The Uber turned off the highway onto Oakridge Street, a peaceful suburban area lined with maple trees and neat lawns. Ethan leaned his head against the window, watching the familiar scenery roll past. Children skated on the sidewalk, their laughter drifting through the open windows. An elderly couple watered their garden, waving at people passing by. A golden retriever ran after a tennis ball across the yard.This place was very peaceful. It was the kind of place where people lived simple lives and worried less about the bustling city life.For the past three days, since leaving Paradise Hotel, this was where Ethan had been living.The Uber pulled up in front of a modest bungalow with nice hedges and a small garden. Ethan stepped out, paid the driver, and stood for a moment on the sidewalk, breathing in the fresh air.He had bought the entire house while pretending to be a tenant. The previous owners were glad to sell to Ethan, who paid in cash.No one in this small town knew he was

That evening, Ethan stood outside Carl's front door as music and laughter spilled out into the calm suburban street. He held a bottle of wine in his hand, a modest vintage that Brown had promised was worth more than its weight in gold. However, to Ethan's untrained eye, it looked rather ordinary and unimpressive.Standing at the door, Ethan knocked, and it opened almost immediately. Carl stood there with a wide grin spread across his face, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand."Ethan! Glad you could make it, buddy!" Carl clapped him on the shoulder, then glanced down at the bottle. "You brought wine! Well done. Come on in."Carl took the bottle and examined the label briefly. It didn't look expensive like the other wines his guest brought. In fact, it looked like something you'd pick up from a discount liquor store. Carl set it aside on a nearby table, clearly unimpressed. "Make yourself at home," he said, gesturing toward the living room. "Everyone's in there."Ethan stepped ins

Everyone watched with bated breath as Ethan took out his phone.He scrolled through his contacts, found Brown's number, and pressed dial. The room was so quiet that everyone could hear the faint ringing from the other end."Master Wayne," Brown answered on the second ring. "How can I assist you this evening?"Ethan walked toward the window, turning his back to the room. "Brown, I need to ask you about the wine you sent over earlier.""Ah, the Château Mouton Rothschild!" Brown said, his voice filled with pride. "A splendid choice, if I may say so, Master Wayne. That particular vintage has a fascinating history. It was bottled during the—""Maybe later, Brown," Ethan interrupted gently. "Right now, I need to know something specific. How much did you pay for that wine?"There was a brief pause on the other end. "May I ask why, sir?""I just learned it's worth approximately $1.5 million. Is that accurate?"Brown chuckled softly. "Actually, it's a bit higher than that, Master Wayne. There

The morning sun poured through the windows of Ethan's bungalow as he stood by the glass, holding a cup of black coffee in his hand. Outside, a moving truck was parked in Carl's driveway, and several men in uniform were carrying furniture and boxes out of the house.Carl stood on the lawn, his face pale and drawn as he directed the movers with hollow gestures. He looked like a man who had aged ten years overnight.A few neighbors had gathered on the sidewalk, watching the scene with curiosity. Some approached Carl and asked what was happening.Carl just glanced toward Ethan's house, then quickly looked away. He muttered that everything was fine and he just needed a change of scenery.This confused the other neighbors, since Carl had only moved in last year. It made no sense that he would be moving out now. Carl, on the other hand, remained silent despite their continued questioning. He avoided mentioning Ethan, the wine or the wager that led him to this moment. As soon as his belong

Ethan stood frozen, his mind struggling to process what was happening. Lois lay on the bed, her dress ripped and her hair messy, screaming at the top of her lungs. The sound was piercing, echoing off the thin walls of the motel room like a siren. "HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME! HE'S TRYING TO RAPE ME!" Ethan's mouth opened, but no words came out. He was so paralyzed by shock that he couldn't move a muscle. "Lois, what are you—" "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" she shrieked, scrambling backward on the bed, pulling the torn fabric of her dress around her like a shield. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Ethan took a step toward her, his hands raised. "Lois, stop! You're lying! I didn't—" "HELP! HE'S GOING TO KILL ME!" She shrieked. That's the moment it hit Ethan. He realized with a sinking feeling that he had been set up. It was all a trap: the bruises, the tears, the apology, the desperate plea for help—everything had been an act. Lois had brought him to this cheap motel to falsely accuse him of the on