Chapter 17:Ethan's eyes narrowed as he listened to Alessia's words. "You want me to stop the wedding because you have a crush on Mr. Charleston?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.Alessia's face reddened, but she stood her ground. "Yes, Ethan. I know it's a lot to ask, but I can't bear the thought of him marrying Elena."Ethan shook his head. "I'm not going to stop the wedding, Alessia. It's not my place to interfere in Mr. Charleston's personal life.""And he's marrying your ex wife. He kicked you out of Elena's life and now wanted to marry her. You should know this. He's disgracing both of us. I have a crush on him and he has your ex wife."He couldn't shake off the feeling that Mr. Charleston was going to marry his ex wife and go away with it. He turned to Alessia. "Fine," Ethan said finally. "I'll attend the wedding, but not to stop it. I'll go to embarrass them."Alessia's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really, Ethan? You'll do that for me?"Ethan nodded. "But I need y
Chapter 16: Ethan Manson's expression turned glacial as he listened to his assistant's words. "Tell Mr. Charleston I'm not interested," he said curtly, his eyes never leaving Bartholomew's fidgeting form across the table."Aren't you going to meet with him, sir?" his assistant asked, surprise evident in his voice.Ethan's gaze flicked to the phone. "No, I'm not. Tell him I'm not interested, and that's final."He disconnected the call, his attention returning to Bartholomew. "Now, where were we? Ah yes, your 'ethical business practices'."Bartholomew's face paled, but he forced a smile. "Ah, yes, of course, Mr. Manson. We'll prove ourselves, I assure you."Ethan turned with anger from the call he just received. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Bartholomew's face. "I'm not sure you understand, Mr. Bartholomew. I don't do business with people who operate in the gray areas. My reputation is built on integrity, and I won't compromise that for anyone."Bartholomew's
Chapter 15: Trouble WatersAt Elena's fiancé's house, she cuddled with Mr. Charleston on the plush armchair, their lips locked in a heated kiss. The pressure from her family, particularly her grandfather's contract issues with the Bigtale company, weighed heavily on her mind.The door creaked open, shattering the intimacy. A security guard ushered in a man in dark suit. "Mr. Charleston," the guard stammered, "apologies for the intrusion, but this gentleman insisted it was a matter of utmost importance for you and Miss Elena."Mr. Charleston pulled away. "Can't you see we're occupied? Whatever it is, it can wait.""He said it couldn't," the security guard mumbled before scurrying out of the room.The man, dressed in a sharp suit, cleared his throat. "My name is Howard Samuel, Barrister for Mr. Mike, Elena's grandfather."Elena's eyes widened in surprise. Mr. Charleston whipped his head towards her, suspicion coloring his features. "Did you know this man? Or did you choose to keep qui
Chapter 14The lady swiveled in her seat, acting the part of the queen she already believed herself to be."Triana Zaragoza," Alessia said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What a delight to see you and your... little brother you call a husband? Speaking of which, I've always wondered why Mateo seems shorter than you. Maybe you should keep him at home more often. People might get the wrong idea."Harsh words, but Alessia never handled defeat gracefully.Furious, Mateo lunged for Alessia, but Ethan Manson was quick to grab his hand."Act like a gentleman," Ethan said calmly, returning to his seat."Seriously?" Mateo spat. "A cab driver is holding me back?"He stormed to the center of the restaurant."Listen up, ladies and gentlemen!" he declared, his voice booming. "I can't believe this! A moron like Ethan thinks he can stop me from going after that flashy, good-for-nothing sister of his? It's unbelievable!""As some of you may know," he continued, puffing out his chest, "the Richards
