Chapter 3

“ He's of no use to this family, he couldn't even help your brother. Lucas was kind enough to help close the case. What did that loser do? Today, he decided to ruin your sister's day”.

Ethan heaved a sigh of dismay and regret as he walked into the dining room, “Ava, I'm going out for fresh air”.

“I'll go with you,” Ava said quickly.

Ethan cuts in, “ just stay here, don't worry about me. I just need time alone”.

James laughed behind him, “Bingo, have you eaten? Or do you intend to go out and beg for food?  Don't do anything to tarnish our family’s name. Here, I have a dollar go buy something to eat!”

“Let me add another dollar, you'll need water to enjoy your meal”. A voice beside James added, Brandon. He's a good friend of James.

They produced a dollar note each from their pockets and threw it at Ethan's foot simultaneously.

“ Hey loser, get new clothes too. You stink”. Lucas threw his black card at Ethan's foot.

“ I bet he doesn't know what a black card is, he's so daft”. Susie smirked as Ethan left the hall.

The thunderous laughter of everyone present echoed across the house, Ava couldn't control the tears that flowed down her cheeks.

Ethan gnashed his teeth in annoyance and left the house without looking back.

As Ethan stepped out into the rain-soaked night, the droplets stung his face like a thousand tiny slaps, echoing the burning sensation of humiliation still on his cheeks.

He rode his scooter, uncertain of his destination. The only reprieve from the darkness were flashes of thunder that lit up the gloomy night. 

At this point, he knew he was useless. He couldn't even take good care of his wife, nor could he give her what she wanted. Sometimes, he wondered why she hadn't left him for another man.

His wife was the most beautiful woman in the city. No matter how hard he thought, he still couldn't understand what she saw in him that she wouldn't divorce him and go to another person, who was wealthy and could maintain her beauty.

As he approached the intersection, an oncoming car’s light illuminated the rain-soaked pavement, creating a blinding glare. He shielded his eyes, but it was too late. 

A car turning right into the path was hidden by the glare. The car's front bumper struck his scooter, sending him flying over onto the car's bonnet. He slid off, landing hard on the wet pavement.

Dazed and disoriented, Ethan struggled to sit up. His scooter lay nearby, the handlebars bent . The car's driver rushed out, apologetic and shaken, “I didn't see you”, he held Ethan's hand helping him to his feet. Ethan nodded, wincing in pain. He fell back again.

As Ethan opened his eyes, he found himself in a vast, unfamiliar room. The ceiling soared above him, with intricate patterns engraved into the plaster. A chandelier hung from the centre, casting a warm glow over the space.

He lay on a massive bed, with velvet drapes that seemed to swallow the windows whole. The walls were lined with old portraits, their subject eyes seeming to watch him. One particular portrait caught his attention.

He struggled to sit up, his head spinning. The room seemed to talk around him, like a ship on a stormy sea.he gripped the bedpost, trying to anchor himself. Where was he? His memories were hazy, but recalled riding his scooter after leaving the villa and then nothing.

A figure moved into his line of sight, an elderly man with a kind face. The aura surrounding him showed he was a very powerful person and his clothes were one that Ethan couldn't recognize.

“Young master, we've finally found you”. The man sighed as he walked closer to Ethan who helped himself to sit on the bed.

“Found me?” Ethan muttered, feeling shocked. Could it be he had hit his head so hard that he was imagining things? First, he was in an unfamiliar house and now an old man was saying something weird.

Could it be that the old man was getting dermented and thus had thought he was someone else? That had to be the case, he didn't have any source of power nor did he ever run away from him.

For as long as he could remember, he grew up in an orphanage so he wondered why the old man called him young master and was looking at him with so much reverence and respect.

“ I'm sorry about the accident last night, young master”. The old man added bringing Ethan out of his thoughts.

Was it part of the plan to humiliate him after the engagement dinner? First, an accident, then they kidnapped him and paid an old man to call him young master. Are they trying to embarrass him because Ava said someday he will be wealthier than her dad and Lucas put together?

“Sir, I think you've found the wrong person”. Ethan frowned as he said slowly.

He was afraid of speaking too loud so as to make the old man and his other gang members who could be lurking around angry.

“Young master, you don't have to say that”. The old man replied calmly.

“What do you want?”

“Who sent you?”

“Was it Mrs Kate, James or Lucas?”

“Is humiliating me not enough? Can't I just have peace with my wife? No matter what you do there is no way I am going to leave Ava. She's all I've got, she's mine, she's the only person who believes in me”. Ethan said with a persistent look.

The old man just smiled politely at Ethan which puzzled him a bit. 

Why is he acting cool, when he has been paid to hurt me?

“I'm very sorry for the misunderstanding. Please, allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Leo, butler of the Smith family”. Leo said with a respectful bow.

“The Smith family? It can't be the same powerful and famous family. They died in an accident years ago”. Ethan asked with a confused look.

“ You are right, it is the same family”. Leo replied.

“That's impossible, they said everyone involved in the accident died that night. Their bodies were discovered a few days later on the shore. How can you be the butler of a dead family? Do I look like a child to you? Who are you trying to fool?” Ethan argued with an annoyed face.

He didn't know where he got this sudden boldness from, maybe the pains he was feeling gave way for the boldness. He decided to go all out on anyone knowing he was already in their trap and he will be killed eventually.

“ I understand your argument there. Hmm, it seems the media did a great job with the story”. Leo said with a sarcastic smile.

“ What are you talking about? What story?” Ethan asked with curiosity written over his face.

Leo smiled and answered, “ I think we need to start from the very beginning for you to understand everything, young master?”

“Wait, wait.. young master? Are you referring to me? Does it mean.….?” Ethan asked with a dazed expression.

“ Yes, young master. I was referring to you” Leo said looking around the room to make Ethan know he was the only young man in the room.