The atmosphere in the room had changed, the silence was deafening, one could hear a feather drop. Sarah still couldn't wrap her head around what had just happened, all she could do was stare at Mr. Dawson who had just made her see stars with just a life-threatening slap.
She still couldn't fathom the reason as to why she deserved that, she just stood there with her hands on her cheek which had turned pepper red. She fought so hard but lost to the drop of tear which dribbled down her cheek giving it a cool sensation as the slap had caused more harm than intended. “M-m-mr Dawson, I don't get it, surely whatever I have done would have been settled amicably.” Sarah muzzled out still fighting the tears that were ready to flow out like a broken reservoir. “You will apologize to Mr. Ethan right now, and I don't care what you have to say about it, you don't treat our important customers like that, let alone someone of such great esteem, where are your manners?” Sarah, still in the dark, wished anyone would say something she could understand. She looked over to Mr Ethan and then right back to Mr Dawson. Her heart couldn't handle such wicked behavior but she was a strong woman. Dawson, a cunning man, had noticed that Mr Ethan was in possession of the Black dragon card, this signifies extreme wealth and prestige and cards like that belong only to nobles. Trying to get on Mr Ethan's good side, he forces Sarah to apologize. “What!” Sarah said in disbelief as she is instructed to go on both knees and apologize to Mr Ethan and not just to apologize he pushes a little further and orders her to use the title “dad.” She couldn't believe her ears or anything at that moment. Sarah's feet were numb as she went on her knees and did as instructed with tears gushing down her eyes. Her humiliation was met with yet another inhumane act as Mr Ethan does not acknowledge her as his daughter. Her heart sank into her stomach. She still didn't know why this was happening to her. This time her tears no longer had a cold sensation but a burning one, she was humiliated down to nothing and she couldn't stand up for herself. Sarah felt like she had been stripped of her dignity. After Ethan was done with his escapades he takes out two boxes each filled with money from the bank. This left Sarah and Mr Dawson in awe, Sarah now understands why she was humiliated this much. Mr Dawson on the other hand was enticed by the soul- lifting amount of money Ethan had just carried out of the bank. Ethan got on his electric bike right after securing the money on his bike proceeds to head over to Emily's company. He wanted to be the prince that kisses sleeping beauty out of her sleep. He had planned to ease the financial burden she was currently facing. He zoomed off like one being chased by a pack of wolves and in no time, he was already at Emily's company. Just as he stepped down from his bike he saw someone he hated, Michael. He's confronted by his rival Michael, a returnee, a wealthy one at that but there was a problem, Michael had harbored feelings for long towards Emily and plans on winning her over with his money. “Heyyy, look who we have here, our little errand boy.” Michael said tauntily referring to Ethan, Michael was always in the habit of using his wealth to oppress people. He stated clearly that only he could save Emily's company from running into bankruptcy. He pointed at his flashy dressing and car trying to make Ethan feel inferior. “Watch your mouth you spoilt buffoon, don't make promises you can't keep so it's either you get out of here the easy way or the hard way.” Ethan threatened, still keeping his cool and walked towards the entrance. This level of audacity made Michael full of fury and he could only think of one thing to exert revenge, fighting. Feeling like a master in taekwondo, Michael rushed towards Ethan trying to knock him out with a blow or two but was easily disgraced as Ethan, a lethal martial artist could count his attacks. In a split second, Michael was on the ground bleeding from his nose and mouth. He was overpowered and had no choice than to beg for mercy for his dear life. Ethan lets him off with a warning. “Stay away from Emily, I'm not going to warn you again, make yourself useful and do something for the city since you're so wealthy. There's more from where that came from and I'm not afraid to show it to you, and unless you're used to being beaten up like a fourth grader you'll stay away from Emily, got it?”