Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening novel Chapter 22

Sierra’s legs wobbled, her smug smile vanishing like smoke in the wind. Marcus clutched the rack beside him for support, pale as a ghost.

Even the sales associate — a tall woman with glossy black hair and perfect posture just minutes ago — now trembled like a leaf, her knees buckling as she collapsed to the floor in terror. Her voice faltered as she stammered, “M-Mr. Irving… I-I didn’t know…”

Devon didn’t spare her a glance. His focus was on Ethan.

“Mr. Ethan,” he said again, his tone steeped in reverence, “allow me to explain. The bounty… it was issued before I took full control. I’m in the process of cleaning house. As of today, you are officially under my protection — anyone who touches you answers to me.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed lazily. “Took you long enough.”

Devon bowed again, deeper this time. “It won’t happen again.”

Sierra’s mouth opened, then closed. She looked like a fish gasping for air.

“Wait… what’s going on?” she finally managed to whisper, her voice cracking.

Devon turned his head toward her slowly, the chill in his gaze enough to freeze lava.

“You two,” he said, stepping forward, “disrespected Mr. Ethan. Mocked him. Harassed him.” His eyes glowed with fury. “And in my store, no less.”

Sierra and Marcus both dropped to their knees instantly, horror dawning in their faces.

“Please, Mr. Irving,” Marcus stammered, “we didn’t know—”

“That,” Devon snapped, “is the only reason you’re still breathing. For now.”

He turned back to Ethan. “Mr. Ethan, what would you like me to do with these two insects?”

Ethan didn’t answer immediately. He took his time walking toward Sierra and Marcus, who flinched with every step he made.

Finally, Ethan stopped in front of them, looked down, and said, “Slap each other.”

Sierra blinked. “W-What?”

“One hundred times,” Ethan clarified, his voice ice-cold. “Each.”

Marcus looked like he’d been punched in the gut. “You can’t be serious—”

“You dare question him?” Devon’s voice boomed, and instantly, Marcus slapped Sierra across the face.

“AH!” Sierra yelped, holding her cheek.

“Hit back,” Ethan ordered casually.

Sierra gritted her teeth, her pride shriveling, and returned the slap with twice the force.

And so it began. One after another, they slapped each other, louder and harder with every hit.

Smack.

Smack.

“Not just any store,” Devon said with a proud smile. “The most profitable boutique in the district. The staff, the revenue, the inventory — all yours. Effective immediately.”

Sierra, now on her forty-seventh slap, wailed. “No way… this can’t be happening…”

Ethan shrugged and smirked. “Well, I’ll take a few outfits for Alice.”

Devon clapped his hands, and an assistant rushed forward. “Get him anything he wants. And pack the best pieces for Miss Alice. Only the finest.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ethan casually picked up a few outfits from the racks. “Alice is going to love these,” he muttered to himself.

He walked past Sierra and Marcus without another glance, selecting a few elegant pieces for Alice as if shopping on a lazy afternoon. Then, without a word, he strode out of the store — leaving behind two broken fools, a disgraced employee, and a boutique that now bore his name.

As the doors swung shut behind him, the two were left on their knees, bruised and broken, humiliated beyond words.

Devon looked down at them one last time. “Pray you never see him again. Because if he asks me to bury you…”

He left the rest unsaid as he turned and followed Ethan out the door.

As they reached the exit, he said quietly, “From now on, anyone who messes with you… messes with the entire Irving family.”

Ethan didn’t answer. He just gave a small nod and kept walking — his hands in his pockets, his face unreadable — leaving the world behind him scrambling to catch up.