Chapter 13Ethan stared at Christine, his heart with concern. The vibrant girl seemed to have shrunk into herself, the weight of the family issues totally take on her young face. The thought of their mother, Amelia, seeking solace in another man's arms while contemplating a divorce from their father, business tycoon Robert Thorne, was a bitter pill to swallow. "I miss the way things used to be," Christine said. "Just a normal family, having dinner together, laughing..."Ethan reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know, Chris. Me too. But hey, chin up, okay? We'll figure this out, together." His words felt hollow even to him. How could he, a teenager himself, possibly mend the fractured pieces of their family?Not even when he was just a mere guy who just got luck to be the lost heir of the family.A look of pains in Christine's eyes. "You know what, Ethan? I'm tired of tiptoeing around Mom and Dad's feelings. They're the grown-ups, they should be the ones f
Chapter 12: A Fruitless Visit and a Bitter EndThe next morning, Elena and Davidson arrived at the grand glass and steel edifice of Bigtale Corporation. The once-reaching prospect of a lucrative contract now felt like a distant dream, which seems that can't ever be in the reach anymore. Elena marched towards the receptionist, a young woman with a polite smile. "We're here to see Mr. Joel Manson," she said.The receptionist's smile shows some struggling slightly. "Mr. Joel Manson is no longer actively involved in the company's day-to-day operations. However, his son, Mr. Ethan Manson, is the current CEO. Would you like to schedule an appointment?"Elena's jaw clenched. Ethan, the penniless ex-husband, the good-for-nothing she'd cast aside, was now the CEO of a billion-dollar company? It was a reality she refused to accept. That will never be Ethan Allen. "Is it Ethan Allen?" Elena was forced to ask. "Excuse me?" The receptionist asked. "She's asking if he is her loser ex-husband
Chapter 11:Elena stormed into her penthouse apartment, a fierce anger swirling within her. Throwing her purse onto the plush couch, she glared at Davidson, who sat calmly sipping a glass of wine."You wouldn't believe it!" she said, with anger. "Guess who I saw at the mall today?"Davidson raised an eyebrow. "Who?"Elena sighed as she as she thinks maybe it was all a mistake. Perhaps maybe he took someone there as his job, cab driver. Ethan, with a lady, neat and rich lady hanging around him, makes Elena thinks it was a mistake. But what happened today was the issue. A whole Mr Charleston been embarassed. "Ethan!" Elena said, her red hair practically glowing with rage. "And guess what? He's with a teenage. I think he's practically taking advantage of the teeny girl!"Davidson's eyes widened in surprise. "Ethan? Are you sure?""I'm very sure Davidson, I can't just be lying to you. He even disgrace Mr Charleston."Just as she finished saying that. A door creeks open as Emily, Ele
Chapter 10: A Chance Encounter and a Costly WagerThe fascinating shopping mall buzzed with a tons of tinkling cash registers, cheerful chattering, and the soft strains of classical music. Christine, her eyes sparkling with happiness, linked arms with Ethan, walking the polished marble floors. Today's mission: to find the perfect dress for her upcoming graduation ceremony.As they rounded a corner, Ethan felt a jolt course through him. Across the aisle, a familiar head of fiery red hair caught his eye. Elena. Her laughter, filled with arrogance, sounded through the vast hall. Beside her stood a portly man, adorned in a gaudy gold chain and a suit that screamed "nouveau riche."That is Mr. Charleston, the man Elena had married after their bitter divorce.Elena's eyes landed on Ethan, and a moment of surprise crossed her face, quickly turning into a sneer. She walked over, her crimson dress clinging to her curves."Well, well, well," she drawled, her voice dripping with smiles. "W
Chapter 09: A Family DividedEthan's jaw falls back, the warmth of reuniting with his father instantly vanishing by the icy treatment from his sister, Alessia. Her words, rings a sounding bells in Ethan's ear. Carl isn't wrong all along. He has giving him all he needed to know about this whole family things. "Easy way?" she suad, her voice sharp as a broken pieces of glass. "He just walks in after all this time and expects everything handed to him on a silver platter? Does he have any idea what we've sacrificed, the sleepless nights, the mountains of work we've poured into this company?"Mr. Joel, his hands form trembling with unusual, he hated seeing Alessia not in her best behaviour always, lifted a hand in a fail attempt to stop her. "Alessia, that's enough!" He said without any feelings of letting his voice be nice this time. He need Heir to his whole billionaire's companies. Alessia stared at her father, the who had never screamed like that at her before. She was actually go