. Ethan pushed Michael towards the exit after he had inflicted a good number of bruises over his body. “That would teach him not to mess with just anybody he sees.” Ethan goes over to the restroom to clean himself up as he had blood stains and dirt all over him, he realized he had sustained an injury on his left foot. He tried to nurse it but he got distracted by the chatter going on. He decided to eavesdrop and he overheard some people talking about the fight that erupted between Michael and himself a few minutes ago with everyone supporting Michael. “I bet he just got lucky, he doesn't look like he's truly a fighter, it's just beginner's luck and I'm sure Emily would think so too, she's better off with that Michael guy. Ethan has such a low life, he's just like a mummy's boy.” This remark enraged him so much, he slammed his fist on the mirror in front of him and got a few cuts on his hands as the mirror shattered. Almost immediately Ethan puts a call through to Mr Lawrence, a private investigator and instructs him to find every single information about Michael. “I want you to find out everything about that guy Michael, everything Lawrence, everything, spare no detail. I want to know everything about him and his family, all his friends and enemies, even the source of his wealth. And please, make it quick.” Desperate to silence these doubting staff as well as the rest of the world, Ethan plans to reduce Michael to nothing better than a beggar. His hatred for Michael grew more bitter. He bit his lower lip as he let out a frustrated groan. Then he looked up to the fragment of mirror still standing and made a vow to bring Michael down. “I'll make sure no one recognizes you when I'm done with you Michael, I'll be your worst nightmare.” Ethan threatened after he hung up the phone. His plan was to ruin Michael and make him pay so much that he'll shiver anytime he hears the name Ethan. Ethan carefully washed his wounds with water and headed out of the restroom to go see Emily in her office. Ethan could hear people talk about him as he made his ways to Emily's office. He saw staff members jeer at him as he walked by. He tried to ignore the whispers from the staff but then again something hit him. He clearly heard them mock him and call him a softie husband. Ethan came to an abrupt halt wanting to tackle that but almost immediately decided to let it go as he walked with the boxes full of money into Emily's office. He walked smartly but with a little limp as a result of the fight with Michael. He continued walking while thinking of what to say if Emily asked him where he got so much money from. He was determined to help Emily but wasn't ready to reveal the true source of his new found power and wealth. He thought about just leaving the money for her to find but he figured that it would probably be identified with Michael so he had to do this in person. Just at Emily's door, he stopped and took a deep breath and then he knocked on the door quite mildly. He adjusted his clothes and tried to hide all the bruises on him.Emily seems to have a visitor, it was her best friend, Rachel. Rachel used every opportunity she got to blame Ethan for every problem Emily faces. She even went as far as blaming Emily for getting married to Ethan instead of Michael, the handsome and wealthy man. “He has a bright future you know, and what's more, he's a master of taekwondo, he would be able to protect you financially and physically too.” Rachel points out almost getting angry at Emily. She felt if Michael was her husband she wouldn't be having financial issues with her company. They heard a soft knock on the door and assumed it was Michael. In unison they both chorused “come in.” The look on their faces dropped when they realized who it was. Ethan walked in carrying the box of money. Ethan hated Rachel's guts, he felt she was the reason why Emily was acting up, he tagged her a bad influence on Emily. The feeling of hatred was mutual among these two. After seeing Rachel, Ethan was confused as to how to break the new
As the person stepped out of the vehicle, Ethan's eyes widened — Mr Lawrence. ‘what the hell is he doing here?’ Ethan thought to himself. The crowd drew close with those phones recording the moment as Mr Lawrence approaches Ethan. They probably thought Mr Lawrence was someone who was also going to humiliate Ethan but they were shocked and proved wrong when Mr Lawrence spoke. “What's going on here Mr Caldwell?” Lawrence asked as he immediately gestured at his bodyguard to come closer. The crowd shifted immediately still amazed. “What are you doing here?” Ethan asked in a whisper. “I heard what was going on and decided to branch by, I guess.” Mr Lawrence smirked. “You, take Mr Ethan here into the car,” he told his bodyguard who immediately escorts Ethan into the car. Ethan wouldn't have accepted but he had no other option, he had been humiliated enough. “What's happening, why is this rich man treating him like a god?” “I'm as shocked as you” “What's going on?” The crowd whis
