Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Marcus’s men exchanged glances. Then, one by one, they dropped to their knees.

The scarred man went first. Then the two beside him. Then the rest-every single one of them-sinking

down with their heads bowed, fists pressed to the floor.

“Sir,” the scarred man said, his voice tight. “We were out of line. All of us.”

The sound of knees hitting concrete rippled through the bar like falling dominoes.

Bianca stood frozen near the doorway. The scene in front of her didn’t make sense. Marcus-her brother, the man who’d rather break both arms than bend a knee to anyone-was kneeling on a filthy bar floor. And behind him, every one of his men had followed.

Her legs carried her forward before her mind caught up.

“Ethan.” Her voice came out smaller than she intended. “What happened? Why is my brother-why is he kneeling to you?”

Before Ethan could answer, Marcus lifted his head.

“Bianca.” His tone was sharp, urgent. “Watch your manners.”

Bianca blinked. “What?”

Marcus pushed himself to his feet, one knee still shaking. He jerked his chin toward Ethan’s waist. “Look at his belt.”

Bianca’s gaze dropped.

Dark gold. Serpent-and-crown insignia. The letters C.U.C.T. etched along the inner edge, catching the dim bar light.

“He’s the King,” Marcus said. “Capital Underground Combat Tournament. The champion. That belt is the only proof that exists, and it’s right there on his body.”

He swallowed hard. “Our family’s entire network-everything Dad built, everything I run-it’s nothing. A kid’s game. Compared to the people behind that belt, we’re playing house.”

Bianca’s knees went soft.

The room tilted.

She remembered the hot springs. She remembered cornering Ethan in that private room, running her fingers along his jaw, pressing herself against him because she’d assumed he was nothing more than Aurora’s latest boy toy. A pretty face. A kept man.

A tremor started in her fingertips and crawled up her arms, her shoulders, her spine. Her whole body shook like a leaf in a storm.

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“Mr. Carter.” Her voice was careful, measured, every trace of her usual boldness stripped away. “I owe you an apology. For everything I did at Hot Springs Manor-the way I behaved toward you was completely out of line. And for my brother’s actions tonight-his men attacked you based on a lie. The Donovan family takes full responsibility.”

She dipped her head.

Ethan looked at her for a moment. Then he smiled-light, easy, like none of it mattered.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Tonight was built on a misunderstanding. That’s all.” He turned to Marcus. “Now you know I’m Ethan. And you know I have zero intentions toward your sister beyond professional respect. We clear?”

Marcus nodded. Once. Hard.

Ethan extended his hand. “I’m glad to meet you properly, Marcus.”

Marcus gripped it. His palm was clammy, his fingers still trembling, but his grip was firm.

“The honor is mine, sir.”

Bianca’s eyes narrowed. She turned slowly, scanning the room. “So,” she said, “who started this misunderstanding?”

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