2025-02-21 02:34:06Ethan sat stiffly in the backseat, his fingers tapping anxiously against his knee as the sleek black car sped through the quiet streets. The polished setting of the interior felt oppressive, amplifying every small sound—the faint vibration of the engine, the soft rustle of his clothes, and the rhythmic tap of rain against the windows.
A clear, reinforced glass wall separated the backseat from the front, cutting him off from the two men who had brought him here. Their voices were muffled as they spoke quietly, the driver keeping his focus on the road while the passenger occasionally glanced at Ethan in the rearview mirror. Ethan’s chest tightened. The partition wasn’t just a barrier—it was a reminder that he had no control in this situation. “Where are we going?” he finally called out, his voice slightly hoarse. The passenger turned his head slightly but didn’t meet Ethan’s eyes. “You’ll find out soon, Sire,” he said, his tone still polite and yet firm. Ethan shifted uncomfortably, his heart pounding in his chest. That word again. Sire. It felt alien, as if it didn’t belong anywhere near his name. He leaned forward, pressing his palm against the cool glass. “Hey! I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on!” Neither of the men responded. Ethan gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over. He raised his fist, ready to pound on the glass, when a soft hissing sound stopped him cold. He froze, his head whipping around as a thin, white vapor began to seep from the air vents in the backseat. “What the hell is that?” he shouted, his voice rising in panic. He turned back to the partition, slamming his hand against it. “Hey! Stop the fucking car! Let me out!” The passenger glanced at him again, his face impassive, before returning to his quiet conversation with the driver. They weren’t affected at all. Ethan’s stomach dropped as realization hit him. The gas wasn’t filling the whole car—just his section. “Stop!” he yelled, his fists hammering uselessly against the glass. “What are you doing? Let me out!” The vapor grew thicker, curling around him like ghostly fingers. He coughed, his lungs burning as he stumbled back into the seat. His vision swam, the edges of the world growing fuzzy. The jade necklace against his chest seemed to grow heavier, its cold surface pressing into his skin. ‘I knew it,’ he thought, panic rising as his limbs grew weak. ‘I shouldn’t have gotten in.’ But the thought didn’t last. The gas wrapped around his mind like a fog, pulling him under. His body slumped against the seat, his eyelids fluttering shut as the last remnants of consciousness slipped away. ~•~ When Ethan woke, everything was white. The light was blinding, harsh against his eyes as he blinked slowly. His head throbbed, and the faint scent of antiseptic hung in the air, sharp and sterile. He pushed himself upright, his fingers sinking into the soft mattress beneath him. The surface was smoother than anything he’d ever slept on, the kind of luxury reserved for hotels he couldn’t even afford to step inside. As his vision cleared, he realized he was in a room unlike anything he’d ever seen. The walls were pristine and unmarked, their stark whiteness broken only by faint lines of glowing silver that pulsed softly, like veins in some living thing. Ethan swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements sluggish. His bare feet met the cold, polished floor, and he shivered. The jade necklace still rested heavily against his chest, a strange weight that he couldn’t ignore. The sound of footsteps made him freeze. She was there. The old woman from the alley. Only, she wasn’t the frail, hunched figure he remembered. She moved with a confidence that felt almost regal, her back straight and her sharp eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. Her tattered coat had been replaced with a tailored green suit that shimmered faintly under the soft light, and the faint smile on her lips carried an edge that made Ethan’s stomach twist. “You’re awake,” she said, her voice calm and even. “Good.” Ethan stared at her, his mouth dry. “You . . . What is this? Where am I?” She stepped forward, her heels clicking softly against the floor. “Do you know what that necklace around your neck represents, Ethan?” He glanced down at the jade pendant, his fingers brushing against its smooth surface. “It’s just a necklace,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “No,” she said firmly. “It’s 'the' necklace. The symbol of leadership for an organization older than most civilizations. The Jade Society.” Ethan’s frown deepened. “The . . . what?” “The Jade Society,” she repeated, her tone unwavering. “A network that has shaped the course of history for centuries. We influence governments, control economies, and ensure balance in a world driven by chaos. You’ve never heard of us, but you’ve felt our influence every day of your life.” He shook his head, his laugh bitter and hollow. “You’ve got the wrong guy.” His eyes darted away, avoiding hers. “I’m not a party to such ridiculousness. And I'm anything but a leader. I’m just a guy working dead-end jobs to pay off debts.” Her expression didn’t change. “That’s exactly why you were chosen. The jade necklace doesn’t seek power—it seeks potential. It saw something in you that no one else did.” Ethan’s stomach twisted as her words settled over him. “This is insane,” he said, his voice shaking. “You’re insane.” The woman’s eyes softened, though her tone remained steady. “I know it feels that way. But you must understand—this is your destiny. That necklace binds you to the Jade Society, and with it comes the power to change not just your life, but the world.” He looked away, his fingers digging into the edge of the bed. “Why me?” he whispered. The woman tilted her head slightly. “Because the world doesn’t need another tyrant or politician. It needs someone who understands pain, struggle, and loss. Someone who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. That someone is you.” Ethan’s chest tightened as her words sank in. He wanted to argue, to call her a liar—but deep down, he felt the pull of something he couldn’t explain. “This is your chance, Ethan,” she said softly. “A chance to be more than what the world tried to make you. A chance to lead, to protect, to thrive. The choice is yours.” The jade pendant seemed to hum against his skin, its cold surface grounding him in the surreal reality of the moment. Ethan swallowed hard, his throat tight. He didn’t know what scared him more—accepting this insane offer or turning it down.
