Chapter 12
Ethan stood up, straightening his shirt and smoothing his hair. He couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness. He had yet to have a conversation with William Wayne, and he wasn't sure what to expect. Ethan followed the maid through the house and into the study, where William Wayne sat behind a large, mahogany desk. The room was filled with the scent of aged leather and pipe tobacco William looked up from his paperwork as Ethan entered. “Ah, Ethan,”he said, motioning for Ethan to take a seat. “I’m worried about you,it's unlike you to make up late even after all your alarm. It should not happen again Ethan. The Wayne are known for their punctuality you shouldn't spoil the family name, am I clear?”. ‘Yes sir’ Ethan replied ‘How was your test?’ William asked ‘It was Good sir’ Ethan replied William gave a satisfied nod, then spoke again. “'I'll have the staff ensure that your schedule and alarm clock are adjusted accordingly. In the meantime, I'd like for you to attend a family meeting tonight. It's important that you become familiar with the workings of the Wayne family business, and this meeting will provide you with an introduction to the various operations and responsibilities you'll be involved in.” Ethan nodded his agreement, his mind already turning to the tasks at hand. Ethan left the study, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the meeting that evening. He knew that there would be a lot of information to absorb and many expectations placed on him, but he felt up to the task. After all, he was a Wayne , and that name carried with it a legacy and a sense of responsibility. Ethan entered the meeting room to find James Thompson, the acting CEO of the Wayne company, sitting at the head of the table, with William Wayne, Ethan's grandfather, seated to his right. The room was filled with a sense of importance, and Ethan felt the weight of the occasion bearing down . Thompson turned to William and then back to Ethan, his expression serious. “ 'First, I want to address the elephant in the room. Mr. Wayne, you are aware that this meeting is highly unusual, as we have never had a meeting of this nature before.” William nodded, a grim expression on his face. “'I am aware, Mr. Thompson. This is an unprecedented situation, but one that needs to be addressed.” Mr. Williams leaned forward, his expression growing more intense. “'Indeed. I planned to pass the Wayne family company down to the Thompson family after the untimely death of my first son and my daughter in-law. And, with my other son being implicated in their deaths, he was no longer eligible to inherit the company, which left me with a difficult decision to make.” After much deliberation and observation, I believe that Ethan has the potential to continue the Wayne family legacy,' Mr. Williams said, his gaze falling upon Ethan once again. “'Ethan, I believe that you have the skills, the drive, and the ambition to lead the Wayne family company into the future. Therefore, I have decided that, upon your graduation, you will inherit the company and continue the Wayne name.” Ethan's jaw dropped in disbelief, his eyes wide with astonishment and disbelief. Mr. Thompson shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his expression a mixture of shock and displeasure. “'Mr. Wayne, this is highly irregular. Ethan is untested and inexperienced, and he doesn't have the business acumen to run a company of this size.” Mr. Williams held up a hand, a hint of irritation in his voice. “Mr. Thompson, I'm well aware of the risks involved in this decision. However, I believe that Ethan has the potential to be a great leader, given the proper guidance and support.” Mr. Thompson hesitated, but eventually spoke up. 'If Ethan is to inherit the company, I suggest that he work in the company for a year or two after graduation. This will give him time to learn the ins and outs of the business, and prove himself as a capable leader.” Ethan looked from Mr. Thompson to his grandfather, his mind racing. He could see the merit in Mr. Thompson's suggestion, but he also felt a sense of urgency to prove himself. Mr. Williams nodded, considering the proposal for a moment before speaking. “'Very well. Ethan, you will work in various departments within the Wayne family company for two years, learning the ropes and gaining valuable experience. At the end of that period, if I feel you are ready, the company will officially be transferred to you.” Ethan swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. Mr. Thompson’s face was a mask of barely contained