After everything that happened with Casper, Margaret found herself thinking about Ethan more and more. She couldn't help it. The memories kept coming back: The night at the club when Ethan sat there with whiskey dripping from his hair. And then the boardroom, where he confronted Casper and the entire board without showing any fear. Most importantly, her favorite memory was the car ride home when he told her to leave Casper and put herself first. At the time, she had thought he was just offering her friendly advice. But now, after seeing Casper's behavior, after hearing how badly his life had fallen apart, she began to question how well she really knew Ethan. She thought about the way he carried himself. He was always calm in serious situations and was never rattled by anything or anyone. Margaret found herself wanting to know more about him. Not because he made her ex boyfriend grovel, but because of who he was and how he made her feel. So she called him. He answered on the

After enjoying a delicious dinner with Margaret, Ethan stepped out of the taxi that had pulled up to the gleaming entrance of Paradise Hotel. He paid the driver and stepped through the revolving doors into the lavish lobby. Dinner with Margaret was incredible. They had such a good time she even offered to take him back to her place. But being a gentleman, Ethan declined. He knew if he followed her home, they might get carried away in the moment. For now, he wanted to take things slow with Margaret. There was no doubt a romantic relationship was brewing between them. However, Ethan wanted to take things slow. Margaret just got out of a bad relationship and he's still healing from his divorce with Lois. When the time is right, they would work out their feelings. In the meantime, they were just good colleagues from work. Ethan walked up to the reception desk, and the receptionist looked up with a smile."Master Wayne," she said quietly, keeping her voice low. "Welcome back.""Than

"This is bullshit!" Paul exclaimed as he marched out of the underground club, swaying slightly. "Clearing a bill with a signature? Somebody pinch me!"The champagne and whiskey were finally catching up with him. His friend walked beside him, equally unsteady, while the two bodyguards followed at a respectful distance.Ethan walked behind them with his hands in his pockets and a calm expression on his face."Is everything alright, Mr Lantern?" he asked casually. Paul suddenly stopped and turned."How did you do it?" he demanded, his words slightly slurred. "How did you pay off those bills with just your signature?"Ethan shrugged. "I know a guy who works here. He once told me if I ever needed a drink, it's completely on him."Paul's face flushed with anger. He grabbed Ethan by the collar and shook him hard."That wasn't the deal!" he shouted. "You were supposed to pay, not let someone else pay for it!"Ethan didn't resist. He just looked at Paul with calm, steady eyes. The guy was hal

Ethan settled into the back seat of the taxi as it pulled away from NorthCastle United. He was halfway to Paradise Hotel when he saw a black sedan three cars behind, matching every turn the taxi took. When the taxi changed lanes, the sedan changed lanes. When the taxi slowed down, the sedan slowed down.Ethan's eyes narrowed. He didn't need a prophet to tell him he was being followed.Those were definitely Paul's men.He leaned forward and tapped the driver on the shoulder."Pull over at the next corner. I'll get out here."The driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror but didn't argue. He pulled over to the curb, and Ethan stepped out, handing him a few bills."Thanks," Ethan said.He stood on the sidewalk, watching as the taxi pulled away. The black sedan slowed down, its passengers clearly unsure of what to do.Ethan didn't wait. He turned and began walking toward the sedan.The car slowed even further, almost coming to a stop. Through the windshield, Ethan saw two men in dark

Brown took a couple of minutes to ease the tension between Ethan and Paul. Once everyone was seated in their respective chairs, he took a deep breath and faced Ethan. "Master Wayne, before I explain, I want you to understand something. I'm not proud of everything I've done, but I'm not ashamed of it either. It made me who I am today." Ethan nodded slowly. "Go on." Brown began to pace the office, his hands clasped behind his back. "Years ago, before I met you, I worked for Mr. Lantern. But I didn't work for him as a manager or an accountant. I was his enforcer. He trusted to handle everything that couldn't be handled in the light of day." Ethan listened in silence. Brown continued. "Mr. Lantern built his empire through legitimate companies like real estate, shipping, and logistics. But underneath all of that, there was an underground network of operations that stretched across the city and beyond." "I managed those operations, Master Wayne. I also disciplined disloyal members an