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Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 42: Her Upgrade
“Are you sure you want me to come with you?” Ethan asked as he slipped into the driver’s seat of the Lamborghini, glancing over at Joy.She was already buckling up. “Yes. You practically changed my entire life overnight. The least you can do is back me up when your people freeze my account.”Ethan frowned. “My people?”Joy held up her phone, flashing the bank’s message. “Bank of Dominion. They froze my account over ‘suspicious activity.’ Said I had to come in for verification.”Ethan cursed under his breath and pulled out of the hotel lot. “Didn’t even cross my mind they might do that. I should’ve warned you.”“Guess they weren’t used to seeing seven zeros pop up out of nowhere,” she said, smirking.The ride was smooth, quiet except for the occasional buzz of the city outside. But Ethan’s mind wasn’t. He was thinking about Clandestine, Marcus, the Society, the Jade necklace that had a voice now, and somehow, even Joy.Joy kept stealing glances at him, still trying to wrap her head aro
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 1: Wretched Beginnings
The fluorescent lights of the convenience store buzzed overhead as Ethan Wilder leaned behind the counter. The register sat before him, its mechanical tone matching the dull ache in his chest. It was his third shift of the day, and his stomach growled for something other than the day-old energy bar he’d eaten during his five-minute break.‘One more hour,’ he thought. ‘Just one more hour and I can go home.’Not that home meant anything better. The cramped, dingy apartment with peeling wallpaper and leaky faucets wasn’t a haven. It was a constant reminder of how low his life had sunk.The bell above the store door jingled. Ethan didn’t bother looking up. Most of the customers at this hour were students buying junk food or the occasional drunk grabbing cheap beer.“Babe, isn’t this place disgusting?”That voice.Ethan froze, his grip tightening on the counter as the familiar sound washed over him like ice water. He forced himself to glance up and immediately regretted it.Chloe.She stoo
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 2: The Strange Encounter
Ethan stared at the bottom of the empty bottle in his hand, the bitter taste of cheap whiskey still burning the back of his throat. The rain poured down in sheets, soaking through his thin jacket as he stumbled along the deserted street. The world around him blurred, the harsh glow of streetlights smeared like watercolor in the night.‘What’s the point anymore?’ he thought, his steps unsteady as his mind spiraled.He’d spent the last week working double shifts, barely sleeping, eating scraps when he could afford them. Every dollar went to paying off the mountain of debt Chloe and her family had left him with. Months ago, he’d emptied his savings to help them, believing their lies about needing money for medical bills, car repairs, and rent. Now, he was drowning in it, with no end in sight.‘I always knew love is a scam. All of my efforts to make Chloe and her ungrateful family happy. And for what?’The thought nagged at him. He was too tired to be angry anymore. All that was left was
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 3: A Strange Awakening
Ethan woke to the sensation of a jackhammer pounding inside his skull. He groaned, squinting against the weak light filtering through the cracked blinds in his apartment. The smell of rain-soaked clothes and stale whiskey filled the air, making his stomach churn.‘Never drinking again,’ he thought bitterly, though he’d made the same promise to himself countless times before.He pushed himself up from the couch, his muscles protesting. The events of the previous night were hazy, like fragments of a dream he couldn’t piece together. Something about an old woman . . . thugs . . . and a necklace.His fingers brushed against his chest, and he froze.There it was.The jade necklace.The smooth, cool pendant rested against his skin, its intricate design gleaming faintly in the dim light of the room. Ethan’s brow furrowed. He didn’t remember putting it on.He grabbed the chain and pulled, trying to lift it over his head. It didn’t budge.“What the hell?” he muttered.He tried again, tugging h
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 4: Sire
Ethan dragged the overflowing trash bag out the back door of the supermarket, the stench of rotting produce hitting him like a slap. He gagged, holding his breath as he hauled it toward the dumpster in the alley. It was a thankless part of the job, but then again, so was everything else.The jade necklace was still heavy around his neck, a constant, nagging presence that he couldn’t ignore no matter how hard he tried. Every time it brushed against his skin, he was reminded of the strange visions from that morning—shadows, fire, and whispers in a language he couldn’t understand.He shook his head, tossing the bag into the dumpster with a grunt. ‘Don’t think about it,’ he told himself for the hundredth time.The sound of tires screeching to a stop made him pause. Turning toward the street, Ethan squinted as a sleek black car rolled to a halt in front of the alley. The windows were tinted so dark he couldn’t see inside, but the polished exterior gleamed under the flickering streetlights.