rage. He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, glaring at Ethan with unbridled hatred. The idea of Ethan inheriting the company—his company—was like a knife twisting in his gut. He shifted his gaze to Mr. Williams, trying to find a way to change the older man’s mind. “‘Mr. Wayne, I implore you to reconsider. This decision could have dire consequences for the future of the company” Mr. Williams leaned back in his chair, his expression unyielding. “I have made my decision, Mr. Thompson, and it is final. The Wayne family company will be passed down to Ethan, and I expect you to help him transition into his new role. Is that understood?” Thompson’s nostrils flared, but he nodded stiffly. “'Of course, Mr. Wayne” Ethan couldn't believe his good fortune. In just a single meeting, his life had changed dramatically. He would be inheriting the Wayne family company, and with it, the power and influence to carry out his plan for revenge against Lucas and his family. As the meeting came to an end and Ethan was dismissed, he couldn’t help the smug smile that spread across his face. With his new position in the company, he would have the resources to make his dream a reality.Chapter 13 Fuming, Mr. Thompson walked out of the meeting room and headed for his car. He was seething with anger at the thought of Ethan inheriting the company. It was supposed to be his, and now it was being handed over to a boy with no business experienceAs he drove away from the Wayne estate, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Ethan had somehow played a part in his downfall. He clenched his teeth, determined to find a way to undermine theMr. Thompson stormed into his mansion, his mood dark and brooding. He didn’t bother taking off his coat or removing his shoes before he called for his family to gather for a meeting.His wife and two children looked at him in concern as he stalked back and forth, his hands clenched into fists. 'We need to talk,' he said, his voice tight with suppressed rage.Aurora, Mr. Thompson’s daughter, stepped forward, her face a mask of worry.'What’s happened, Daddy ?' she asked, her voice soft.Mr. Thompson stopped pacing and fixed her with a piercing
Chapter 14The dean’s office was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn over the windows. Ethan and Liam took their seats in the two chairs that faced the dean’s desk, the silence thick and oppressive.The dean leaned forward, his hands folded in front of him.'Gentlemen, I have been made aware of the events that occurred in Professor David’s class this afternoon.'Ethan and Liam both opened their mouths to speak, but the dean held up a hand to silence them.The dean’s voice was low and measured, but his words were as sharp as a blade.'Ethan, I am deeply disappointed in you. You have always been a model student, and to see you involved in something like this is disturbing, to say the least.'Ethan hung his head, the shame burning in his chest. 'Sir, I didn’t cheat. Liam was the one who was trying to cheat off me.'The dean turned his gaze to Liam, his eyes narrowed in scrutiny. 'And what do you have to say for yourself, Mr.?”Liam’s expression was a picture of remorse, but Ethan could s
Chapter 15Ethan sighed."Thanks for the offer, Alex, but I can’t ask you to erase those posts. My grandfather already knows about it. Besides, this is my mess. I’ll deal with it on my own."Alex’s brow furrowed. “You sure? It could help to get the heat off you.’Ethan’s jaw tightened. “No, I’m not sure. But this is what I have to do.’Ethan took a deep breath. ‘What I do need you to do is dig into the Davis family. Lucas Davis, specifically. See what you can find. The more I know, the better prepared I’ll be when I buy the school after graduation.’Alex’s eyes widened. “Buy the school? Damn, you really have it all planned out, don’t you?”Ethan smirked. “Just call me a long-term thinker.”‘We’ll talk tomorrow,’ Ethan said.Ethan hung up the phone, his mind still buzzing with plans for the future. As he pondered his next move, a knock sounded at the door. His maid stood outside, holding a tray of food.'Dinner, sir,' she said with a smile.Ethan took the tray and thanked her. He ate
