They clearly knew who she was, but refused to acknowledge it.Feeling a knot forming in his stomach, Ethan cautiously approached the woman, his stepshesitant as he prepared himself for the worst. How did she slip past security? However, beforehe could speak, the old man stepped forward, his expression firm."May I help you?" The old man asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.The woman's lips curved into a knowing smile as she extended her manicured hand, free fromblemish and adorned with fancy rings. "I'm Sandra Walton from House Walton."Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he processed her words. He just heard from the old manthat House Walton was one of the most powerful and influential houses in the city, and theirreputation for ruthlessness was well-known. He couldn't help but wonder what business theyhad with him, and why they had sent Sandra Walton to his office.Rachel, who had been quietly dialing the security, paused at Sandra's introduction, herex
“What-what did you hear?” The old man stuttered helplessly. He did not know that Master Ethanlistened in on the conversation.Ethan sighed, placing both hands into his pockets as a sign of defeat. “You weren't exactlydiscreet.”The old man knew it must be hard for Ethan to admit it. “You had a rough life, my boy.” Hebegan softly, his face giving nothing away. “I will take care of whatever you think might be theproblem. I just need you to focus on the situation at hand.His words made sense to Ethan.maybe it was time to get out of the pity wagon and join thecourage wagon. “Fine. About the fund raising event, I need to know the weaknesses andstrengths of each house.”The old man's eyes twinkled with interest. “That’s simply the best way to learn about them. I amglad you asked.”Immediately, Ethan was handed a sheet of paper and his pen strained against the paper inanticipation of what the old man was about to say.“There are five houses as you well know, but the house Anderso
“"Like sands of the sea,” he finished triumphantly.That made Ethan consider many points. “If they are that influential, why aren't they the head?”A disapproving finger wagged in front of Ethan – the old man's. “House Walton.”Ethan nodded in understanding. “All this means that the only thing the librarians have to showfor their expanse is their arrogance?”Rachel, who had been standing conspicuously in the room for a long time, cast a shocked gazeat the old man. The old man caught her gaze with the same fervency. “I know, I know. He hasn'teven met them but knows their weakness from the little I said,” the old man said softly so Ethanwouldn't hear.But Ethan did hear. What was he, a stone? Knowing the answer to that ridiculous question, hehid a smile.“The sworn enemies of House Rhodes are the House Walton?” Ethan wanted to be sure.“Yes.”Ethan's eyes widened as he observed his notes. “House Rhodes has a long line of industries,their Achilles' heel is their arrogance and I am
Ethan blinked in confusion. “Er..”Soft giggles filled the air.“We are sorry, Master Ethan.”Ethan figured their characters would be the same after a week. “What's funny?”“We love messing with people. I am Henric. You can call me Herin.” Henric bowed to Ethan'ssatisfaction. “You can differentiate the both of us from our hair. Dirty blond.” He quickly addedafter noting Ethan's blank face.“Come closer.” Ethan said. Up close, he saw what Heric meant. Herin's hair was light blond.“What is up with Suzan?”Both twins stared at themselves knowingly. They just had a way of communicating withoutspeaking. Ethan was getting irritated.“Well?”“She is…a bit under the weather.” The light blond responded.“Huh?”“We are sorry, Master Ethan but we don't know anything else about her mood today.”“Aha!” Ethan exclaimed, shocking the twins. “You do know about her mood.” He wanted to drillthe twins for more information, but he had to take breakfast and report to work.Unfortunately, they had to
His tuxedo, tailored to perfection, cooperated with every graceful movement he made. Thisfabric differed greatly from the clothes he wore the previous week, which smelled cheap andwere used even for special occasions. Ethan swore this tuxedo was limited as he stood beforethe mirror, admiring his broad shoulders. There was a definite difference between Ethan fromlast week and Ethan from this week.His bow tie, a silk white, added an air of class to his outfit, completing the look fit for a billionaire.He felt special. Ethan chuckled at his reflection. His flesh had certainly filled out in places henever imagined they would. Once upon a time, he was skinny and pale; now, his cheeks arerosy and plump. There weren't any blemishes or wrinkles.Ethan felt healthy. Why wouldn't he when he was living his dreams? Yesterday’s breakfast eventmade him smile more. Dish after dish had been served until Ethan couldn't eat anymore. Whenhe whined about being set up, the old man muttered som
At first, they didn't notice Herin standing at the door, observing the situation with hooded eyes.Not until he spoke.“Suzan.” Herin called carefully. Then, as if remembering a higher hierarchy was in the room,herin bowed a little. “Master Ethan.”He took a step back from Suzan. “It is time.”They both nodded, gesturing to the garage. On his way there, Ethan was a bit worried that Herinsaw what he shouldn't have. Would the old man frown on a master-servant relationship? Hewasn't sure. Suzan was a nice lady. Maybe he was going too fast.“Herin?” Ethan called once Suzan was a few steps ahead. He was sure she wouldn't hear theirconversation.The blonde turned immediately. “Yes, master Ethan?”“How long have you been standing at the door?”Herin raised an eyebrow. “I don't understand what you mean, sir.”Goodness, how Ethan failed to keep up with the twins was beyond him! They were giggly,always teasing, and the best at their jobs. Besides, the old man hired them, but there wasso
