THE ANCESTRAl HEIR SYSTEM

Chapter 3: She Kicked Ethan out

In Ethan's mindscape, digital chimes formed a symphony, harmonizing with the emergence of a serene voice.

 

"New Host Founded. Welcome, esteemed Master. I am Amanda, your Ancestral heir System. It is my pleasure to guide you through this grand initiation?"

"Let's see what you got?," Ethan replied, his voice tinged with both curiosity and trepidation.

"Initiating system loading sequence. 100%... 90%... 60%... 40%... 20%... 10%... Congratulations, Master! You have successfully unlocked the Ancestor System."

The ethereal voice accompanied a mesmerizing display of code materializing before Ethan's eyes. As if guided by an unseen force, the code coalesced into an intricate screen, presenting two distinct options:

"Grand Master Legacy."

"New Mission"

"Please select your desired starting point, Young Master."

Ethan, his heart thrumming with anticipation, made his choice. "Let's begin with the Grand Master Legacy."

"An excellent decision, Young Master. The Grand Master Legacy unveils the rewards and accomplishments of your predecessors, passed down through the Ancestral Heir System. It grants you access to their accumulated wealth and resources."

"What exactly is my father's legacy?" Ethan inquired, eager to unravel the secrets of his lineage.

"Your father, through his masterful navigation of the system, amassed an extraordinary legacy. He holds ownership of one of the world's most esteemed entertainment conglomerates, The Walt Disney Company, valued at $920,989."

"Additionally, he possesses a collection of exquisite Bugatti Centodieci automobiles, each a testament to refined engineering and unparalleled performance."

The realization left Ethan in wide-eyed disbelief. 

The fact that his father owned one of the world's leading companies and possessed the most luxurious car store in Los Angeles was a shocking revelation. 

It casts a harsh light on the stark contrast between his father's opulent life and Ethan's struggles, living like a mere shadow in his in-laws' house.

The air crackled with anticipation as Ethan, still reeling from the revelation of his family legacy, spoke into the void. "Next, the New Mission!" he commanded, his voice firmer than it had been moments ago.

The holographic screen pulsed again, a symphony of light morphing into a mesmerizing "countdown: 50%... 30%... 10%... 0."

Just then, a discordant note intruded. Ethan's phone vibrated, shattering the digital silence. 

Expecting yet another mundane notification, he absentmindedly reached for it.

But the message that greeted him froze the blood in his veins. Wide-eyed, he stared at the screen, disbelief etched on his face. It wasn't a taxi customer, he thought it was. It was a simple statement: 

"1 million dollars credited into your commercial bank."

Confusion warred with excitement in his mind. How? Why? A million dollars, just like that? Without breaking a sweat? Before he could spiral further into the whirlpool of questions, the holographic screen sprang back to life.

"Mission started" it declared, its voice imbued with a hint of playful urgency. 

"You have 45 minutes to spend the entire sum. The clock is ticking, Master Ethan."

Ethan's mind raced. A million dollars in 45 minutes. It sounded like a fantastical challenge, a game thrown down by an unseen entity. 

His gaze flickered, landing on the plain clothes he wore. A smirk danced on his lips. Mother-in-law's birthday, was it? He'd show them a birthday they wouldn't soon forget.

His father's card, miraculously inscribed with his name, pulsed once, then twice. 

The countdown began: 60 seconds, 59, 58... With a triumphant laugh, Ethan knew exactly where this game would start. He had a million dollars, a blank canvas, and a ticking clock. The show was about to begin.

****** 

As Ethan arrived at the SuitFella Store, the grandest and most opulent establishment in town, owned by his mother-in-law, he stepped out of his taxi. 

Glancing at the time displayed on his wristwatch, he noted that he had 18 minutes left, having used 27 minutes during the drive.

Approaching the entrance, he encountered an imposing security guard who blocked his way. 

The guard, stern and unwavering, declared, "Please move away; people like you are not expected in this store," gesturing for Ethan to avoid using the glass door.

Ethan, taken aback, retorted, "Who are you? Do you know who I am?" Before he could continue, a voice intervened.

"Shut your mouth. Who are you? Aren't you also a servant to the Reynolds family? You and him, what's the difference?" The voice belonged to a woman behind the security guard.

