The return of mighty-E and the trillionaire system.

The dark mission

Chapter 9

"Ethan!" Mr. Desmond's voice jolts Ethan awake, prompting him to groan as he rises from his bed and hurries to meet him in the still-dark hours.

"Sir, here I am," Ethan mutters sleepily.

"Do you know how many times I've been calling you? Sleeping like a pig!" Mr. Desmond scolds.

"Sorry, sir," Ethan replies.

"You have to drive me somewhere now, in the dead of night, and mark my words, don't snoop around. Stay in the car, got it?" Mr. Desmond warns sternly.

"Okay, sir," Ethan acquiesces as Mr. Desmond tosses the car keys to him.

The world outside is still asleep as they board the car, Mr. Desmond guiding Ethan along an unfamiliar path that takes twenty minutes to traverse.

Eventually, they arrive at their destination. A grand black gate stands proudly before a two-story building, an imposing structure that captures Ethan's attention. The automatic doors swing open, allowing them entry into the spacious compound, though not as expansive as the Mighty-E compound.

"Stay here and don't wander if you want to live," Mr. Desmond cautions before disembarking from the car.

Ethan's curiosity gnaws at him as he watches Mr. Desmond enter the building. Soon after, two burly men join him, their identities slightly obscured. Squinting, Ethan tries to identify one of them, but his view remains limited.

Considering Mr. Desmond's warning, Ethan decides it's best to stay put for his safety. His impatience grows as he waits, scanning his surroundings for any signs of activity.

The system in his mind presents a new mission: {Get to the building's basement and discover what's happening. Reward: 1 trillion}.

Ethan's eyes widen at the potential reward, but he hesitates, the unknown dangers of the strange house giving him pause.

"Wow, that's a hefty reward, but staying inside is the safer option. I'm clueless about what might be lurking around in this eerie place."

{The mission would expire if Mr. Desmond returns}.

"Fine, fine, talking to you is pointless," Ethan mutters, cracking the door open. As he steps outside, the challenge ahead seems formidable. He sneaks around cautiously, his heart racing as he tries to pinpoint the basement's location.

Ethan's movements are stealthy as he navigates the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Where on earth is this basement?" he thinks, his determination fueling his persistence. He finally stumbles upon the entrance to the building, his heart pounding as he enters the room. Slowly, he makes his way toward the car park, his senses on high alert.

A movement catches his eye, causing him to take cover behind a row of cars. Peering through the darkness, he observes a group of figures near a line of vans. They are busy placing something into the vans, though he can't discern the exact nature of their activity. The tension in the air is palpable as Ethan strains to make sense of the scene before him.

{Mission accomplished. Reward: 1 trillion}. "That's soon," he whispers so silently.

He stays to see what they are moving out but can't see it. Until every van drives away, he sneaks back to where the car is.

They arrive back home in daylight. "Wash the car and prepare breakfast."

"Okay, sir." He moves to work; under twenty minutes, he finishes the work and serves each their meal.

"The washing machine is malfunctioning, and I want you to wash the clothes," Mrs. Desmond says.

"Mom... you want him to wash the clothes?".

"Yes, I want him," she affirms.

"That's uncalled for, Dad, say something," she says, feeling frustrated.

"It's his work, and he has to do it. So have your breakfast and do the chores, make sure it's all the clothes, including hers." Nick and Max laugh.

"It's not funny," Ariana barks at them.

"I will do it, sir," he says.

They resume their meal, then Nick's phone rings. It's from Sandra. He smiles as he picks it up.

"Hello, babe... what? What do you mean? You know what you're saying?" he yells sequentially. Then the phone hangs up.

"They stare at him, questioning. "Who is that?" Mr. Desmond inquires.

"It's Sandra... she called the engagement off," he utters.

"Really!"

"Yes, Dad."

"Don't worry, I will call his father. They know the gravity of this," he says, then tells Ethan to eat.

When he enters his room, Sandra's call comes in.

"Hello, congratulations on your disengagement,".

"Yeah, congratulations. I am on my way to the Mighty-E company," she says.

"To MY company," he emphasizes.

"I am on my way to prove that you know how my heart is racing now. I don't know if all you said is true,".

"Even with all that money I sent to you? Okay, I have already told Mr. Jayden, my P.A., about you. You will meet another man there, Mr. Davis."

"Okay, do the two know about you?" she inquires.

"Jayden no, Davis yes." he replies.

"Okay, my regards to your system."

"It will hear, bye," he says and then hangs up.

"Ethan!" Mr. Desmond calls out to him. He hasn't even eaten his food yet. He rushes to the dining room.

"Go and open the door," he prompts.

"Okay, sir," he says and walks to the door, then swiftly opens it.

He can't help but widen his eyes and open his mouth. He breathes heavily, locking gazes with the person in front of him. "Hey, Ethan," his uncle smile wickedly.

He doesn't say anything.

"Can you please let me pass, motherless?" he says, smirking. Laugh while you can.

"Sure," he opens the door wider.

"Oh, look who's here," Mr. Desmond welcomes him.

It's all just fake—the love the Desmond family showed him then. It's all damn fake. Uncle Ben and Mr. Desmond have been planning this all along.

Mr. Ben is properly welcomed and provided a seat for him.

Ethan immediately prepares the food for him and serves him.

"My feet are feeling itchy," he complains then faces Ethan "I'd like to have my feet washed,".

He gazes back at him.

"What are you standing there for? Go get water," Mrs. Desmond orders.

He goes in and emerges with a bowl of water, places it down in front of him, and starts washing his leg.

"Yeah, I love that!" he says, and they all laugh.

Mr. Ben takes a munch from his food.

"So, what are you here for?" Mr. Desmond asks.

"It's about Mighty-E," he says amidst his eating.

Ethan's ears twitch.

Mr. Desmond raises his hand, indicating him to pause. "We'll talk about it upstairs after you finish eating," he says.

What is all this about? First, the secret meeting, and now about him, he thinks. They are planning something very dark.