2025-02-21 03:04:41
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 8: First Test of Power
Ethan stepped into the gleaming conference room, his nerves buzzing as the doors slid shut behind him. The walls were lined with sleek, interactive displays showing stock market updates, industry analytics, and lists of global assets under the Jade Society’s control. It was all so overwhelming, so surreal, yet somehow, the necklace resting against his chest made him feel . . . ready.Marcus stood at the head of the long glass table, his cane resting against the chair beside him. His ever-present no-nonsense expression softened slightly as he gestured toward the three women seated nearby.“Wilder,” Marcus began, “meet your personal team. They’ll report directly to you and assist with your day-to-day responsibilities as the leader of the Jade Society.”Ethan blinked, glancing at the three women who turned their sharp, intelligent gazes toward him. Each of them radiated confidence and poise, though their styles and demeanors couldn’t have been more different.“This is Anna,” Marcus said,
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 9: The Transformation
Ethan stood in front of the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the man staring back at him. The tailored black suit fit perfectly, accentuating his broadening shoulders and lean frame. His reflection exuded power, the kind that commanded attention without needing to say a word.It hadn’t happened overnight.Weeks of grueling training had sculpted his body, sharpening his features and instilling a confidence he’d never thought possible. Gone were the hunched shoulders and tired eyes of the overworked convenience store clerk. In their place was a man who moved with purpose, his every step deliberate, his every word calculated.“Not bad,” Victoria said from behind him, a sly smile playing on her lips. “You actually look like you belong in the room now.”Ethan turned, raising an eyebrow. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”“It is,” she said with a shrug, stepping forward to adjust his tie. “You’re starting to carry yourself like a leader. People notice that.”He glanced down at the jade
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 10: A Return to the Past
The gleaming black SUV rolled to a smooth stop in front of the small supermarket, its polished exterior catching the sunlight and reflecting it like a mirror. The vehicle looked completely out of place in the rundown neighborhood, its presence alone turning heads.Inside the shop, Mr. Harris, the store manager, sat behind the counter, sorting through receipts. He glanced up at the security feed and froze. His wrinkled hands trembled as he rewound the footage to get a closer look at the SUV.“Who . . .?” he muttered, his chest tightening with unease. The last time strangers in fancy cars had come looking for someone here, they’d taken Ethan.The driver’s door opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out. Dressed in a tailored gray suit, his shoes gleaming as brightly as the car, the man exuded an air of authority that filled the street like a ripple of power.Mr. Harris squinted at the screen, his stomach flipping when two other men in dark suits emerged from the SUV and stood
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 11: Strengthening Connections
Ethan stood in the grand hall of one of the Jade Society’s private estates, a sprawling mansion perched on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The evening sun poured through the tall windows, casting the room in a warm golden glow.This wasn’t just a meeting—it was a test.Dozens of influential figures from the Jade Society had gathered, their tailored suits and sparkling jewelry reflecting the wealth and power they commanded. These were the movers and shakers of industries, the hidden players behind governments and corporations.And they were all here for him.“Mr. Wilder,” Marcus said quietly, stepping up beside him. “Remember, this isn’t just about shaking hands. You need to show them you belong here. They may be loyal to the society, but they’re not loyal to you—yet.”Ethan nodded, his jaw tightening. He adjusted the cuffs of his suit, the jade necklace resting heavily beneath his shirt. “Got it.”“Good,” Marcus said, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. “Your team is here to support
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.
Latest Chapter
Chapter 11: Strengthening Connections
Ethan stood in the grand hall of one of the Jade Society’s private estates, a sprawling mansion perched on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The evening sun poured through the tall windows, casting the room in a warm golden glow.This wasn’t just a meeting—it was a test.Dozens of influential figures from the Jade Society had gathered, their tailored suits and sparkling jewelry reflecting the wealth and power they commanded. These were the movers and shakers of industries, the hidden players behind governments and corporations.And they were all here for him.“Mr. Wilder,” Marcus said quietly, stepping up beside him. “Remember, this isn’t just about shaking hands. You need to show them you belong here. They may be loyal to the society, but they’re not loyal to you—yet.”Ethan nodded, his jaw tightening. He adjusted the cuffs of his suit, the jade necklace resting heavily beneath his shirt. “Got it.”“Good,” Marcus said, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. “Your team is here to support
Chapter 10: A Return to the Past
The gleaming black SUV rolled to a smooth stop in front of the small supermarket, its polished exterior catching the sunlight and reflecting it like a mirror. The vehicle looked completely out of place in the rundown neighborhood, its presence alone turning heads.Inside the shop, Mr. Harris, the store manager, sat behind the counter, sorting through receipts. He glanced up at the security feed and froze. His wrinkled hands trembled as he rewound the footage to get a closer look at the SUV.“Who . . .?” he muttered, his chest tightening with unease. The last time strangers in fancy cars had come looking for someone here, they’d taken Ethan.The driver’s door opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out. Dressed in a tailored gray suit, his shoes gleaming as brightly as the car, the man exuded an air of authority that filled the street like a ripple of power.Mr. Harris squinted at the screen, his stomach flipping when two other men in dark suits emerged from the SUV and stood
Chapter 9: The Transformation
Ethan stood in front of the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the man staring back at him. The tailored black suit fit perfectly, accentuating his broadening shoulders and lean frame. His reflection exuded power, the kind that commanded attention without needing to say a word.It hadn’t happened overnight.Weeks of grueling training had sculpted his body, sharpening his features and instilling a confidence he’d never thought possible. Gone were the hunched shoulders and tired eyes of the overworked convenience store clerk. In their place was a man who moved with purpose, his every step deliberate, his every word calculated.“Not bad,” Victoria said from behind him, a sly smile playing on her lips. “You actually look like you belong in the room now.”Ethan turned, raising an eyebrow. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”“It is,” she said with a shrug, stepping forward to adjust his tie. “You’re starting to carry yourself like a leader. People notice that.”He glanced down at the jade
Chapter 8: First Test of Power
Ethan stepped into the gleaming conference room, his nerves buzzing as the doors slid shut behind him. The walls were lined with sleek, interactive displays showing stock market updates, industry analytics, and lists of global assets under the Jade Society’s control. It was all so overwhelming, so surreal, yet somehow, the necklace resting against his chest made him feel . . . ready.Marcus stood at the head of the long glass table, his cane resting against the chair beside him. His ever-present no-nonsense expression softened slightly as he gestured toward the three women seated nearby.“Wilder,” Marcus began, “meet your personal team. They’ll report directly to you and assist with your day-to-day responsibilities as the leader of the Jade Society.”Ethan blinked, glancing at the three women who turned their sharp, intelligent gazes toward him. Each of them radiated confidence and poise, though their styles and demeanors couldn’t have been more different.“This is Anna,” Marcus said,
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
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
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
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.
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