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 5: The Revelation
Ethan sat stiffly in the backseat, his fingers tapping anxiously against his knee as the sleek black car sped through the quiet streets. The polished setting of the interior felt oppressive, amplifying every small sound—the faint vibration of the engine, the soft rustle of his clothes, and the rhythmic tap of rain against the windows.A clear, reinforced glass wall separated the backseat from the front, cutting him off from the two men who had brought him here. Their voices were muffled as they spoke quietly, the driver keeping his focus on the road while the passenger occasionally glanced at Ethan in the rearview mirror.Ethan’s chest tightened. The partition wasn’t just a barrier—it was a reminder that he had no control in this situation.“Where are we going?” he finally called out, his voice slightly hoarse.The passenger turned his head slightly but didn’t meet Ethan’s eyes. “You’ll find out soon, Sire,” he said, his tone still polite and yet firm.Ethan shifted uncomfortably, his
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 6: A New Reality
Ethan’s throat tightened as he stared at the woman. Her words hung in the air, heavy and surreal. The Jade Society? The necklace? Him—a leader? It felt impossible, like some twisted dream he couldn’t wake from.“This has to be a joke,” he said finally, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. “You can’t seriously expect me to believe any of this.”The woman’s expression didn’t waver. “I don’t expect you to believe. I expect you to see.”She gestured toward the smooth wall to her left, and as if responding to her command, the surface shifted. Ethan flinched as the white walls dissolved into glowing panels, displaying an intricate web of information.His eyes widened.Dozens of financial statements appeared, their numbers so staggering they didn’t seem real. Untraceable accounts with balances that had more zeroes than he could keep up with flowed through companies he’d vaguely heard of—energy conglomerates, tech empires, pharmaceutical giants. Beneath those were lists of i
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 7: Rising to the Challenge
Ethan stood in the center of what could only be described as the most high-tech training facility he’d ever seen—or imagined. The space stretched endlessly in every direction, a stark contrast to the sterile white room he’d woken up in. The walls shifted between glass and holographic displays, while sleek machinery hummed faintly in the background.He turned slowly, taking in the rows of equipment, glowing control panels, and an enormous dome overhead that projected a perfect replica of the sky. If he hadn’t known better, he’d have thought he was outside.“This . . . this is absolutely insane,” Ethan muttered, more to himself than anyone else.A sharp voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Focus, Wilder. You’re not here to gawk.”Ethan spun around, his eyes landing on a tall man with a lean frame. He was dressed in a tailored black uniform, his face sharp and stern, framed by neatly combed dark hair. A cane rested in his right hand, though he didn’t seem to need it as he strode forwa
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Chapter 42: Her Upgrade
“Are you sure you want me to come with you?” Ethan asked as he slipped into the driver’s seat of the Lamborghini, glancing over at Joy.She was already buckling up. “Yes. You practically changed my entire life overnight. The least you can do is back me up when your people freeze my account.”Ethan frowned. “My people?”Joy held up her phone, flashing the bank’s message. “Bank of Dominion. They froze my account over ‘suspicious activity.’ Said I had to come in for verification.”Ethan cursed under his breath and pulled out of the hotel lot. “Didn’t even cross my mind they might do that. I should’ve warned you.”“Guess they weren’t used to seeing seven zeros pop up out of nowhere,” she said, smirking.The ride was smooth, quiet except for the occasional buzz of the city outside. But Ethan’s mind wasn’t. He was thinking about Clandestine, Marcus, the Society, the Jade necklace that had a voice now, and somehow, even Joy.Joy kept stealing glances at him, still trying to wrap her head aro
Chapter 41: Act the Fool
"You're dreaming, you fool. Wake up, Ethan . . . wake up, you fool. Wake up!"Ethan’s eyes flew open.For a moment, everything was hazy. The ceiling above him slowly came into focus. The warmth under the sheets, the soft weight beside him—it all felt too familiar. He turned his head and saw Joy sleeping soundly. And just like in his dream, she was very much naked beneath the covers.But something was off.The room wasn't quiet.No, it was filled.Elite Jade Soldiers lined the perimeter of the room, their weapons lowered but at the ready. Marcus leaned on his cane by the far wall. And in the chair directly in front of Ethan’s bed sat Clandestine Wood, her posture relaxed, but her stare sharp.“What the . . .” Ethan blinked, sitting up slowly.And then he heard it.A voice, male, clear, but coming from nowhere."It's me, you fool."Ethan’s eyes scanned the room again. No one had spoken. At least, no one visibly.Clandestine’s voice cut in, amused. “Had fun last night?”But Ethan ignored
Chapter 40: A Million For Your Time
“Say what now?” Ethan blinked, staring at her.Chloe’s older sister smirked, calm and unbothered, her eyes showing she was nothing like her sister. She reached under the counter, pulled out a near-empty bottle of whiskey. “Yeah. Serves her right. She was a brat. Always thought the world owed her a fairy tale.”Ethan raised a brow. “Oh, really?”She caught his expression and laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. I know my family are terrible people, trust me.”Ethan tilted his head, amused. “Is that why you ran overseas?”“You bet.”Ethan chuckled. “You’re not exactly what I expected,” he said, still trying to wrap his head around it.“I get that a lot.” She poured him another shot. “Name’s Joy, by the way.”He raised his glass. “Joy. That fits. So . . . what’s your story?”She leaned on the bar, arms crossed, eyes steady. “Hmm, my story?” she said, then smiled. “Nothing interesting, to be honest.”“I get the feeling I might find it interesting.”She laughed. “Doubt it,” she said, then
