Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

~~~

It’s been three weeks since he got out of prison.. three weeks since his biggest heart break and biggest break through. He’d taken time for himself, time to settle, time to heal, time to forget about his first love. However, it’s not as easy as it seemed, not as easy as the self help books tries to make it appear.

He’d finally accepted his new life; More than ready to take the responsibility of leading the Phoenix Empire.

A knock on the office mahogany door startled him.

One of his guards came in afterwards ând shut the door behind him

“President” he stated as soon as he got closer to Ethan, his head dropped for a quick bow… “There’s a man that is desperate to see you”

Ethan’s brows pulled together into a slight frown. “Who is he?”

“He calls himself Frank John.”

The name rang a bell but before Ethan is able to recall from where, the guard tipped

“He was once an inmate in the prison you served time”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as the name finally clicked. Frank John.

The middle aged, jovial man who kept the cell lively. The man had left two years earlier than Ethan.

The man had turned a blind eye when Ethan needed a moment of peace and provided a steady hand when the prison walls felt like they were closing in.

“Let him in,” Ethan said, “And make sure we aren’t disturbed.”

The guard bowed again and retreated. Moments later, Frank John entered.

He looked older than Ethan remembered, the lines on his face appeared deeper. He is clad in a rough suit.

The intantbthe office door clicked shut, the woman dropped to his knees, the sound of his joints hitting the floor echoed in the office.

Ethan winced inwardly

“President... Ethan,” Frank gasped, his voice trembling. “I know I have no right to ask anything of you after you’ve finally gained your freedom, but I am desperate.”

Ethan stood from his chair, walking around the mahogany desk.

“You helped me survive those two years, Frank. You are one of the people who even made sure that the former Chairman’s gifts; the black gold card and the Phoenix Ring, reached my hands safely. Why are you on your knees?”

“It’s my daughter,” Frank sobbed, looking up with blurry eyes. “She runs one of the entities in the Vance’s Corporation. One of the executives is trying to dismantle everything she’s built. They are targeting her, Ethan. They’ve approached me, threatening to use my past as a convict to tarnish her reputation and have her chased out of the company, leaving nothing in her name. I couldn't go to the Chairman because he’s done enough for me” his gaze lingered on the floor beneath him ând â drop for tear slid down his cheeks. “I am embarrassed to approach him again”

Frank slowly looked up to gaze longingly at Ethan “….but you. you have the ring. You have the influence now. So please, help my daughter”

Ethan looked down at the Phoenix Ring on his finger. His own past threatening to weaken him at that point.

The Vance Cooperation is being ruled, controlled by his ex wife’s new mab, Julian Vance and his family.

He had made the promise to himself not to ever have anything to do with his ex wife or her new affair.

Ethan mused. “Frank. I know this cooperation you talk about but I’m sorry. I can’t do anything about it” he politely declined

Frank shook his head vehemently. “You have to save my daughter. You hold enormous power now. Please, help me. This once, Ethan Wilder”

Ethan sucked in a long breath, his insides trembling slightly. He could not possibly deny this man the help he seeks.

“Get up, Frank. I’ll head there personally. Consider the debt I owe you, paid.”

Frank nodded in response. “Yes, Ethan. It’s paid once you save my child”

~~~

Sarah Benett arrives the Vance Cooperation in style.

Exactly three weeks ago, she became one of the Vance cooperation partners and has since then started making what she would call “necessary reforms” in her opinion.

Sarah adjusted her blazer, her heels clicking noisily against the marble floor of the Vance Corporation lobby.

Every head turned.

She made her way to the open executive floor, where Julian stood near a floor-to-ceiling window, looking outside at perhaos, something of interest.

"Missed me?" Sarah purred, sliding her arms around his waist from behind.

Julian turned, a grin spreading across his face as he pulled her flush against him. He kissed her deeply, indifferent to the dozens of employees watching them. "Hard not to miss one of the most powerful woman in Boston," he murmured against her lips. "Ready for the board meeting? We’re finalizing the acquisition of that boutique firm today."

"The one run by that girl, Alina?" Sarah asked unable to hide the belittling in her voice. "I’ve already prepared the termination papers. Her father’s criminal record is the perfect leverage. We’ll strip her of her shares by noon."

Julian chuckled, tracing the line of her jaw. "You’re ruthless, Sarah. I love it."

Their moment was interrupted by a sudden, awkward silence that swept across the office.

And almost all of a sudden again, the office roared back to life. Indistinct chatters filled the air, hinting at the interesting occurrence that is about to unfold

"What is that?" Sarah frowned, pulling away from Julian.

The employees weren't working anymore, they were staring.

"Looks like a ghost just walked in," Julian mocked, squinting toward the entrance.

Just then, a figure emerged from the crowd. He wasn't wearing an orange jumpsuit, and he didn't look like as scrawny as he did the last time Sarah saw him.

