Ethan's pov.
The gates hadn't even fully opened when the shouts started.
"Mr. Ethan, over here!"
"Is the expansion truly confirmed?"
"Are you still moving into the oil and gas sector despite its past failure?"
Flashes exploded in my face before I could even reach the stairs. Security closed in immediately, making the thick, suffocating air even worse.
"Are you finally withdrawing the allegations that Mr. Aiden was responsible for its past failure?"
That does it.
My gaze lands on her.
"No," I said sharply. "Aiden Beaumont was responsible for the failed expansion and the state's financial loss three years ago. Rebranding it as a fresh start doesn't change that fact."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Is that why you still haven't released his daughter?"
My fists clenched tight at my side.
This one crossed the line.
I turned slowly toward the voice—a man in wire-rimmed glasses, and an oversized blazer.
"My lawyer will be in touch," I said evenly. "Personally."
Color drained from his face.
Silence fell.
Without waiting for another question, I slid into the car and the chauffeur pulled away from the curb.
One example.
The rest will learn.
I loosened the knot of my tie, letting a tired sigh slip as the car's soft leather eased some of the tension in my back.
"That escalated quickly," James said from beside me.
I didn't respond. The reporter's question still echoed in my head.
Released his daughter?
We'll see about that.
"You're really going to sue him?" James pressed. "Come on, he's clearly a newbie hungry for an exclusive. Didn't you see those cheap glasses?"
I unbuttoned my cuffs, rolling up my sleeves. "Did you do as I asked?"
He cleared his throat. "Yes, but we were too late."
My gaze snapped to him. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, shifting in his seat. "The police confirmed she left with Aiden. He picked her up personally."
My jaw tightened. "And did you find out why?"
"What other reason could there be? The lovebirds are still obsessed with each other." He shrugged. "Though from what I gathered, he got her an entirely new apartment, new clothes, and the whole setup. I guess they're trying to keep it low-key this time."
My jaw locked.
She rejected everything I offered just to run back into his arms?
Pathetic.
Some lessons are better learned twice. They stick that way.
"You know that saying, 'love conquers all'?" James leaned forward with a smirk. "They're living proof."
I scoffed. "That's not love. That's delusion."
He raised a brow. "Harsh."
"Accurate."
He studied me for a moment, then leaned back with that insufferable grin still plastered on his face.
"Eight years of friendship and three years as your secretary, she's the only woman you've ever shown this much interest in. Tell me, Ethan, is there something I should know?"
I met his gaze. "When to be silent."
"Cold bastard," he muttered, settling back into his seat.
I turned toward the window, watching the city blur past.
She'll come back.
She surely will.
The Beaumonts only chase value, and she's lost hers. Even Aiden will discard her once—
"Your uncle called for a meeting," James said, scrolling through the tablet in his hands.
I sighed heavily.
"I'm not going."
"Uh, he didn't give you much of a choice." James turned the screen toward me. "See? 'Everyone must be in attendance. No excuses or representatives.'"
I glanced at the message, then handed the tablet back. "No excuses. Not no refusals. I'm not going."
"Come on, if he's demanding you personally, it must be important. It's been three years, you'll still have to face them someday."
I didn't reply.
Three years since I walked out of prison because of Aiden's lies. Three years since they tried to send me back on fabricated charges. And now they want me to just show up and—
"Don't you want to take back what he stole from your parents?" James's voice was quieter now. "He might finally be ready to discuss the patriarchal position. If you don't show up, it plays right into Aiden's hands. Everything we've worked for will be in vain."
My chest tightened.
They died for it. So I live for it.
My hands balled into fists.
"Prepare ahead, then."
His lips curled into a grin. "I knew you wouldn't give up."
I only looked out the window. The blur of streetlights, houses, street vendors—every piece of the life I used to be part of before everything fell apart.
I reached for the inner pocket of my jacket, pulled out the small container, and tossed two pills into my mouth. I swallowed them dry, feeling them scrape down my throat.
James was still watching.
"You still take those?"
"Pretend you didn't see it."
His shoulders sagged, but he didn't push. "Well, I got some new intel last week."
My gaze locked with his.
"My source confirmed that Aiden's new girlfriend is Kate's stepsister. Ellen."
My brows arched.
"Yes." He sighed heavily. "And that whole story about Kate hitting the child? Complete fabrication. Ellen made it up to get Kate out of the picture."
My lips curved into a slow smirk.
"Same thing I suspected. We should get her on board, right? She'd be useful."
I shook my head. "Find out more about her first. Especially her motive. Then we'll decide."
He nodded slowly. "That sounds much better."
A breath of relief escaped my lips.
Vengeance delayed is not vengeance denied.