The email hit Ethan’s inbox at 10:37 p.m.Subject line: “Stop calling, your wife is busy.”Ethan frowned. He had already called his wife more than a dozen times, but received no response. And now, this strange email had suddenly appeared in his inbox.Ethan opened the video attached to the email, and immediately, a string of obscene sounds filled the air: A half-dressed woman appeared on screen, clearly enjoying herself with a man!"Who’s behind this sick joke?!" Ethan snapped, anger rising. But just as he was about to close the video, he noticed a distinctive tattoo on the woman in the video.In that instant, his blood ran cold.That small, distinct moonflower inked on her back!That tattoo was incredibly unique—only he and Sierra knew about it. Which meant… the video couldn’t possibly be AI-generated!Ethan’s hands trembled. In the video, the woman was bent over a desk. That was Sierra’s office desk. Even their photo together was clearly visible beside it!Every detail in the video

Jason Wild stormed in, flanked by four thugs in leather jackets, tattoos snaking up their arms, and brass knuckles already in place. Jason himself looked nothing like his drunk little brother—he was a wall of muscle in a tailored vest, black gloves on both hands, and cold fury in his eyes."You the one who laid hands on my brother?" Jason growled, scanning the room until his eyes locked on Ethan."I did," Ethan said simply.Jason's lip curled. "Big mistake. Teach him a lesson."The four men surged forward.Alice jolted upright. "Ethan—""Stay back," Ethan said without turning around.The first man threw a punch. Ethan ducked, jabbed him in the ribs, and elbowed his jaw. The man crumpled.The second lunged. Ethan sidestepped and grabbed the man's jacket, using his momentum to flip him over the table. Glass shattered.The third and fourth came together. Ethan met them halfway, landing a spinning kick on one and grabbing the other's arm mid-swing. He twisted and dropped him to the ground

"You're here for the banquet? With this piece of trash?" Sierra and Marcus burst into loud laughter, drawing the attention of people nearby."Please, I know you've spent the past few years trying to get a partnership with Nova," Sierra said smugly. "Too bad—they chose me every single time!""You know why that is?" she asked, wrapping her arm around Marcus's proudly. "Because I know who can help me. And you... just look at that garbage beside you. Don't tell me you actually believe he got you that invitation?"Sierra let out an exaggerated laugh. "You're pathetic, Alice. Truly pitiful! You must've begged someone on your knees to get in, huh? Oh wait—you probably still won't get in."Alice tilted her head, a slow, amused smile forming. "Don't worry about me. I'm exactly where I need to be."Sierra rolled her eyes. "Spare me the cryptic lines, sweetheart. This is a Nova Company event, not a street carnival. Only invited names make it through.""You and Ethan are perfect for each other. H

Chapter 8: The Gatekeeper and the Favor Two guards flanked Dana and Eric instantly. “You’ll regret this!” Dana yelled as she was pulled away. “This isn’t over! I’ll make calls—you’ll see!” But no one paid attention anymore. The crowd parted to let Ethan and Rosanna through, now in complete silence. As Dana and Eric were escorted out of the building, Rosanna’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction. She leaned toward Dana, her voice laced with a malicious sweetness. “Don’t forget to kneel, Dana. Wouldn’t want to miss that part, I’m sure it will be a lovely sight.” Dana’s face twisted in fury, her lips trembling as she bit back the urge to scream. But the humiliation was too much. She clenched her fists, her breath coming in sharp, angry bursts. “Eric, fix this! NOW!” she demanded, her voice tinged with desperation. Eric, equally humiliated, pulled out his phone with a sharp motion, the frustration evident in his eyes. He called his boss, Will Port, one of the few who still

Chapter 10: The Masked Revelation Dana’s face turned pale. “What the hell is going on?” she hissed at Eric, her voice sharp with panic. “You said we were on the list!” “I—I don’t know,” Eric stammered, loosening his tie as sweat beaded at his temple. “This can’t be right. Will promised—” Just then, as if summoned by their desperation, Will emerged from the side of the banquet hall, striding through the crowd with the confidence of a man who always believed he was in control. He held a half-filled whiskey glass, swirled the amber liquid lazily, and glanced around as if he hadn’t just sent two reputations into freefall. “Boss!” Eric blurted out, springing from his seat. He almost knocked over his chair in his hurry, dragging Dana with him as he intercepted Will midway. “Boss, what’s going on? You told me Dana’s company would be on the list!” Dana’s heels clicked frantically as she followed, her perfectly painted lips pressed in a thin line. Will blinked, genuinely confused