Zenith's New Master: The Lost Sterling heir Returns

CHAPTER 3

The holographic display flickered off, leaving Ethan and Victor in the dim glow of the office.

"The takeover ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at 3 PM," Victor said. "It coincides with Zenith Global's fifteenth anniversary celebration. Every major company in the city will be there."

He handed Ethan a tablet with the guest list. "Review these names. Know your allies and your enemies."

Ethan scrolled through hundreds of names until his finger stopped on one.

Cross Enterprises - Damien Cross, Representative

A cold smile touched his lips. "Damien will be there."

"Indeed." Victor's eyes glinted with dark satisfaction. "Tomorrow they'll watch the company pass into your hands." He placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Poetic, isn't it?"

"Things are getting interesting," Ethan murmured.

---

An hour later, Sophia guided a sleek black Maybach through the city's upscale district until they reached a private road lined with ancient oaks.

"Your father had this villa prepared years ago," Sophia said softly. "It's been maintained daily, waiting for you."

The villa emerged from the darkness—modern architecture nestled into the hillside with glass walls and landscaped gardens.

"The staff has been vetted personally. All absolutely loyal to the Sterling family."

Ethan stepped out, staring at the illuminated structure. Twenty-four hours ago, he'd been living in a cramped studio apartment.

"Thank you, Sophia. I'll see you tomorrow at noon."

She bowed slightly and drove away.

---

Inside the master bedroom, Ethan stood at the window overlooking the city lights.

Then the power surged.

Crimson energy erupted from the ring, flooding his body. His veins glowed beneath his skin. The energy was immense, overwhelming. His body trembled violently as sweat poured down his face.

Too much. His body couldn't handle it.

Ethan collapsed to his knees, gasping. The ring had awakened something dormant inside him, but his physical body was still too weak to properly channel this magnitude of power.

He needed to strengthen his foundation.

Knowledge flooded his mind—a vision of a crystal, radiant and pure, pulsing with condensed spiritual energy. The Celestial Essence Stone. Extraordinarily rare, it could reconstruct his body's foundation, allowing him to properly harness the ring's power.

He knew where to find it—Luminous Treasures, the largest gemstone store in the city.

Ethan texted Sophia: *Pick me up. I need to go somewhere tonight.*

Her response came immediately: *On my way, Young Master.*

---

Thirty minutes later, the Maybach pulled up to Luminous Treasures, a five-story building of glass and steel.

"Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" Sophia asked.

"Wait here. I need to handle this myself."

Ethan pushed through the ornate doors into a world of obscene wealth. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, glass cases displaying gemstones worth millions.

A clerk stood behind the main counter—late twenties, designer clothes, an expression of practiced superiority. Her eyes swept over Ethan's plain clothes with barely concealed disdain.

She didn't move to greet him.

"Excuse me," Ethan said calmly.

"We're closing soon," she said without looking up. "Perhaps one of the smaller jewelry stores would be more appropriate for your budget."

"I'm looking for a Celestial Essence Stone."

Her head snapped up, genuine surprise breaking through. "What did you just say?"

"A Celestial Essence Stone. I know you have one."

She stared, then laughed mockingly. "Do you have any idea what you're asking for? That's a top-tier collectible valued at over fifty million dollars. It's not even on public display." She gestured at him with contempt. "I'm not wasting time pulling our most valuable piece for someone who walked in off the street."

The ring pulsed against Ethan's finger. He felt his eyes beginning to glow faintly crimson.

"Bring. It. Out."

Something in his voice changed—an undercurrent of absolute authority. The clerk actually stepped back.

"I... that's not our policy—"

"I'm not asking about your policy." Ethan's gaze locked onto hers. "Bring me the Celestial Essence Stone. Now."

The force of his will pressed against her. She found herself nodding.

"I'll... get it from the vault."

She disappeared through a security door, hands trembling.

Five minutes later, she returned carrying a reinforced case. She set it on the counter and input a code.

The case opened with a hydraulic hiss.

Inside sat a crystal the size of a human fist, pulsing with inner light—waves of white, blue, and gold flowing through its structure. The spiritual energy radiating from it was immense.

To Ethan, every cell in his body screamed for it. This was exactly what he needed.

"I'll take it," he said, pulling out the Sterling Black Card.

The clerk stared at the obsidian card with its crimson accents, her face going pale. The Sterling family crest gleamed in the light.

Her mouth opened to speak—

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

The sharp voice cut through the showroom.

Ethan turned as two women swept through the entrance—both dressed in designer clothes, dripping with jewelry.

Margaret Chen—Lily's mother. Sharp features hardened by age and cruelty. Beside her walked Lily's younger sister, Claire, nineteen, beautiful and calculating.

They hadn't noticed him yet, their attention fixed on the crystal.

"Is that the Celestial Essence Stone?" Margaret demanded. "Perfect timing. We'll take it. Claire, this will be perfect for your engagement party next month."

Claire smiled cruelly. "Mother, you're too generous. But yes, I absolutely must have it."

The clerk looked between them and Ethan uncertainly. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Chen, but this gentleman was just about to—"

"I don't care what he was about to do," Margaret interrupted, finally glancing at Ethan. Her eyes widened in recognition, then narrowed with contempt. "You. The orphan boy my daughter wasted time on."

She looked him up and down with disgust. "Still dressing like trash. What are you even doing in a store like this?"

Claire laughed. "Mother, be nice. Maybe he's here begging for a job." She turned to Ethan with mock sympathy. "I heard what happened with Lily. You should be grateful she kept you around as long as she did."

The ring burned against Ethan's finger. His eyes flickered crimson.

Margaret stepped past him dismissively. "Put the stone on the Chen family account. We'll take it now.”