Ethan’s POV“Ethan Carter!” barked one of the officers, his tone leaving no room for explanation. My fingers froze on the keyboard as heads shot up around me. The noise level dipped into an eerie silence before erupting into frantic whispers. I never saw it coming. One moment, I was sitting at my desk, going over the final numbers for the day, the soft hum of printers and the low murmur of employees filling the office. The next, the heavy double doors to the finance department slammed open, and the room was flooded with uniformed officers and security guards.I turned my head, my pulse quickening. I still remember the shock as if it were yesterday. I had been poring over quarterly reports in my Manhattan office when the sound of rapid footsteps and raised voices shattered the calm. I rose unsteadily, my heart hammering in my chest, as I tried to form a question. “What’s going on? Who—what is this about?” I managed, my usual firm voice trembling, my words dissolved into a cacophony

Ethan’s POVThe clang of the iron bars echoed in my ears, a sharp reminder of my new reality. My cell was cramped, the air thick with the stale scent of confinement. Just hours ago, I had stood before the judge as my world unravelled. My marriage to Vanessa had been legally erased, a mere signature dissolving five years of my life. But that wasn’t the worst part. The gavel had struck like a death knell, sentencing me to seven years for economic crimes and negligence at Hale Pharmaceuticals.Seven years.I slumped onto the thin mattress, staring at the ceiling. The weight of it settled over me, a future painted in monotonous shades of regret and isolation. My name, once respected, was now synonymous with scandal. My so-called friends had vanished, and my family—what little I had—had turned their backs. The Hales had made sure of that.A lifetime ago, I had fought to belong, to prove my worth. And for what? To be discarded like a broken pawn the moment I was no longer useful.A sharp r

Ethan’s POV The silence of my study was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. I didn’t look up immediately, finishing the last few lines of the document I was reviewing. It had been days since I officially entered the Sinclair Empire, and the sheer volume of information I had to absorb felt endless.“Come in.” My voice was calm, measured.One of my personal security guards stepped in, his stance rigid. “Sir, the President requests your presence in his study.I set down the papers, rubbing my temples briefly before rising. “Did he mention why?”The guard shook his head. “No, sir. Only that it is urgent.”I nodded. My grandfather wasn’t one for unnecessary summons. Whatever this was about, it had to be important. Still, I didn’t let it bother me. With a steady breath, I adjusted my cuffs and made my way out.The corridors of the Sinclair estate stretched long and elegant, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers. Every servant, every guard I passed either bowed or genuflected. It was

Vanessa’s POV The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the marble halls of the estate. Nathan stormed through the front door, his gym bag still slung over his shoulder, beads of sweat clinging to his forehead. His pulse pounded with frustration, disbelief churning inside him like a storm. His breath came in short, furious bursts as he strode into the living room, a certain weight pressing against his chest.I sat elegantly on the plush velvet couch, a glass of wine poised between my fingers. The afternoon sun cast warm golden hues over the room, filtering through the grand arched windows, but the serenity of the setting did nothing to mask the irritation that flared inside me the moment Nathan barged in. Across from me, my father sat in his usual stately manner, reading through business documents. The scent of old leather and expensive cigars lingered in the air.Nathan barely gave us time to react before blurting, “Dad! Nessa! You won’t believe this.”Richard lowered his papers

Ethan’s POV My grandfather rose to his feet, the entire boardroom hushed. His eyes gleamed with rare excitement, his usual stoic demeanor cracking just enough to reveal pride. He cleared his throat, and with a voice that echoed through the grand hall, he announced, “Ethan, you’ve proven yourself beyond any doubt. Your efforts today have not only saved the Sinclair Empire from catastrophe but have solidified your place in this family.”A murmur of approval swept across the room. Some board members, the ones who had initially doubted me, nodded in newfound respect. Others clapped, acknowledging the victory I had secured for them. Victor, however, remained seated, his jaw set, his fingers tapping against the polished mahogany table in restrained irritation. I didn’t have to look at him to know how much he resented this moment.Grandfather turned to the rest of the board. “In honor of Ethan’s success, I believe a celebration is in order. A dinner, to recognize his achievements.”One of t