The Great Ethan Lee

Chapter 83

General Jackson Trump, leading a squad of special forces, landed in a chopper and immediately trained their weapons on Maud and the thugs. "Boss, want me to finish them off?"

A row of gun barrels aimed at Maud.

The thugs, used to dishing out violence, trembled at the sight of so many gun barrels aimed at them.

Maud, his face pale, clutched his own gun, his hand shaking uncontrollably.

Ethan chuckled. "Mr. Moody, it seems I have you outnumbered."

Maud stared at him, fear replacing his bravado. "No! Impossible! I had you investigated. You're just a teacher! How… how could you have a team of special forces?"

Ethan's smile was cold. "Oh? Are you sure your investigation uncovered the whole truth?"

A terrifying thought struck Maud. "Who… who are you?"

"Who I am isn't important," Ethan said, his voice like ice. "What matters are the horrible things you've done. And because of your stupidity, you're already dead."

One of the thugs, his voice cracking, whimpered, "B-Boss! We're screwed! Those are real special forces!"

Maud's eyes were bloodshot. "No! It can't be! This has to be fake!"

He frantically dialed a number. "This is all an act! An act! I've ruled Crownspire for years! How could I lose to a lousy teacher? Hold on, my men are on their way! They'll be here any minute!"

The call connected. "Uncle John! Get your men to the Southside Fertilizer Plant! Bring everyone you've got! Hurry!"

A deep voice boomed from the phone. "Don't worry, Maud! I've already met up with your uncles. We're bringing the boys over as fast as we can!"

Uncle John's words calmed Maud's nerves. He looked at Ethan, who stood calmly, and let out a forced laugh. "Hah! A bunch of actors! You think I'd fall for that? Renting all these guys, buying these fake guns… must've cost a fortune. Too bad it's all for show! It'll never be real!

He smirked. "Once my men get here, your little charade is over. Then we'll see who runs faster!"

Ethan ignored the taunts, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Oh? That's a lot of talk. Where are these men of yours?"

Maud, brimming with false confidence, made another call. "Uncle Jonh, where are you? No need to rush, it's just a nobody and a bunch of wannabe tough guys!"

Silence. Then, a chilling voice cut through. "Apologies, but unless something unexpected happened, that 'Uncle John' of yours… well, he'll be seeing you in the next life."

Maud stumbled back, his face a mask of disbelief. "Impossible! That's impossible!"

Ethan's eyes were cold as he watched Maud's world crumble. "Seems like your backup isn't coming."

Maud, though shaken, tried to regain some composure. "Don't get cocky! My brother-in-law, Richard Woodard, is the Chief of Police for the Southside. Illegal assembly, murder… that's enough to put you down right here!"

He dialed another number. "Richard! It's Maud! There's a guy here, he's got hundreds of men with fake guns, threatening my life! He even killed someone! Richard, you have to…"

A gunshot rang out, cutting him off. General Trump had shot him in the leg.

Maud screamed, collapsing to the ground.

Richard's voice boomed through the phone, a mix of anger and concern. "What? This is happening on my turf? Don't worry, I'm on my way!"

Clutching his leg, Maud gasped, "My brother-in-law will be here any minute! Let me go, or he'll arrest you all!"

General Trump kicked him in the face, sending him sprawling. "If he shows up, I'll put him down too!"

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "No rush. Let's wait. I'm taking them all down, no loose ends."

Ten minutes later, sirens wailed as police cars screeched to a halt.

Richard, his face pale as he took in the heavily armed special forces, approached cautiously.

He tried to project an air of authority. "Who is responsible for this disturbance? This is my jurisdiction!"

Maud scrambled towards him. "Richard! It's him! He killed those men and threatened me with those thugs and their guns!"

Richard examined the bodies on the ground, then turned to Ethan, his gaze cold. "Murder on my watch has consequences. Do you understand?"

Ethan's arm was around Sophia, his expression unchanging. "What consequences are there for killing men who deserve it?" He spoke casually, as if stating the obvious.

Maud whined, "See, Richard? He's a menace! You have to punish him!"

Ethan raised his hand, aiming his pistol at Maud's other leg.

Another gunshot echoed, and Maud screamed again, clutching his shattered legs.

Before he could even catch his breath, Ethan fired two more shots, hitting both of Maud's arms.

Richard, witnessing the brutal display, remained silent. He knew something was wrong.

Ethan's voice was ice. "You said these were fake guns? Let's give you a demonstration." He nodded to General Trump.

"On your feet, everyone!" the General barked.

The special forces soldiers raised their weapons in unison.

General Trump grabbed Maud and dangled him over the edge of the building.

"Fire!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire erupted, the sound deafening as bullets ripped through Maud's body.

By the time he hit the ground, he was nothing but a mangled corpse.

Richard swallowed hard, his face pale with terror.

These men were not playing around. They had real guns, and they weren't afraid to use them.

Who was this man?

Fear replaced his bravado, and he bowed slightly. "M-May I ask… who are you?"

Ethan's voice was calm, emotionless. "My name is Ethan Lee."

The name hit Richard like a physical blow.

As a high-ranking official in Crownspire, he knew exactly who Ethan Lee was.

Ethan gestured to Maud's remains. "Maud is dead. What's your call?"

Richard's voice was shaky. "M-Maud Moody… kidnapping, resisting arrest, illegal possession of firearms… he got what he deserved."

Ethan nodded, then raised his gun, aiming it directly at Richard.

Richard trembled, fear gripping him.

Bang! A shot hit Richard's arm. He recoiled, stumbling back in pain.

Ethan's voice was devoid of emotion. "Chief Woodard bravely pursued the suspect, Maud Moody, and sustained a gunshot wound in the line of duty. You've done well."

Richard forced a smile. "Y-Yes, Master Lee, you're absolutely right."

Ethan's eyes were cold. "Next time you think about protecting criminals like Maud, remember this moment. Get out of my sight."

Richard, clutching his bleeding arm, scurried away.

As he turned to leave, he heard Sophia cry out in alarm. "July! July, what's wrong?"