All Chapters of Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening : Chapter 341
- Chapter 350
426 chapters
341
Ethan planned to use Galaxy to first impose economic sanctions on the Saler family—the most obedient lackeys of the Watson family. Supply chains would freeze, accounts would stall, overseas partners would quietly pull out. Nothing overt. Nothing that could be traced back to him. Pressure without fingerprints. When the Saler family began to suffocate, the Watsons would have no choice but to intervene. And when they did, Galaxy would be watching closely—measuring every resource deployed, every favor called in, every shadow asset revealed. Only then would Ethan know exactly how much power the Watson family still held… and how much of it could be taken away. *** The executive conference chamber was carved from glass and shadow. A crescent table of obsidian composite curved around the room, each seat occupied by someone who could move markets with a signature. Holographic cityscapes floated behind them—Galaxy Corporation’s reach rendered in glowing blue trade routes and
342
The moment Jenna arrived at Galaxy Corporation, she felt the weight of it. The interior was a monument to controlled dominance—soaring ceilings lined with translucent alloy panels, holographic market data flowing silently along the walls like living veins. The floors gleamed in obsidian glass, reflecting soft white light from recessed strips that guided visitors forward with surgical precision. Everything about the space whispered money, influence, and authority that didn’t need to announce itself. Executives moved through the lobby in hushed efficiency. No wasted motion. No wasted breath. As Jenna stepped further inside, her gaze swept the room—until it stopped. A man stood near the central atrium, posture relaxed yet unmistakably confident. He wore a tailored charcoal suit with a high-collared inner layer instead of a tie, the fabric subtly threaded with silver filaments that caught the light when he moved. A minimalist wrist interface rested against his cuff, and
343
Jenna’s mind raced, connecting the dots instantly. Her pulse throbbed in her temples.“So,” she said, voice tight with barely contained fury, “you’re here because of your girlfriend? That’s your plan? To sneak in through someone else?”Max’s smile didn’t falter. He leaned casually against the polished obsidian floor, hands still tucked into his pockets. “Not sneak in,” he said smoothly. “Let’s call it… strategic oversight.”Jenna’s fists clenched at her sides. “Strategic oversight? Your family has already lost the match! The Hadel family won fair and square. You have no right to be here.”“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” Max said, tilting his head, eyes glinting with amusement. “The Salers never lose entirely. You think a single disqualification erases decades of influence?”Jenna’s jaw tightened. “Your family cheated. Everyone knows it! And now you think you can waltz in and sabotage our deal?”Max chuckled, low and dangerous, like a predator enjoying the moment before the strike
344
The words hung between them like live wires—and then Max moved.He stepped into Jenna’s space with deliberate arrogance, shoulder brushing hers as if she were nothing more than furniture in his way. His tone sharpened, each word designed to scrape. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you? That’s the problem with people who think a temporary win makes them powerful.”Jenna snapped. “Get out of my face.”Max smirked and leaned closer instead, voice low and venomous. “Or what? You’ll shout a little louder? Stamp your feet? You’re out of your depth, Jenna. Always have been.”Her fury finally boiled over. “You don’t intimidate me,” she spat. “You’re just a spoiled parasite riding on a corrupt name.”A few heads turned now. The air in the lobby felt tight, brittle, as if one wrong word would shatter it.“Oh?” Max laughed, sharp and condescending. “Funny. Because from where I’m standing, you look seconds away from losing what little control you have left.”Jenna’s hands were shaking open
345
Max’s grip tightened possessively at her waist as he smiled down at Jenna, eyes cold and triumphant.The message was unmistakable.Jenna’s fury snapped into something cold and immovable.“There is no way in hell I’m leaving this place,” she said, each word clipped and burning. “Not for you. Not for him. Not for anyone.”The woman whose name was Lana, stiffened instantly, her posture snapping straight as if insult alone could bruise her pride.“How dare you,” she said, her voice dropping into something sharp and offended. “Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?”Jenna’s lips curved faintly, but there was no humor in it. “Unfortunately,” she said, “I’m starting to get the picture.”Max’s grin spread wider, delighted by the friction. He squeezed Lana’s waist, his thumb pressing in as if to remind everyone who was standing where. “Careful, Jenna,” he said lightly. “You’re really pushing it now.”Jenna let out a short, humorless laugh. “Oh no,” she said flatly. “Am I supposed to be sc
