All Chapters of Zenith's New Master: The Lost Sterling heir Returns: Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
14 chapters
CHAPTER 1
The sounds from behind the apartment door made Ethan freeze, his hand hovering inches from the doorknob.Rhythmic creaking. Heavy breathing. A woman's moans rising in unmistakable pleasure.His chest tightened, a cold dread spreading through his veins.The text from Lily had been clear: Come over tonight. I need to see you. After three years together, after everything he'd sacrificed for her, he'd thought maybe tonight would finally be different. Maybe she'd finally agree to make their relationship official, to acknowledge what they had publicly.Ethan's jaw clenched as reality crashed over him. He twisted the unlocked doorknob and shoved the door open hard enough that it slammed against the wall.The scene before him shattered everything he'd believed.Lily straddled a man on her bed, both completely naked, her dark hair spilling down her bare back in waves. She whipped around at the intrusion, her eyes widening for a single heartbeat before something cold and calculating replaced th
CHAPTER 2
The crimson light faded from Ethan's eyes, but the power remained—coursing through his veins like molten steel. He pushed himself upright effortlessly. The broken ribs, shattered cheekbone, internal bleeding—all gone, healed completely.But there was more. Knowledge flooded his mind—ancient cultivation techniques, combat forms, energy manipulation methods. Secrets that felt foreign yet familiar, as if they'd been sleeping in his soul.Savage growls erupted from the darkness.Six massive dogs emerged—pit bulls mixed with something more feral. Scarred bodies, foam-flecked maws. Fighting dogs. Starved and trained to kill.The lead dog lunged at his throat.Time slowed.Ethan's leg whipped up. His foot connected with the dog's ribcage mid-leap with a sickening crack. The massive animal flew backward, crashing into two packmates. Its ribs collapsed inward. It didn't get up.The remaining dogs charged together.Ethan moved like water, struck like lightning. A punch caved in the second dog's
CHAPTER 3
The holographic display flickered off, leaving Ethan and Victor in the dim glow of the office."The takeover ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at 3 PM," Victor said. "It coincides with Zenith Global's fifteenth anniversary celebration. Every major company in the city will be there."He handed Ethan a tablet with the guest list. "Review these names. Know your allies and your enemies."Ethan scrolled through hundreds of names until his finger stopped on one.Cross Enterprises - Damien Cross, RepresentativeA cold smile touched his lips. "Damien will be there.""Indeed." Victor's eyes glinted with dark satisfaction. "Tomorrow they'll watch the company pass into your hands." He placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Poetic, isn't it?""Things are getting interesting," Ethan murmured.---An hour later, Sophia guided a sleek black Maybach through the city's upscale district until they reached a private road lined with ancient oaks."Your father had this villa prepared years ago," Sophia said
CHAPTER 4
The clerk hesitated, glancing between the Chen women and Ethan. "Mrs. Chen, I apologize, but this gentleman arrived first and was already in the process of purchasing—""First?" Margaret's laugh was sharp and cruel. "Look at him! He probably can't even afford the security deposit on this store, let alone a fifty-million-dollar crystal."Claire circled Ethan like a predator, her voice dripping with mockery. "This is honestly pathetic. Did you come here to pretend you're someone important? To play dress-up with the real elite?" She leaned closer. "You're still the same worthless orphan my sister had to tolerate. Nothing's changed."Ethan remained silent, his jaw clenched tight."Oh, he's not even denying it," Margaret said with false sympathy. "Poor thing probably thought he could walk in here and... what? Impress someone? Buy his way into relevance?" She turned to the clerk. "Darling, stop wasting our time. Put the stone on our account.""Ma'am, I really must insist that the first cust
CHAPTER 5
"They refused to sell me the Celestial Essence Stone," Ethan said calmly, gesturing at the manager and clerk. "They claimed my card was fake, insulted me repeatedly, and tried to throw me out."Sophia's expression turned glacial. Without warning, her hand whipped across Harrison's face.The manager's head snapped to the side, a red handprint blooming on his cheek."Miss Winters! Please!" Harrison scrambled on his knees, clutching his face. "I understand—your servant was running an errand for you and I made a terrible mistake! I didn't realize he was working for someone as esteemed as yourself! Please, I'll process the purchase immediately—"Another slap, harder this time."Servant?" Sophia's voice was ice. "You think—"CRACK. A third slap sent Harrison sprawling across the marble floor."Miss Winters, please forgive me!" Harrison prostrated himself completely, his forehead pressed against the cold tile. "I'll make this right! Your assistant will get the crystal, I swear! I'll personal
