Chapter three.
“I just met Ethan there's no fucking way I will marry him! She said, her voice calm. “Language young lady,” Old master Edward responded, Victoria rolled her eyes. “You will get married to him.” Everyone's face froze in horror, while Victoria on the other hand Her eyes widened in shock. Is she grateful that Ethan saved old master Edward? Yes! But does she want to get married to him? No! She felt like she didn't know anything about him since they just met. “I would rather not be disrespectful, but I can't get married to him.” “Why? He's a handsome man, one with good skills, he's a medical doctor, and knows the general too well. What more do you want, young lady? With Ethan, the future is bright.” Before Victoria could speak, the Old master cut her off. “Vicky, you should be happy. Ethan is every lady's dream. Ethan has made a hit in this country.” As Victoria pondered the situation, she began to see the wisdom in her father's words. Getting married to Ethan would likely bring her more benefits than drawbacks. Just as she was about to express her newfound willingness, Ethan spoke up, his words interrupting her thoughts. “I have a wife, thank you!” The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Ethan in a mixture of shock and skepticism. They found it challenging to believe he had a wife. Everyone would want to be a part of Edward's family. Yet, Ethan had rejected it, as if they were nothing. Old master Edward felt disheartened after hearing Ethan was married. He saw a very bright future in Ethan and wished someone from his family would be part of Ethan's life. He tried to think of another way to tie Ethan down, but no matter how he cracked his brain nothing was coming up. He let out a groan. “I can't just let you go. Name one thing, anything, and I Edward will grant you, what you wish for!” “Hmm,” Ethan hummed, caressing his jaw. His eyes darted around and then back to Edward. “Nothing for now. There's nothing the Edward's family can do for me, when I think of something, I would let you all know.” Their faces darkened, but they dare not show it. Old master, Edward, gestured for Victoria to step forward, which she did. He whispered to her to get the golden card, which she did. Old master Edward passed it to Ethan. “The two golden cards have ten million dollars each, take it.” Ethan shook his head, chuckling. He pushed old master Edwards hand back to him. “It's fine. Give it to the less privileged.” Victoria found herself increasingly drawn to Ethan's character. His indifference to wealth was a refreshing quality, one that she found particularly appealing in a partner. As she reflected on their earlier conversation, she couldn't help but wonder if he was truly married. A pang of regret surfaced, and she found herself wishing he had accepted her father's proposal. Ethan's gaze flicked to his watch, his expression hinting at a pressing engagement. “I'll be taking my leave,” he announced, his voice firm but polite. Old Master Edward nodded graciously, a warm smile spreading across his face. “My doors are always open to you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. You're like family to us now.” Ethan's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. The Edward's family, one of the wealthiest in the small city of White Castle, held considerable influence. Yet, Ethan's gaze seemed to convey that he was unfazed by their wealth and status. In fact, he appeared to be pondering something far more significant. Why bother with the Edward's family in a small city like White Castle, when powerful families in the big city would do anything to have a conversation with him? With a subtle smile, Ethan turned to leave, but Old Master Edward's voice halted him. “Wait,” the old man said, and Ethan paused, raising an eyebrow in inquiry. The old master nodded to Victoria, and she stepped forward to escort Ethan outside. As they walked, Victoria struggled to find a way to initiate a conversation, but her mind remained blank. Ethan's expression remained impassive, his eyes fixed ahead. The crowd that had gathered outside had dispersed, leaving an awkward silence in its wake. Victoria cleared her throat, hoping to break the ice, but Ethan continued to ignore her, his gaze unwavering. Ethan's sole focus was on making a swift exit. As they reached the door, Victoria suddenly exclaimed, "Fuck,” Ethan raised an eyebrow, inquiring, “What?” “I forget my car keys, give me a second.” Ethan merely nodded and began to pace around the entrance hall. His patience was wearing thin. Just then, a woman walked in, and her eyes widened in shock as they met Ethan's gaze. “What are you doing here?!” she asked, her voice laced with shock. "Aren't you supposed to be in prison?”Chapter four.Ethan's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight of Rose standing before him. He hadn't expected to run into her, and her presence left him momentarily stunned.It wasn't until someone cleared their throat that Ethan realized Rose wasn't alone. His gaze shifted to the man standing beside her, who eyed Ethan with disdain.“Who's this?” the man asked, his tone dripping with disgust.Rose's response was laced with venom. “No one significant. Just my sister's ex-husband.”Ethan's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. He knew that Rose's sister, Maria, was still married to him, so why was Rose referring to him as her ex-husband?Ethan's eyes locked onto Rose, his voice laced with urgency and confusion. “What do you mean by 'ex-husband'?” he demanded.Rose's expression turned icy, and she refused to answer. Ethan's gaze shifted to the man standing beside Rose. “And who's this?” he asked, his tone neutral.Rose's anger flared, her face reddening. “How
Chapter five.Rose's smile grew wider as she watched Ethan's expression change from confusion to anger. She had never found him appealing, despite his physical appearance. To her, he was a waste of good looks, lacking influence, wealth, and power.“Why would my sister ever marry someone like you?” Rose sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. “You must be stupid to think my sister would settle for a poor, insignificant bastard like you.”Ethan's fists clenched as he struggled to control his emotions. Rose's words cut deep, but he refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing him lose his temper.Rose continued to circle him, her smile growing more mischievous by the second. “Anyway,” she said, “my sister will be visiting you in prison tomorrow to pay you off for your… services. You should be grateful you got to take the blame for us. Otherwise, you'd just be a broke, useless man.”Caleb's laughter echoed through the room, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Poor thing,” he mocked, his
