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Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 23: The Moles
Elena leaned back in her chair, her fingers laced behind her head as she stared at the screen, a smug grin spreading across her face.“Did you just hack my system?” Ethan’s voice was dangerously calm.Elena tilted her head. “Technically, yes. But in my defense, I did it for you.”Anna, Victoria, and Marcus stood around the desk, eyes locked on the screen, scanning the names appearing in bold red text.Betrayers.Moles.Obsidian Order spies hidden inside the Jade Society.Some had been there for years, feeding secrets to the enemy.Marcus let out a low whistle. “Damn.”Victoria’s face hardened. “These people are in high positions.”Anna crossed her arms, still glaring at Elena. “And what if you decided to use this against us?”Elena rolled her eyes. “How would I even do that?" Then, grinning, she added, "Besides, if I wanted to destroy you, sweetheart, I’d have done it already.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. 'She has a point.'Elena stretched lazily. “Besides, I like working for the winning s
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 24: Before the Storm
Ethan flexed his neck, rolling his shoulders and bouncing lightly on his feet as he prepared for the third and final sparring round with Jade. His muscles burned as he circled her in the underground training facility. The air was thick with sweat and metal, and the faint buzz of high-tech sparring bots filled the background.Jade smirked, her stance solid. “You’re stalling, Mr. Wilder,” she teased. “Scared you might lose?”Ethan exhaled, his eyes locked onto her. “Not in the slightest.”Above them, Anna’s voice crackled through the speakers. “The moment you take her down, we’ll move forward.”On the massive screen in front of them, streams of data flashed in real-time. Elena had set up a coordinated attack to wipe out the Obsidian Order’s hidden accounts. Every offshore fund, every illicit transaction, every bloodstained deal was now at their fingertips.But Ethan wasn’t giving the command just yet. Not until he won this round. He and Jade were tied with one win each, but that was abo
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 25: Rescue Mission
Within seconds, Anna was at her computer, the screen flooding with data as she tapped into the Jade Society’s global surveillance network.Victoria hovered behind her. "They won’t keep her at a standard location. This has to be one of their private sites."Anna’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “Give me a second. I may not be as good as Elena, but this much I can handle.”Minutes later, a red dot appeared on the screen."Got it," Anna confirmed, turning the monitor to reveal satellite footage of a shipping yard on the outskirts of the city. "The call was routed through multiple IP addresses and cell towers to throw us off, but Elena’s upgraded algorithms bypassed their tricks. It wasn’t easy, but I traced the original signal back here.”Ethan studied the location. Remote. Isolated. A perfect trap.Jade leaned in. "I count fifteen heat signatures inside."Ethan rolled his shoulders. "Not enough men if they’re expecting us to ambush them. We can't be certain Cassandra is even there."
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 26: The Standoff
Ethan turned the final corner and stopped cold.Cassandra was tied to a chair, her lip split, but her eyes were blazing with fire.A tall, muscular man stood beside her, twirling a knife between his fingers.The moment he saw Ethan, he grinned."Well, well," the man mused. "If it isn’t the mighty Wilder."Ethan didn’t blink. “Let her go.”The man chuckled, pressing the knife to Cassandra’s throat. “Make me.”Ethan’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening around his gun as he stared down the man holding Cassandra hostage.He was so going to enjoy this.The guy was built like a tank, his knuckles scarred from years of violence. The knife in his hand glinted under the warehouse lights, its sharp edge pressing just hard enough against Cassandra’s throat to draw a thin line of blood.Cassandra, to her credit, didn’t flinch. Her eyes locked onto Ethan’s, filled with the same fire he had come to admire.The enforcer smirked. “You really think you can walk in here and take what’s yours?”Ethan’s
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 27: Face to Face with the Enemy
