2025-11-21 03:18:11The officer’s question still hung in the air, sharp enough to slice through the tension choking Terminal 4.
“Sir… how exactly did you obtain this Special Services access card?” Ethan Ward lifted his head slowly. His eyes were calm, cold, and stripped of every emotion except a quiet certainty. The humiliation, the heartbreak, the exhaustion — all of it had fallen away, leaving behind a man who had nothing left to fear. “I got it from the airport authorities,” Ethan said quietly. “I earned it.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. The officer blinked, he looked surprised. Caleb Stone stared with open disbelief. “Earned it?” Caleb scoffed loudly. “You? Earned it? Please.” The officer looked down at Ethan’s badge again, as if trying to make sense of something impossible. He recognized the name. Everyone did. Ethan Ward — the former tech prodigy whose company had collapsed overnight. The man who had paid his employees their full severance until he had nothing left. The man trending on business news for losing everything trying to save his marriage. The officer frowned. “But… this kind of access is extremely expensive. Higher than first class. Higher than VIP class. Only private jet passengers and high-ranking officials have it.” A murmur rippled through the terminal. Caleb seized the moment like a starving wolf. “Exactly!” he shouted, raising his hand dramatically. “This man is broke! Bankrupt! He can’t afford a train ticket, much less Special Services!” Ethan didn’t move. He simply stared straight ahead, indifferent to the ridicule. Caleb stepped closer, face gleaming with malicious triumph. “Officer, this badge must be fake. I want him investigated. Thoroughly.” The officer hesitated, but doubt was already in his eyes. He knew Ethan’s reputation — and he also knew Special Services wasn’t something a fallen man could access. And Caleb took advantage. He pulled out his phone and dialed immediately. “Hello, this is CEO Caleb Stone!” he announced loudly. “Yes. Fraud report. A man is impersonating a Special Services passenger. His name is Ethan Ward — yes, the failed former CEO of the now disbanded WardTech dynamics. I believe he has hacked the system or stolen a badge.” A few people nearby gasped. Someone whispered, “Ethan Ward? The guy from the news?” Another murmured, “Is he being arrested?” Ethan closed his eyes briefly. The humiliation hit hard, but not in the way Caleb hoped. It didn’t break him — it lit something slow and dangerous inside him. Within minutes, two policemen raced into the terminal. Their shoes hit the tiles with sharp, intimidating thuds. “Where is he?” one barked. Caleb pointed eagerly. “There! That man! He’s using a fake Special Services badge!” The policemen approached Ethan with zero patience. “Stand up,” one ordered harshly. Ethan didn’t move immediately. Not out of defiance — but because part of him simply couldn’t believe how quickly life had dragged him from one humiliation to the next. “What’s going on?” he asked quietly. “Don’t play innocent,” the officer snapped. “Special Services misuse is a federal offense.” Caleb folded his arms, triumphant. “Go on, officers. I understand that you all have to do your job, but what do you have to prove that this special service access card is fake.” The second policeman not ready for any formalities quickly grabbed Ethan’s arm and twisted it behind his back. Ethan winced. Not in pain, but in anger he refused to display. “Hold still,” the officer said sharply. “If this badge is fake, that’s prison time.” “It’s not fake,” Ethan said calmly. Caleb laughed. “Oh? Then who gave it to you? Santa Claus?” The crowd chuckled nervously. The officers didn’t wait for an answer. One reached for his cuffs. The cold metal brushed Ethan’s wrist. And then— A loud announcement blasted through every speaker in Terminal 4. “Attention all passengers: A high-grade private aircraft has now landed in Brookhaven International Airport. All normal passengers must clear Terminal 4 immediately. Repeat: Terminal 4 must be evacuated at once for VVIP protocol.” The terminal froze. The officer holding the cuffs paused. Passengers gasped and stared at the windows. Even Caleb’s mocking smile shattered. A mother whispered, “A high-grade private plane? Those are for world leaders…” An elderly man whispered back, “Or for billionaires… or royal families.” Another passenger said, “Who’s arriving? Why clear an entire terminal?” Everyone looked around — confused, excited, intimidated. The policemen exchanged glances. Even they seemed unsettled. Only the highest of the highest got this kind of clearance. Caleb swallowed hard. His voice suddenly cracked. “W-what’s happening? They shut down the whole terminal… for who?” Airport guards rushed in from every direction. “Everyone, please evacuate this area!” “Step back!” “Terminal 4 is on VVIP lockdown!” “Move away from the barriers!” The officers tried to maintain control while being pushed aside by the new security wave. People stared at Ethan as they passed him: “Is he someone important?” “Why hasn’t he been moved?” “Are they arresting a man in front of a VVIP arrival?” The terminal emptied rapidly until only a handful of people remained: Ethan, Caleb, the policemen, a few airport guards, the heavy, electric silence settled over them. Then— The glass doors of the terminal entrance slid open with a soft mechanical hiss. Three figures stepped inside. One in front. Two behind him. The man in front walked with a dignified urgency, dressed in a black formal coat that flowed with each step. His silver-rimmed glasses glinted under the bright airport lights. His name was Steward James Leonard, the head of Magnus Xavier household and loyal servant of Magnus Xavier. Behind him were two tall, broad-shouldered enforcers in perfectly tailored black suits. Their posture was military-level. Their expressions unreadable. Earpieces blinked softly at their ears. They weren’t normal bodyguards. They were the kind of men who protected presidents — or emperors. Every guard in the terminal stiffened reflexively, recognizing the aura of true power. Steward Leonard scanned the area with worried eyes… Then he saw Ethan, held by policemen. His arm was twisted, almost handcuffed. His old face twisted from confusion to shock. He hurried forward, his voice cracking with disbelief. “Master Ward…?”
