darling, do you still wish to see the vice Chairman? Or do you want me to cancel the appointment I fixed?”

*What?” Ava was stunned. Did he really fix the appointment? 

Duke seemed so sure of himself, “ I promised to help and I kept my promises!”

Ethan laughed out loudly, “ you work here, don't you?”

Duke nodded, Ethan continued “ when was the last time you saw the vice Chairman?”

Duke bent his head, he couldn't say anything. He had no answer. He knew if he allowed Ethan to continue, he might end up getting humiliated.

Lifting up his head, he said coldly “ Drag this thing out of here”.

“Drag me out for what?” Ethan asked, “did I steal anything?”

“Yes, you stole my lady. You don't deserve to see the dawn of another day. Leave now!” Duke replied. He was becoming more agitated by Ethan's presence.

“Do you wish to lose your job? Drag that fool out now!” He repeated. This time the security guard rushed to pull Ethan away from Ava.

If you dare lift a finger to touch him, you'll lose all ten immediately” a voice came with authority.