From Ashes to Eminence

Chapter 2. Second Chance

Ethan hailed a cab, carefully securing Emily's car seat before handing her over to the daycare staff at Kids Haven. The registration process had taken longer than expected, but he'd managed to negotiate a partial payment plan. Although he wasn't much of a haggler, but he did try to haggle at the f*e he was to pay. In the end, he had to concede to their demand and paid the amount required.

He kissed Emily on the cheek and the little girl smiled. Ethan then rushed out of the daycare building, he knew he could not appear late for the interview else he may just lose this opportunity to change his life and that of his daughter.

As the cab sped toward Overlord Stocks, Ethan's anxiety grew. This interview could change everything. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself.

The cab stopped in front of the sleek, glass-faced Overlord Stocks building. Ethan paid the fare, grabbed his briefcase, and stepped out onto the sidewalk. He still could not believe he was finally going to get an actual office job. The salary would be enough to afford a standard living, three square meals a day, and of course, his daughter's livelihood.

Inside, the receptionist, a poised woman with a warm smile, greeted him. "Welcome, Mr. Wright. You're here for the interview, I presume?"

"Yes, that's right," Ethan replied, straightening his tie.

"Please, take a seat in the lobby. Someone will call you shortly."

Ethan nodded, scanning the modern decor as he sat down. The lobby bustled with activity, professionals hurrying to and fro. He looked himself over, making a mental note to buy a new suit once he gets enough money. He could see he was the only one who appeared odd in the giant building.

Ten minutes passed before the receptionist called out, "Mr. Wright?"

Ethan stood, smoothing his suit jacket. "That's me."

"Mr. Thompson, our manager, is ready to see you now. Please, follow me."

She led Ethan to a spacious office on the top floor, the city skyline gleaming through the window. A middle-aged man with a firm handshake and piercing blue eyes rose from behind the desk.

"Ethan Wright, delighted to meet you. I'm Mr. Thompson." the middle-aged man said in a crispy voice.

"Likewise, sir," Ethan replied, taking a seat.

Mr. Thompson's expression turned serious. "Let's get down to business, Mr. Wright. Your resume impressed us, but we need someone who can handle pressure. Can you tell me about your experiences at Financial Horizon?"

Ethan launched into a concise account of his time at Financial Horizon, highlighting his achievements and the circumstances surrounding his departure. Although recalling these events hurt him, he didn't let it show on his face as he answered the manager's question.

Mr. Thompson listened intently, his expression unreadable.

Just as Ethan finished his account, the office door swung open. A tall, imposing figure stepped in, commanding attention. Mr. Thompson rose from his seat, executing a slight bow.

"Ethan, this is Marcus Noah, our CEO," Mr. Thompson announced, his tone deferential.

Ethan's eyes widened as Marcus's gaze locked onto his. The familiar smirk twisted Marcus's face.

"Ah, Ethan," Marcus drawled, his voice dripping with condescension. "The prodigal son, crawling back for scraps."

Ethan's face burned with shock and anger.

"You set this up? You're... you're behind this?" Ethan stuttered. The moment his brain registered Manager Thompson's words of Marcus being the CEO, he knew at once that this interview was a sham.. and his brother was behind it.

Marcus chuckled, strolling closer. "I wanted to see if you'd learned your lesson. Are you still groveling in poverty, or have you managed to scrape together a semblance of dignity?"

Marcus's words cut deep, each one a precision-crafted dagger.

"You're like a dog, Ethan," Marcus sneered. "A dog that runs back to its master, tail wagging, hoping for a pitiful bone. You think you deserve better? You think you're worthy of our family's name?"

Ethan's fists clenched, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"What do you want, Marcus?" Ethan asked, his voice steady.

Marcus's smirk broadened. "I wanted to see if you'd bite. And you did. Hook, line, and sinker."

Mr. Thompson shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension.

"Ethan, I.."

"Leave us, Mr. Thompson," Marcus interrupted, dismissing the manager with a wave.

As the door closed behind Mr. Thompson, Marcus's gaze pierced Ethan.

"You'll never be one of us, Ethan. You'll always be the illegitimate child, the footnote in our family's history."

Ethan's resolve hardened.

"I don't need your approval or your family's name," Ethan declared, meeting Marcus's gaze. "I'll make my own way."

Marcus's laughter echoed through the office.

"We'll see about that," Marcus said, turning to leave. "You'll always be beneath us, Ethan. Remember that."

The door closed, leaving Ethan furious and dejected.

*

Ethan stepped out of the Overlord Stocks building, the cool evening air offering no solace. Despite his brave words to Marcus, the weight of reality crushed him. As long as the Noah family held sway, he'd never escape their shadow.

Dejection settled in, Ethan's feet carried him as if on autopilot while his mind roamed. His mind wandered to Emily, her innocent smile was a beacon in the darkness. Due his thoughts being somewhere else, he didn't check the traffic lights.

As he crossed the intersection, the sudden screech of tires shattered the calm. Ethan's heart raced, his instincts screaming warning.

He spun around, but it was too late. The world narrowed to a single, blinding moment.

Ethan's thoughts dissolved into chaos, his final coherent thought a desperate cry:

"Emily.. my baby..."

Everything went black.

*

«Data collection complete. Host matches the requirement of the system. Host's current status: Deceased. Injecting revitalization serum to Host. Host current status: critical. Injecting advanced healing serum to Host. Host current status: Salvageable. Injecting modified blood orchid elixir to Host. Host current status: Perfect.»

Thump... Thump... Thump...

Ethan's completely stopped heart started beating again. His chest heaved as his nostrils sucked oxygen in, making him alive again. His body that had gone pale started gaining color again as blood flow resumed in his body. His body gained back all the senses he had lost. He was alive again.