Chapter 7

Back at the banquet, Rebecca watched the guests milling around, her eyes scanning the room with amusement. William approached her, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Miss Rebecca, you seem very interested in Mr. Ethan’s affairs,” he observed cautiously.

Rebecca sipped her wine, her smile enigmatic. “I am, William. He’s… intriguing.” Brandon’s laughter echoed through the quiet street, his eyes gleaming with malice as he looked Ethan up and down. “Kneel and apologize?” he repeated, his voice dripping with mockery. “Are you out of your mind, Ethan? You want me to apologize to you?”

Lauren stood beside him, a smug smile playing on her lips. “You’ve really lost it, Ethan. This new attitude of yours is almost… amusing.”

Ethan’s gaze was cold and unwavering. “I’m serious, Brandon. Apologize now, and I might let you walk away with some dignity.”

Brandon’s laughter grew louder, and he leaned back, slapping his knee. “Dignity? Oh, that’s rich! You think you’re in any position to demand anything from me?”

Lauren rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain. “You were always pathetic, Ethan. This little show of bravado isn’t fooling anyone.”

Ignoring their taunts, Ethan took a step closer, his voice steady and firm. “Last chance, Brandon. Kneel and apologize.”

Brandon’s face twisted with rage, the laughter dying on his lips. “You piece of trash! I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget!”

With a roar, Brandon lunged at Ethan, his fist swinging wildly. But before he could connect, Ethan’s hand shot out, striking him with a resounding slap that echoed like a thunderclap. Brandon flew backward, crashing into a wall with a sickening thud, his body crumpling to the ground.

Lauren gasped, her eyes wide with shock. “What… what the hell?”

Ethan stood tall, his eyes blazing with a confidence she had never seen before. “I told you, Brandon. Things have changed.”

Brandon groaned, struggling to his feet, his face contorted with pain and fury. “You bastard! I’ll kill you!”

He charged at Ethan again, but Ethan moved faster, his foot connecting with Brandon’s stomach in a powerful kick. Brandon collapsed, writhing on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Lauren rushed to Brandon’s side, her voice panicked. “Brandon! Are you okay?”

Brandon spat out blood, his eyes blazing with hatred. “I’m going to destroy you, Ethan. You’re dead!”

Ethan looked down at him, his expression calm and almost detached. “You already tried that. And look where it got you.”

Lauren’s voice rose in hysteria. “You can’t do this! You don’t get to act like this! You’re nothing!”

Ethan’s gaze shifted to her, his voice eerily calm. “I’m not the one on the ground, Lauren. And I’m done letting you and Brandon treat me like trash.”

She flinched, stunned into silence by the intensity in his eyes. Ethan turned away, his voice firm as he spoke over his shoulder.

“Stay away from me. Both of you. This is the last time I’m warning you.”

He walked away, leaving them on the ground, the echoes of his words hanging in the air. As he disappeared around the corner, Lauren helped Brandon to his feet, her hands trembling.

“Brandon, we need to do something,” she whispered, fear creeping into her voice. “He’s different. This isn’t the same Ethan.”

Brandon wiped the blood from his mouth, his face twisted with rage. “I’m not letting him get away with this. I know someone who can deal with him.”

“Who?” Lauren asked, her voice trembling.

“Johnny,” Brandon hissed. “He’ll put Ethan in his place.”

Lauren’s eyes widened in alarm. “Johnny? The gangster?”

Brandon nodded, a cruel smile spreading across his face. “Yeah. Let’s see how tough Ethan is when he’s dealing with him.”

William hesitated, then asked, “What is it about him that’s caught your attention?”

Rebecca’s eyes sparkled with a secret joy. “He’s resilient, humble, and determined. He’s been broken and humiliated, but he’s still standing.”

William frowned slightly. “But do you really think he can make a difference?”

Rebecca’s smile widened, a playful glint in her eyes. “I don’t just think, William. I know. And I’m looking forward to watching him prove everyone wrong.”

She turned her gaze to the entrance, anticipation thrumming in her veins. The banquet would be the perfect stage for the Williams family—and everyone else—to see the beginning of Ethan’s transformation.

And she, Rebecca thought with a smile, would be right there to witness every moment of it.