346
Jenna’s lips curved into something sharp and unyielding.“We’ll see,” she said.The words came out steady—cool, almost bored—but beneath them her heart slammed hard enough to rattle her ribs. Fear curled low in her gut, cold and unwelcome. Security here didn’t ask questions first. Power decided outcomes. And power, right now, wasn’t standing with her.But she refused to let it show.She straightened her spine, lifting her chin just a fraction, meeting Lana’s glare head-on. If this was going to end badly, it wasn’t going to end with her shrinking.Max laughed—really laughed this time, the sound loud enough to turn heads, sharp enough to sting.“Listen to you,” he said, shaking his head like she’d just told a bad joke. “Standing there like you’re someone important. This arrogance—Jenna, it’s impressive, really. Especially considering you’re nothing here.”Jenna didn’t react. She simply watched him, eyes cold.Max took that as permission.“You’re puffing your chest out in a building tha
347
Jenna’s pulse thundered, but her voice stayed level. “I’m here on legitimate business. If there’s a problem, I’m happy to resolve it professionally.” “Ma’am,” one of them said to Jenna while wanting to grab her, “we’re going to need you to—” Jenna raised a single finger. “Before you finish that sentence,” she said evenly, “you might want to check the guest authorization list for Conference Room A.” The guard hesitated. Max snorted. “Oh, come on—”Jenna didn’t even look at Max when he scoffed.“This,” she said sharply, finally turning her head, her voice cutting like glass, “is exactly what I’m talking about. This is an abuse of power.”Max opened his mouth to sneer—“Excuse me?” Lana snapped, stepping forward so fast her heels struck the marble like gunshots. “You don’t get to accuse anyone of anything in my building.”Jenna’s eyes locked onto her. “Your building?” she repeated coolly. “You’re a secretary, not a monarch. And what you’re doing right now—calling security because so
348
“She’s been hostile from the start. She’s insulting management. She’s disrupting business.” Jenna’s voice shook for the first time—but only with restrained fury. “Standing my ground isn’t disruption. It’s not my fault you’re not used to hearing no.” Lana’s lips curled. “Unbelievable.” Max leaned in toward Jenna again, his tone low and cruel. “You really thought you were untouchable,” he murmured. “Look at you now. Still talking. Still powerless.” Jenna met his gaze, eyes blazing. “And look at you,” she shot back. “Hiding behind your girlfriend’s badge because without it, you’re nothing but a sore loser who can’t accept defeat.” That hit. Max’s jaw tightened. “Get her out,” he snapped to the guards. “Now.” Lana folded her arms, chin high. “I don’t want to hear another word from her. Drag her out if you have to.” The guards hesitated—just for a second—but Lana noticed. “What are you waiting for?” she demanded. “Do your jobs!” One guard reached out hesitantly toward Jenna’s arm
349
“Let go of me!” Jenna shouted, her voice echoing through the lobby. “This is assault! You can’t do this!” Heads snapped up. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Lana smiled. “See?” she said smugly. “All this drama. Completely her own fault.” Jenna struggled, adrenaline flooding her veins. “You’re proving everything I said!” she screamed, trying to wrench free. “This is abuse of power! You’re bullies—you’re all bullies!” Max tilted his head, amused. “You know,” he said lightly, “this could all stop if you just begged.” Lana’s smile sharpened. “That’s right. Say you’re sorry. Beg properly.” Jenna stared at them—then laughed. It was short, raw, almost hysterical. “No way in hell,” she said. “I’d rather choke on my own blood.” The guard’s expression hardened. “Shut up and move,” he snapped, dragging her forward. “Stop!” Jenna cried, her voice cracking now. “Someone stop this!” Max leaned casually against the railing, utterly unbothered. “Told you,” he said lazily. “You should’ve ap
350
The lobby was chaos. Not loud chaos—worse. The kind charged with humiliation, fear, and spectacle. Ethan stepped out just in time to see it. Jenna. Her arms twisted behind her back. Guards gripping her like she was dangerous. Her heels scraping uselessly against the marble as they dragged her forward. Her voice raw. Furious. Breaking. “This is assault! You can’t do this!” Lana stood nearby, arms crossed, face alight with vicious satisfaction. Max leaned against the railing, smiling. Something inside Ethan snapped cleanly in two. “ENOUGH.” The word cracked across the lobby like a gunshot. Everything froze. The guards stiffened. Jenna went still, chest heaving. Lana spun around. “Who do you think—” “Leave her,” Ethan said, already striding forward, his voice deadly calm. “Immediately.” The guards turned fully now.Even Jenna turned.Her head snapped toward the voice, breath hitching mid-gasp.For a split second she didn’t understand what she was seeing—only that the sou