Chapter 11 Hello Boss!

• Ethan was a little lost for words after Matthew spoke, but he got a few words out before he hung up the phone as they reached the city's edge.
• Turning to David, he said, "Stand up, please."
• Realising he couldn't stray too far from the pure form while searching for his senior sister, Ethan knew bringing someone along would make the search go faster.
• He tasked David with helping him keep an eye out for his senior sister on the city's outskirts while keeping tabs on the developer's movements.
• They needed to make immediate contact if the woman showed up.
• Ethan was adamant about not letting the person who hurt his senior sister get away.
• As they removed the developer, Ethan noticed a peculiar grey aura around him, signifying his ties to the harmful woman.
• On their way back, the Zimmerman brothers felt a moment of relief.
• "The student has outshone the teacher. Mr. Bennett has an even more imposing aura than his mentor!"
• Even Mayor Luke had to share his admiration.
• David agreed. "Brother, how about this? I'll throw a banquet and invite Emberhold's key players.
• "It'll look like a business event, but we'll introduce Mr. Bennett, an extraordinary person, to ensure he gets the recognition he deserves!"
• Luke agreed. "We must show Mr. Bennett the highest respect."
• With their plan in place, David announced the event online.
• Unexpectedly, Penny and a driver came to pick Ethan up.
• As they drove off, Penny looked at Ethan, and once they were moving, she smiled softly. "Ever meet people with a tough fate, Ethan?"
• "What do you mean?" he asked.
• "People with big dreams despite life's hardships," Penny elaborated, her eyes showing empathy.
• Ethan, familiar with life's struggles, contemplated this.
• "Leah!" Penny's voice grew softer. "She's one of those people."
• "Leah?" Ethan was confused.
• "Yes, do you know she thinks so highly of you?" Penny sighed.
• "Why?" Ethan was intrigued to know more.
• Sighing, Penny shared, "Leah has a kind heart, but her dad's a huge barrier.
• "When Leah was born, she was only given three months to live."
• Ethan was surprised by this revelation. Faced with his limited lifespan and now discovering Leah's fate, he couldn't help but think about destiny.
• Penny continued, "Her well-being now thanks to her dad's sacrifices.
• "Her dad gave part of his liver when she was three months.
• "And at two, he went through a bone marrow transplant for her.
• "Right around four, her spleen was at stake."
• Listening to the tale of Leah's dad's sacrifices, Penny's voice shook a bit, and Ethan could feel a tug on his emotions.
• While he had his mentor and senior sister figure for support in his own battles for survival, Matthew had nothing but an average body to work with!
• A life given up for another.
• Is this what fatherly love is all about?
• Penny caught Ethan's eye. "Just imagine how big of a spot her dad has in her heart."
• "Think about it, if someone did something like that to your dad ... "
• Ethan's eyes sharpened as he pictured his own response.
• But no, he was looking for a way to fix his sickness, wasn't he?
• "Leah also went all out taking care of her dad's sickness, doing whatever it takes.
• "She'd get up at 4 a.m. to gather morning dew for his brew, something she kept up faithfully for three years straight.
• "To wish for her dad's health, she knelt at Serenity Peaks for three solid days and nights without even sipping water.
• "Ah, never mind, I'm sharing all this so you don't get the wrong idea about Leah." Arriving at the Kings, Penny dropped the subject.
• Ethan scratched his head, realising he couldn't stay mad after all that.
• Matthew personally greeted Ethan at the door and gave Leah a talking-to.
• He also clarified to everyone at the Kings that disrespecting Ethan was a quick ticket out.
• Claudia and Leah weren't thrilled but didn't openly challenge Matthew.
• After a whirlwind day and night, the Kings were just done.
• Meanwhile, Ethan was in his room training while fretting over how to smooth things with Leah.
• And the following day in Emberhold, blockbuster news was all anyone could discuss.
• David, the chairman of the Heather Group, a super-wealthy global conglomerate valued at billions of dollars, is planning to host a banquet in Emberhold to discuss investment opportunities.
• It was like setting off a firework in peaceful waters, sending all the top-tier families into a frenzy to get in.
• Over at the Lewis residence in Emberhold.
• "Cough!"
• Michael's coughing set off a worrying note from the front.
• In just a day, he looked years older.
• His sickness was taking a severe toll.
• "Dr. Lowe, what's the verdict?" Michael quickly asked Isaac, who was checking his pulse.
• Hearing that the renowned five-star doctor Isaac was in town, they called him first to check out the illness.
• Dr. Lowe finished packing his medical kit, sadly shook his head, and got up. "This disease is beyond my expertise. It's almost as dire as what Matthew from Kings is dealing with."
• After saying this, Dr. Lowe left, leaving everyone in the Lewis lost for words.