CHAPTER 6
Lily's phone buzzed on the nightstand.Margaret's name flashed on the screen. She'd called back."I thought about it more," Lily said, skipping any greeting. "Don't worry about Ethan. Tomorrow, Damien and I are attending Zenith Global's anniversary ceremony. I'll make sure Damien personally deals with him.""Deals with him how?" Margaret asked."However is necessary." Lily's voice was cold and measured. "Ethan surviving was a complication we didn't anticipate. But whatever this woman is to him, it doesn't matter. Damien will remind him exactly what he is.""Good," Margaret said with satisfaction. "That little rat humiliated us tonight.""There's something else," Lily continued. "Something that should put everyone's mind at ease about our future." She lowered her voice with barely contained excitement. "Damien's father received inside information about tomorrow's ceremony. The new chairman of Zenith Global will be making a public appearance. Apparently the ownership transfer has been f
CHAPTER 7
Lily's shock lasted all of three seconds before her expression shifted into something sharp and contemptuous."Well, well," she said. "Look who crawled out from whatever hole he died in." She tilted her head, studying Ethan with pity. "Is this why you're here? Did you come to beg? To get on your knees and plead for another chance?"Damien burst out laughing. "That's exactly what he's here for! The pathetic dog came back to lick the hand that beat him!""How touching," Lily said, pressing a hand to her chest in mock sympathy. "Three years of being used and he still can't let go." She leaned into Damien's arm. "He must really have nothing else in his miserable little life."Ethan said nothing. He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching them with an expression that revealed nothing."What's wrong?" Damien stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Nothing to say? No tears? No begging?" He gestured at the ground before him. "Go on then. Kneel. Beg for mercy like the
CHAPTER 8
At the command, guards converged from every direction—eight, then ten, then twelve of them, batons drawn, hands on tasers, moving with coordinated aggression toward Ethan."Yes! Finally!" Lily's voice rang out, shrill with vindictive excitement. "Break his legs! Make sure he never walks properly again!"Damien stepped forward, practically vibrating with anticipation. "You heard the lady! Be ruthless! Show this trash what happens when he forgets his place!"Several of the gathered guests nodded their approval, some even voicing their support."About time someone dealt with these gate crashers," an older executive muttered."The audacity to attack security," another added. "He deserves everything coming to him."Ethan stood perfectly still, watching the guards approach with weapons raised. His posture was relaxed, his breathing even. Not a trace of fear crossed his features.The guards formed a semicircle, tightening the noose."WHAT IS GOING ON OUT HERE?"The voice boomed across the en
CHAPTER 9
Lily and Damien stood frozen, their faces cycling through shock, disbelief, and dawning panic as Marcus Webb remained bowed before Ethan."This is ridiculous," Lily finally managed, her voice shrill and desperate. "He's nobody! He's a warehouse worker—an orphan! There's no way he could possibly have a card like that!""She's right," Damien added, though his usual confidence had cracked visibly. "This has to be some kind of mistake. Maybe he stole it, or—or someone gave it to him as a joke—"Marcus Webb's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with fury as he turned to face them. "You dare question this after what you've witnessed? You dare continue to insult someone carrying the Founder's Access Card?""But he's—" Lily started."Leave," Marcus said, his voice dropping to something cold and final. "Both of you. Get out of this building immediately.""You can't throw me out," Damien said, his voice rising with indignation. "I'm a VIP guest! My family has connections throughout this company!
CHAPTER 10
Damien and Lily stood surrounded by their audience, basking in the attention and the mockery directed at Ethan."Look at him standing there," Lily said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Still pretending he belongs in places like this.""Just because you managed to steal or forge some access card doesn't mean you can compare yourself to us," Damien added, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're still the same worthless nobody you've always been."The crowd murmured their agreement, some openly laughing.Ethan remained perfectly still, his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable."Once the chairman signs off on our partnership this afternoon," Damien continued, puffing his chest, "the Cross family officially becomes second tier. My father will control partnerships worth billions. And you?" He gestured dismissively at Ethan. "You'll still be exactly where you've always been—at the bottom, looking up at people like me.""The chairman won't be signing anything," Ethan said quie