Chapter 2: The Man No One Dared Challenge
The black sedan glided through the rain.
Inside, silence filled the cabin.
Aria hugged herself, still trembling, afraid that if she looked out the window, she would see the flashlights again.
Ethan watched her quietly.
"What's your name?"
"...Aria."
"Who was chasing you?"
She hesitated.
"My family."
That answer was enough.
Ethan nodded once.
"Lucas."
His driver answered immediately.
"Yes, sir."
"Turn around."
Aria's eyes widened.
"No! Please... they'll find me."
Ethan looked at her with calm certainty.
"They already know you're gone."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Now it's time they know whose protection you've chosen."
Minutes later, the sedan stopped at the entrance of the Montgomery estate.
Victoria stood beneath the front portico with security guards surrounding her.
When she saw the car, relief flashed across her face.
Until Ethan stepped out.
The color drained from her cheeks.
She knew that face.
Everyone in the city's business world did.
Ethan Cross.
The billionaire whose companies owned half the commercial district.
The man politicians greeted carefully.
The man investors never crossed.
Victoria forced a smile.
"Mr. Cross... this is simply a family misunderstanding."
Ethan didn't answer.
Instead, he opened the rear door.
Aria stepped out behind him.
Barefoot.
Bruised.
Shivering.
Every lie Victoria had prepared died before it reached her lips.
Ethan finally spoke.
"If this is how your family treats its daughters..."
His voice remained calm.
"...then your family no longer deserves the word."
No one moved.
May you like
No one argued.
Not even the security guards.
