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UNDER THE ASHES
By: Christabel Anthony OngoingUrban/Realistic
12
Chapters: 9
views: 71
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Under the Ashes** is a thrilling urban drama about power, revenge, and self-discovery. Ethan Li, once a humiliated son-in-law living as a servant in his wife’s home, has been kicked out and betrayed by the woman he sacrificed everything for. Sophia Wang, now a powerful businesswoman, throws him aside for a wealthier lover, unaware that Ethan was the secret force behind her rise to success. But what she doesn’t know is just the beginning. Ethan, discarded and beaten, reclaims his hidden identity as the rightful heir to the Li Consortium, one of the most powerful conglomerates in the world. Fueled by years of shame and bitterness, he returns with a single mission—revenge. With the help of his loyal ally, Victor Chen, Ethan sets in motion a devastating plan to ruin all those who betrayed him. But as Ethan uncovers buried family secrets—including the truth behind his mother’s tragic death—he finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of corporate warfare, hidden agendas, and shifting loyalties. His ruthless father, Reginald Li, will stop at nothing to keep control of the Li empire, even if it means turning his own son into a pawn. As Ethan faces betrayals, moral dilemmas, and global conspiracies, he must decide how far he’s willing to go for vengeance. In a world where power comes at a cost, Ethan will rise from the ashes of his past, but can he escape the shadows of his family’s legacy? Under the Ashes is a fast-paced, suspenseful tale of revenge, family betrayal, and the struggle to reclaim one’s identity. What would you sacrifice to destroy the ones who broke you?
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UNDER THE ASHES Refusing the Offer
"You think I need you?" Ethan’s voice was sharp, cutting through the cold silence of the room.Reginald sat behind his polished oak desk, his face unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, watching his son with a calm, almost amused expression. "I’m offering you a lifeline, Ethan. Don’t be a fool."Ethan’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You’re not offering me anything but chains. I’m not coming back under your control."Reginald raised an eyebrow. "Control? This is about survival. Without my help, you won’t last long in this world. You’ll drown."Ethan took a step forward, his eyes burning with anger. "I’d rather drown on my own than be trapped under you again."For a moment, Reginald’s face twitched, a hint of frustration breaking through his calm exterior. He stood up, walking slowly around the desk until he was face-to-face with Ethan. "You don’t understand the stakes here, Ethan. This isn’t about pride. It’s about power. Without it, you’ll be crushed."Ethan met his gaze,
UNDER THE ASHES Reginald’s Offer
"You’re late," Reginald’s voice cut through the room like a cold wind, sharp and unwelcoming. Ethan stood just inside the massive doors of the study, his heart pounding, though he tried to look calm. "I didn’t know this was an appointment I had to be on time for," he replied, his tone as steady as he could manage.Reginald didn’t turn around to face him. He stood by the large window, looking out over the city below, his hands clasped behind his back. "Everything is an appointment, Ethan. Time is money."Ethan clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "What do you want, Father?"The word “Father” felt foreign on his tongue, like a language he’d long forgotten how to speak.Finally, Reginald turned, his eyes cold and calculating, scanning his son from head to toe. "You’ve made quite the mess of your life," he said, walking toward his desk and sitting down. "But you’ve always been good at that."Ethan felt a knot form in his stomach. "If this is just about you rubbing
UNDER THE ASHES Meeting Victor
“Ethan, it’s been too long.” The voice came from behind him, familiar but sharper than he remembered.Ethan turned around slowly. His heart raced at the sight of a figure stepping out from the shadows. “Victor?” His voice was filled with disbelief.Victor Chen, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, smiled, though his eyes didn’t quite match the expression. “Surprised to see me?” he asked, walking closer, his hands casually resting in his pockets.Ethan blinked, trying to make sense of it all. “I... I didn’t think you were still around. After all these years...”Victor chuckled softly. “You think I’d just disappear? No, Ethan. I’ve been keeping an eye on you. Quietly, of course.”Ethan frowned, stepping closer, feeling the weight of their history. “Why didn’t you ever reach out?”Victor raised an eyebrow. “And what would I have said? That your so-called perfect life was about to collapse? That your wife would betray you, and you’d lose everything?” He shrugged. “You wouldn’t have
UNDER THE ASHES Revelation
“Do you know why we’ve come for you, Young Master?” The tall man’s voice broke the silence inside the car. His tone was calm, but there was something more underneath—something Ethan couldn’t quite place.Ethan glanced at him, still wet from the rain, his clothes sticking to his skin. “I don’t even know who you are,” Ethan muttered, shaking his head.The man didn’t flinch. “We are the Li Consortium. Your family’s legacy, one of the most powerful corporate empires in the world.”Ethan blinked, the weight of those words hitting him. He couldn’t speak, his mind spinning as the car drove on. "Li Consortium?" The name echoed in his head. He had heard it before, whispered in business circles, but he had never paid attention. "Yes," the shorter man in the front seat turned to face Ethan. "And you... are the rightful heir."Ethan leaned back against the leather seat, his heart pounding. “Heir? To what?”“To the entire empire. Every company, every deal, every decision—it was meant for you, You
