The next morning, Ethan arrived at work earlier than usual. He had barely sat down when David walked into his office with a folder. "Your first major contract was successful."Ethan looked up. "That's good.""That's all you have to say?""What else should I say?"David laughed. "Most people would celebrate.""I'll celebrate when the company sees better results."David shook his head. "You're becoming more like a businessman every day."Ethan smiled. Before they could continue, someone knocked on the door. A young woman entered. She wore a simple dress and carried a handbag.Ethan looked at her. For a moment, he couldn't recognize her. Then her eyes met his. "Ethan?"His expression changed. "Emily?"She smiled. "It's been a long time."Ethan stood. "I didn't know you were back.""I came back a few weeks ago."They shook hands. David noticed the way Emily looked at Ethan. There was something in her eyes. Something familiar. He quietly excused himself. "I'll leave you two to talk."Emily

The black SUV disappeared into the morning traffic. Ethan remained by the window, watching until it was completely gone. Samuel's warning kept replaying in his mind. Don't make the same mistake.He had spent years believing his problems came from the Lawson family. Now he was beginning to understand that his problems were much bigger. His father had known powerful people. Marcus Vale was connected to them. Kyle's father was connected to them. And Samuel had been teaching Ethan how to survive them.But Ethan still didn't know what his father had discovered before disappearing.His phone rang. David. "Ethan, where are you?""At home.""Good. I need you to come to the office.""Why?""I found something."Ethan grabbed his jacket. "I'm coming."Thirty minutes later, Ethan entered David's office. David immediately locked the door. "What's going on?"David placed a document on the desk. "The supplier you negotiated with yesterday has another business connection."Ethan looked at the documen

Ethan sat quietly in his new office, staring at the figures on his computer. For the first time since joining the company, he wasn't looking at a debt, a salary, or a small bonus. He was looking at a number that changed everything. $1,000,000. Ethan leaned back in his chair. He had finally earned his first million. Not from his family's name. Not from an inheritance. Not from anyone's charity. He had earned it through his own decisions. His first successful contract had opened several doors. The investment he made afterward had performed better than expected. And the commission from a major business deal had finally pushed his personal earnings past the million-dollar mark. Ethan stared at the number for a few seconds before closing the account. He wasn't excited. He knew a million dollars was only the beginning. A knock came at the door. "Ethan?" David entered. "You wanted to see me?" Ethan nodded. "Come in." David sat down. "I have the final figures from the project."

The Lawson family had enjoyed years of stability. Their company was not the biggest in the city, but it had a respected name and several valuable business partners. That changed in a single morning.Mrs. Lawson sat at the head of the conference table, staring at the reports in front of her. "What do you mean we lost the contract?"The manager swallowed. "Horizon Capital offered them better terms.""Then offer better terms!""We already did."Mrs. Lawson slammed her hand on the table. "Then why did they reject us?"Nobody answered.Sophia sat quietly at the other end of the table. She had been called into the meeting because of her position in the company. But she could already see what was happening. This wasn't an ordinary loss. Horizon Capital was deliberately targeting them.Her phone vibrated. A message from Ethan. Are you okay?Sophia stared at the message. She quickly replied. The company is having problems.Ethan responded almost immediately. What kind?She hesitated. Then type

Sophia barely slept that night. She kept thinking about the conversation with Ethan. For years, she had watched her family treat him as though he were beneath them. She had done it too. Whenever her family mocked him, she had remained silent. Whenever Ethan was humiliated, she had convinced herself that he simply wasn't good enough.But now everything was changing. Ethan had become confident. He had money. He had earned the respect of people in his company. And, most importantly, he no longer seemed desperate for her family's approval.Sophia stared at the ceiling. For the first time, she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake.The next morning, Ethan arrived at the office. David was waiting for him. "We have a problem."Ethan put his phone away. "What happened?""Two more of our partners received offers from Horizon Capital.""Did they accept?""One did."Ethan nodded. "Which one?"David handed him the report. Ethan studied it. "They're moving quickly.""Too quickly."Ethan look