Ethan had been sitting alone for a long time that night, staring at the faint flame of the candle placed on the wooden table before him. The small room was quiet except for the distant sound of crickets outside and the occasional whisper of wind brushing against the thin window. His surroundings were simple—too simple for a man who once believed he would stand among the greatest businessmen of his generation. Nothing around him carried the promise of success. Nothing seemed to encourage him.
He leaned back slowly and looked around the room again. The cracked walls, the old chair, the worn table, and the faint smell of dust all reminded him how small his world had become. For a moment, he closed his eyes. Then he spoke softly to himself.
“I would love to establish my hometown… build something more unique than the businesses around here.”
The words sounded hopeful, but the moment they left his lips, doubt followed them. His fingers tapped slowly on the table as his mind wrestled with uncertainty.
“But how will I start?” he murmured. “Will anyone believe in my vision? Will anyone believe that this town can become something greater?”
He sighed and looked at the candle again. The flame flickered as if it were struggling to stay alive, and somehow that small sight mirrored his own struggle. Midnight had already passed. The silence around him felt heavier than before.
“I wonder what I will do right now,” he whispered.
For a long time no answer came. His mind moved through possibilities, but each one seemed unrealistic or impossible. Then suddenly he straightened. Something crossed his mind. Without wasting time, he reached beside the table and brought out his laptop. The device looked slightly old but still functional.
He opened it, the dim light from the screen illuminating his thoughtful face.
For the next hour he worked quietly, sketching ideas and drawing simple strategies. He created rough diagrams of business networks and possible collaborations between merchants in the town. Slowly the plan began to form in his mind.
“I think I will start from here,” Ethan said as he typed a final line on the screen and marked the process.
His plan was simple but bold. Instead of building something entirely alone, he would approach the wealthy businessmen around the town—those who already sold goods in large quantities. If he could convince them to work together under a shared system, their profits would increase and the town itself would develop rapidly.
He leaned back again, thinking carefully.
“I will gather them here,” he continued to himself. “Invite them to my house and explain the strategy. Whoever wants to join will pay fifty percent of the estimated investment.”
He paused and frowned slightly.
“But will they agree?”
That question hung in the air. These businessmen were proud, influential men. Most of them had known Ethan since childhood. They would remember how poor his family had been, how his father struggled before his death. Convincing them would not be easy.
Still, after several minutes of silent thinking, Ethan nodded firmly.
“I will try,” he said. “Even if they reject me, at least I tried.”
The next morning Ethan woke early. The sun had barely risen when he stepped out of the small house and began walking through the busy streets of the town. Shops were opening one after another. Merchants arranged goods outside their stores while customers slowly filled the market roads.
Ethan walked toward the first large store he knew. The owner was a wealthy trader who sold goods in large quantities across nearby towns. Ethan believed if he could convince just one of these men, the others might follow.
He entered the store politely and greeted the man.
“Good morning, sir.”
The businessman barely looked at him.
“What do you want?” he asked coldly.
Ethan remained calm and explained his idea carefully. He spoke about cooperation among traders, better distribution systems, and a structure that would allow the town’s businesses to grow faster.
But before he could finish, the man laughed loudly.
“How can a hungry man like you teach us about wealth?” the businessman mocked. “Leave my store before you embarrass yourself further.”
The words struck Ethan sharply, but he controlled his emotions and walked out.
He moved to another store. This owner had once known his father, so Ethan hoped for a more understanding response. But the moment he mentioned his plan, the man’s expression changed.
“I’m not interested,” the trader said bluntly. “Your father died a mysterious death. I don’t want to involve myself in anything connected to your family.”
Ethan clenched his fists.
“How does my father’s death have anything to do with this?” he asked angrily.
The man smirked.
“That’s because your bloodline is destined to remain poor. Anyone who ties money to your family will lose it. I will not invest my wealth with you.”
“Stop insulting me,” Ethan said through clenched teeth.
“If you don’t want more insults,” the man replied coldly, “then leave my store.”
Ethan stood still for a moment, anger burning inside him. Then he spoke with determination.
“Mark my words. One day I will buy this store. Everything you have will become mine.”
The trader’s face twisted with anger.
“Thief! Thief!” he suddenly shouted.
The loud cry instantly drew attention from nearby merchants and customers.
“This man threatened to take my store!” the trader continued loudly. “How else will he achieve that without stealing?”
People quickly gathered around. Some of the wealthy men who knew Ethan from childhood whispered among themselves.
“He must be planning something,” one said.
