The Great Ethan Lee

Chapter 104

Bang!

A deafening crash echoed through the house as Ethan kicked in the heavy steel door, shattering it into pieces.

Dick, caught in the act, whirled around to see Ethan standing in the doorway, his eyes blazing with fury.

"E-Ethan?!" d**k stammered, his face paling. "But... you're supposed to be in prison!"

Ethan's gaze was ice cold as he took in the man who shared his features. "d**k," he growled. "You're playing a dangerous game."

"Ethan!" Sophia cried out; her voice choked with sobs. She scrambled out of d**k's grasp and threw herself into Ethan's arms, her tears soaking his shirt.

Ethan's blood ran cold as he saw his wife's disheveled clothes and tear-streaked face. A murderous rage surged through him, threatening to consume him.

"He knocked on the door," Sophia sobbed, clinging to him. "I thought it was you... I never would have opened the door if I knew it was him! I swear!"

Ethan's heart ached for her. Even in this moment of terror, her first thought was to explain herself to him. 'It's okay, honey, I believe you.'

He murmured, stroking her hair. "It's alright now. I'm here."

Dick, after a moment of stunned silence, scoffed. "f**k. Look who's back. The prodigal son returns. How'd you get out of prison so quickly, you bastard?" He spat on the floor. "Lucky you. See ya later."

He casually grabbed his clothes and turned to leave, showing no fear.

"Did I say you could leave?" Ethan's voice was low and dangerous.

Dick froze, the chilling tone stopping him in his tracks. He turned back to face Ethan, a sneer twisting his lips. "What are you gonna do, huh? You're nothing but a bastard the Lee family disowned! I'm the legitimate heir, the eldest grandson!"

He puffed out his chest, his voice dripping with arrogance. "I did you a favor by playing with your wife. Don't think you can act tough just because you've earned some fancy 'Master' title out there. You're nothing! Do you have any idea who I am? No one in the entire Lee family would dare cross me!"

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "You seem to be forgetting something, golden boy. I never claimed to be part of the Lee family."

The words landed, and d**k froze. It dawned on him: as the eldest son of the Lee family, he was born into privilege according to the family rules. Yet, Ethan, despite his connection to the Lees, was never acknowledged by Madam Lee, nor did he ever claim his place in the family...

Dick might be a spoiled brat, but he wasn't stupid. He eyed Ethan warily. "What are you planning? We share the same blood, Ethan! If you hurt me, Grandma will never forgive you!" He forced a smile. "Let's just forget this ever happened. Your wife is fine, right? It's not worth making an enemy of the Lee family over something so trivial. You'll regret it."

Ethan laughed, a cold, mirthless sound.

"You're wrong again, d**k," he said, his eyes hardening. "You think I went to prison for you because I was afraid of the Lee family? Don't make me laugh. I never gave a damn about them. But you've given me an idea."

His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "If I share the Lee family blood, then I deserve my share of their fortune, don't I?"

He lunged, his hand closing around d**k's throat.

***

At the Lee family mansion, Madam Lee felt a growing unease.

"Mother, what's wrong?" her son, Conrad Lee, asked, noticing her troubled expression.

"I don't know," she sighed. "I have a bad feeling about something."

Conrad chuckled. "Don't worry, Mother. We're one of the most powerful families in Crownspire. What could possibly happen?"

But Madam Lee's anxiety intensified. She frowned, gripping her cane as she stood up. "Don't be so complacent. It's always best to be cautious. Where's d**k? Keep an eye on your son these days. I don't want him causing any more trouble."

Conrad nodded. "Don't worry, Mother. d**k's been staying home, reflecting on his actions. He hasn't gone anywhere..."

His words were cut short by two screams. The two guards stationed at the entrance flew into the hall. 

Ethan strode into the mansion, his eyes cold and hard.

Madam Lee's eyes widened in shock. Wasn't he supposed to be in prison? How had he gotten out so quickly?

"Ethan," she said, her voice laced with suspicion. "What brings you to the Lee family home?"

Ethan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips. But his eyes were as cold as ice.

"I've come to deliver a gift," he said calmly.

Sunny Taylor, who had followed Ethan inside, dragged a bruised and battered d**k into the hall, throwing him to the floor. Without hesitation, Sunny stomped on d**k's hand, grinding his heel into the bones.

A sickening crack echoed through the hall, followed by d**k's agonized screams.

Gone was his earlier arrogance. "Grandma! Dad! Help me! Please!" d**k wailed, tears streaming down his face.

Conrad, seeing his son's plight, rushed forward. "Let him go! Get your hands off my son!"

Sunny ignored him, his eyes flashing with anger. He lashed out with his foot, sending Conrad flying backwards. Conrad crashed into the wall, groaning in pain.

Madam Lee's heart clenched as she watched her son and grandson being brutalized.

She slammed her cane on the floor, her voice trembling with rage. "Ethan! What are you doing? Do you want to make an enemy of the entire Lee family?"

Ethan laughed; his gaze unwavering. "First, you should be asking your precious grandson why I'm here. And second, the Lee family isn't worthy of being my enemy."

Madam Lee glared at him, then took a deep breath.

With d**k at Ethan's mercy, she couldn't afford to be reckless.

"What's going on, Ethan?" she asked, her voice tight. "Is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Ethan scoffed. "Misunderstanding? Do you know what your precious grandson did while I was rotting in prison for him? He impersonated me, entered my home, and tried to force himself on my wife!"

His voice was like ice. "Madam Lee, I expect an explanation for this betrayal."

Madam Lee stared at d**k, her face a mask of shock. "Is this true?"

Dick, his face contorted with fear, pleaded with her. "Grandma! Please! Help me! I made a mistake! I'll never do it again!"

Madam Lee turned to Conrad, who was struggling to his feet. "I told you to keep an eye on him!"

Conrad flinched, his gaze falling to the floor. "I thought... I thought he wouldn't do anything like that again..."

Madam Lee trembled with rage. She sighed, her shoulders slumping with defeat. She looked at Ethan, her voice weary. "You're all useless! What do you want? How can we make this right?"

Ethan smiled, a chilling, predatory smile. "You think I brought him here to negotiate? No. I just wanted you to see what happens to those who cross me."

Sunny grinned, a cruel glint in his eyes. He raised his foot high, aiming for d**k's groin.