chapter: 12 Not Giving Ethan a way out

At that moment, Ethan joined in the laughter and lifted a glass of wine before making his way towards Maya.

"Congratulations, Maya. You can now search for a man who truly suits you," Ethan remarked.

Maya's response was chilly. She sensed that Ethan was concealing his inner turmoil and resentment behind his smile.

With a cold huff, Maya said, "If you were to kneel down and plead with me now, perhaps Grandma might show you some leniency and refrain from casting you out, at least temporarily."

Ethan chuckled in response, "You've betrayed me, and yet you expect me to kneel and beg to you?"

"Truly, they are the epitome of the pseudo-elite in high society!" Ethan swiftly downed the contents of his glass, adding, "You are far from deserving it!"

Tensions rose as their exchange hung in the air, leaving both Maya and Ethan at a standoff.

 

"You..."

Maya's stunning features were now a mask of anger. She had always held herself with regal poise in front of Ethan, like a queen in his presence.

Yet today, the once humble and servile Ethan had dared to rebel. Maya felt a deep sense of injustice and betrayal, propelling her to swiftly move towards Old Ms. Mimi and grasp onto one of the elderly woman's arms with both hands.

"Grandma, we are being too lenient by letting him off so easily!" Maya exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.

Alexander, who stood by Maya's side, approached as well. "Maya is right. We cannot allow him to get away with this!"

Old Ms. Mimi, with wisdom etched in the lines of her aged face, interlocked her weathered hands and gently patted her grandchildren while offering words of reassurance.

Fear not, my dear ones. I will not tolerate any mistreatment of my family members."

Old Ms. Mimi walked purposefully towards the gathered guests, her gaze steady and commanding.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Ethan has squandered three precious years of my granddaughter's life and even resorted to violence against my grandson. The Reynolds family has maintained a reputation of fame and dignity in Los Angeles for several decades. If we overlook this matter, I fear that we will not be taken seriously in the future."

A solemn hush fell over the crowd as they contemplated Old Ms. Mimi's words, realizing that she was undoubtedly planning to take action against Ethan.

Ethan set down his glass, his expression unreadable as he awaited the Reynolds family's decision on his fate.

Old Ms. Mimi pressed on, her voice unwavering. "Each one of you gathered here today holds significant influence in various industries across Los Angeles. I urge you all to assist me in ensuring that Ethan finds no escape route in the days to come."

The gravity of her words hung in the air as the guests absorbed the implications. By targeting Ethan's means of livelihood in Los Angeles, the Reynolds family was determined to sever his most crucial lifeline.

 

The guests engaged in fervent discussions, each contemplating the unfolding situation and pondering the potential repercussions. Among them, those with business acumen stood out as the most astute observers.

The act of severing one's means of livelihood was likened to a severe blow, akin to striking at the core of one's existence. No one present was eager to provoke unnecessary conflicts unless absolutely necessary.

In a decisive moment, Tony rose to his feet. "I stand in solidarity with the Reynolds family on behalf of the Wests," he declared.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tony, and my family operates within various industries, notably in hospitality. Even though I may be ostracized, my family will heed my words."

"Starting today, I pledge that Ethan will be denied accommodation in any hotel or inn below a four-star rating in Los Angeles!"

"You are only fit to lay your head on the cold streets!" Tony's words rang out with finality, drawing a line in the sand and signaling the beginning of the consequences for Ethan's actions.

Initially, some attendees were unfamiliar with Tony's background due to his early estrangement from his family, and many of the guests were in their forties or fifties, unaware of the younger generation's dynamics.

However, Tony's introduction shed light on his lineage, prompting a wave of recognition among the guests.

"So, he's a scion of the West. I've heard they have a significant stake in about 70% of the hotels in Los Angeles."

"And let's not forget their ownership in prestigious brands like Beverly Hills and Ritz-Carlton LA!"

"Ethan's prospects are dwindling by the minute. He won't even secure a room for any shady business with women in the future. Haha!"

Ethan felt a surge of amusement bubbling within him. "I am a scion of the Sinclairs. Why would I bother with hotels that fall below four stars?"

Tony's bold stance set the tone, and as Ethan, a mere live-in son-in-law without substantial connections in Los Angeles, faced mounting pressure and ridicule. Another man soon stepped forward.

The unfolding events painted a stark picture for Ethan, leaving him isolated and vulnerable in the face of the collective power wielded against him.

 

The man in his forties fixed Ethan with a piercing gaze before speaking, "Greetings, everyone. I'm Jan Niklas, the proprietor of a renowned restaurant. With over two decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, I stand before you today."

"I am prepared to join forces with the Reynolds to hinder Ethan's future prospects."

"Given my extensive network within the F&B sector, I have no doubt that Ethan will find it exceedingly challenging to secure employment in any dining establishment across Los Angeles moving forward."

Grateful nods and expressions of appreciation filled the room from the members of the Reynolds family. Even Jack Ward, the esteemed chief of staff at a prominent organization in Los Angeles, voiced his support.

"As the chief of staff at prime taxis of Los Angeles, I, Jack Ward, also pledge my solidarity with the Reynolds in curtailing Ethan's future opportunities."

"Ethan, consider your days as a prime taxi driver numbered. Your chances of working with prime taxi, or any other related entity, are looking increasingly bleak."

 

Ethan couldn't contain his amusement and found himself chuckling uncontrollably. It was as though he had been thrust into a clichéd action movie plot, facing off against a group of rather comical antagonists.

The individuals before him seemed more bumbling than the typical villains found in such films.

"I'm facing a boycott in the hotel and prime taxi driver industries, is that all?" Ethan quipped.

Another person rose to their feet and declared, "I am the owner of Goldmine Karaoke. You can kiss job opportunities as a server in any karaoke joint or bar goodbye."

"Hahaha, wonderful! Any other takers?" Ethan egged them on.

Soon, two more individuals stepped forward, offering him positions in low-skilled roles. To them, Ethan appeared to be lacking in education and work experience, relegating him to menial labor jobs.

In their eyes, once his means of livelihood were effectively severed, Ethan would find himself adrift and struggling to survive in the vast expanse of Los Angeles.

 

Observing Ethan's lack of panic, Alexander suddenly interjected, "Ethan, this guy's got some serious skills in fighting. Maybe he should consider a career as a bodyguard?"