Grayson was tall, refined, and dangerous. His presence alone shifted the energy in the room. Dressed in a dark suit, he looked more like a businessman than a criminal—but the cold calculation in his eyes told a different story.The room had stilled. Even Ethan’s team, moments ago locked in a firefight, now held position, as if the very air had thickened under Grayson’s command."You must be Ethan Wilder," Grayson mused, his voice smooth as silk.Ethan didn’t lower his gun. “And you must be the coward hiding behind hired help.”Grayson chuckled, unbothered. “You wound me, Wilder.” Hands clasped behind his back, he exuded an unsettling calm. “I only came to see if you were truly worth my attention.”Ethan’s gaze swept the warehouse. His team was holding formation, but they were outnumbered. Too many guns still aimed their way. If Grayson gave the order, this would turn into a bloodbath."You took someone from me," Ethan said coldly. "That was your first mistake."Grayson tilted his head
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 28: The Warning
“You think beefing up security is enough to stop them?” Victoria’s voice cut through the silence.Ethan leaned back in his chair, eyes cold. “No. But it’s the first step.”They were gathered in the penthouse suite of one of the Jade Society’s luxury hotels. The city stretched out beyond the massive windows, but no one was admiring the view.Jade sat with her feet propped on the edge of the glass table, twirling a knife between her fingers. “The Obsidian Order isn’t some street gang we can scare off with a few extra bodyguards.”Ethan met her gaze. “I know.”Victoria crossed her arms. “Then what’s the real plan?”Ethan glanced at Elena, who stood near the sleek touchscreen monitor displaying a live feed of digital surveillance. She tapped the screen, pulling up a web of financial transactions, coded messages, and known Obsidian Order operations.“I’ve been monitoring their communications and financial movements,” she said. “And from the look of things, they’re gearing up for something
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 29: Declaration of War
Morning sunlight streamed into the penthouse suite. The air was thick with tension.Ethan placed his phone on the table. With a tap, he played the video for everyone to see.The room was deathly silent.Then Victoria spoke, voice tight. “That bastard.”Jade’s grip on her knife tightened. “So, what’s the plan?”Ethan’s voice was cold. “We’re not just defending ourselves anymore.”Victoria raised a brow. “You’re declaring war?”Ethan met her gaze. “Yes.”Jade grinned. “About time.”Elena leaned against the table, arms crossed. “You realize what that means, right? There’s no backing out after this.”“I’m not backing out.” Ethan’s eyes were hard. “I want a message sent to every branch of the Society. Every member. Every ally. They need to know—this isn’t about survival anymore. We’re taking the fight to them.”Victoria whistled. “Damn. You’re serious.”Ethan nodded.Jade smirked. “Then let’s make sure they hear us loud and clear.”. . .That afternoon, as Ethan sat alone in his office, hi
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 30: Marry the Enemy
“I have met with the Elders of the Obsidian Order.”The entire room stiffened.Felix’s smirk vanished. Cassandra’s fingers tightened around her glass.The woman’s gaze didn’t leave Ethan’s.“They have agreed to a truce.” A pause. Then—“Under one condition.”Ethan’s fingers curled. “What condition?”She didn’t blink.“You will marry Isabella Grayson.”The name hit the room like an explosion.The younger sister of Alexander Grayson.Ethan’s fingers curled against the armrest of his chair. His jaw was locked, his eyes dark as they met the old woman’s unwavering gaze.“You can’t be serious,” he said, his voice dangerously low.The woman didn’t flinch. “I have never been more serious in my life.”His breath came slow and measured, fighting the urge to snap. “You expect me to marry the sister of the man who threatened my family?”“I expect you to do your duty,” she corrected.Felix let out a quiet laugh. “This just keeps getting better.”Ethan shot him a glare before turning back to her. “T
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Chapter 47: An Unexpected Visitor