Another shook his head. “We should deal with him before he becomes a problem.”
Several of them paid a few rough-looking men standing nearby. Within seconds those men stepped forward and grabbed Ethan roughly.
“Please don’t beat me,” Ethan began to say, but before he could finish one of them slapped him hard across the face.
The crowd laughed cruelly.
Ethan fell to the ground, but even as pain surged through him, he spoke firmly.
“You… the one who slapped me… one day you will work as my bodyguard.”
The man burst into laughter.
“Has he lost his senses?” another voice said from the crowd.
An elderly man stepped forward. He was respected among the traders of the town. His expression was full of disdain.
“This wretched boy has forgotten his place,” the elder said. “Teach him a lesson.”
The men raised their hands again to strike him.
But at that exact moment a calm voice interrupted them.
“Hello.”
Everyone turned toward the sound. A young man wearing a well-tailored suit had approached. His polished shoes and confident posture immediately drew attention. He looked completely out of place in the dusty marketplace.
“How can we help you?” the elder asked cautiously.
The young man looked directly at Ethan, studying his face carefully.
“This must be Ethan,” he said.
“Yes,” the elder answered quickly. “He has caused trouble here. If he has committed a crime, you may take him away. We do not want to see him here again.”
Ethan slowly lifted his head and looked at the stranger. Something about the man’s appearance and calm demeanor felt familiar. His instincts immediately told him where the man had come from.
“Darius must have sent you,” Ethan said quietly. “Sophia’s company must be in trouble again.”
The crowd stared at him in confusion.
Ethan continued coldly. “Go back and tell them I’m not interested in helping. I’m done with that world.”
The suited man stepped closer and spoke in a gentle tone.
“Ethan, perhaps we should talk somewhere quieter,” he suggested. “Maybe inside the car.”
Ethan stood slowly. Though his face showed signs of the beating, his eyes remained sharp.
“There is nothing to talk about,” he replied.
The guard remained calm.
“Mr. Darius specifically asked that we locate you. He believes your expertise is important for a project we are currently handling. He is prepared to offer you—”
“I said I’m not interested,” Ethan interrupted firmly.
The guard paused, choosing his words carefully.
“You should at least hear him out,” he said kindly. “Mr. Darius respects your abilities. The opportunity could change your future.”
“My future is none of his concern,” Ethan replied coldly.
The guard studied him silently for a moment, then sighed.
“I see.”
He stepped back slightly.
“Well… the invitation still stands. If you change your mind, we will gladly bring you to meet him.”
Ethan said nothing.
Seeing there was no point continuing, the guard turned and walked toward a sleek black vehicle parked at the edge of the road. The car engine started quietly, and within seconds the luxurious vehicle drove away from the market.
Ethan remained standing there for a moment before finally turning and walking quickly toward his home.
Hours later the guard arrived at a grand building in the heart of the city.
Inside the top floor office, Darius stood beside a wide glass window overlooking the skyline. He was a tall man with sharp features and a commanding presence. His tailored navy suit fit perfectly, and the expensive watch on his wrist reflected the sunlight. Behind him several luxury cars were parked below—sleek black sedans and high-end vehicles that displayed his immense wealth and influence.
The guard entered respectfully.
“Sir, I found him.”
Darius turned immediately. His eyes lit with excitement.
“You found Ethan?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Where is he now?”
The guard hesitated slightly.
“He refused to come.”
Darius’ expression tightened.
But before he could respond, Alexis entered the room. She was dressed elegantly, her confident posture reflecting her status.
“What did he say?” she asked.
The guard explained everything that had happened at the market—the argument, the beating, and Ethan’s refusal to return.
For a moment the room was silent.
Then suddenly Darius smiled.
“He’s alive,” he said calmly. “That’s all that matters.”
Alexis looked at him carefully.
“So what do we do now?”
Darius straightened his suit and walked toward the door with determination.
“Alexis, we don’t have much time,” he said. “Prepare the cars.”
He glanced at the guard again.
“We’re going to get him ourselves.”
His voice was filled with confidence.
“No matter what it takes, Ethan will join our team.” Darius said.