Chapter 39: Her Obsession
When Ethan left the office, he found Isabella sitting quietly on a bench outside. As soon as she saw him, her expression turned expectant—like she wanted him to talk to her or thank her for sending the Unknown.He walked over and sat beside her."You didn’t have to do it. So why?"She gave a nervous smile. "When I was told I’d be marrying the leader of the Jade Society, I cried all night. Refused to eat—right up to the engagement party. But then I saw you. You were warm to me, despite the hatred you had for my brother and the Order. You spoke kindly. You made me laugh. You tried to make it bearable, even though I was marrying a man I didn’t know."She fell silent. Ethan wasn’t sure how to follow up, and the space between them grew awkward."I like you, Ethan," she said at last. "And I know what this engagement means. I know what you were to the Society—a life-force to extend the lives of its real leaders. But when we left the engagement hall, something in me shifted. The feeling was b
Chapter 38: The Three Orders
Through a phone call with Elena, Ethan got to learn that the prestigious Blackwell University served as the front for the Obsidian Order headquarters. It was a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, its name etched in gold across the main hall.Ethan drove through the iron gates, his presence turning a few heads as he stepped out of a limited-edition Lamborghini. The campus buzzed with activity, students in tailored uniforms walking across the pristine courtyard, completely unaware of the dark power that lurked beneath their feet.He was a stranger in enemy territory, yet he carried himself with the same effortless authority that had defined his rule over the Jade Society. But he wasn’t here to make a statement—he was here for answers.Waiting at the entrance was Isabella, his fiancée. Dressed immaculately, she exuded an air of elegance, yet her eyes were gentle and welcoming despite Ethan's unexpected visit."To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, her smooth voice laced with some hi
Chapter 37: The Conspiracy
Ethan stared at the screen, his fingers curling into fists. Each image Elena pulled up sent a fresh wave of unease through him. The past twenty leaders of the Jade Society, each with their own era, their own rule—and beside every single one of them was Marcus, unchanged, still looking as he was now, in his mid forties.But it was the oldest photo that sent a chill down Ethan’s spine.Clandestine Wood standing next to a leader from 120 years back.She was exactly as she looked now, in her seventies. She had the same calculating eyes, the same severe expression. A woman who should have been dust by now, frozen in time, spanning over a century.Elena turned to him, her voice unsteady. "Ethan, what the hell is this?"He didn't answer. He couldn't.They had discovered something they were never meant to know.Ethan forced himself to breathe. "Delete everything. Wipe it all. Now.""Are you serious?""Elena, listen to me." His voice was sharp, urgent. "Delete it all. Forget what you saw. Forg
Chapter 36: Beyond the Glory
Ethan barely slept. The weight of the message he had received the night before pressed against his mind like an unshakable force. By morning, he wasn’t interested in breakfast or morning greetings. He needed answers. That was why he found himself knocking on Elena’s door before anyone else was even awake.She opened it, her hair still slightly disheveled, but her sharp eyes locked onto him immediately. "You look like hell.""I need you to do something for me. And it has to stay between us."She raised a brow but stepped aside, letting him in. "What is it?"Ethan hesitated for a second, then said, "Look into the past leaders of the Jade Society. See what you can find."Elena frowned. "Why?"He sighed. "On the night I saved you, I'd been returning from a gala. And at the gala, this asshole Felix challenged me and said something that’s been bothering me ever since. He claimed he'd seen leaders rise and fall over decades in the Society. But here’s the thing—Clandestine has been the only l
Chapter 35: The Unknown Messenger
Ethan woke to the sharp blare of the alarm.His eyes snapped open. A second later, he was out of bed, feet hitting the cold floor. He barely registered that he was still in his pajama pants as he grabbed the pistol from his nightstand and bolted out of his room.The chill night air hit him as he stepped outside. Shouts rang through the estate. Guards were in pursuit of a masked man dressed in all black, their voices sharp with urgency.“Stop right there!”Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. The masked intruder moved with eerie precision, evading the guards like a shadow slipping through cracks.From the opposite corridor, Marcus and Jade emerged, drawn by the commotion. Their expressions were grim, eyes locking on Ethan before shifting to the masked man.The intruder wasn’t running away. Not anymore. The moment he sighted Ethan, he ran straight toward him."Get away from the Sire!"Ethan’s grip tightened around his gun. His stance shifted instinctively, shoulders squared,
Chapter 34: Romantic Intrigues
The wedding was set for the following year.The engagement party had been a success—on the surface, at least. The truce was intact. The demands had been negotiated. The power struggle had played out in polite, measured words instead of bloodshed.But Ethan felt no victory.Now, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse, he looked out at the sprawling city below. The skyline stretched endlessly, glowing under the moon’s quiet light. Yet, for all its vastness, he felt trapped.A pawn in a game too large for him to control.His reflection stared back at him in the glass, jaw tense, mind restless.Clandestine Woods.The real power behind the Jade Society. The woman who moved the pieces while he played the role of the grandmaster.His leadership? A front.His decisions? Guided.His life? Not his own.A soft rustle behind him. Then, warmth.Anna’s arms wrapped around his torso from behind, her bare skin pressing into his. He could feel her breasts against his back, the heat o
