Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

~~ETHAN WILDER~~

It’s been three weeks since I got out of prison.. three weeks since my biggest heart break and biggest break through.

I’d taken time for myself , time to settle, time to heal, time to forget about my first love.

However, it was not as easy as it seemed, not as easy as the self help books tried to make it appear.

My line of sight settled on the golden plate that held my name and current title.

I’d finally accepted my new life. More than ready to take the responsibility of leading the Phoenix Empire.

It was a distraction for me. Too much work would lessen the repercussions of a heart that’s been torn apart.

A knock on the office mahogany door startled me.

One of my guards came in afterwards and shut the door behind me.

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

My brows pulled together into a slight frown. “Who is he?”

“He calls himself Frank John.”

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

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

My eyes narrowed as the name finally clicked.

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

The man had turned a blind eye when I insisted to have my peace and had done everything in his power to keep the cheer intact, it had helped me at the moment when the prison walls felt like they were closing in.

“Let him in,” I urged, “And make sure we aren’t disturbed.”

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

He looked older than I remembered, the lines on his face appeared deeper. He was clad in a rough shirt and faded pair of trousers.

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

Ethan winced inwardly

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

I stood from my chair, walking around the mahogany desk to help him up from his knees.

The idea of a man that had offered so much help to me prior now kneeling for my assistance did not sit right with me.

“You helped me survive those two years you were present for, Frank. Why are you on your knees?”

“It’s my daughter,” He 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 a drop for tear slid down his cheeks. “I am embarrassed to approach him again”

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

I 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 my ex wife’s new man, Julian Vance and his family.

I had made the promise to myself not to ever have anything to do with my ex wife or her new affair.

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

He shook his head vehemently. “You have to save my daughter. You hold enormous power now. Please, help me. This once, Ethan Wilder. She called me late yesternight ând wailed on the phone. I’ve never felt helpless in my entire life. I’d rather take the fall for my actions but putting the blame on my daughter..” he threw his head backwards ând I knew he was trying to hold the tears in. “It’s not right”

I sucked in a long breath, my insides trembling slightly. Walking into the Vance cooperation meant walking right into an enemy’s territory.

But deep down, I knew, I could not possibly deny this man the help he sought

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

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

~~~SARAH BENETT~~

I arrived at the Vance Corporation in style.

It had been exactly three weeks since I became a partner in the firm, and I had wasted no time. I was already busy making "necessary reforms", clearing out the dead weight and ensuring everyone knew exactly who was in charge now.

I adjusted my blazer. My heels clicked noisily against the marble floor of the lobby.

I didn’t have to look around to know that every head was turning as I passed. I belonged here.

I made my way to the open executive floor, where Julian was standing near a floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the city as if he already owned it.

"Missed me?" I purred, sliding my arms around his waist from behind.

Julian turned, a grin spreading across his face as he pulled me flush against him. He kissed me deeply, right there in front of everyone. He didn’t care about the dozens of employees watching us, and neither did I.

"Hard not to miss one of the most powerful women in Boston," he murmured against my lips. "Ready for the board meeting? We’re finalizing the acquisition of that boutique firm today."

"The one run by that girl, Alina?" I asked, unable to keep the edge of belittling out of my 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, his fingers tracing the line of my jaw. "You’re ruthless, Sarah. I love it."

Our moment was suddenly interrupted by an awkward, heavy silence that swept across the office. Then, just as quickly, the room roared back to life with the sound of indistinct chatters and frantic whispering.

"What is that?" I frowned, pulling away from him.

The employees weren't even pretending to work anymore. They were staring at the entrance.

"Looks like a ghost just walked in," Julian said jokingly, squinting toward the elevators.

I followed his gaze, expecting a confused courier or a disgruntled ex-employee.

Instead, a figure emerged from the crowd. My heart skipped a beat, then I felt a hot rush of irritation.

The man wasn't wearing an orange jumpsuit, and he didn't look like the scrawny, broken man I had left at the prison gates three weeks ago.

He was draped in a charcoal-grey suit that looked tailored to his frame, walking with a confidence that felt like an insult.

It was Ethan.