"Come on, Ethan, you’ve got this. I’m sure of it. There’s no reason to freak out," James said, fixing Ethan's collar and straightening his tie. He wanted to boost Ethan’s confidence.The two of them had left home early that morning, determined to meet one important person: Ford’s youngest son. They were heading to finalise a big contract with him since he had agreed to team up with Newhope Robotics Company. This deal was important, and James wanted to make sure Ethan was ready to impress.But even with the announcement made on live broadcasts, there was still a lingering fear that Ford's youngest son might back out of the deal. The contract wasn’t set in stone just yet, and Ethan knew he had to give it everything he had to make sure it went through. Until the final signatures were on the paper, there was no room for error."Stay calm?" Ethan scoffed, watching as James fussed over every little detail, trying to get everything just right. "You're the one who needs to stay calm, James,
"Stop the car!" Ethan commanded with intense determination, his eyes sharp and focused.James looked bewildered. "What? Why? We need to get back home. Did you forget something? Maybe a part of the contract you didn’t sign? I can go back…" He started to get out of the car, ready to fix whatever might have gone wrong.Ethan quickly grabbed James’s arm, stopping him. "No, it’s not about the contract. It’s something else. You and Ryker need to leave without me. I’m taking the car. I need to go back to the company for something important."“At the company? At this time of night? Isn’t it too late for that? Come on, Ethan… it can wait until tomorrow,” James suggested, but Ethan shook his head, showing he was determined.“You don’t get it. I can’t wait until tomorrow. I need it right now. You and Ryker… get out of the car!” He ordered, leaving them both stunned and confused.Without saying anything more, Ethan got out of the car and walked around until he reached the driver’s side. He opened
"Ryker, what’s going on?" Ethan’s voice came out deep and steady, but the tightness in his chest betrayed the calm tone. His brows knitted together as he waited for Ryker to explain why he had suddenly called.Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The last he checked, Ryker and James were doing just fine. They were grown men, fully capable of making it back to the mansion on their own. So why was Ryker calling now, in the middle of the night?"Mr. Ethan, it’s your mother!" Ryker’s voice trembled slightly, and Ethan's heart skipped a beat. Panic began to creep in, tightening its grip on him. If there was one thing in this world Ethan couldn't bear to joke about, it was his mother. His mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last."What happened to her, Ryker? Tell me right now!" Ethan’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, sharp and demanding. His brows shot up, his body bracing for the worst as he awaited Ryker’s next words."She's missing, S
“No! You can’t go… you—” James began, his voice tinged with desperation as he reached out to stop Ethan. But his attempt was futile. Ethan’s mind was made up, his determination unshakable. The urgency in his eyes left no room for compromise, especially with his mother missing.Ethan’s fists were tight balls of frustration as he bit down hard on his tongue, suppressing the roar of anger and fear threatening to burst out. A bitter scoff escaped his lips, his gaze sharp and resolute. “That’s exactly it, James. You can’t stop me. This is something I have to do, and not even the heavens themselves can change that!” His voice was a fierce declaration, filled with an intensity that brooked no argument.Without waiting for James or Ryker to respond, Ethan turned on his heel and stormed out of the mansion. His footsteps were purposeful and driven, each one echoing his urgency. He flung open the door of his car with a force that spoke of his desperation, barely pausing to register the engine
“Who are you?” The maid’s voice trembled with fear as she looked up, her eyes widening at Ethan’s imposing, enraged presence. She took an instinctive step back, her hands clutching the bed linens as if they could offer her some protection against Ethan’s storm of fury.“I’ll ask the questions, young lady,” Ethan said through gritted teeth, his voice cold and menacing. “Now, where’s your boss? Where is—” His demand was cut off as the bathroom door creaked open, and Samuel emerged, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. The nonchalance in Samuel’s demeanour only fueled Ethan’s rage.“Looking for me, Ethan?” Samuel’s voice was laced with mockery as he casually dried his hair with a towel. His right eyebrow arched in feigned curiosity. “Are you so obsessed with me that you couldn’t wait for me to get some rest?”Ethan’s eyes flared with anger. “I’m pretty sure you know why I’m here,” he snarled, his voice low and threatening. Samuel merely scoffed, treating the situation with an air
As Ethan stormed out of Samuel’s mansion, a wave of shame and regret washed over him. The gravity of his situation struck him hard: his mother was missing, and he had no idea where to find her. The meeting with Samuel had yielded no answers, only deepened his anguish.His eyes stung with the threat of tears, but he fought them back with a grim determination. The workers at Samuel’s mansion watched him with a mix of curiosity and pity, their whispers barely audible over the distant hum of the night. Ethan felt their gazes like piercing needles, their silent judgement branding him as nothing more than a madman driven to the edge of sanity.Without a second glance at the mansion or its workers, Ethan climbed into his car. The engine roared to life, its growl a stark contrast to his inner troubles. He slammed the gear into drive and sped away, the tires screeching as they struggled to grip the road.His mind was a storm of rage and confusion as he raced back home. Every heartbeat see
“I’m the bartender at Monique’s Bar… Your boss is completely out of it and needs help. Please come get him out of here,” the bartender explained, his concern growing as he glanced at Ethan’s dishevelled state.With a curt acknowledgment, James ended the call. His frustration was palpable as he stormed out of the mansion, urgency driving his every step. The drive to the bar was swift, fueled by worry and impatience.When James arrived at the bar, the sight before him was grim. Ethan was slumped in a chair, the remnants of his drinking binge evident in the empty bottles and glasses scattered around him. The dim lighting and the messy scene struck James with a mix of shock and disappointment. “Shit!” he muttered under his breath, rushing to Ethan’s side.He gently but firmly helped Ethan sit up, noting the disorientation and tears streaking down his friend’s face. Ethan’s eyes were glassy, his expression a mix of pain and self-loathing. As James prepared to carry him out, Ethan’s voic
Ethan shuffled closer to the nightstand, his footsteps growing heavier with each step. The dim light from the lamp cast long shadows, making the room feel eerie and suffocating. As he neared the nightstand, his heart pounded, and an icy dread began to coil around his chest.His hand trembled, and he clenched his fist tightly, fighting against the rising anxiety that twisted in his gut. His fingers finally reached the paper, which felt unnervingly cold and damp. He pulled it towards him, the edges crumpling under his grip. With a deep breath, he flipped it open, every movement feeling like it took an eternity.The message was blunt and ruthless. It simply stated that his mother was gone. The words hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him gasping for breath as the world seemed to tilt around him.Ethan's eyes filled with tears as he stared at the letter, the sight bringing back painful memories. "They left a letter after all, just like when Ryan was taken," he mumbled, his voice