He wore a charcoal-grey suit.

Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. "Ethan?"

She felt a surge rage at his sight. How dare he show up here? How dare he track her down at her place of power? What was he trying to do? Embarass her? Spill the truth about her brother being the real culprit?

She scoffed inwardly. No one would believe him anyways.

"I told you to stay away!" she hissed, stepping forward before Julian could even speak. "You’re pathetic, Ethan! Did you think you could just walk in here and beg for a second chance? Did you think I’d feel sorry for you because you have nothing?"

Julian stepped up beside her, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Let him talk, Sarah. I want to hear the 'common convict' plead for a job. Maybe we need someone to scrub the toilets in the basement? I can offer you minimum wage, Wilder. Out of the kindness of my heart."

Ethan didn't flinch. His gaze stayed fixed on Sarah for a long, painful minute and he began to felt utter dislike for her.

"I'm not here for you, Sarah," Ethan corrected “And I'm certainly not here to beg."

"Then why are you here?" she spat, her face contorting with disdain. "To make a scene? To embarrass me?"

Ethan ignored her and finally stares at Julian. Julian’s smile disappeared as quickly as it came

"I’m here to discuss the Vance Corporation," Ethan said, "Or more specifically, your attempts to dismantle it through the harassment of Alina”

Sarah let out a laugh. "Alina? You’re here for that little nobody? I should have known. Convicts really do stick together, don't they? Her father is a criminal, just like you. It’s poetic, really. You’ve found your own kind."

"Her father is a man who understands loyalty," Ethan replied. "Something you wouldn't recognize if it hit you in the face, Sarah."

Gasps emerged from the workers present in the office, done brought out their phones to record, earning a cuss word from Sarah.

“You are embarassing me, you psycho!” She said through gritted teeth

Julian stepped forward, closing the distance to Ethan "Listen to me, Wilder. You’re overstepping. This is Vance Corporation business. You’re a trespasser with a record. One phone call and you’re back in a cell for violating parole or disturbing the peace. Get out before I have security drag you out by your heels."

“Then have them do that now, Julian” Ethan pressed.

Julian looked around frantically. “I’ll advise you go out quietly, on your own. You already are attracting too much attention”

As if on cue, another presence joins them in the office, demanding a quick attention for an important announcement.

Ethan remained still, his gaze fixated on Julian's.

"We are having an important visitor soon, I'll implore all of you to be in your best behaviour. Although, he's running late, I'm certain he will be here soon" the secrtrary announced, carefully looking through the office to see that it is properly organized.

“Jasmine, please get the security. There is someone here the important guest wouldn’t like to meet” Sarah said loud enough for the secretary to hear.

Jasmine nodded once, promising to send the security over in a couple of minutes.

Ethan frowned as he came to the realization that even the secretary could not recognize him.

“Enough of the foul play” Julian mouthed, a creepy smile curling up his lips.

"I'm here," Ethan said "because I heard the Vance Corporation was attempting an illegal hostile takeover of a subsidiary. And as of five minutes ago, I own the debt that controls this entire building."

Sarah let out a shrill laugh "You? You’re a rapist with a criminal record! You own nothing!"

Ethan shook his head sadly. “How about you stop throwing this tantrum right here, right now. It’s so embarassing, Sarah”

Ethan raised his hands to adjust the collar of his shirt, unintentionally drawing attention to the Phoenix ring

Julian’s eyes traveled to the ring. He froze. As a high-level executive in the corporate world, he knew what that ring was.

It is owned by the elites of the Phoenix empire.

"Where did you get that?" Julian asked in an incredulous voice, mentally concluding that Ethan had yet committed another thievery crime

Ethan took a quick glimplse at the ring the back at Julian. "You seem to recognize this.."

. "That... that's a fake. It has to be or you stole it! Barely a month since you got out of prison, you'vr managed to commit another crime, Ethan. You are cursed" Sarah shrieked, glaring at the ring with so much annoyance.

"Is it?" Ethan asked softly. He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out his phone.

"Check your phone, Julian," Ethan said quietly.

At that exact moment, Julian’s device erupted with notifications. His face drained of color as he scrolled through the emergency alerts from his legal team and the bank.

"This... this is impossible," Julian whispered, his hands shaking. "The Phoenix Group? They just bought out our primary creditors. They’re demanding an immediate audit."

"Julian? What the hell is going on? It’s just Ethan. He’s a loser. He has nothing!"Sarah butted in

"Shut up, Sarah" Julian Snapped

Ethan took a step forward, closing the distance. The present guards, instead of stopping him, stepped aside to clear his path.

"I told you, Sarah," Ethan said, a sick smile playing on his face "From where I’m standing, you both look very, very small. Now, shall we head to the boardroom for the pending meeting? Alina Johnson will no longer be stripped off either her shares or position in this cooperation” Ethan concluded.