Ethan kept his head low as he moved through the parking garage beneath Joy’s penthouse building.Baseball cap pulled low, janitor’s jumpsuit zipped up, and a mop bucket rolling in front of him."This is ridiculous," Klaus snickered in his mind. "A man who commands armies . . . now cleaning floors to dodge his psycho fiancée."'You wanna deal with Isabella, be my guest,' Ethan muttered internally."Hard pass."Ethan grunted and pushed the mop bucket to the service elevator, slipping inside and jabbing the button for the penthouse floor.He wasn’t taking chances.Not with Joy.Not with what she meant now.When he got to her door, he rapped twice in a weird pattern—like she was part of some secret club now.The door swung open.Joy’s face lit up . . . then crumpled. Tears welled up in her eyes before she could hide them."Hey," Ethan said softly.Without a word, she threw herself at him, arms wrapping tight around his middle. Her whole body shook with silent sobs."I missed you," she whi
Chapter 46: Collateral Damage
The morning sun streamed through the massive windows of the manor’s east wing, making everything feel deceptively warm and peaceful.It wasn’t.Anna moved briskly down the hallway, her clipboard clutched so tightly her knuckles had gone white. She had no real reason to be on that side of the house—except to check if Ethan was free. Or just . . . catch a glimpse of him.Pathetic, she told herself.She was so lost in thought, she didn’t notice Isabella until the woman stepped directly into her path."Anna, isn’t it?" Isabella’s voice was sweet—too sweet.Anna stopped, her heart stuttering for half a second. "Yes?"Isabella smiled. The kind of smile a cat gave a mouse just before it played with it."You've been looking awfully tense lately," Isabella said, circling her slowly. "Jealousy does that to a woman."Anna froze, gripping the clipboard harder."Something on your mind?" Isabella tilted her head, studying her. "Maybe . . . feelings you shouldn’t have?"Anna swallowed, her voice tig
Chapter 45: Queen of the Manor
Ethan sat at his desk, staring blankly at the papers before him. Numbers, names, logistics . . . none of it sank in.Instead, his mind replayed the feel of Isabella’s lips, the glint in her eyes, the way she’d threatened Joy without batting an eyelash.And now she was somewhere in his home. Redecorating, no doubt. Claiming her territory like a lioness.Klaus snickered in his head. "You should’ve run faster."'Shut up,' Ethan muttered internally.A knock came, sharp and brisk.Before he could answer, the door swung open.Isabella entered, hands on her hips, wearing a silk blouse and a pencil skirt that looked more suited to a seduction than a meeting."We need to talk about the west wing," she announced.Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "The west wing?""Yes. It’s dreary. I’m ordering renovations. Also, your study—" she paused, looking around with visible disgust. "—this needs a woman’s touch.""My study doesn’t need anything," Ethan said coolly.She laughed, like he’d made a joke
Chapter 44: Her Bloodline
"She’s a descendant," Klaus said, his voice low and steady.Ethan blinked. "Of who?""The witch who forged the Jade Necklace. Her name was Seraphina. A pureblood mage. She made the necklace with the intention to heal, to grant power to the weak. But it was corrupted by men. And I was the first fool to wear it."Ethan stared at the ceiling, barely breathing. "So Joy . . . she’s . . . what? A witch?""Not exactly. Her blood is diluted. Generations removed. But the magic is still there. It slept in her family line, dormant. And your, ah, little entanglement with her must have stirred it. That’s why I can speak now."Ethan rubbed his temples. "So you’re saying my one-night stand triggered ancient magic and woke up the ghost in my necklace. Great.""You’re welcome," Klaus said dryly. "The question is, what are you going to do with this knowledge?"Ethan didn’t answer.Weeks passed. Ethan did what he could to act normal. He attended council meetings, reviewed budgets, signed off weapons shi
Chapter 43: The Voice of Klaus
It was well into the afternoon when Ethan stepped back into the mansion. The sun cast lazy rays across the marbled hallway, warm and golden, but he barely noticed it. His mind was still spinning from the night before, the morning after, and the eerie silence that followed.Anna was the first to spot him.She didn’t hesitate. Her heels clacked sharply against the polished floor as she ran toward him, arms wide, eyes wide with a mix of relief and pent-up panic. She threw herself into his arms like she’d been holding her breath the entire time he was gone."You're back!" she said breathlessly. "Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea what kind of mess you left behind?"Ethan gave a tired smile, his hands resting lightly on her waist. "Handled something personal."Anna pulled back just slightly, enough to study his face. Her hands slid up to his shoulders. "You okay? You look . . . off.""I'm fine," he muttered. "Just need a minute to myself."Her brows pulled together. "Alone,
