The expensive crystal glass slipped from Ryan Crawford’s hand and shattered across the marble floor.Red wine spread like blood.Ryan didn’t even look at it.His eyes were fixed on his phone.“What did you just say?”Barnes swallowed.“The new owner of Golden Spoon Restaurant is Ethan Cole.”Ryan’s face darkened.“That’s impossible.”“I saw him this morning.”“He was still riding that broken delivery bike.”“How could he suddenly own a restaurant worth millions?”“I don’t know,” Barnes admitted.“But Manager Lewis personally introduced him.”“The ownership documents have already been transferred.”Ryan remained silent.His mind raced.This wasn’t supposed to happen.According to his plan, Ethan should still be a poor fool, working day and night just to survive.Instead…He had become the owner of one of the city’s most famous restaurants.Ryan clenched his jaw.“Keep watching him.”“I want to know everything he does.”“Who he meets.”“Where he goes.”“And most importantly…”“I want to

Sophia’s phone slipped from her trembling hand and landed on the table.Tears filled her eyes.“My grandmother…” she whispered.“…she collapsed.”Ethan immediately stood up.“What happened?”Sophia struggled to steady her breathing.“My dad said she suddenly fainted at home.”“They’ve called an ambulance.”“They’re taking her to City General Hospital.”Her voice broke.“My grandmother has a weak heart.”“I’m afraid…”She couldn’t finish the sentence.Ethan gently picked up her phone and handed it back to her.“Don’t think about the worst.”“We’ll get there first.”She looked at him with watery eyes.“We?”He nodded without hesitation.“I’m coming with you.”Sophia quickly shook her head.“You don’t have to.”“This isn’t your problem.”Ethan smiled faintly.“Maybe.”“But you’re my friend.”“And friends don’t leave each other alone.”Sophia bit her lip.No one had said something like that to her in a long time.She nodded.“Thank you.”The two of them hurried out of the private dining r

The hallway became deathly quiet.Every doctor, nurse, and patient nearby stopped to watch.Ryan Crawford stood confidently beside the hospital chairman, a faint smile on his face.He had always enjoyed controlling situations.Especially when Ethan was involved.Ryan adjusted his expensive suit before looking at Professor Adrian Hayes.“Professor.”“I’ve admired your work for years.”“It would be an honor to have you as my family’s private medical consultant.”“I’ve already prepared a donation of ten million dollars for this hospital.”The chairman smiled brightly.“Professor Hayes, this donation will allow us to upgrade our cardiac department.”“We’ll be able to save many more lives.”Ryan nodded.“Exactly.”“It’s a win for everyone.”Then he looked at Ethan.A smug smile spread across his face.“And unfortunately…”“…it means the professor won’t have time for unnecessary surgeries.”Sophia’s face turned pale.She immediately stepped forward.“Professor…”“I’m begging you.”“My grand

The black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided through the evening traffic like a silent king.Inside the luxurious cabin, Ethan sat calmly with one leg crossed over the other.The city lights reflected against the tinted windows.He looked out quietly.Five years ago, this same road had felt endless.Back then, he had been riding his old delivery bike through heavy rain, trying his best to arrive on time.He still remembered stopping at a flower shop with the little money he had left.He had bought Chloe a bouquet of white roses because she once said they were her favorite.He had also spent nearly all his savings on a silver engagement ring.It wasn’t expensive.But to him, it represented five years of love, sacrifice, and loyalty.Tonight…He wasn’t carrying flowers.And there was no ring in his pocket.There was only one thing left.Closure.The chauffeur glanced at him through the rearview mirror.“Mr. Cole.”“Would you like me to wait outside the hotel?”Ethan nodded.“Yes.”“I won’t be l

The banquet hall fell into complete silence.The hotel manager remained bent at the waist.“Good evening, Mr. Cole.”“I’m terribly sorry for not recognizing you sooner.”“You should have informed us that you were coming.”Every pair of eyes shifted between the manager and Ethan.No one spoke.Ryan frowned.“What are you doing?”The manager looked at Ryan briefly before turning back to Ethan.“Our chairman specifically instructed every department to treat you as an honored guest whenever you visit.”Ryan laughed.“There must be some mistake.”The manager straightened his back.“There is no mistake.”He reached into his suit pocket and took out a black business card with gold lettering.He respectfully handed it to Ethan.“This is our Chairman’s private card.”“He asked me to give it to you personally.”Ethan accepted it.He hadn’t expected this either.The card only contained a name.Victor LangfordAnd beneath it…Chairman, Starlight Hospitality GroupRyan’s smile disappeared.Victor