Latest Chapter
Ethan preach his vision
Ethan had been sitting alone for a long time that night, staring at the faint flame of the candle placed on the wooden table before him. The small room was quiet except for the distant sound of crickets outside and the occasional whisper of wind brushing against the thin window. His surroundings were simple—too simple for a man who once believed he would stand among the greatest businessmen of his generation. Nothing around him carried the promise of success. Nothing seemed to encourage him.He leaned back slowly and looked around the room again. The cracked walls, the old chair, the worn table, and the faint smell of dust all reminded him how small his world had become. For a moment, he closed his eyes. Then he spoke softly to himself.“I would love to establish my hometown… build something more unique than the businesses around here.”The words sounded hopeful, but the moment they left his lips, doubt followed them. His fingers tapped slowly on the table as his mind wrestled with un
The unfinished search
Two days later, Darius, one of the most powerful business partners to Sophia, sat in his office, the city lights outside flickering like stars against the night. He had a thought that refused to leave him, gnawing at the edges of his mind. He turned to Alexis, his closest friend and partner in numerous ventures, and said, “I think we should find Ethan.”Alexis, who had been reviewing financial projections, looked up, her expression serious. “I’ve thought of that too,” she said slowly. “He should be invited for this. Without him, I’m not sure anyone can pull it off.”Darius leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he clasped his hands together. “The worse part is that he’s nowhere to be found. And here we have a project—something that could put us leagues ahead of Sophia—that requires his exact skill set. If we don’t find him, someone else might, and then everything falls into her hands.”Alexis frowned. “Where do you think he would be right now?” she asked. Both of them were unusua
Ethan returned home
Just when Ethan’s life seemed completely shattered, fate was already moving quietly in the background.It was almost as if destiny had been waiting patiently for the exact moment everything would be taken from him. The moment when he would lose his wife, his dignity, his job, and the place he once believed was his home. Only after that moment would the path meant for him begin to reveal itself.But Ethan did not know that yet.All he knew was pain.The news of his disgrace spread quickly across the city. People loved stories of downfall, especially when it involved someone they once envied.“Finally, Sophia has divorced Ethan and fired him from the company.”The rumor moved from office buildings to coffee shops, from business circles to casual conversations on the street. Some people spoke with quiet sympathy, but most treated it like entertainment.Inside the Carter mansion, the mood was completely different.Sophia sat comfortably in the large living room beside Victor. Margaret, So
The divorce
Ethan stood in the middle of the room, his chest rising and falling heavily. His eyes moved slowly between Sophia and Victor, as though he was trying to convince himself that what he was seeing was not real. But the scene before him refused to change. Sophia stood there without shame, her robe loosely tied around her body. Victor stood beside her, his face calm, almost arrogant.For a moment Ethan said nothing. His lips trembled slightly, and the tears gathering in his eyes made his vision blur.Then he spoke.“I have regretted having both of you in my life.”His voice was low, heavy with pain.“Just within a week… I have experienced the most painful betrayal of my entire life.”A tear rolled down his cheek, but he made no effort to wipe it away. It dropped to the floor quietly.Sophia looked at him as if he was nothing more than an annoyance.“What will a wretched being like you do?” she asked coldly.Her words carried no sympathy, no regret, nothing that suggested she once loved him
Betrayed by best friend
The afternoon sun was already beginning to fade when Ethan walked into the bank. His mind had been troubled since the divorce, but he still believed one thing remained untouched—his savings. It was the only thing that gave him a little confidence that he would survive whatever humiliation Sophia and her family had prepared for him.He inserted his card into the ATM and entered the amount he wanted to withdraw. The machine processed the request for a few seconds before a message appeared.Transaction declined.Ethan frowned.He pressed cancel and tried again, thinking it might have been a network problem. The machine gave the same response.Transaction declined.He stared at the screen for a moment, irritation beginning to rise inside him. He removed the card slowly.“What the hell is this?” he muttered under his breath.Ethan walked into the banking hall and went straight to the service desk. A young officer greeted him politely.“Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?”“My card isn
The End of Brotherhood
The night was quiet, but Ethan Carter’s mind was not.He walked slowly along the sidewalk, the cold wind brushing against his face as if the world itself was reminding him of how lonely he had become. His hands were buried deep inside his coat pockets, and his steps were heavy.A few hours earlier, he had received a message from Victor.Come see me.That was all the message said.Victor had always been a man of few words, but Ethan knew him well enough to understand that if Victor asked him to come, then the matter must be serious.For years, Victor had been Ethan’s closest friend. They had shared countless memories together—struggles, laughter, ambitions, and dreams.Back when life had been simple.Back when neither of them had stepped into the complicated world of wealth and status.Ethan finally arrived at Victor’s apartment building. The place was luxurious, far more elegant than the modest apartment Ethan lived in now. The building itself stood tall and proud, its glass windows r
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