The phone in Ethan’s hand changed the atmosphere faster than the fallen bodyguards had.Around him, the security officers remained tense, while the crowd kept their phones raised. Don Alvaro stood near his SUV, his face was dark with shame and anger. His guards were still groaning on the ground, and the VIP entrance that had been full of noise only minutes ago now felt like a court waiting for judgment.The lead officer kept his eyes on Ethan’s phone. “Sir, I said slowly. Do not make this worse.”Ethan did not look offended. “I am not making it worse. I am preventing it from becoming a bigger problem.”Don Alvaro laughed bitterly and pointed at him again. “Listen to him. He talks like he owns the whole venue. Officer, are you going to stand there while this criminal makes calls after attacking my staff?”The officer glanced at the injured men, then back at Ethan, still struggling to believe the fact that one man beat down six able bodies men. “Nobody is leaving until we understand wh

Don Alvaro’s face lost its color before the caller even finished speaking.The noise around the VIP entrance faded behind the pounding in his ears. The paramedics were still checking his fallen guards, security officers were still pushing spectators away, and Ethan was still walking toward the debate entrance as if nothing behind him deserved another glance. But Don Alvaro no longer cared about the crowd. The voice on the phone had just struck the first crack into an empire he believed untouchable.For years, Don Alvaro had survived every investigation, every political shift, and every rival who tried to challenge him. Judges could be persuaded. Officials could be bought. Witnesses could disappear. That confidence had become part of him, so deeply rooted that he no longer believed anyone could truly threaten his business. Yet the fear in his subordinate's voice sounded unlike anything he had heard before.The caller spoke quickly. “Sir, Mike Rollins’ agent just called. He said the a

Don Alvaro’s silence lasted only a few seconds before fear tore through what remained of his pride.He moved closer to Ethan, ignoring the security officers watching them. His expensive shoes scraped against the polished floor as his steps became unsteady. The man who had threatened to bury Ethan now looked desperate enough to fall at his feet.His breathing had become uneven, and the confidence that once surrounded him had completely disappeared. Every instinct that had helped him survive in politics now screamed the same warning. The man standing before him was someone he could not afford to offend for another second.“Master Ethan, please wait,” Don Alvaro said, lowering his voice. “I did not recognize you because of the clothes and the beard. I would never have spoken to you that way if I had known the truth about you.”Ethan’s expression remained cold. “That is exactly the problem.”Don Alvaro froze. “What do you mean?”“You believed I was ordinary,” Ethan replied. “That was why

The lead officer glanced at the approaching paramedics. “He appears to be in severe distress.”“I am not distressed,” Don Alvaro shouted. “I am only desperate.”His voice cracked as he spoke, making the desperation even more obvious. The people around him no longer saw a feared politician. They saw a man whose composure had shattered in public, and every attempt to explain himself only made him appear more unstable.To everyone watching, the distinction no longer mattered.Two paramedics came forward carrying a medical bag and a folded transport chair. One was a calm older man with a soft voice.“Mr. Alvaro, my name is Daniel,” the paramedic said. “I need you to breathe slowly and answer a few questions.”Don Alvaro stared at him in disbelief. “I do not need questions. I need that man brought back.”Daniel followed the direction of his finger. Ethan had nearly reached the inner doors. “Who is that man?”Daniel studied Ethan from a distance for a moment. The man walked with calm purpos

The moderator welcomed the candidates and explained the debate rules. “Each candidate will receive equal time. Personal attacks are discouraged. The first subject tonight is economic recovery.”Roland Verda answered first. “Verdanis must rebuild through small-business support, agricultural investment, and responsible public spending. We cannot recover by depending only on large corporations.”The audience gave him polite applause.Roland smiled hopefully as he looked around the hall, expecting stronger support. Instead, most people simply nodded before settling back into their seats. Even those who agreed with his ideas seemed unconvinced that he possessed the strength to carry them out. Ethan noticed the hesitation immediately. In politics, confidence often mattered as much as competence, and Roland was already losing that battle.Gideon leaned toward his microphone when his turn came. “My respected opponent speaks of small businesses, but his economic program provides no clear pat