Chapter 16Ethan blinked away the blurriness, his ears ringing with the echoes of the strange place he'd just been in. As his eyes adjusted to the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room, he saw a nurse leaning over him, checking his vitals.'His vitals are becoming stable, Doctor,' the nurse said, glancing over at a man in a white coat standing nearby.Ethan's mind was still racing with questions, but before he could ask any of them, the doctor approached his bedside.The doctor smiled, his gaze assessing but reassuring. 'Good to see you awake, Ethan. You’ve had quite a scare. Do you remember what happened?'Ethan shook his head, his thoughts still reeling. 'I…I’m not sure. One minute I was at home, and then I woke up here.'The doctor nodded. 'You suffered a cardiac event, most likely caused by stress. But the good news is, you’re going to be okay.’Ethan sat up in the bed, wincing slightly at the tug of the IV in his arm. 'How long have I been here?'The doctor consulted a
CHAPTER 17After an eventful day, Ethan finally made it back to his family's mansion,because he only had one class so he didn’t see the need to stay on campus. His feet were heavy with exhaustion. As he passed through the grand foyer, he glanced at the portraits of his ancestors that lined the walls, their gazes seeming to follow him.Retreating to his room, Ethan closed the door behind him with a heavy sigh. The events of the past week had been a whirlwind, and the conversation with the figure in the strange, surreal realm still lingered in his mind.After taking a long, hot shower, he slipped into some comfortable clothes and sank onto his bed, staring out the window at the setting sun. He tried to push the thoughts away, but the more he tried, the more they seemed to swirl around him like the clouds that had surrounded him in that other place. Retreating to his room, Ethan closed the door behind him with a heavy sigh. The events of the past week had been a whirlwind, and the con
CHAPTER 18Ethan recoiled in surprise as Madison pressed her lips against his. Pushing her away, he glared at her with a mix of confusion and anger. 'What are you doing?' he demanded, his voice laced with disbelief.Madison looked hurt, her expression shifting from playful to wounded. 'I thought you liked me,' she said, her voice tremulous.'I liked you in my past life, before you betrayed me,'He whispered to himself.As Ethan turned to leave the room, Madison gasped, her eyes wide. 'Wait, please!' she said, her voice desperate.Ethan stopped, but didn’t turn around. 'What?' he asked, his tone cold.'Don't go,' Madison pleaded. 'Please, Ethan. I can make you happy.'Ethan scoffed, but before he could speak, Madison pulled off her shirt, revealing her bare chest. 'Please,' she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion.Ethan froze, his mind racing.Alright:Just as Ethan was about to respond, he caught a glint of light in the corner of his eye. His gaze shifted, and he saw it: a small
CHAPTER 19Ethan stayed there at the lake, the darkness and the silence enveloping him like a blanket. He sat there for hours, staring out at the dark waters, his thoughts and emotions churning like the waves on the surface of the lake.The night seemed to stretch on forever, the stars twinkling overhead, the only sign of life the occasional rustle of leaves or the hoot of an owl.Ethan felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, the burden of his anger and his pain dragging him down.As the first rays of dawn began to filter through the darkness, Ethan finally stirred from his thoughts, his mind feeling clearer and more focused than it had been in days.He started the car, the engine growling to life, and pulled away from the lake.The road seemed to stretch on forever, the sun rising over the horizon, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the land.Ethan drove back to his mansion the anger and hatred still burning inside him, but tempered now by a sense of purpose and determin
Chapter 20Monday arrived, and Ethan woke up with a sense of dread and anticipation.Today was the day of his final exams. The day that would decide his fate, his future, his destiny.He rose from bed, his muscles tense and his heart racing, and pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.He grabbed his bag and stuffed it with his notes and textbooks, his mind already racing through the material he'd studied the night before.As Ethan walked to class, his thoughts were a whirlwind of excitement and nerves.He had worked so hard for this moment, for the chance to become Valedictorian, to be recognized as the best in his class, the best in the school.And he knew he was going to do it. He'd studied hard, he'd put in the work, he'd poured his heart and soul into his studies.He was going to ace these exams, he was going to prove to himself and the world that he was the best.As Ethan made his way to class, he spotted Benjamin striding towards him, his stride confident and sure.Benjamin fla