chapter: 9 Enforcing the family rules

Old Ms. Mimi, Klein, and Alexander exchanged knowing grins. Ten minutes later, Ethan pulled up in his cab at the entrance of the Freehand Hotel.

He dialed the customer's number and announced, "Mr. Diego, your taxi has arrived. I'm waiting at the entrance of the Freehand Hotel. Please come out with your luggage."

Meanwhile, Andrew was engaged in conversation with Old Ms. Mimi and the others in the hotel lobby. "Could you come over and help me with some luggage from the room?" he asked.

Ethan glanced up at the lavish banner hanging at the hotel entrance, which read "Happy 50th Birthday, Julia."

The Freehand Hotel was renowned for its birthday banquets and was frequented by the elite of Los Angeles for various events. The high cost of staying at the Freehand Hotel could easily deter those from a lower socioeconomic background. Ethan assumed Maya's family had chosen this venue for the celebration.

Ethan explained, "taxi drivers aren't allowed to enter the hotel. Please call the security team for assistance."

However, Andrew muted his phone and sought instructions from Old Ms. Mimi. "Alright, wait for me at the door!"

Two minutes later, Andrew and the Reynolds emerged from the hotel.

"Damn it!"

Ethan realized he had been set up by the Reynolds.

Andrew approached Ethan and demanded, "Take off your clothes and hat!"

Confused, Ethan asked, "What do you mean?"

With a smirk, Alexander intervened. "Don't you know who he is? He's your boss! He's Andrew McDonald, the general agent of Prime taxis!"

"In what way?" Ethan replied, wondering who he was.

Before he could say anything, Andrew interjected, "If you doubt me, I'll have the manager, Stewart, call you!"

Shortly after, Stewart called Ethan.

"Ethan, what did you do to provoke Mr. Andrew? He's already fired you," Stewart informed him. Ethan sneered, not expecting his taxi driving career to end like this.

He enjoyed driving for prime taxis, appreciating the opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds, which helped him improve his temper and character.

He had hoped to conclude his taxi career on a positive note, but Tony had shattered that dream.

Andrew continued to yell at Ethan, "Hurry up and remove your clothes! You're fired."

Since Ethan was no longer employed, he was no longer allowed to use the taxi uniform or the cab.

"Fine," Ethan said with a grim expression, removing his blue uniform in front of everyone. "Hahaha, what a loser!" Alexander laughed, leaning back in amusement.

Klein chimed in, "Useless! Weren't you arrogant just now? You even had the nerve to hit my son! Try doing that now!"

Ethan, now under Andrew's authority, had no choice but to comply. He took off his uniform and tossed it onto the cab.

"Hey Andrew, I heard your contract for taxi proxy is wrapping up this year. Is that correct?" 

Andrew was taken aback for a moment before retorting, "And why should that concern you?"

Ethan smirked, "No need for those boardroom meetings now, Andrew. Looks like you won't be the go-to guy anymore."

Ethan vividly recalled the days when his father and grandfather were in charge of taxi reminiscing on how everything had changed. With a simple word from Ethan, Andrew's influence in Los Angeles would disappear.

Andrew, still yearning for the power and wealth that came with being the proxy, bristled with anger. "Who do you think you are?! You think I'll just step aside because you say so? Do you have any idea how close I am to running the show at prime taxis?"

 

"In the past, nobody had faith in taxi driving, but I took a risk and invested to turn things around! This time, I'm ready to shell out a million dollars!" 

Ethan sneered, "No amount of money can secure your position as the general agent anymore. Give it a shot if you don't believe me." 

Andrew seethed, "You..." 

Suddenly, Old Ms. Mimi interjected, "Ethan, you worthless scoundrel. Stop boasting!"

"You betrayed Maya and then harmed my grandson also steel from our family. Today, you will face the consequences according to our family's code."

"Are you brave enough to face me?" 

Ethan snorted, "Bring it on!"

 

Ethan's gaze swept over the grand entrance of the Freehand Hotel. Among the notable attendees like the prestigious Reynolds, there were numerous other guests gathered for the banquet. Ethan recognized them as distinguished figures in Los Angeles – government officials, mafia bosses, businessmen, and artists, each commanding power and influence beyond the imagination of ordinary folks. Despite the intimidating presence of these high-profile individuals, Ethan remained unfazed. In Los Angeles, they may be considered bigwigs, but Ethan knew that in a world where advantages could be lost and reputations tarnished, these figures could easily be diminished.

With a calm demeanor, Ethan trailed behind Reynolds into the hotel lobby, his steps steady and unwavering.

 

The entire hotel had been reserved for Ms. Julia's birthday banquet, leaving only the servers in the lobby with no outsiders in sight. As Ethan and the others entered, even the servers seemed to give them a wide berth. In the center of the living room sat Old Ms. Mimi, her towering 15-meter stature exuding dignity and majesty.

"You scoundrel! Kneel before me this instant!" commanded Old Ms. Mimi.

Ethan surveyed the room before replying, "And why would I do that?"

Old Ms. Mimi inquired, "Three years ago, when you became a son-in-law of the Reynolds, you pledged to accept punishment according to the family's rules if you ever betrayed us. Does that pledge still hold true?"

Ethan stood tall and declared, "It most certainly does!"

"Very well, fetch me the 'Enforcement Mental Rule,'" ordered Old Ms. Mimi, prompting Klein to swiftly hand over the prepared mental.

 

The metal enforcement tool, an heirloom passed down by the ancestors of the Reynolds, was larger than a standard ruler. Initially used as a measuring instrument, it had evolved into a tool for administering family discipline. A strike from this tool would inflict lingering pain for at least four days. Holding the enforcement metal in her grip, Old Ms. Mimi commanded, "It's good that you acknowledge your wrongdoing. Someone, give him twenty slaps!"

"Understood!" 

Eager to defend his son, Klein stepped forward first. However, before he could deliver the punishment, Ms. Julia swiftly seized the enforcement metal from Old Ms. Mimi. "Mother, since I failed to discipline my son-in-law, I'll be the one to teach him a lesson myself!"

Just as Ms. Julia took hold of the tool, Lena snatched it away. "I've always been the one to administer discipline. Let me handle this!"

A tug-of-war ensued among them to discipline Ethan. Unexpectedly, Maya interjected, "He's my husband. I'll be the one to do it!"

Maya grasped the enforcement metal with her slender hand, a tool that Ethan had never felt in the past three years of their marriage.