Chapter 12: A Fruitless Visit and a Bitter EndThe next morning, Elena and Davidson arrived at the grand glass and steel edifice of Bigtale Corporation. The once-reaching prospect of a lucrative contract now felt like a distant dream, which seems that can't ever be in the reach anymore. Elena marched towards the receptionist, a young woman with a polite smile. "We're here to see Mr. Joel Manson," she said.The receptionist's smile shows some struggling slightly. "Mr. Joel Manson is no longer actively involved in the company's day-to-day operations. However, his son, Mr. Ethan Manson, is the current CEO. Would you like to schedule an appointment?"Elena's jaw clenched. Ethan, the penniless ex-husband, the good-for-nothing she'd cast aside, was now the CEO of a billion-dollar company? It was a reality she refused to accept. That will never be Ethan Allen. "Is it Ethan Allen?" Elena was forced to ask. "Excuse me?" The receptionist asked. "She's asking if he is her loser ex-husband
Chapter 13Ethan stared at Christine, his heart with concern. The vibrant girl seemed to have shrunk into herself, the weight of the family issues totally take on her young face. The thought of their mother, Amelia, seeking solace in another man's arms while contemplating a divorce from their father, business tycoon Robert Thorne, was a bitter pill to swallow. "I miss the way things used to be," Christine said. "Just a normal family, having dinner together, laughing..."Ethan reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know, Chris. Me too. But hey, chin up, okay? We'll figure this out, together." His words felt hollow even to him. How could he, a teenager himself, possibly mend the fractured pieces of their family?Not even when he was just a mere guy who just got luck to be the lost heir of the family.A look of pains in Christine's eyes. "You know what, Ethan? I'm tired of tiptoeing around Mom and Dad's feelings. They're the grown-ups, they should be the ones f
Chapter 14The lady swiveled in her seat, acting the part of the queen she already believed herself to be."Triana Zaragoza," Alessia said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What a delight to see you and your... little brother you call a husband? Speaking of which, I've always wondered why Mateo seems shorter than you. Maybe you should keep him at home more often. People might get the wrong idea."Harsh words, but Alessia never handled defeat gracefully.Furious, Mateo lunged for Alessia, but Ethan Manson was quick to grab his hand."Act like a gentleman," Ethan said calmly, returning to his seat."Seriously?" Mateo spat. "A cab driver is holding me back?"He stormed to the center of the restaurant."Listen up, ladies and gentlemen!" he declared, his voice booming. "I can't believe this! A moron like Ethan thinks he can stop me from going after that flashy, good-for-nothing sister of his? It's unbelievable!""As some of you may know," he continued, puffing out his chest, "the Richards
Chapter 15: Trouble WatersAt Elena's fiancé's house, she cuddled with Mr. Charleston on the plush armchair, their lips locked in a heated kiss. The pressure from her family, particularly her grandfather's contract issues with the Bigtale company, weighed heavily on her mind.The door creaked open, shattering the intimacy. A security guard ushered in a man in dark suit. "Mr. Charleston," the guard stammered, "apologies for the intrusion, but this gentleman insisted it was a matter of utmost importance for you and Miss Elena."Mr. Charleston pulled away. "Can't you see we're occupied? Whatever it is, it can wait.""He said it couldn't," the security guard mumbled before scurrying out of the room.The man, dressed in a sharp suit, cleared his throat. "My name is Howard Samuel, Barrister for Mr. Mike, Elena's grandfather."Elena's eyes widened in surprise. Mr. Charleston whipped his head towards her, suspicion coloring his features. "Did you know this man? Or did you choose to keep qui
Chapter 16: Ethan Manson's expression turned glacial as he listened to his assistant's words. "Tell Mr. Charleston I'm not interested," he said curtly, his eyes never leaving Bartholomew's fidgeting form across the table."Aren't you going to meet with him, sir?" his assistant asked, surprise evident in his voice.Ethan's gaze flicked to the phone. "No, I'm not. Tell him I'm not interested, and that's final."He disconnected the call, his attention returning to Bartholomew. "Now, where were we? Ah yes, your 'ethical business practices'."Bartholomew's face paled, but he forced a smile. "Ah, yes, of course, Mr. Manson. We'll prove ourselves, I assure you."Ethan turned with anger from the call he just received. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Bartholomew's face. "I'm not sure you understand, Mr. Bartholomew. I don't do business with people who operate in the gray areas. My reputation is built on integrity, and I won't compromise that for anyone."Bartholomew's
Chapter 17:Ethan's eyes narrowed as he listened to Alessia's words. "You want me to stop the wedding because you have a crush on Mr. Charleston?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.Alessia's face reddened, but she stood her ground. "Yes, Ethan. I know it's a lot to ask, but I can't bear the thought of him marrying Elena."Ethan shook his head. "I'm not going to stop the wedding, Alessia. It's not my place to interfere in Mr. Charleston's personal life.""And he's marrying your ex wife. He kicked you out of Elena's life and now wanted to marry her. You should know this. He's disgracing both of us. I have a crush on him and he has your ex wife."He couldn't shake off the feeling that Mr. Charleston was going to marry his ex wife and go away with it. He turned to Alessia. "Fine," Ethan said finally. "I'll attend the wedding, but not to stop it. I'll go to embarrass them."Alessia's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really, Ethan? You'll do that for me?"Ethan nodded. "But I need y
Chapter 18"You should leave now before I call the security on you, Mr. Davidson!" the receptionist said, her voice firm and authoritative.Davidson gritted his teeth, his face twisted in anger. He couldn't believe that the live-in son-in-law, Ethan Manson, was going to become the CEO of the largest company, Manson Corporation. He knew that nobody would believe him if he tried telling the family members that Ethan Manson was actually Ethan Allen, the son of the company's biggest rival."You bastard!" Davidson thought to himself. "You should be lucky we didn't get the contract, or you would be crawling after my car by now."He knew that Mr. Charleston had used him to get what he wanted. He didn't secure the contract; he was just lying to save face because his own proposal got rejected by the Manson's family company.Davidson gently walked out of the office, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge and betrayal. He drove out of the parking lot, his anger simmering just below the surface
Chapter 19: 'Have that son of a bitch discovered about the contract or just another emotional heartbreak as usual,' Mr. Charleston thought as he sat beside her with a calm look.Elena smiled at him and kissed him passionately. "So, handsome, how do you plan on getting the contract with Grandpa Mike?" Elena asked, trying to divert his attention away from her silly cousin.It was just a brutal looking for Elena. Divorcee with Ethan Manson, now getting married to Mr. Charleston, who got embarrassed in the shopping sprees by a mere cab driver, just like they have always thought about Ethan.Mr. Charleston tried to get along with Elena too. He grasped her hand firmly and kissed it. "Why don't you trust your brilliant husband to be?" Mr. Charleston asked."I have a lot of ways to get things done for myself. And this includes having a handsome and influential Grandpa Mike from your family, which is the best," he said."Are you going to spare me those compliments?" Elena asked and got off fr