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THE SUPREME LEADER'S SECOND THRONE
Darius Verda arrived at Arkstone Ridge believing that the Khagan Council would provide the protection his family desperately needed. He had spent the previous evening preparing his arguments with VerdaLife's lawyers. Although Ethan Xavier had exposed his true identity as the Supreme Leader of Verdanis, Darius remained convinced that the Council would prevent him from destroying one of the country's largest medical companies.The heavily guarded entrance to Arkstone Ridge looked exactly as Hilton had once described it. Security officers inspected Darius's invitation before allowing his vehicle through the gates. Beyond the entrance stood the magnificent building where the most powerful business families in Verdanis gathered to make decisions concerning their privileges and responsibilities.Darius entered the Khagan Chamber accompanied by two lawyers as permitted by the Khagan authorities. His eyes moved across the magnificent hall, taking in the expensive decorations and the seven s
I CHALLENGE YOU BEFORE THE KHAGAN COUNCIL
“Go on, Mr Verda,” he said. “I am listening.”Darius drew confidence from the opportunity to explain himself.“The Khagan Council protects the country's most important business institutions,” he continued. “VerdaLife supplies medicines, supports hospitals and contributes to medical research across Verdanis. Removing our family from that position would affect the entire healthcare system.”Several directors nodded cautiously. For the first time since Ethan's identity was revealed, Darius believed he had found an argument that could protect the family's remaining influence.“The Supreme Leader cannot simply declare our Khagan status invalid because he disagrees with our management,” Darius added. “If you want to challenge our position, you must present your case before the Council. Its members have the right to examine the evidence and make a decision.”Lorne looked toward Ethan, waiting for his response.Ethan did not appear offended. In fact, Darius had finally raised an argument that
THE VERDA FAMILY'S LAST SHIELD
Elias slowly rose from his chair. His hands trembled slightly as he looked around the room. He knew that speaking openly could permanently damage his relationship with the surviving members of his family.“Your Excellency, I supplied certain records belonging to my late brother Roland,” Elias admitted. “Those documents contained information about suspicious transactions and financial activities within VerdaLife. I preserved them because I knew they might become important.”Darius turned toward him in disbelief.“You?” he exclaimed. “Elias, are you telling me that you secretly handed our family's private documents to government investigators? After everything this family has done for you?”Elias looked at his uncle.“Yes, Uncle Darius,” he replied quietly. “I provided the records because I could no longer pretend that nothing was wrong. I should have spoken earlier, but I was afraid of what would happen to the family.”“You betrayed us!” Darius shouted. “Roland is dead, Hilton is missi
A XAVIER AMONG THE VERDAS
He had seen that face before. Although he had never met Ethan Xavier personally, Darius clearly remembered seeing him during the private commissioning of the Paralysis Projects. It was the same event where Ethan's life had been threatened, and an assassination attempt had nearly succeeded.Darius could still remember the fear and confusion that followed the incident. He had seen Ethan's face clearly that day, but he never imagined that the Supreme Leader would later enter VerdaLife disguised as an ordinary temporary employee.Now that the fake moustache and plastic facial disguise had been removed, there was no longer any doubt in his mind. The man standing before him was the same Ethan Xavier he had seen during that dangerous commissioning ceremony.“No... this cannot be possible!” Darius exclaimed, gripping the edge of the conference table. “You... you're Ethan Xavier! You're actually the Supreme Leader!”Several directors immediately leaned forward to examine Ethan's face. Without
THE FACE BEHIND ETHAN WARD
Darius Verda stared at the armed Tribunal officers entering his boardroom. He had expected the security department to explain why the doors were locked, not a senior military officer arriving without permission. His anger grew when he recognized the man leading them.“Brigadier General Lorne, what is the meaning of this?” Darius demanded, rising from Hilton's chair. “Who authorized you to enter VerdaLife's headquarters and interfere with a private board meeting? I demand an explanation immediately.”Lorne did not answer him. He glanced at the detention order in the security chief's hand before turning toward Ethan, who was standing beside the conference table. The general straightened his uniform and gave a formal military salute.“Supreme Leader, the building is secure,” Lorne announced respectfully. “The Tribunal officers have taken control of the executive floor, and your instructions have been carried out. We are awaiting your next orders.”A shocked silence settled over the board
WHO DARES LOCK MY BOARDROOM
Darius however believed that if he could keep Ethan under supervision, his lawyers would have enough time to decide how to contain the growing scandal.However, Darius had made one serious mistake. He believed he was dealing with an ordinary temporary employee who had become too confident because of government support. He had no idea that the young man standing before him was Ethan Xavier, the Supreme Leader of Verdanis, whose authority extended far beyond anything the Verda family could command. The very person Darius was attempting to detain possessed the power to challenge his family's position among the Khagan business families.Ethan understood exactly what Darius was trying to accomplish. He could see that the acting chairman wanted to silence him without making the decision appear unlawful before the other directors. Nevertheless, Ethan chose not to reveal his identity or challenge the order further. He simply watched as Darius handed the signed document to the security chie
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Reader Comments
I lost my money.. i topped up but no money? They always redirect me here
I don't know abt that. I just want to continue reading married to a trillionaire, PLEASE! SHLD NOT BE THIS HARD TO FIND YOUR CONTINUING STORY!