"Look, I'm not being defensive, I just don't see why it's any concern of yours.” Okay, now I ammaking it obvious, Ethan muttered under his breath.He trained for this! So why was he losing his cool? This could be a test too, he figured.Ethan took a deep breath to calm down. After all, there was nothing to hide. So what if therewas something going on between him and Suzan? He couldn't label it yet. “I don't see why it'sany concern of yours because we have other important matters to attend to.” Ethan put it insuch a nice way. He surely didn't want to offend the old man who took care of him. “We have afundraising event to attend to, don't we?”The old man sighed. “You'll be on your own at the event, but... Hmph, I am just trying to look outfor you, boy. You seem to be getting in deep with that girl.”“And what's wrong with that?” Ethan's tone was higher than he intended, yet he gave nothingaway.The old man felt he was blowing this out of proportion. He decided to bac
Paul came to the rescue, shielding Ethan from the relentless paparazzi. Ethan wanted to keepthis tuxedo clean through and through. Suzan handpicked the suit herself. She should be here,Ethan thought guiltily. It wasn't healthy for such a woman to be at home. Yes, it was her duty tokeep him professionally satisfied, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that Suzan should be herewith him."Are you missing her?" the old man inquired, gesturing towards the camera. He gave a dazzlingsmile that almost blinded Ethan.Instead of responding, Ethan sighed and rolled his eyes. If he hadn't been certain of the oldman's loyalty, it might have seemed like the old man was stealing the spotlight. He, too, raisedhis hands and smiled.He didn't know what his smile did to the paparazzi.They all swarm around him with their cameras. As the flashes of the cameras blinded him,Ethan tried to maintain his composure.“Jesus Christ!” He muttered under his breath, not used to such attention. On
The warmth of a quiet morning bathed Rhys and Denera in soft golden light as they sat together on a wide sofa in their tastefully decorated living room. The chaos that had consumed their lives for months felt like a distant memory. Denera rested her head on Rhys’s chest, his arm draped protectively around her. Their hands were intertwined, fingers lightly brushing against each other—a silent vow to never let go. "I still can’t believe we’re here," Denera murmured, her voice carrying a blend of disbelief and gratitude. Rhys tilted her chin up, his piercing gaze meeting hers. "We fought for this, Denera. We’ve been through hell, but we came out stronger. I don’t just love you—I’m in awe of you." She smiled, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. "And I’m in awe of us. Let’s promise to never let anything or anyone come between us again." Rhys leaned down and kissed her gently. "Not a chance. We’re unbreakable now." The two sat in silence for a moment, basking in the tranquility
The morning sun bathed the city in a golden hue as a soft breeze carried the fragrance of blooming flowers. A week has passed and normalcy has somewhat returned. It was a perfect day, fitting for an event of such grandeur. The wedding of Paul and Rachel-the moment everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. The venue was a masterpiece: one of the most magnificent halls in the city, renowned for its towering crystal chandeliers and intricately carved marble pillars. From the outside, the building glistened with a mix of modern architectural elegance and timeless charm. Inside, the hall was transformed into a dreamland. A canopy of white roses and orchids draped across the ceiling, interspersed with tiny, twinkling lights that mimicked a starry night. Golden chairs lined the aisle, their backs adorned with silk ribbons and floral arrangements. At the center, a raised platform housed an altar framed by cascading vines and glittering drapery. Guests began to arrive, dress
The dim light of Alex’s makeshift room flickered, casting shadows on the cracked walls and the scattered remnants of his old life. He sat on the edge of a wooden crate, methodically strapping his gear into place. His breaths were steady, but his eyes burned with purpose. Tonight was the night. This was what he had been training for—the moment he would finally free Laurel and eliminate Jason. Alex picked up his blade, its polished steel glinting in the faint light. He ran his fingers over the edge, testing its sharpness. A small scar on his knuckle caught his eye—a reminder of all the battles he’d fought leading up to this. He glanced at the photo of Laurel taped to the wall, her smile a beacon of hope amidst his darkened world. “This is it,” he muttered to himself. “For you, Laurel.”With his weapons secured and resolve hardened, Alex stood, pulling his hood over his head. He left the room without a glance back, the door creaking shut behind him.---The screen went black, the t
