THE DRAGON SON IN LAW RETURNS

Chapter 6: The loan Shark visits

The next morning, Ethan was sitting outside the homeless shelter when three black SUVs pulled up. Expensive vehicles, tinted windows. Not normal for this neighborhood.

The doors opened, and six men in suits stepped out. They looked like corporate lawyers, but their eyes were those of predators.

Roger, the shelter manager, practically ran outside. "Can I help you gentlemen?"

The lead man—tall, silver-haired, expensive suit—smiled coldly. "We're looking for Ethan Cole. We were told he's residing here temporarily."

"I'm Ethan Cole," Ethan said, standing slowly from the shelter steps.

The man's smile widened. "Mr. Cole. I'm Thomas Wright, representing Wellington Legal Services. We're here on behalf of Harrison Industries regarding the matter of the three hundred thousand dollar loan."

"I received your demand letter."

"Yes, well, that was the polite approach. Mr. Wellington felt we should deliver a more... personal message." Thomas gestured, and his men surrounded Ethan in a loose semicircle. "The Harrison family is willing to be generous. Sign over the debt—acknowledge that you obtained the money illegally and that you're forfeiting any claim to it—and we won't pursue criminal charges."

"Criminal charges?" Roger gasped. "Mr. Cole, what—"

"It's nothing," Ethan said calmly. "They're bluffing."

Thomas's smile disappeared. "We're not bluffing. We have evidence that the three hundred thousand dollars was obtained through fraud. Bank records show suspicious transfers from offshore accounts. Money laundering, Mr. Cole. That's a federal crime. Unless you sign this document right now,

we'll have you arrested within the hour."

He held out papers and a pen.

Several homeless men had gathered, watching nervously. They'd seen this kind of thing before—rich people crushing the powerless.

"You can't do this!" Roger protested. "This is harassment!"

"This is justice," Thomas corrected. "Mr. Cole married into a respected family, lived off their generosity, and now refuses to honor his legitimate debts. He's a con artist and a parasite."

One of Thomas's men stepped closer to Ethan, deliberately invading his space. "Sign the paper, trash. Or spend the next decade in federal prison."

Ethan looked at the document. It was expertly crafted—a confession of fraud, forgery, and theft.

If he signed it, he'd be admitting to crimes he never committed. He'd be branded a criminal, barred from ever rebuilding his life.

The dragon inside him stirred. One word to Jet Liu, and these men would disappear.

One phone call to the Attorney General, and Wellington Corporation would be raided by federal agents within the hour.

But no. Not yet.

"I'm not signing," Ethan said quietly.

Thomas's face reddened. "You arrogant—do you have any idea who you're dealing with? Marcus Wellington is the most powerful businessman in this city! He has judges, politicians, police chiefs in his pocket! You're a homeless nobody! If we want you in prison, you'll be in prison!"

"Then do it," Ethan challenged. "Call your police friends. Have me arrested. Let's see how well your fabricated evidence holds up in court."

For a moment, Thomas looked uncertain. The truth was, they didn't have real evidence—just manufactured documents that wouldn't survive serious legal scrutiny. But they'd counted on Ethan being too scared and desperate to call their bluff.

"You'll regret this," Thomas hissed. "Wellington is coming for you, Cole. And when he's done, you'll wish you'd signed."

"I'll take my chances."

The men climbed back into their SUVs and drove away, leaving a cloud of exhaust.

Roger turned to Ethan, concerned. "Mr. Cole, are you in some kind of trouble? If you're involved in something illegal—"

"I'm not," Ethan assured him. "Those men are trying to intimidate me because I dared to divorce a rich woman. That's all."

But as Ethan walked away, his encrypted phone buzzed.

"Commander, we intercepted communications between Wellington and a federal prosecutor. They're actually trying to build a criminal case against you. It won't succeed—the evidence is fabricated—but they can make your life hell for months with investigations and court appearances."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. Wellington was more desperate than he'd thought.

The man wasn't just trying to take Sophia—he was trying to completely destroy her ex-husband to eliminate even the theoretical possibility of competition.

"How much time until the Gala?" Ethan asked.

"Eighteen hours, Commander."

"Then Wellington has eighteen hours to enjoy his victory. After that..." Ethan's voice turned to ice. "After that, I want him to understand what it means to threaten a dragon."