A slow, wolfish smile spread across Ethan’s face. “Is that so? I imagine the IRS will be very interested to learn about these creative accounting practices.”“There’s more, sir,” Andrew said eagerly. “I took the liberty of hiring private investigators to look into the Waltons’ personal affairs. It seems both daughters are living lavish lifestyles well beyond the family’s legal means.”He slid a file folder across the desk. Ethan opened it and rifled through photos of a stunning brunette in designer outfits posing on yachts and at exclusive nightclubs. “Sophia Walton,” Andrew explained. “She’s the younger daughter. A real troublemaker, according to our investigators. Drunk driving charges, drug use, assault allegations from domestic staff. All swept under the rug. Ethan's smile widened, eyes glinting. This insolent girl sounded like the perfect pressure point."Excellent work, Andrew. We're going to pay Ms. Walton a little visit. Time to teach her some respect."Andrew nodded eagerly

Clara stared glassy-eyed at the ruined shell of her family's ancestral home, struggling to process the surreal sight. Less than 24 hours ago, she had kissed her husband goodbye in the marble-floored front hall before leaving for a luncheon. Now only charred rubble remained. The police had finally let them visit the estate after containing the ongoing fires, but declared the building itself unsafe to enter. Clara didn't need to go inside to know every room was gutted, every family heirloom and treasure turned to ash. The ache of loss throbbed bone-deep.Beside her, Sophia sobbed quietly into her aunt's cashmere shawl. Clara pulled her daughter close, unable to provide any words of comfort. They had already exhausted their tears the night before, as the awful truth set in. They were refugees now, their home and fortune stolen overnight. And still no word from Oliver. Each hour he remained missing, Clara's dread grew. Ethan had vowed to utterly destroy them - would he really stop short

Oliver paced the plush carpeting of his study, gaze darting regularly to the mantel clock. Clara should have returned from her meeting with Ethan by now. Each minute she remained absent, his unease grew. Finally, approaching footsteps and murmured voices signaled Clara's return. Oliver hurried to the front hall, relief washing over him as he saw his wife and daughter removing their coats, both appearing unharmed."Thank God, you're back. I've been worried sick," Oliver said, enfolding Clara in an embrace. "Did everything go alright? What did that snake say?"Clara's smile seemed strained. "Let's discuss it over tea. It was...quite a conversation."Soon seated around the parlor coffee table, Clara recounted the meeting in detail for Oliver and Sophia's benefit. Ethan's offer of financial aid in exchange for the family's cooperation, the apparent olive branch. Oliver's scowl deepened with each new revelation. "I knew it. This so-called 'truce' is just another ruse to lure us into comp

The day of reckoning had arrived. Ethan straightened his tie in the executive washroom, steeling his nerves for the performance ahead. When he emerged, all traces of apprehension were smoothly masked behind his diplomat's smile. In the boardroom down the hall, his three guests awaited - Philip Carnegie a sweating, twitchy mess; the elder Waltons tense but composed. Ethan had kept them isolated on arrival as an assertive tactic before their "negotiations." Let them stew and speculate. Fear of the unknown unsettled people wonderfully.At his entrance, the trio stood hastily. Ethan noted with amusement how they subtly angled themselves away from each other. Good - he wanted them anxious and off-balance for now."My dear guests, so pleased you could make it," Ethan greeted them warmly as though welcoming old friends. "Please, sit. Can I offer refreshments before we begin?"Playing the genteel host, he poured sparkling water for Clara Walton and a stiff drink for Carnegie, who snatched at

In the predawn darkness, Maya crept from Ethan's bed where he still slept, the ghost of a smile on his lips. She shuddered, imagining what ruthless new schemes spawned such happy dreams for him. Shrugging on a robe, she tiptoed downstairs to unfold the day's newspaper. Her heart jolted seeing the headline splashed across the front page. "Scandal Rocks Society Wedding of the Year" blared the massive print, below the incriminating photo Clara had provided. Despite bracing herself, the lurid public spectacle still sent shame flaming through Maya.Heavy footsteps made her whirl around, hiding the paper behind her back. But it was too late. Ethan's blazing stare went straight to the concealed headline before locking onto her face. His expression promised murder."Give it to me," he commanded, deadly soft. When Maya hesitated, he snatched the paper from her grasp, features contorting with each damning word. "Who did this?" he finally snarled. "The Waltons? Carnegie?" His wild gaze bored i