Chapter six Rose stumbled backward, shocked and enraged by the slap. She couldn't believe Ethan had dared to slap her. Her face burning with fury, she raised her hand to slap him back.But Ethan caught her wrist, his grip like a vice. “Don't you dare,” he said, his voice deadly, his eyes blazing with anger. “How dare you think of raising your dirty hands at me?”Rose struggled to pull her hand free, but Ethan's grip only tightened, sending waves of pain through her wrist.Caleb's face darkened with rage as he watched Ethan slap Rose. How dare he disrespect him like that? Caleb charged at Ethan with a fierce battle cry, ready to strike.But Ethan was too quick. With lightning-fast reflexes, he sidestepped Caleb's attack, sending Caleb crashing to the ground. Caleb winced in pain, struggling to get back to his feet.His pride wounded, Caleb seethed with anger. He couldn't believe Ethan had made him look like a fool. Rose, meanwhile, was still trapped in Ethan's grip, her face contorte
Chapter seven.Ethan was shocked by their absurdly dramatic display.He couldn't believe they would go to such great lengths to frame him for something he didn't do. He felt a surge of indignation and hurt, wondering if this was how much Rose hated him now.He thought to himself, “Have I ever wronged her, even for a day?” He knew Rose loved money, but he never thought she was so consumed by greed that she would change her behavior so drastically.Ethan shrugged, thinking, "I guess nothing will surprise me anymore after what they just pulled.”Rose tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for Ethan to apologize, but he remained silent. His expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed on some point beyond her.“Get down on your knees and apologize now!” Rose demanded, her voice rising. “Otherwise, you'll face the consequences, and I promise you, you won't like it.”Ethan didn't flinch, his gaze never wavering. Rose pressed on, her voice taking on a deadly tone. “We both know the Edward's fami
Chapter Eight.Rose trembled, her voice trapped in her throat. She had never seen Victoria so furious. Her eyes were wide with fear, her bladder threatening to betray her. Caleb's eyes were equally wide with shock. Victoria's gaze never left Caleb, her anger palpable. Ethan, however, remained calm, his back against the wall, his arms folded, one hand supporting his chin.Rose and Caleb exchanged bewildered glances. How did Victoria take Ethan's side without him even speaking?Undeterred, Rose burst into fake tears. "Why would I lie?" she wailed. Caleb nodded in agreement, his face reddening with anger. "Yes, why would we lie?" he shouted, striding towards Ethan. "Say something, you fool!"Victoria's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough!" she screamed, her eyes blazing. "This madness ends now! You've crossed a line by breaking our ancestral jug!"Rose flinched, her eyes wide with fear. "Why would we break the jug?" she stammered.Victoria's smirk sent shivers down Rose's spine. Victo
Chapter nine.Victoria couldn't help but ask, "Why were you jailed?"Ethan's gaze shifted to her, his expression unreadable. "Just drive," he said curtly, struggling to contain his frustration.Victoria nodded and let out a soft sigh. She began to drive, the silence between them growing increasingly awkward.Victoria attempted to break the silence, but Ethan ignored her, lost in his thoughts. He was desperate to push aside memories of Maria and the pain of being betrayed.As a General, Ethan had used his influence to empower the Bryce family, helping them rise to prominence. Yet, they had repaid him by humiliating, framing, and pushing him to the edge.Ethan's eyes gazed out the window, his mind consumed by the bitter taste of betrayal.As they arrived at the prison, Victoria's phone buzzed with an incoming report. She scanned the information, her eyes widening in surprise. The report was about Ethan, and it revealed that he was supposed to be in jail.Victoria's mind began to whi
"No, I never did. I just needed someone, so I held onto you. I didn't have any other options, and when I found someone else, I needed to get rid of Rowan so I could frame you and be with Caleb,” she said, rolling her eyes. Ethan clenched his fist. Hearing the truth from Maria hurt him. He leaned in and said, "I'll leave this jail today, and I'll make sure you pay for your crimes by staying in jail for a lifetime.”“I want to see you make me rot in jail!” She said, “Take this money and use it to improve your life." She handed him a check.Ethan took the check and tore it up in front of her. "Happy married life," he said and walked away.Maria's face turned red with anger. "You're too proud, Ethan. I'll make sure you suffer.”On the hand, Caleb entered his house, where his angry father was pacing around. "What did I just hear you do?" his father asked, his voice stern.Caleb raised his eyebrows. "What are you talking about?" he asked, though he knew exactly what his father meant.
Chapter Eleven.Ethan arrived at the lodge and walked up to the receptionist. "I want to book a room," he said.The receptionist looked him up and down, a mixture of disgust and skepticism on his face. Ethan could tell the man thought he was some kind of playboy trying to use his looks to get a free room."This isn't some kind of cheap motel," the receptionist said, his tone dripping with disdain.Ethan chuckled, unfazed. He knew he looked like nobody - he was wearing bathroom slippers, a faded shirt, and worn jeans."How much is the room?" Ethan asked, his eyes locked on the receptionist.The receptionist stated the price per night, "It's $160." Ethan pulled out his card and instructed, "Debit me $320."The receptionist's eyes widened as he took the card, his expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity. He inserted the card, and to his astonishment, the transaction was successful. He was shocked. “Keep the remaining money.” The receptionist gasped. Ethan ignored him, and th