Outside the door... Sarah and the other two girls watched in stunned silence.They covered their mouths, unable to believe what they were seeing.“How could this happen?” one whispered in disbelief.“Mr. Sinclair isn’t kneeling before Miss Walport; it’s the other way around!” another gasped.“It didn’t even take a minute! As soon as they met, Miss Walport was on her knees!” a third exclaimed.The trio’s amazement grew as they realized that Ethan Sinclair’s charm and authority were so overpowering that even Clara, who usually held herself in high esteem, was compelled to submit. Hearing the commotion outside the door, Ethan peeked through the gap, causing the startled trio to flee in a panic.Ethan then approached Clara, who remained kneeling, and looked down at her without offering any help. With a slight smile, he said, “Miss Walport, why are you kneeling before me so soon after we’ve met? I can’t accept such a grand gesture from you.”Clara, feeling a mix of embarrassment and fru
Ethan's mind was set on overturning the established hierarchy in Los Angeles. Whether it was the hotel magnate, the restaurant mogul, or the delivery service owner, he planned to dismantle the dominance of these influential figures who had controlled the city for years. Among them, Tony was the first person who came to Ethan’s mind. Tony was a particularly bitter memory for Ethan, as he recalled his ex-wife Maya's taunts. “Look at Tony. His family is worth over a billion dollars. Can you even compare to him, you good-for-nothing?” she had said.Ethan's jaw tightened as he spoke to Clara. “I’ve heard that the West family is one of the top-tier families in Los Angeles, worth over a billion dollars. Is that true?”Clara responded, “You could say that. The West family was worth over a billion dollars two years ago, but their net worth has significantly dropped. They’re now probably worth around 500 million dollars, not much better than the Reynolds.”As Clara recalled Ethan’s claim from
Ethan was bewildered by Tony’s outburst. 'What’s wrong with this idiot? Does Tony West even have a functioning brain?'Ethan thought. 'What kind of nonsense is he spewing now?'Tony, convinced of his own cleverness, assumed he’d pieced everything together. He remembered Sarah and her colleagues talking about someone kneeling, and he surmised that Ethan must have been the one to kneel before Clara. He figured Ethan had begged for Clara’s forgiveness and pleaded to become her bodyguard.Tony smirked and taunted, “Ethan Sinclair, weren’t you so high and mighty at the birthday banquet? Miss Walport offered you a chance to be her bodyguard, and you turned her down. We all thought you were too proud to bow down. But now, here you are, groveling!”Tony laughed mockingly. “Haha, I didn’t expect you to get out of bed early and come here dressed as a bodyguard just to beg Miss Walport to let you be her lackey!”Turning to Clara, he added, “Miss Walport, don’t be fooled. During the banquet yeste
Maya’s frustration boiled over as she considered confronting Ethan and Clara directly. She longed to demand answers from Ethan about why he had kneeled for another woman and not her, and to accuse Clara of stealing what she felt was rightfully hers.Old Ms. Mimi, however, glared at Maya with disapproval and asserted, “Enough of your tantrum. Call Clara Walport. I want to speak with her personally.”Klein immediately complied, pulling out his cell phone and dialing Clara’s number with a swift motion. He handed the phone to Old Ms. Mimi, who took it with a resolute expression, ready to address the situation herself.Despite Old Ms. Mimi’s underlying anger, her voice remained calm and composed, reflecting her years of experience and dignity. She spoke with a measured authority, making her displeasure clear without losing her poise.“Miss Walport, I understand that Ethan has become your bodyguard. Had I known you had taken such an interest in him, I would have gladly offered him to you si
Ethan was wearing an immaculate Dior suit with his hair combed to the side. He was now chatting merrily with Clara.If Ethan weren't her ex-husband, Maya would have mistaken him for the domineering president of a company as she watched him stride over."This jerk dressed himself up so handsome after divorcing me!"Maya felt a pang of jealousy. If she had known that Ethan could look so much like a commanding executive, she would have insisted he wear a suit and tie throughout their marriage.Maya watched from a distance, feeling a pang of envy as she realized how impressive Ethan looked. If only she had been able to show him off at gatherings with her former classmates.Meanwhile, Ethan said to Clara, "Clara, pass me the car keys. I'll drive. Since you're wearing heels, it won't be convenient for you to drive."Clara had a pair of flats in her car that she usually changed into for driving. However, she felt that changing shoes in front of Ethan might seem awkward, so she handed the car
Seeing Maya sobbing pitifully, Ethan felt a pang of emotion. He had treated her like royalty during their marriage, always attentive and protective, ensuring she was never upset or mistreated. The sight of her now, so distressed and vulnerable, was a stark contrast to the pampered life she had once enjoyed. In the past, Ethan would have fiercely defended her if anyone had dared to lay a hand on her. Yet, he understood that Clara's slap was a gesture of support for him and a reflection of Maya's own actions. Despite his empathy, Ethan couldn’t ignore that Maya had brought this upon herself with her behavior and choices.Ethan placed a reassuring hand on Clara's shoulder and said gently, "Forget it." Turning to Maya, he added firmly, "Leave. I’m no longer your man."Maya abruptly stopped crying, her tears drying up in an instant. The facade of her emotional vulnerability had always been carefully guarded from Ethan. "Even if I no longer want a dog I've raised for three years, I won't
Even after driving out of the underground parking lot of the downtown office building, he could still hear Maya crying and whining. Maya had always been pompous and arrogant, so she clearly couldn't take being slapped in public. While driving, Ethan spoke to Clara, who was beside him. "Clara, you don't have to interfere in Maya and my affairs. "Do not slap her again." Clara could see Ethan was heartbroken for his ex-wife!Clara replied: "Yes, Mr Sinclair, but don't you hate her for treating you that way?" Ethan smiled and continued, "Love is the antithesis of hatred. Without love, how can there be hatred?" Clara no longer considered Ethan to be an inexperienced young man after hearing his quite thoughtful statements. As the scion of a distinguished family, his expertise and ideas were not to be overlooked. Ethan was gorgeous, came from an affluent family, had a unique perspective, and was very magnanimous and devoted to women. Clara started to fall for him.'I must win his heart!'