UNDER THE ASHES The Arrival
"Is this him?" a deep voice cut through the rain, startling Ethan from his thoughts.He turned, squinting through the downpour. A fleet of black cars, sleek and polished, had appeared out of nowhere. The headlights sliced through the storm, and men dressed in sharp suits began stepping out. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he watched them approach, their movements precise and coordinated.The man who spoke was tall, his suit perfectly tailored. His eyes locked on Ethan with an intensity that made the hair on the back of Ethan's neck stand up.“Are you... Young Master Ethan?” the man asked, his voice low and steady, though there was no mistaking the respect in his tone.Ethan stared, speechless. He hadn’t heard anyone call him that in years. He wiped the rain from his face, unsure if this was real or if the storm had finally gotten to him.Another man, shorter but just as impeccably dressed, stepped forward and bowed. "We have been sent for you, Young Master."Ethan blinked. "Sent
UNDER THE ASHES The Phone Call
The rain beat down harder, soaking through Ethan’s clothes, but he barely noticed. His hand trembled as he held the phone, water dripping from his fingers. He stared at the glowing screen, hesitation tightening his chest. He had never thought he’d have to make this call. Not like this.He pressed the number and lifted the phone to his ear, waiting as it rang. Once. Twice. Each second felt like an eternity. The storm raged around him, but inside, he was quiet, tense, as if time had slowed to a crawl.Finally, a click. A deep voice answered, calm and controlled.“Young Master.”Ethan’s breath caught. He hadn’t heard that voice in years.“Is it… really you?” Ethan asked, his voice shaky, almost a whisper. “It’s me,” the voice replied, steady, unshaken by the chaos of the storm or the years that had passed. “I’ve been waiting for your call.”Ethan swallowed hard, his eyes darting around the empty street as though someone might be listening. “I… I didn’t think I’d ever have to do this.”T
UNDER THE ASHES Thrown Out
"Ethan, you can't just walk away," Sophia’s sharp voice echoed behind him, making him pause mid-step. His hand tightened on the door handle as he turned slowly, locking eyes with her."Why not?" Ethan asked, his voice low and controlled, though a tremor betrayed his attempt at composure.Sophia smirked, stepping forward with Lucas close behind. “We’re not done yet,” she said, holding up his keys—the ones to their shared home. “You won’t be needing these anymore.”Ethan’s jaw clenched. "You're throwing me out? Just like that?"“You’re lucky I let you stay as long as you did,” Sophia replied with a condescending tone. “But it’s time for you to go. Lucas and I need the space.”Lucas, standing smugly next to her, shrugged with faux sympathy. “It’s for the best, really. Sophia and I have plans.”The pit in Ethan’s stomach grew heavier. The casual cruelty of their words stung more than the act itself. His entire life was being dismissed as if it were nothing."You can't just erase everythin
UNDER THE ASHES The Divorce Announcement
“You know, Lucas has really turned things around for the company,” Sophia’s voice echoed across the grand dining hall. Her tone was casual, but the undercurrent of excitement was impossible to miss.Lucas smiled, a charming, practiced grin that fit perfectly with his expensive suit. “Well, it wasn’t easy, but we’ve made some impressive changes,” he replied, lifting his glass in a modest toast.Ethan watched from the corner, his heart pounding. He clenched his hands under the table, forcing himself to keep calm. The dinner party, like every other, had felt like a performance, but tonight something was different. The air was thick with anticipation, and Ethan could feel eyes darting toward him, waiting for something.Sophia raised her glass, a sharp glint in her eyes as she spoke, “To new beginnings.”“To new beginnings,” the guests echoed, their voices blending with the soft music playing in the background. Ethan’s throat tightened. His eyes moved to Sophia, whose gaze lingered on him
UNDER THE ASHES Servant in His Own Home
“Ethan, could you get me another glass of wine?” Sophia’s mother, Mrs. Chang, said with a dismissive wave, not even bothering to look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on the glittering crystal chandelier above, as if it was more deserving of her attention than the man standing before her.Ethan clenched his jaw but said nothing. His fingers tightened around the stem of the empty glass he held, his eyes scanning the lavish dining room. Guests in their designer suits and gowns laughed and chatted, their voices blending with the clink of silverware and the soft murmur of classical music.He was nothing more than a shadow in this house, a servant in the home he once thought would be his. "Ethan!" Sophia's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. She was standing near the long, polished table, her back turned to him. "Don’t forget my father’s whiskey." His heart pounded in his chest. He could feel eyes on him, mocking gazes that made him feel small, like a child caught doing something w
