Chapter 10 Solving Leah's Dilemma

• With a loud 'Crack!' the car screeched to a stop.
• Leah, not as rigid as she had been, finally said something.
• "Ethan, your reasons for showing up at the King Residence, or whatever happened in the past, even if it almost got my dad hurt, I'm looking past it.
• "Considering you unintentionally saved my aunt, I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.
• "For your own good, just go and don't return to the King Residence."
• She handed Ethan a card, telling him, "Here are thirty thousand dollars. Find yourself a decent job and work hard. There's still a chance for a decent life.
• "It's a little thank you for saving my aunt."
• From the perspective of those at the King's, Ethan was seen as a threat to Matthew.
• Still, after cooling off, Leah decided not to retaliate.
• She even gave him some financial help.
• Ethan returned the card, saying, "Miss King, my reason for coming here was actually because of you. It might sound far-fetched, but we're somehow connected ... "
• "Don't bother making up stories!" Leah interrupted, giving Ethan a cold look. "Too bad you're not a writer or a talk show host.
• "You've got a gift for words but no match for real power.
• "When it's up against real money, real influence, it's meaningless!
• "Your naive view of the world is why I suggest you protect yourself from life's hard knocks.
• "Get out of the car!"
• Without saying much more, Leah opened the door and got Ethan out.
• Ethan let out a sigh. "My bags ... "
• "Tsk!"
• Then, another car pulled up, and a woman Ethan didn't know got out. As she chewed gum, she picked up Ethan's luggage.
• With a 'Smack!' she threw his luggage on the ground and scornfully looked at Ethan.
• Ptui!
• She hurled spit at Ethan's shoes, taunting, "You really think you have the right to touch that? You're beneath us ... "
• "Joanne, it's time to leave," Leah directed before leaving.
• Joanne lobbed her bubble gum at Ethan.
• "M*ron, keep your distance from Leah, she's gonna be my sister-in-law.
• "Only my brother, that rich heir, deserves someone like her. And you? You might want to look up what being wealthy actually means!"
• Following her tirade, Joanne hopped into her car, caught up with Leah, and yelled from the window.
• "Leah, you've got too big of a heart.
• "There was someone ready to take this guy out.
• "He's just a nobody if he's gone, so be it; why waste your time saving him."
• "Be careful!" Leah shouted.
• They swerved away as a line of Hummers, Lincolns, and Rolls-Royces zoomed past.
• Joanne felt a pang of jealousy at the sight. Once the vehicles had passed, she sighed.
• "Who's that high-flyer leaving the city, looking all important?"
• Leah kept her calm. "Let's move on. It's none of our business."
• Joanne snickered, "Hopefully, that loser Ethan didn't get squashed by them."
• The two cars departed.
• On the city's outskirts, Ethan squinted.
• The Clarks?
• Just getting his bearings in Emberhold, Ethan was still getting familiar with the locals. Still, he got the vibe the Clarks didn't put much stock in human life.
• Such arrogance!
• Ethan grabbed his bags and made his way into the city.
• Vroom, vroom, vroom!
• The roar of engines filled the air.
• Ethan's frown deepened as dozens of vehicles screeched to a halt around him, with men in suits getting out and two middle-aged men marching towards him.
• From afar, the two men reached out their hands, and said in unison, "Mr. Bennett, our apologies!"
• If anyone else had been there, they'd have been totally blown away, not believing their eyes.
• We're talking about the famous brothers here.
• The guy in charge of Emberhold, Mayor Luke Zimmerman!
• And his brother, no less impressive, David Zimmerman, president of Heather Group, a billion-dollar heavyweight globally.
• And they're here, bending over backwards to apologise to Ethan?
• Luke quickly shook Ethan's hand, saying, "Mr. Bennett, we're sorry about what happened at Aetherbliss. My brother didn't know. It was his team acting independently. Please, we're asking for your forgiveness."
• Three decades back, these brothers were just regular guys.
• Their rise to the top? All thanks to the sage at Aetherbliss, who showed them the ropes.
• The younger one, David, got lucky in marriage, which led to his fortune.
• On this particular day, Luke and his younger brother, David, came back from abroad to check out Aetherbliss but found out it was now under new management.
• Quickly digging into the matter, they discovered that a company belonging to the Heather Group had taken over. Worried and eager to make things right, they quickly apologised.
• But the sage of the place was deep in his own world, focusing on his training until he heard his disciple was around and tracked Ethan down.
• "Did you guys mess with Aetherbliss?" His intense stare, filled with a deadly vibe, was enough to shake anyone.
• Putting his own life aside, the safety of his seven senior sisters was on the line – he had to step in.
• Both brothers had seen some impressive sights before, but the intense murderous vibe caught them off guard. No doubt, they were trained by a true sage!
• Out of the blue, Luke slaps David, scolding him, "I told you before, lay off the big plans. They're tough to handle. Now, say you're sorry. Quickly."
• David hesitantly drops to his knees before Ethan, pleading, "Mr. Bennett, I really didn't know. I was away! Please give me another chance."
• Unlike Michael, these brothers knew precisely why they were in hot water.
• They owed their success to Aetherbliss today but knew it could be their downfall tomorrow.
• So, they didn't dare show any disrespect to Ethan.
• David quickly signalled, and soon, a middle-aged man sporting a significant belly was brought forward, already in a rough state, with blood dripping from his mouth and tears in his eyes, begging, "Mr. Zimmerman, I was tricked, believe me, Mr. Zimmerman!"
• David hit the man and once again knelt down.
• "Mr. Bennett, this developer took over the martial arts hall."
• Ethan gave the developer a chilling look. "So you're saying you were lured into this?"
• The developer quickly knelt and bowed. "I had no idea. A completely cloaked woman with a good figure told me that all I needed to do was follow her lead, and wealth would follow.
• "I was doubtful at first, but her predictions kept coming true. When I realised Aetherbliss was available, I ... I got caught in the web. I admit my faults!"
• Slap, slap, slap!
• The developer cried and begged for forgiveness, slapping himself over and over.
• "A woman?" Ethan's eyes narrowed, and he smirked. "So, you put my senior sisters and me in jeopardy for this?"
• "I've made a huge mistake. I see that now, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Zimmerman, please let me off!" The developer pleaded, knocking his head on the ground.
• "Can you contact her?"
• "She always contacts me first ... " The developer shuddered.
• Ethan scoffed, "The next time she reaches out if I can't catch her because of you, you're done for!"
• Ethan seemed to be a completely different person at this moment.
• "Yes, yes, yes!" The developer nodded vigorously.
• "Mr. Bennett." David, trembled as he spoke, "The Heather Group has the best funds and resources worldwide. I'm ready to hand it over to you. I'll do everything it takes to find a senior sister for you."
• Ding, ding!
• Just then, Matthew's call came in. "Hey, Ethan, where are you? I'll come get you myself.
• "Don't worry, by the time you're back, I'll have Leah ready for you to deal with!"