2026-02-23 21:06:05
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CHAPTER 82
Victor Ashford spent the entire day making phone calls. By noon, he had contacted every business partner Ashford Industries had worked with over the past ten years. Some answered. Most did not. The ones who did answer were polite. Professional. But distant. "Victor, I am in a meeting right now. Can I call you back?" "Victor, we need to discuss our partnership later. Not a good time." "Victor, let me check my schedule and get back to you." No one called back. By 3 PM, Victor received the first official notice. An email from Peterson Manufacturing. One of Ashford Industries' oldest partners. They had been working together for fifteen years. The email was short. Three sentences. "Dear Mr. Ashford, we regret to inform you that Peterson Manufacturing will be terminating our partnership with Ashford Industries effective immediately. This decision is final. We wish you the best in your future endeavors." No explanation or phone call. Just three cold sentences. Victor stared at th
CHAPTER 81
The news spread overnight.By morning, Ethan's name was everywhere. Every social media platform. Every news outlet. Every conversation.#JusticeForVivian was trending worldwide.Claire called him at 7 AM. Her voice was tight. Controlled. But he could hear the strain underneath."Have you seen it?" she asked."Yes.""The board is calling an emergency meeting. They want me to make a public statement distancing the company from you.""Are you going to?"Claire was quiet for a moment. "No.""Claire—""I am not going to throw you under the bus because of lies.""The stock dropped 20% in five hours.""I know.""It is going to get worse before it gets better.""I know that too." Claire exhaled slowly. "Ethan, what are you going to do?"He looked out the window of the study. The sun was rising over the city. "What I should have done from the beginning.""What does that means?""It means I am done being quiet."He ended the call.---Ethan sat at his desk for a long time, staring at the black
CHAPTER 80
"To my son! Welcome back!"Victor Ashford raised his champagne glass high above his head. The ballroom of his private estate was packed with guests. Business partners. Politicians. Journalists. Everyone who mattered in the city.Marcus stood beside his father, wearing an expensive suit and a forced smile. His hand was still bandaged from the injuries he sustained weeks ago. But tonight was not about his injuries. Tonight was about redemption."My son," Victor continued, his voice booming across the room, "has been through hell. He was falsely accused. Arrested. Humiliated. All because of one man's vendetta."The crowd murmured sympathetically."But justice prevailed," Victor said. "The charges were dropped. The accusations were proven false. And now Marcus is free. Free to reclaim his life. Free to reclaim his future."Applause erupted.Marcus nodded graciously, shaking hands with guests who approached to congratulate him. He played the role perfectly. The victim. The wrongly accused
chapter 79
The crowd erupted in applause.Howard looked at Ethan. "You should leave. Before this gets worse for you.""Worse how?""We could call security. Have you removed for trespassing.""I was invited.""By someone who does not have our trust anymore." Gerald crossed his arms. "Leave. Now. Or we will have you escorted out."The crowd was watching and Waiting.Ethan stood there silently his hands at his sides.Patricia called out, "Tell Claire we will be voting to remove her next week! And we will be cutting off her little charity project too!"More laughter. Louder this time.Gerald stepped closer. "Did you hear me? I said leave. Now.""Or what?" Ethan asked quietly."Or we will have security remove you.""Go ahead."Gerald's smile faltered. "What?""Call security. Have me removed. Do whatever you think you need to do."Patricia looked confused. "You are not going to leave?""No.""Then you are even more pathetic than I thought." She turned to the crowd. "Everyone, look at this. He does not
CHAPTER 78
The Grand Riverside Hotel ballroom was packed.Ethan walked in alone. Simple black suit. Nothing expensive. He had not wanted to come but James insisted. "You need to show your face. Hiding makes you look guilty."The moment Ethan stepped through the entrance, conversations stopped.People stared. Then the whispers started."That is him.""The convict.""Living off Claire Sterling's money."Ethan walked toward the far side of the room, looking for a quiet corner. He did not make it halfway before Gerald blocked his path.Gerald was not alone. Patricia stood beside him. Howard was there too. And five other Sterling Global board members formed a semi-circle around Ethan.People nearby stopped talking. Started watching."Well, well," Gerald said. His voice carried across the room. "Look who decided to show up."Ethan said nothing."Tell me something, Mr. Cross," Gerald continued. "Do you have an invitation? Or did you just walk in off the street?""I was invited.""By who? Claire Sterlin
CHAPTER 77
Marcus's father was named Victor Ashford.He was not a good man. But he was a powerful one.Victor owned three manufacturing companies, held board positions at two major banks, and had connections that stretched through every level of the business community. Politicians owed him favors. CEOs took his calls. When Victor Ashford spoke, people listened.And right now, Victor was furious.His son had been arrested. Humiliated. Dragged out of a villa by military soldiers and held in detention for three days. The family name had been dragged through the mud. Business partners were asking questions. Investors were getting nervous.All because of one man.Ethan Cross.Victor sat in his office on the top floor of his headquarters building, staring out the window at the city below. His hands were clasped behind his back. His jaw was tight.He had made some calls. Done some digging. Found out everything he could about Ethan Cross.Ex-convict. No family wealth. No education. No connections.And y
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