Underestimated: The Rise of Ethan Cole

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Drake's car pulled up in front of the Grand Harrington Hotel—a towering structure of glass and marble that dominated Boston's skyline. The venue for Victoria Chen's charity gala.

Sarah stepped out in a flowing green gown, the hem short in front but trailing dramatically behind her. Her hair cascaded over her bare shoulders in styled waves. She flipped it back with practiced elegance, her chin lifted high as she took Drake's arm.

Heads turned as they entered the lobby.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. The rumors had been circulating for weeks—Drake Hastings and Sarah, Boston's rising CEO. A possible marriage alliance. New money meeting old money.

Sarah smiled, soaking in the attention. She could already hear them: The next Mrs. Hastings. The elevation would do wonders for her family's status.

"Thank you so much for bringing me, Drake," she said sweetly, clinging to his arm. "If I can make a connection with Victoria Chen tonight—get her to lift the blacklist and restore our cooperation—my family will soar to new heights." She squeezed his arm. "You're the best."

Drake looked at her, watching as she basked in the murmurs and stares. Her excitement was palpable, but so was her lack of refinement—the way she clung too tightly, the way her voice pitched too high with eagerness, the way she tried too hard to belong.

It was distasteful.

He came from old money—generations of wealth, breeding, sophistication. Sarah was new money at best, rough around the edges despite her designer dress and styled hair. She didn't understand the subtleties of their world, and it showed.

Still, he was confident the partnership would work out. He had the pedigree, the connections. Victoria Chen would see that.

"We'll talk about it after I secure the partnership qualification," he said, his tone dismissive.

Sarah's smile faltered slightly, but before she could respond, her gaze snagged on something—or rather, someone—across the entrance.

Her breath caught.

Ethan.

Walking toward the hotel entrance in a midnight-blue custom-tailored suit, his posture relaxed, his expression calm. He looked... different. Polished. Like he belonged here.

"What am I looking at?" Sarah whispered, disbelief dripping from every word. "Drake, are you seeing this?"

Drake followed her gaze, his lip curling in disgust. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Sarah's shock morphed into fury. "Wait here. I need to deal with him first."

She stormed across the lobby, heels clicking sharply against the marble.

"Ethan Cole!" she shouted, stepping directly into his path.

Ethan stopped, his eyes landing on her. For a moment, annoyance flickered across his face before settling into cool indifference.

"Haven't you finished stalking me yet?" Sarah demanded, planting her hands on her hips. "Following me to B Corporation this morning was bad enough, but now you've shown up here too?"

Ethan stared at her like she'd just said something absurd.

"I came by invitation," he said simply.

Sarah burst into mocking laughter. "Why are you repeating the same lie twice in one day? Do you want to be dragged out by security again?"

Ethan shrugged. "Whether you believe me or not is up to you." His lips curved into a faint smirk. "After all, last time you didn’t believe me either. And who got thrown out by security? You."

Sarah's face turned red. Rage and embarrassment flooded through her.

"What important figure are you pretending to be, Ethan?" she spat, stepping closer and grabbing his lapel. "Where did you get this knockoff suit?"

Ethan brushed her hand off. "It's genuine."

"Oh, please." Sarah scoffed. "The property distribution was clearly spelled out in the divorce agreement. Even if you went bankrupt, you couldn’t afford something like this."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be purchased by me," Ethan said calmly. "Someone else could have given it to me."

Sarah's laughter was sharp and bitter. "Let me guess—you’re going to say Victoria Chen gave it to you, just like you claimed she invited you to B Corporation?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

Sarah laughed even harder. "You're insane, Ethan. Completely insane." She shook her head, grinning wickedly. "Don't tell me she gave you the gala invitation too?"

"She did."

Sarah's laughter echoed through the lobby. "You're the biggest joke of the year! Alright, fine—show me this invitation of yours. Let's see the forgery."

Ethan reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek black card—embossed gold lettering, heavyweight design.

Sarah's laughter didn't stop. "Oh my God, it's fake! Obviously fake! You didn’t even compare it to a real one before coming here!"

She spun around, waving Drake over. "Drake, show him what a real invitation looks like!"

Drake pulled out his invitation—plain white, standard design.

"This is genuine, Ethan," Sarah said smugly, holding it up. "See the difference?"

What she didn’t realize was that she was holding a regular invitation.

Ethan’s was a VVIP invitation—completely different design, reserved only for the most distinguished guests.

Ethan scoffed, pulling out his phone. He wasn’t wasting any more time on this.

He dialed Victoria’s secretary.

She answered on the first ring. "Mr. Cole!" Her voice was breathless. "To what do I owe—"

"If you want to redeem yourself," Ethan said coolly, "relay a message to Victoria now. Revoke Drake Hastings and Sarah’s entry privileges."

Sarah and Drake stared at him, then burst into laughter.

"Your ex-husband has finally lost his mind," Drake said, shaking his head.

"You're turning logic upside down, Ethan!" Sarah clutched her stomach, laughing. "I thought you were smarter than this!"

"Still pretending to be important, huh?" Drake added smugly. "Pathetic."

Ethan hung up and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"You can verify who's actually allowed in," he said, his tone mocking. "Let's see who gets embarrassed tonight."

Just then, the head of security stepped out to the entrance.

"Attention, everyone!" he announced. "Due to the situation at the scene, the guest list has been updated. Even those with invitations must verify their identities before entry."

Sarah grinned triumphantly. "Oh, Ethan, you’re busted! See? Because we caught you with that fake card, they had to update the list!" She turned to Drake, beaming. "We exposed him! That’s why they’re checking everyone now!"

Drake smirked, nodding. "Exactly. His fake invitation forced them to tighten security. Now everyone has to verify." He looked at Ethan with mock pity. "You're about to be thrown out. Disgraced in front of everyone."

Ethan walked up to the head of security and handed over his VVIP card.

The man examined it, nodded, and handed it back.

"You may enter, sir." He bowed deeply. "Welcome, Mr. Cole."

Ethan stepped past them without a word.

Sarah's mouth fell open. Drake stood frozen, disbelief written across his face.

"What—what?" Sarah stammered.

Drake stormed forward, Sarah right behind him.

"Look at his card again!" Drake demanded. "He's carrying a fake! Check his identity properly!"

The security head didn’t even blink. "There was no mistake, sir. Mr. Cole is on the updated guest list."

Ethan paused just inside the entrance, turning back with a smirk.

"Maybe you’re the ones with fake invitations," he said smoothly. "I just had you removed from the list. Want to test your eligibility? Let’s see who gets embarrassed."

Sarah's face turned scarlet. "How dare you! Drake, show him our invitation!"

Drake shoved his card at the security head. "Verify this. Now."

The man scanned it, frowned, and handed it back.

Then he stepped forward and physically pushed them aside.

"You're not on the guest list," he said firmly. "Stop disturbing honored guests like Mr. Cole and leave the premises."

Sarah's eyes widened in horror. "What?! No, there’s been a mistake—"

"No mistake," the man said coldly. "You need to leave. Now."

Drake's face went pale. Sarah stood frozen, humiliation washing over her in waves.