The day of reckoning had arrived. Ethan straightened his tie in the executive washroom, steeling his nerves for the performance ahead. When he emerged, all traces of apprehension were smoothly masked behind his diplomat's smile. In the boardroom down the hall, his three guests awaited - Philip Carnegie a sweating, twitchy mess; the elder Waltons tense but composed. Ethan had kept them isolated on arrival as an assertive tactic before their "negotiations." Let them stew and speculate. Fear of the unknown unsettled people wonderfully.At his entrance, the trio stood hastily. Ethan noted with amusement how they subtly angled themselves away from each other. Good - he wanted them anxious and off-balance for now."My dear guests, so pleased you could make it," Ethan greeted them warmly as though welcoming old friends. "Please, sit. Can I offer refreshments before we begin?"Playing the genteel host, he poured sparkling water for Clara Walton and a stiff drink for Carnegie, who snatched at
Clara replaced the phone in its cradle, her heart pounding. What had she just agreed to? Could she really trust Ethan after everything he'd done to them?Yet she couldn't dismiss this potential olive branch outright. Not when their situation was so precarious. She started as the study door opened. Oliver entered, his broad face creasing when he saw Clara's distress. "What's happened, my dear? You look unwell." Clara sank into an armchair, motioning for her husband to sit. "That was Ethan Hunt. On the phone just now."Oliver's expression darkened. "What did that snake want?" Taking a deep breath, Clara explained the call - Ethan's talk of "truce", his offer of financial aid. Oliver's scowl deepened with each new detail."Please tell me you didn't entertain his nonsense for one second."Clara twisted her hands in her lap. "I...admittedly did not refuse outright. He dangled the possibility of a negotiated peace, with him providing resources to help our businesses recover."Oliver su
Oliver paced the threadbare living room rug, glancing regularly out the curtained window into the dreary rain. Evening was creeping in, and still no word from Clara on her clandestine errand. Each minute she remained away ratcheted up his worry further. Finally, headlights flashed up the driveway - Clara was back, along with two unfamiliar sedans following behind her. Oliver watched warily as Clara and Maya emerged, along with a small entourage of smartly suited men and women. Lawyers, by the look of them.Oliver opened the door to hurriedly usher the group inside, away from prying eyes. Turning to Clara, he kept his voice low. "What's going on? Who are these people?"Clara grasped his hands reassuringly. "It's alright, these are new allies. Maya's been busy recruiting assistance, and they have information that may turn the tide."While Oliver struggled to conceal his skepticism, Maya stepped forward. "I know you have little reason to trust us. But please hear what we've uncovered to
Oliver paced the plush carpeting of his study, gaze darting regularly to the mantel clock. Clara should have returned from her meeting with Ethan by now. Each minute she remained absent, his unease grew. Finally, approaching footsteps and murmured voices signaled Clara's return. Oliver hurried to the front hall, relief washing over him as he saw his wife and daughter removing their coats, both appearing unharmed."Thank God, you're back. I've been worried sick," Oliver said, enfolding Clara in an embrace. "Did everything go alright? What did that snake say?"Clara's smile seemed strained. "Let's discuss it over tea. It was...quite a conversation."Soon seated around the parlor coffee table, Clara recounted the meeting in detail for Oliver and Sophia's benefit. Ethan's offer of financial aid in exchange for the family's cooperation, the apparent olive branch. Oliver's scowl deepened with each new revelation. "I knew it. This so-called 'truce' is just another ruse to lure us into comp
Oliver paced the plush carpeting of his study, gaze darting regularly to the mantel clock. Clara should have returned from her meeting with Ethan by now. Each minute she remained absent, his unease grew. Finally, approaching footsteps and murmured voices signaled Clara's return. Oliver hurried to the front hall, relief washing over him as he saw his wife and daughter removing their coats, both appearing unharmed."Thank God, you're back. I've been worried sick," Oliver said, enfolding Clara in an embrace. "Did everything go alright? What did that snake say?"Clara's smile seemed strained. "Let's discuss it over tea. It was...quite a conversation."Soon seated around the parlor coffee table, Clara recounted the meeting in detail for Oliver and Sophia's benefit. Ethan's offer of financial aid in exchange for the family's cooperation, the apparent olive branch. Oliver's scowl deepened with each new revelation. "I knew it. This so-called 'truce' is just another ruse to lure us into compl
Oliver paced the plush carpeting of his study, gaze darting regularly to the mantel clock. Clara should have returned from her meeting with Ethan by now. Each minute she remained absent, his unease grew. Finally, approaching footsteps and murmured voices signaled Clara's return. Oliver hurried to the front hall, relief washing over him as he saw his wife and daughter removing their coats, both appearing unharmed."Thank God, you're back. I've been worried sick," Oliver said, enfolding Clara in an embrace. "Did everything go alright? What did that snake say?"Clara's smile seemed strained. "Let's discuss it over tea. It was...quite a conversation."Soon seated around the parlor coffee table, Clara recounted the meeting in detail for Oliver and Sophia's benefit. Ethan's offer of financial aid in exchange for the family's cooperation, the apparent olive branch. Oliver's scowl deepened with each new revelation. "I knew it. This so-called 'truce' is just another ruse to lure us into comp
Maya wasn't sure how much time had passed since Bolt and Ghoul's last visit. In the windowless room, day and night blended together into one endless torment of hunger. Her stomach had gone beyond painful cramping into a state of dull resignation, as if it had given up on ever being filled again. Even the fire in her veins from the injection had faded, leaving her weak and lightheaded.She drifted in and out of a fitful doze, slumped against the cold concrete wall. Strange visions swam through her mind - a roasted turkey with wings flying around her head, a chocolate fountain bubbling enticingly just out of reach. She could even smell the tasty foods from within her sleep. A loud bang jolted Maya awake. She jerked upright, heart pounding furiously, as the door swung open. Bolt strode in, his perpetual sneer even more infuriating now. Maya wanted to slap it off his face. But she could barely gather the strength to keep her head up."Wakey wakey," Bolt said with a cruel laugh. "I hope
In the predawn darkness, Maya crept from Ethan's bed where he still slept, the ghost of a smile on his lips. She shuddered, imagining what ruthless new schemes spawned such happy dreams for him. Shrugging on a robe, she tiptoed downstairs to unfold the day's newspaper. Her heart jolted seeing the headline splashed across the front page. "Scandal Rocks Society Wedding of the Year" blared the massive print, below the incriminating photo Clara had provided. Despite bracing herself, the lurid public spectacle still sent shame flaming through Maya.Heavy footsteps made her whirl around, hiding the paper behind her back. But it was too late. Ethan's blazing stare went straight to the concealed headline before locking onto her face. His expression promised murder."Give it to me," he commanded, deadly soft. When Maya hesitated, he snatched the paper from her grasp, features contorting with each damning word. "Who did this?" he finally snarled. "The Waltons? Carnegie?" His wild gaze bored i