The sound of tires crunching over the gravel driveway broke the stillness of the evening as Rhys and Denera pulled up to Gerald’s sprawling mansion. The mansion stood like a fortress, its grand columns illuminated by golden lights that cast long shadows across the well-manicured grounds. As their sleek black car came to a halt, the doors swung open, and the pair stepped out, their presence commanding the attention of everyone nearby.Rhys adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit, his sharp features set in a calm but deadly expression. Beside him, Denera exuded quiet confidence, her heels clicking against the pavement as she moved. She wore a crimson trench coat, her eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of fury and satisfaction.The heavy front doors of the mansion creaked open, and Gerald emerged with his ever-present smirk plastered on his face. He was flanked by a small squad of armed guards, their weapons gleaming under the lights. Gerald was impeccably dressed, his dark green sui
The Anderson mansion was eerily quiet, the moonlight casting a pale glow over the scene of destruction. Ethan and Paul stood amidst the chaos, their eyes fixed on the lifeless bodies of Jackson and Sebastian sprawled across the bloodied garden. The heavy scent of iron lingered in the air, mixing with the faint rustle of leaves. Ethan’s chest heaved as he struggled to steady his breath, his shirt torn and stained with sweat and blood.Paul glanced at Ethan, concern etched on his face. "You good?" he asked, his voice low but steady.Ethan nodded, though exhaustion weighed on every inch of his body. He pulled out his phone, his hands trembling slightly, and dialed Sandra’s number. The ringing seemed to stretch on forever until her voice finally came through.“Ethan…” Sandra’s voice was weak, barely a whisper. Ethan’s stomach tightened. “Sandra, what happened? Are you okay?” he demanded, his tone laced with panic.There was a pause, and then she spoke again, her words strained. “Sebas
The Walton Mansion stood as a fortress of elegance, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, its high walls and elaborate architecture a testament to wealth and power. But tonight, the serenity of the estate was shattered. The elite strike team, led by Kiara, moved like shadows through the sprawling grounds, their movements silent yet deliberate.A muffled cry broke the stillness as one of the outer guards was taken down swiftly. Kiara stood in the shadows, her piercing gaze fixed on the mansion ahead. Her dark combat attire blended seamlessly with the night, and a wicked smile played on her lips. **This would be a night the Waltons would never forget.**“Move in,” she ordered, her voice low but commanding. Her team obeyed without hesitation, their precision and ruthlessness evident in every step. Inside the mansion, alarms blared as guards scrambled to defend their employer’s home. Shots were fired, echoing through the grand hallways, but the elite team was unrelenting. They moved w
The garden lay in eerie silence after the brutal fight between Ethan and Jackson. The once-pristine space was a battlefield, littered with trampled flowers and streaks of blood. Ethan leaned against the marble fountain, his chest heaving as he wiped sweat and blood from his face. His body screamed in protest with every movement, exhaustion weighing heavily on him.The cool night breeze did little to calm the storm within him. He glanced at Jackson’s lifeless body sprawled on the ground, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle. Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady his breathing. **One battle down, but this war is far from over.**The sound of measured footsteps shattered the silence.Ethan’s eyes snapped open, his body tensing as a tall figure emerged from the shadows. Sebastian. Dressed in a dark suit, the Tree House leader carried himself with the air of a predator who had finally cornered his prey. His piercing gaze fell on Jackson’s corpse, and his expression twis
The Anderson mansion loomed like a fortress under the moonlight, its pristine marble façade glinting ominously. The sprawling gardens surrounding it were immaculately kept, their beauty now cloaked in shadows as the night deepened. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but the tension hanging in the air was palpable.Jackson stepped out of the black SUV parked just beyond the gates, his heavy boots crunching against the gravel. He adjusted his leather gloves, the corners of his mouth curling into a grin that promised violence. The security guards at the gates eyed him warily, but he had been granted access. The intercom buzzed before one of the guards spoke, “You’ve been cleared to enter. Proceed to the garden.”Jackson raised an eyebrow, intrigued.” So, Ethan knew I was coming. Typical. The man had a flair for theatrics, after all.” Jackson strode confidently through the gates, his hand brushing against the hilt of the blade strapped to his side. The adrenaline surged in his vein
The grand hall of the Tree Symbol House was bathed in the warm, flickering glow of the fireplace, but the heat from the flames was nothing compared to the tension simmering in the room. Sebastian sat at the head of the long mahogany table, his sharp features etched with anticipation. Around him, the inner circle of the Tree Symbol House sat silently, their faces illuminated by the massive flat-screen television mounted on the wall. Kiara, Sebastian’s second-in-command, leaned back in her chair, her sharp, calculating eyes fixed on the news broadcast. Jackson, the most aggressive of the enforcers, stood near the window, arms crossed, his reflection distorted against the glass as he waited for orders like a loaded weapon. The rest of the members sat quietly, their unease palpable in the dimly lit room.The anchor on the television wore a neutral expression, but her words carried the weight of a bombshell. “Breaking news tonight: The court has found Ethan Anderson innocent of all cha