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Ethan’s throat tightened as he stared at the woman. Her words hung in the air, heavy and surreal. The Jade Society? The necklace? Him—a leader? It felt impossible, like some twisted dream he couldn’t wake from.“This has to be a joke,” he said finally, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. “You can’t seriously expect me to believe any of this.”The woman’s expression didn’t waver. “I don’t expect you to believe. I expect you to see.”She gestured toward the smooth wall to her left, and as if responding to her command, the surface shifted. Ethan flinched as the white walls dissolved into glowing panels, displaying an intricate web of information.His eyes widened.Dozens of financial statements appeared, their numbers so staggering they didn’t seem real. Untraceable accounts with balances that had more zeroes than he could keep up with flowed through companies he’d vaguely heard of—energy conglomerates, tech empires, pharmaceutical giants. Beneath those were lists of i
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 7: Rising to the Challenge
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Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 9: The Transformation
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Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 10: A Return to the Past
The gleaming black SUV rolled to a smooth stop in front of the small supermarket, its polished exterior catching the sunlight and reflecting it like a mirror. The vehicle looked completely out of place in the rundown neighborhood, its presence alone turning heads.Inside the shop, Mr. Harris, the store manager, sat behind the counter, sorting through receipts. He glanced up at the security feed and froze. His wrinkled hands trembled as he rewound the footage to get a closer look at the SUV.“Who . . .?” he muttered, his chest tightening with unease. The last time strangers in fancy cars had come looking for someone here, they’d taken Ethan.The driver’s door opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out. Dressed in a tailored gray suit, his shoes gleaming as brightly as the car, the man exuded an air of authority that filled the street like a ripple of power.Mr. Harris squinted at the screen, his stomach flipping when two other men in dark suits emerged from the SUV and stood
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 11: Strengthening Connections
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Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 12: A Trip Back Home
Ethan watched from the backseat of his car as they drove deeper into his old neighborhood. It had been years since he set foot here, and yet, nothing had changed.The streets were exactly as he remembered, with cracked sidewalks and unsteady streetlights. The air was also thick with the scent of fried food and the ever-present smoke from old cars and street vendors' grills."Sire," his driver said, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. "Are you sure you want to go alone?""Yes," Ethan replied. "Stay in the car. I won’t be long."The SUV pulled up to a small, worn-down house at the end of the street. Paint peeled from the walls, the fence leaned to one side, and the dim glow of a single bulb flickered by the door.His childhood home.Taking a deep breath, Ethan stepped out of the car. The expensive suit he wore felt out of place here, but he didn’t care. He walked up to the door and knocked.A few seconds passed before it creaked open.His mother stood there, her eyes widening i
Ethan Wilder Rise to Power Chapter 13: A Poor Man's Pride
"You should all move to the city with me."Ethan set his cup down, the ceramic clinking softly against the wobbly old table.His father exhaled through his nose, then adjusted his chair with an unnecessary scrape against the floor. His fingers tapped against the table—once, twice—before he finally spoke. "Hmph."Ethan expected him to protest, so no surprise there.Across from him, his mother stilled, her hands wrapped around her own cup. Her gaze was warm, thoughtful.Caleb and Mia, standing nearby, exchanged quick glances. Mia, always the bolder one, perked up. "Wait . . . seriously?"Ethan glanced around the tiny kitchen. It looked exactly as it had when he left years ago. The same scratched-up table stood in the corner, and in front of them were the mismatched cups his mother always set out whenever there was something important to discuss.He met his father’s eyes. "Yes. Seriously."His mother blinked. Caleb’s eyes widened. Mia gasped dramatically. But his father? He didn’t even f
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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
Chapter 38: The Three Orders
Through a phone call with Elena, Ethan got to learn that the prestigious Blackwell University served as the front for the Obsidian Order headquarters. It was a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, its name etched in gold across the main hall.Ethan drove through the iron gates, his presence turning a few heads as he stepped out of a limited-edition Lamborghini. The campus buzzed with activity, students in tailored uniforms walking across the pristine courtyard, completely unaware of the dark power that lurked beneath their feet.He was a stranger in enemy territory, yet he carried himself with the same effortless authority that had defined his rule over the Jade Society. But he wasn’t here to make a statement—he was here for answers.Waiting at the entrance was Isabella, his fiancée. Dressed immaculately, she exuded an air of elegance, yet her eyes were gentle and welcoming despite Ethan's unexpected visit."To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, her smooth voice laced with some hi
