Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening novel Chapter 42

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“You thought wrong,” Ethan growled.

Richard clasped his hands together, crawling forward. “Please… please, I’ll resign quietly. Just don press charges. I have a family-”

Ethan grabbed his collar, lifting him like a ragdoll. “So did all the women you probably tried this on before. Only this time, you picked the wrong one.”

Alice watched, stunned, heart still pounding in her chest. The rage, the terror-it all blurred into disbelief.

Alice was stunned. Her lips parted, breath caught in her throat, as the scene unfolded like something out of a movie she was never meant to be cast in. Ethan-her calm, quiet helper-was now revealed to be someone with power so deep it could silence presidents and make wolves like Richard grovel. 1

She had never imagined Ethan’s identity could be this mysterious and powerful.

Branch President Cain adjusted his tie nervously, sweat beading along his temples. He turned to Ethan, choosing his words with caution now. “Mr. Storm… may I ask what happened here?”

Ethan didn’t even blink. His voice was cold, flat. “Let your credit manager explain. And if he lies even once, I’ll personally teach him the meaning of honesty.”

The threat cut sharper than any blade.

Richard’s legs gave way slightly. His eyes darted around, like a man cornered by fate itself. Under the crushing weight of Ethan’s gaze, he crumbled into a crouch, head bowed low.

“She… she came for a loan,” Richard began, voice trembling. “But she was alone, and beautiful. I-l thought I could pressure her. I told security she caused a disturbance, that she stole something, so they’d detain her. I didn’t know she had anyone behind her…”

Cain’s jaw clenched. “You what?”

Richard’s voice cracked. “I was going to reject her loan unless she gave me what I wanted! I admit it! But I didn’t touch her-I swear! I just… offered her something inappropriate.”

Fury and dread warred in Cain’s expression. “Attempted coercion. Abuse of power. Falsifying reports. You even triggered a full lockdown just to cover your own filth?” His voice dropped lower. “You’ve just gifted us a national scandal, Richard.”

Then, without waiting for further discussion, Cain turned to a nearby clerk. “Approve the loan. Immediately. And initiate a full internal investigation-client coercion, false reporting, and everything else he’s been hiding.” (1

Richard paled. “Please… Mr. Storm… I didn’t know. I-I wasn’t thinking…’

But Ethan’s cold expression didn’t waver. Slowly, from his coat pocket, he withdrew the very item that had triggered the entire ordeal.

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A delicate, red, lacy lingerie set. 2

The one Richard had slipped to Alice.

Ethan held it between two fingers like it was something diseased. 1

“You want forgiveness?” he asked, voice like ice. “Then put this on. And dance outside the bank.”

Richard’s mouth dropped open. “W-what…?”

“You humiliated a woman to get what you wanted,” Ethan said, his tone razor-sharp. “Now humiliate yourself to show the world who you really are.”

Richard stared at the lingerie as if it were a death sentence. The ultimate humiliation. But Cain stood silent, and no one else dared speak. If there was ever a way to keep his job, this was it.

With a bitter nod, he took the lingerie.

Ten minutes later, the grand glass doors of the bank slid open.

And out stepped Richard-red-faced, the frilly, tight fabric barely covering him-as he danced with stiff,

miserable movements under the blazing sun. Crowds gathered almost instantly. Phones were raised. Laughter, gasps, and a few horrified chuckles filled the air.

“Is that…?”

“That’s the credit manager! Oh my god, film this!”

“Dude’s lost his mind!”

Online, the footage was already going viral.

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