Michael White had never been humiliated like this before in his life. The blow that Ethan Caldwell had dealt him—physically and financially—burned deep. He sat in his office, eyes burning with rage, as his phone rang off the hook with calls from business partners and investors. They all wanted answers. They all wanted to know how Ethan, the man they had all written off as a nobody, had managed to orchestrate the collapse of several of Michael’s ventures seemingly overnight. The board meeting earlier that day had been disastrous. Investors, once eager to throw their money into Michael’s enterprises, were now pulling out. Ethan had severed every business tie Kingsley Mountain had with Michael, cutting off his most valuable connections. Michael slammed his fist onto his desk, knocking over a stack of files. “That bastard!” he growled. “How did he do it? How did he manage to ruin me?” His assistant, Tim, stood at the door, visibly nervous. “Sir, there’s more bad news,” Tim stammered. “T
Ethan sat in his office, reviewing the latest financial reports from Kingsley Mountain. Despite all the chaos with Michael and the Harrisons, the company remained strong, its influence untouchable. But something nagged at him—an uneasiness he couldn’t quite place. The phone rang, breaking his focus. Ethan picked it up. "Yes?" Ryan’s voice came through the line, his tone hesitant. "Ethan, I... I just received some information. It’s about your family." Ethan frowned. "What is it?" "It’s your brother. John." Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t heard that name in years. John Caldwell—his older brother—had been presumed dead in a tragic accident over a decade ago. The grief had been devastating for Ethan and the rest of his family, but they had eventually moved on, though the loss left a deep scar. "What are you talking about, Ryan? John’s dead." Ryan’s voice was tense. "That’s what we all thought, but it seems he’s resurfaced. And there’s more. He’s been living in the shadows, E
Ethan's heart was laced with fear and anxiety as he walked with his wife into the opulent mansion of the Harrisons. This was the second time they were calling for a meeting that week, and Ehan knew well enough that it was his matter they wanted to discuss. He knew how bad that was going to be. After all, he was a hopeless son-in-law, and he knew his wife's family were totally dissatisfied by her choice of marriage. The Harrisons hated Ethan. They treated him with contempt as his marriage to their daughter was like an insult to their face, yet they let him marry her because he saved her life— and their daughter, Emily would be forever indebted to him. Mrs Vanessa Harrison scrunched her nose as if she'd just perceive an offensive odor as Ethan walked in. Her face hid no trace of contempt and disgust as she was irritated by Ethan's presence. “Have a sit,” she urged him, and motioned to the vacant chairs that was left for him and his wife. Ethan obliged and sat down next to his wife, a
Ethan paced around in his home as he contacted Kingsley Mountain. After so many years, he'd finally considered taking his inheritance and he was fueled with strong determination. “This is Ethan Caldwell,” he said casually over the phone as he spoke to the chairlady. “Mr Ethan… This is him, if I'm not mistaken right?” “Of course.” “Well, I'm glad you called,” she said enthusiastically butin a surprised tone. Perhaps, she never expected him to call. “Thank you,” Ethan replied. “Uhm….” He scratched his head, not sure of what to say next. He actually wanted things to fall in place. His wife would be taken away from him in no time if he didn't do anything. He really loved Emily and could not afford to let her be in the arms of another. There was only one thing to do. “Liam White,” he began. “I heard that he has a solid connection with Kingsley Mountain, is that true?” “Yes, sir, of course. He's also one of the prominent shareholders in the company.” “Well, I want you to cut all tie
Emily was shocked and dumbfounded. She stared at the two men who were engrossed in a deep conversation. She walked to both men who happened to be her husband, Ethan and Mr Lawrence. “Y-you both know each other?” “Uh, yes, actually. I uhm… I was helping Mr Lawrence with a heart attack. He encountered a heart attack, so….” Emily wasn't convinced with her husband's reply. She looked at him, and he noticed a hint of skepticism in her eyes. “Really, I don't remember you being a doctor or a healthcare practitioner.” “Well, uhm…” “He actually helped me to suppress the heart attack I had. I was the one that called him over. He's a good man, your husband. And I'm glad he'd visited.” Ethan was surprised at how well Mr Lawrence played along with him but he was glad he did that to help him. Emily's gaze shifted from her husband to Mr Lawrence and then back to her husband, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets. It wasn't adding up— every single thing. There was something going on wit