Chapter 12: No Escape As the final toast was raised and the event drew to a close, the guests began to disperse with a lingering air of awe and unease. Whispers followed Ethan wherever he walked, many eyes tracking him with renewed respect—or hidden resentment. He adjusted his cufflinks, calm as ever, weaving through the thinning crowd toward the grand exit. “Ethan!” A soft voice called out. He turned slightly. Rosanna approached quickly, her steps careful but eager. Her peach-toned gown shimmered under the chandeliers as she smiled sweetly. “I was thinking… now that everything’s calmed down, maybe we could grab a bite? Just the two of us. It’s been a while since we talked, and I—” “No.” Ethan’s answer came swiftly, leaving no room for interpretation. Rosanna blinked, taken aback. “But… why?” “I’m not interested,” he said plainly. “Let’s not pretend there’s something worth reviving. Have a good evening.”He didn’t wait for her response. She stood frozen, her smile

Chapter 14: The King Breaks the ChainGasps erupted from the audience the moment Ethan moved.He was a blur—no wasted motion, no hesitation. One guard lunged at him, and Ethan ducked low, driving his elbow into the man’s ribs with a crunch that echoed across the hall. The next tried to grab him from behind—Ethan flipped him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing.“Wh-What the hell?” one of the men stammered, backing up.Ethan’s expression didn’t change. He sidestepped another punch, countered with a swift strike to the throat, and sent the attacker crashing into a champagne table. Glass shattered. People screamed and scattered, yet no one dared intervene.In under thirty seconds, all six of Norlan’s bodyguards were groaning on the ground, unconscious or too broken to continue.Silence.Stunned silence.Even Dana’s mouth had fallen open, her triumphant smirk now replaced by terror.“What… what is he?” she muttered, backing away.A trembling woman nearby whispered, “Did you see that?

Chapter 16: The Price of SilenceEthan watched from the shadows as Rosanna’s car disappeared through the gates of the Morgan estate. His face was unreadable, but his fingers curled slowly into fists. The moment he had stepped out of that ballroom with her, he knew this wasn’t over.Before parting, she had clutched his hand tightly, eyes wild with fear.“Promise me,” she whispered, “Promise me you’ll keep your head down.”“I’ll handle it,” Ethan had replied, voice low and sure. “Don’t worry.”But Rosanna did worry.She returned to her family estate like a lamb walking into a den of wolves, trying to hold herself together. At the entrance, she straightened her shoulders, wiped the sweat from her palms, and rehearsed the line again in her head: I landed a fifty-million-dollar deal. That had to mean something.Inside the opulent Morgan mansion, her family sat in the drawing room, dressed in their usual layers of judgment and expectation. Her father, Lawrence Morgan, barely looked up from

Chapter 18: The Fury Unleashed The gangsters had gathered around Ethan, thinking they had him cornered. Their laughter echoed through the quiet street, but it was more than just the thrill of the moment. To them, capturing Ethan would mean glory, and possibly a high position under Sergio’s command. They could already taste the rewards—the power, the wealth, and the status. The leader of the group, the one with the scarred face, couldn’t contain his glee. “You think you’re so tough, huh? Well, here’s your chance to prove it!” He grinned, his voice dripping with malicious amusement. “We already got the woman who hurt Young Master Norlan. Now it’s your turn.” Ethan’s jaw clenched at the mention of Rosanna. His eyes narrowed into cold slits, his voice low but dangerous. “Rosanna,” he demanded, his fists tightening. “Where is she?” The men smirked, enjoying his obvious discomfort. The lanky thug with the crooked nose, who had been standing a little farther back, sauntered forward, his

Chapter 20: Roger’s Revelation The moment Ethan stepped outside with Rosanna cradled in his arms, a shadow moved near the stairwell. “Stop—wait!” a voice rasped. Ethan pivoted on instinct, shielding Rosanna behind him with one arm and drawing his weapon with the other. A young man stumbled into view, his face pale, body bruised and bloodied, barely standing on his own two feet. Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Who the hell are you?” The young man raised both trembling hands. “I’m not your enemy. Please… did you… did you kill them? All of them?” “Yeah,” Ethan said flatly, his tone icy. “Including Sergio. And of course that I welcome everyone that wants to avenge that scumbag.” The words struck like thunder. The young man’s knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, trembling violently. Then—unexpectedly—he burst into tears, covering his face with his bruised hands. “I have to see it. I have to see for myself!” Ethan frowned as the man bolted past him and into the house. Seconds l