Ethan stepped into the office, his mind racing with thoughts of the previous evening. He and Clara had visited a trendy rooftop bar, but their interaction remained strictly professional. They quickly returned to work, leaving the lively atmosphere behind.As Ethan moved through the office, employees greeted him with a chorus of “Good morning, Mr. Sinclair.” He acknowledged them with a nod, his focus already shifting to the day’s tasks.Just as he was about to settle into his office, his phone buzzed. Alexander’s name flashed on the screen. Ethan frowned and answered the call, bracing himself for whatever urgent matter awaited.Alexander commanded, “Ethan, come to my grandmother’s place immediately. I’ve found evidence that you sold the watch you stole from us!”Ethan replied, “I’m too busy for that.”Alexander, growing impatient, retorted, “Ethan Sinclair, are you too scared to come? We’ve invited the person who bought the watch from you to our place. If you have any courage, come her
Giovanni’s smile faltered instantly. "Not for my son? Mr. Garrett, aren’t you here for my son’s wedding?" Giovanni asked, his voice tinged with embarrassment. Ryan offered a polite smile. "Of course, I’m here for the wedding. I’ve prepared a monetary gift for your son and handed it over to the reception staff. If you’d like, you can verify it with them, Mr. West." Giovanni quickly waved his hands. "Oh no, Mr. Garrett, please don’t misunderstand. I would never focus on such a thing. It’s already a tremendous honor to have you here celebrating with us. The fact that you’ve brought a gift is far too generous." Giovanni, knowing Ryan’s considerable wealth, assumed the monetary gift was substantial—likely no less than $15,000. Eager to seize the moment, Giovanni called over Tony and Maya. "Tony, Maya, come here and greet Mr. Garrett!" Tony approached with a wide grin, extending both hands for a handshake. "It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Garrett. I’ve heard so much about you—you’
Tony had always been someone who valued his pride above all else. Within his social circle of wealthy heirs, he was known for his ostentatious displays of affluence and his tendency to flaunt his status at every opportunity.Today was supposed to be his crowning moment—a grand wedding to the so-called "most beautiful woman in Los Angeles," Maya. The only imperfection in his otherwise perfect narrative was the fact that Maya was a divorcee. Still, Tony had planned to overshadow that blemish by turning Ethan, her ex-husband, into a public spectacle of humiliation during the ceremony. But fate had other plans. Instead of Ethan being humiliated, Tony now found himself in the very position he had reserved for Ethan—embarrassed and stripped of his dignity. Bowing down, kneeling, and pouring a drink to Ethan as a sign of deference? The mere thought churned Tony's stomach. He simply couldn’t lower himself that way. "Is this some kind of elaborate ruse?" Tony wondered bitterly. In his mind
For the past three years, Klein had made it a habit to ridicule Ethan whenever their paths crossed. He had insulted him countless times and even gone as far as sending henchmen to rough him up over a dispute involving Alexander. Ethan's decision to attend Maya's wedding and reveal his true identity was clearly calculated—it was his moment for revenge. Knowing this, Klein, who was never particularly close to Maya, had no intention of staying behind to face Ethan's wrath. He seized the opportunity to leave immediately. After carefully placing Old Ms. Mimi in the backseat of the Audi Q7, Klein barked at the chauffeur, "Drive to the hospital! And hurry!" Before the vehicle could even start, Old Ms. Mimi let out a loud, startling wail. "Ah!" Her sudden outburst shocked Klein, sending a shiver down his spine. "Mom, are you alright?" he asked anxiously. "You scared me half to death! I thought you fainted because of that punk Ethan." Relief washed over him as he realized she w
"Hello, I’m Ethan Sinclair," he said with a composed yet commanding tone. Stepping out of the $1.8 million white Maybach, Ethan, dressed in a pristine white suit, exuded an aura of elegance and confidence. All eyes were on him, filled with admiration and awe. To the crowd, Ethan appeared every bit the noble and refined figure—a real-life fairytale prince. Giovanni, who had never met Ethan before, was quick to approach him, his excitement evident. Grasping Ethan’s hand firmly, he said, "Welcome, Mr. Sinclair. It’s an incredible honor for my son and me to have you grace this occasion!" Marissa, equally stunned, chimed in, "Mr. Sinclair, I must say, I didn’t expect you to be so young and strikingly handsome!" Ethan’s gaze shifted to Marissa, and with a polite smile, he replied, "You must be Mrs. West. The pleasure is mine. Your radiance truly lives up to your reputation." Giovanni smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you for the kind words. Yes, she’s my wife." Marissa, a woma
