Chapter 2Just as the call ended. Ethan exclaimed, “Oh my God!” with tears dropping down his face. While Damien continued laughing at him. He picked the very last remaining money on the floor. He didn't look at anybody he got and ran. He pushed through the glass doors of the hotel and onto the busy sidewalk. "Please!" He grabbed a man in a gray suit by the sleeve. "My mom is dying. I just need a few dollars. Please."The man yanked his arm away, wiping his sleeve like Ethan had infected him. "Get off me, junkie."Ethan also fell but he held himself. "Help! Anyone!" he yelled, acting like a madman and crying. A woman in a red coat tossed a single quarter at his feet and kept walking. A group of teenagers sitting on a bench pointed at him and laughed loudly. Ethan fell to his knees on the hard concrete. He covered his face with dirty hands, sobbing. He had failed."Hey. Stop crying."Ethan looked up. An old man wearing a faded blue delivery cap sat on a rusty bicycle near the curb."B

Chapter 4Ethan pressed his back harder into the damp corner of the cell, his chest was heaving. Every sharp breath sent an uneven spike of pain through his bruised ribs. He stared at the immaculate, elderly man standing in the center of the filth. He didn't understand anything he was saying. “Victor Sterling.”The name echoed in Ethan’s ringing ears, but it didn't make any sense. Suddenly, a dry, raspy laugh tore its way out of Ethan’s throat. It was a pathetic sound, devoid of humor, and it ended in a wet cough. He wiped the dried blood from his split lip with the back of his trembling, dirt-stained hand. "Right. Let me guess. Damien sent you, didn't he? This is another one of his games. Humiliate the garbage boy, film his reaction, post it online for a few million views.”Ethan’s voice shook, with unshed tears and pure exhaustion. He tried to push himself up straighter against the wall, but his bruised ribs screamed and he slumped back, breathing hard. "Is this his new game? Havi

Chapter 6"I’m taking my grandson home."Victor’s voice wasn't loud, but it made Ethan stare at him, with his mind completely refusing to process the words. ‘Grandson and home’ Just a few hours ago, he had been on his knees in a puddle of spilled soy sauce and crushed lobster, begging Damien Cross for a few wet hundred-dollar bills while wealthy strangers laughed. Now, the patriarch of the wealthiest empire in the country was standing in front of him, claiming him as blood."I can't," Ethan said, shaking his head slowly as he backed away from the open cell door.Victor looked at him, his expression was entirely calm, almost serene. "You can, Ethan.""No, you don't understand," Ethan insisted, his voice rising in panic as he pointed to the steel bars. "I'm under arrest. I was caught at the Hart Group. Damien... they accused me of corporate espionage. The police aren't just going to let me walk out of here because you asked them to."Victor’s lips curved into a faint, chilly smile. "Th