• "Could it really be that serious?"
• "Grandpa ... " Riley began, only to be cut off by Michael, who stopped her with a raised hand, his expression resolute.
• "I'm still here. The Heather Group's banquet is around the corner. If I play my cards right there, I'll have the world's leading doctors at my doorstep."
• Michael's son looked gloomy. "Dad, that's the Heather Group. Our family, being three or four-star, hardly stands a chance."
• Riley's husband Alfred got up excitedly and announced, "Grandpa, Dad, the banquet is being held at my uncle's place. He managed to get us two invites."
• "Is that so?" Michael brightened up. "Then you two should go and prepare extensively. This could be our big break!"
• Riley was quick to compliment, "That's my husband."
• She was silently thankful they had broken off the marriage arrangement the day before.
• If not, there was no way she'd get to attend such an event with Ethan, whom she described as a 'stinky beggar.'
• "Riley, can your cousin Yolanda make it?" asked Michael.
• Riley shook her head. "I don't think Yolanda will be able to attend."
• Since Yolanda found that ancient recipe, she's been obsessed with it, neglecting almost everything else.
• Choosing to ignore such a potent formula seemed to Riley a foolish move.
• "Achoo!"
• Over at Emberhold, at the Kings' breakfast table, Claudia was sniffling and questioning Leah, "Wasn't Penny hospitalised?"
• Leah confirmed with a nod. "She wanted to avoid any after-effects. Since Dad is doing fine, she's more at ease in the hospital."
• It seemed like Penny had lost entirely trust in Ethan.
• Claudia reflected. "Ah, the dramas of the wealthy. Penny, as the illegitimate daughter from the Kings in Brightvale, seems to have a target on her back, especially from the two brothers of the Kings wanting her out."
• "Mom, we can't say it's the Kings' doing. But Aunt Penny has a friend in the special police looking into it," Leah said, her eyes showing a glimmer of resolve.
• Then came a hearty laugh as Matthew entered with Ethan, joining them.
• Claudia couldn't hide her disdain for Ethan, a firm believer that marriage should only be based on love.
• Leah, choosing to distract herself, checked her phone.
• "What?" She was surprised. "Heather Group is investing in Emberhold, and they're even throwing a banquet!"
• "That's incredible!" Matthew and Claudia were visibly excited. "Getting the Heather Group on board could elevate our status beyond the other five-star families."
• Leah's excitement was evident as she mentioned, "I might even get the chance to meet Heather, my idol."
• Heather isn't just any president of the Heather Group, she's also David's daughter.
• But make no mistake, she's made a name for herself with her innovative strategies that have caught attention worldwide.
• In fact, the World Economic Council has listed Heather among the top ten influential elites in Luminara.
• Undoubtedly, Heather is a formidable force in the business world.
• "Dad, we need to get some invites fast. I've got to start preparing for the partnership," Leah said as she stood up.
• "Securing those invites might be a challenge," Matthew replied, already ahead of her with his plans.
• "Even as a five-star family, we only managed to get three invites. How about you, your mom, and Ethan go? I'll miss it this time as I'm not fully back to health yet."
• Ethan recalled David giving him something called the Heather Group just yesterday.
• "Actually, I ... "
• "There's no need for you to go!" Claudia cut in abruptly. "Leah needs someone to help with the contract talks, so you're staying here."
• She quickly took Leah aside to get ready.
• Ethan wasn't bothered; he finished eating and bought some herbs for his alchemy work.
• Screech!
• Walking down the street, a long Lincoln car stopped beside Ethan.
• A woman dressed in a sleek business outfit stepped out—her long black hair cascading over black stockings.
• She approached Ethan with a respectful bow. "Boss!"
• Ethan raised an eyebrow, slightly confused. "And you are?"
• "I'm Heather, your new maid."
• Heather, deeply influenced by her family's beliefs from a young age, believed in climbing higher to uncover the secrets of the universe, often blurring the lines between science and metaphysics.
• "Oh, are you David's daughter?" Ethan connected the dots.
• "Please, Boss, let me drive you to the banquet," Heather said, opening the car door for him.
• Heather got to work immediately, rubbing his legs and shoulders, making Ethan uncomfortable.
• Yet, he remembered Leah mentioning earlier that Heather was someone she looked up to.
• Before long, the car pulled up at the grand Oakridge Estate in Emberhold.
• The place was buzzing with luxury cars and rare public appearances from high-profile figures.
• "Boss, it's pretty crowded ahead. Let's take the VIP entrance," Heather suggested.
• Ethan agreed, and they made their way through.
• Leah, spotting the Lincoln from the crowd, quirked an eyebrow.
• "What's going on, Leah?" Claudia leaned over and asked.
• "Mom, is that Ethan?"