Chapter 42: Her Upgrade
“Are you sure you want me to come with you?” Ethan asked as he slipped into the driver’s seat of the Lamborghini, glancing over at Joy.She was already buckling up. “Yes. You practically changed my entire life overnight. The least you can do is back me up when your people freeze my account.”Ethan frowned. “My people?”Joy held up her phone, flashing the bank’s message. “Bank of Dominion. They froze my account over ‘suspicious activity.’ Said I had to come in for verification.”Ethan cursed under his breath and pulled out of the hotel lot. “Didn’t even cross my mind they might do that. I should’ve warned you.”“Guess they weren’t used to seeing seven zeros pop up out of nowhere,” she said, smirking.The ride was smooth, quiet except for the occasional buzz of the city outside. But Ethan’s mind wasn’t. He was thinking about Clandestine, Marcus, the Society, the Jade necklace that had a voice now, and somehow, even Joy.Joy kept stealing glances at him, still trying to wrap her head aro
Chapter 41: Act the Fool
"You're dreaming, you fool. Wake up, Ethan . . . wake up, you fool. Wake up!"Ethan’s eyes flew open.For a moment, everything was hazy. The ceiling above him slowly came into focus. The warmth under the sheets, the soft weight beside him—it all felt too familiar. He turned his head and saw Joy sleeping soundly. And just like in his dream, she was very much naked beneath the covers.But something was off.The room wasn't quiet.No, it was filled.Elite Jade Soldiers lined the perimeter of the room, their weapons lowered but at the ready. Marcus leaned on his cane by the far wall. And in the chair directly in front of Ethan’s bed sat Clandestine Wood, her posture relaxed, but her stare sharp.“What the . . .” Ethan blinked, sitting up slowly.And then he heard it.A voice, male, clear, but coming from nowhere."It's me, you fool."Ethan’s eyes scanned the room again. No one had spoken. At least, no one visibly.Clandestine’s voice cut in, amused. “Had fun last night?”But Ethan ignored
Chapter 40: A Million For Your Time
“Say what now?” Ethan blinked, staring at her.Chloe’s older sister smirked, calm and unbothered, her eyes showing she was nothing like her sister. She reached under the counter, pulled out a near-empty bottle of whiskey. “Yeah. Serves her right. She was a brat. Always thought the world owed her a fairy tale.”Ethan raised a brow. “Oh, really?”She caught his expression and laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. I know my family are terrible people, trust me.”Ethan tilted his head, amused. “Is that why you ran overseas?”“You bet.”Ethan chuckled. “You’re not exactly what I expected,” he said, still trying to wrap his head around it.“I get that a lot.” She poured him another shot. “Name’s Joy, by the way.”He raised his glass. “Joy. That fits. So . . . what’s your story?”She leaned on the bar, arms crossed, eyes steady. “Hmm, my story?” she said, then smiled. “Nothing interesting, to be honest.”“I get the feeling I might find it interesting.”She laughed. “Doubt it,” she said, then
Chapter 39: Her Obsession
When Ethan left the office, he found Isabella sitting quietly on a bench outside. As soon as she saw him, her expression turned expectant—like she wanted him to talk to her or thank her for sending the Unknown.He walked over and sat beside her."You didn’t have to do it. So why?"She gave a nervous smile. "When I was told I’d be marrying the leader of the Jade Society, I cried all night. Refused to eat—right up to the engagement party. But then I saw you. You were warm to me, despite the hatred you had for my brother and the Order. You spoke kindly. You made me laugh. You tried to make it bearable, even though I was marrying a man I didn’t know."She fell silent. Ethan wasn’t sure how to follow up, and the space between them grew awkward."I like you, Ethan," she said at last. "And I know what this engagement means. I know what you were to the Society—a life-force to extend the lives of its real leaders. But when we left the engagement hall, something in me shifted. The feeling was b