**At Old Ms. Reynold’s Villa** A procession of luxurious wedding cars rolled into the driveway, their sleek designs shimmering under the morning sun. Tony, momentarily distracted from the frustration of his failed investments, felt a surge of joy. Smiling, he eagerly headed out to welcome Maya. However, as he reached the first floor of the villa, he encountered Sophie before he could make his way to the bridal car. Though not a bridesmaid, Sophie had dressed to impress, wearing a stunning white gown that accentuated her elegance. Her flawless makeup and radiant smile made her almost as captivating as the bride herself. "Wow, Sophie," Tony said with a playful grin as his eyes swept over her. "You look so gorgeous today—I almost mistook you for my bride." His tone was lighthearted, but the compliment lingered in the air.Sophie casually twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers and smirked. "Please, my groom-to-be is none other than the esteemed president of Walt Disney Co
Tony should have been full of excitement, given that today marked one of the biggest days of his life. But the string of financial disasters had drained him, leaving him looking like a man burdened by decades of hardship rather than someone in his twenties.In addition to the failed investments, Tony had hemorrhaged money in other risky ventures throughout the week. Stock index futures, commodities, even high-stakes underground gambling—all had contributed to the rapid disappearance of his fortune.Beside him, a young man holding a best man’s corsage studied him with an expression of deep concern. “Tony, something isn’t adding up here. Did you cross someone powerful? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re being deliberately sabotaged. Even if you made a few bad choices, the odds of everything crashing down like this are practically zero.”Tony let out a hollow laugh and rubbed his dark-circled eyes. “You’re spot on. It’s no coincidence; someone’s playing me. This isn’t
Maya was genuinely taken aback, her expression reflecting surprise. "Miss Walport, I’m curious—why do you remember Ethan's birthday so clearly?"In her mind, Ethan was nothing more than Clara’s bodyguard, someone she didn’t expect Clara to take such a personal interest in. It seemed strange that she would remember such an insignificant detail about him.What Maya didn’t know, however, was that Clara had been keeping a close eye on Ethan for some time now. Given the way Clara felt about him, it was only natural that she would remember his birthday with such precision.Clara, sensing the confusion, calmly explained, "Well, it's actually a bit of a coincidence. Ethan’s birthday happens to fall on the same day as my father's. Also, I’ve seen Ethan’s ID at one point, so it just sort of stuck in my mind.""Mrs. West, Ethan is your ex-husband, and you were once in love, right? Don’t you think it’s a little thoughtless to plan your wedding on his birthday? Or perhaps you simply forgot that it
A week later, at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, the streets of Los Angeles were alive with the usual energy. People moved quickly under the scorching sun, some with sunglasses shielding their eyes, others carrying umbrellas to fend off the intense heat. But for Tony, sitting in his BMW, none of it mattered. His mind was consumed by a simmering frustration.Tony sat behind the wheel, gripping it tightly, his fingers tight with anger. He glanced at the phone pressed against his ear, his other hand twitching with impatience. Maya was supposed to be meeting him, but right now."What? Silverstone Enterprises is closing its doors too? Are you kidding me? How is that even possible when things were going so well?" Tony’s voice was sharp. He ran a hand through his hair, a mix of confusion and fury playing across his face.Silverstone Enterprises had been one of the top performers out of the 80 companies he had invested in. It was a golden opportunity, consistently making a strong profi
Ethan immediately picked up the phone and called Flint Michigan.“Uncle Flint, it’s been far too long since we last spoke! This is Ethan Sinclair. How have you been holding up? And how’s your health these days?” Ethan’s voice was warm and respectful as he greeted the legendary hotelier.Flint Michigan’s face lit up with joy on the other end of the line. “Ethan! What a pleasant surprise! It’s been ages since I last heard from you. Just yesterday, I had a video call with your grandfather, and he proudly showed me his newly planted jasmine flowers in the garden! He hasn’t lost his touch with horticulture, that’s for sure.”“I’m doing quite well, actually. I’m taking some much-needed time off in Hawaii, soaking up the sun and relaxing. But enough about me—how about you? Your grandfather told me you’ve wrapped up your duties as a live-in son-in-law for your Ancestral system tasks and that you’re gearing up for a grand entrance into the business world. Sounds like big plans are on the horiz