"Allow him in. Perhaps Ms. Julia Reynolds might send him here to pass down some message to us concerning her birthday party tomorrow." Samantha Mitchell, Ms. Julia Reynolds's personal assistant, intervened.

"Come with me!" She instructed, guiding Ethan past the security guard.

As Ethan followed her in, he glanced at the wristwatch again, seeing that he had 10 minutes left. But suddenly, Samantha turned to Ethan and said,

"I was thinking of taking you to my office to discuss what brought you here, but a poor man like you doesn't deserve to be in my office!" She hesitated for a minute, her gaze swiping Ethan's body from head to toe.

"Let's discuss this here. What brings you here?" she said, her arms resting on the receptionist's desk.

"I want to get a suit that is worth 1 million dollars! It is urgent!!!" Ethan said, his face carrying a hint of seriousness.

But as the words left his mouth, mocking laughter suddenly escaped Samantha's lips. 

"You must be joking. Where did you find that amount of money from, or did you steal it from Ms. Julia? Because everybody knows that your wife feeds you, and where does a poor man like you get that huge amount of money from?" She rolls her eyes, her hand flicking back her long hair.

"That's none of your business? I'm here to purchase a suit? My wife feeding me doesn't mean that you have the privilege to insult me?" Ethan warned.

"I can't find anything special about you, and I don't know what the Reynolds family found in you, that they allowed a poor human like you to get married to their daughter!?!" Samantha exclaimed, capturing the attention of nearby onlookers.

Ethan's face, boiling with anger, exclaimed back to her face." Enough of this, Samantha! I won't stand by while you make a fool of me. I refuse to tolerate this treatment from you or Reynolds any longer!" he declared.

"Do you think I'm, I'm not, but I'm just telling you the fact, Ethan, you're worthless. No wonder you are always an errand boy to the Reynolds family!?!" She said. 

"I now understand why you're reluctant to leave the  Reynolds' house with this mess they showed you. It's clear you're only interested in their wealth!" Samantha spat out.

"Samantha, I'm done with all your drama, just give me what I want and let me leave!!!" Before he could finish his words suddenly, the system's holographic screen sprang in his face, showing the time left.

"1 minute with 34 seconds left, and you must accomplish your task and if that is not done you know the consequence, Young Master!"

"No, not this time. What do you think the crowd will think of me now?? Please leave Amanda; I know that I'm not the only one seeing this!?!" He said. 

"People will think I've got a superpower!?!"

"Remember, Young Master, I'm only in your head. You're the only one who knows what's going on in there. Fight against the demon inside you, compose yourself. No one's watching. Focus on the time left. And do you know the outcome of this challenge!?!"

The System's last word made Ethan's mind race with anticipation, remembering the consequences.

 

Was this it? Was this the final scene in his hastily rewritten life?

His vision blurs, sweeping over the onlookers nearby, whispers filling the air. "Take this man out of here; he's going crazy!" a voice exclaimed from the crowd.

Desperate for a solution, his mind raced. He scanned the opulent store, noting the shelves adorned with luxury items and the gleaming marble floors.

Amidst the sparkling displays, his eyes met Samantha's stern expression.

Without a word, Samantha raised her hand, her two fingers poised in the air. At that moment, Ethan's heart skipped a beat. He never knew what was coming. 

Samantha's words pierced through the tense silence. 

"It's high time for you to leave," she said, her voice laced with frustration. 

"Don't come here and play pranks with us. This is a business organization, not a playground for TikTok antics."

Her hesitation was evident, a flicker of doubt before she made her next move. With a resolute expression, she turned and called out to the security personnel standing nearby, their imposing figures ready to enforce order.

“Come and take this man out of here!" 

As the security guards approached, their stern faces mirrored Samantha's approval. 

"Take him away!!" 

One of them, a burly man with a firm grip, grabbed hold of Ethan's trousers. 

With a powerful jerk, he tore the fabric from its place on the wall, sending it spiraling through the air with a helpless flutter.

Ethan's body followed the trajectory of his trousers, his feet leaving the ground as he hurtled towards the wall. The impact was jarring, his back colliding forcefully with the unyielding surface. 

Pain shot through his body as he crashed to the ground.