Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening novel Chapter 35

35

When Ethan arrived at the Morgan estate, the atmosphere was stiff with expectation. Every head turned toward the door as the butler announced his name. He stepped in with quiet confidence, dressed in a simple navy polo and faded jeans, a sharp contrast to the grandeur of the estate and the designer-clad

crowd.

Murmurs erupted instantly.

“That’s him?”

“Is he wearing… sneakers?”

“He doesn’t even look like he owns a car, much less a company…”

Alice’s heart pounded as Ethan met her gaze and offered her a small nod, his calm presence steadying her nerves. But Belen scoffed loudly and strode forward, arms folded.

“So, you’re the so-called mysterious boss of Secret Company?” he sneered. “Where’s your suit? Your bodyguards? Your watch isn’t even worth two hundred dollars!”

Ethan’s eyes settled on Belen with a kind, amused smile. “Didn’t realize CEOs needed to wear a price tag to prove themselves. Is that how you measure power-by the glint on someone’s wrist?”

Gasps.

Belen flushed red but refused to back down. “Cut the clever act. Are you or are you not the owner of Nova Corp?”

Ethan tilted his head slightly. “Yes. I am.”

The room fell into stunned silence, but it didn’t last long.

“You’re lying!” a sharp voice pierced the tension.

Everyone turned toward the source. Sophia-Belen’s girlfriend-marched in, her heels clicking against the marble floor like gunshots. Her expression was smug and triumphant, eyes locked on Ethan with

open contempt.

“I did a little digging after what happened at the restaurant yesterday,” she announced, voice loud enough for the entire room. “And guess what I found?”

She strutted forward, chin held high, waving a file dramatically in the air. “Ethan here used to be a gold digger. He seduced Sierra Scott-yes, the Sierra Scott, wife of the chairman of ScottGroup. And what happened? She divorced him and threw him out when she realized he was a parasite.”

Gasps and whispers flew like wildfire.

Sophia turned to the room, reveling in the attention. “He was kicked out with nothing. Not a dime. So don’t be fooled. He’s nothing but a liar trying to crawl back into power through Alice.”

1/2

+25 Bonus

After the humiliating scene Ethan caused at the restaurant the day before, she was seething with anger. Determined to get revenge, she wasted no time digging into his background.

Alice flinched as Belen’s mother, Eleanor, stood abruptly, face twisted with rage.

“Alice, how dare you associate our family with such filth!” she shouted. “Have you no shame?”

Alice’s father joined in, his face red with fury. “This man is a fraud! A disgrace! You’ve humiliated us all!”

Sophia gave a satisfied hum, eyes locked on Ethan like she had just stepped on a bug.

“See? No suit, no power, no respect. Just trash dressed in clearance rack clothes.” 1

Belen, now emboldened, jabbed a finger toward Ethan. “I’ll report you to Nova Corp myself. Let’s see how long this fantasy lasts!”

A chorus of scorn followed immediately after Belen’s declaration.

“Yes! Let’s report him!”

“He’s probably using Alice to weasel his way into the board!”

“We can’t let this slide. He’s clearly a conman!”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify