The Broken Rise of Edward

Chapter 8

Ethan’s Point of View

Donovan kept talking, his voice oozing with fake respect and desperation, but Clara didn’t even spare him a glance. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd as if she was searching for someone important—and it sure as hell wasn’t him.

The murmur among the guests swelled like a rising tide.

“Did you hear that? He said Cole Group!” someone gasped.

“Wait—the Cole Group?!” another voice echoed in disbelief.

“No wonder Mr. Donovan’s acting so respectful! It all makes sense now—she’s from the Cole Group!”

“That’s insane! I’ve only ever heard their name on the news!”

Within seconds, realization spread through the crowd like wildfire. The whispers grew louder, people elbowing one another, craning their necks just to catch a glimpse of Clara. Even those who had no idea what was happening started connecting the dots from the murmurs around them. The confusion on their faces melted away, replaced by open-mouthed shock.

The atmosphere shifted—what had been curiosity turned into awe.

I stood there, speechless.

I’d always heard about the Cole Group, the way their reach extended across every major industry—finance, tech, real estate, energy—you name it. People spoke about them like they were gods of the business world, untouchable and ruthless. But to me, it had always been just talk… something far away from the life of a broke college student like me.

But seeing the crowd’s reaction—seeing grown men tremble at just the mention of the Cole Group—made it sink in.

This was the world my supposed father ruled.

My chest tightened, my heartbeat thudding in my ears. My palms were sweaty, and a hot wave rolled through my body. For the first time, it hit me: if what Clara said on the phone was true, then I wasn’t just some poor kid anymore.

I was the son of a man who could make the entire city bow with a word.

And the woman standing there—the one everyone was terrified to even look at—was just his assistant.

At the entrance, Clara continued scanning the crowd, her expression calm but focused. Her eyes swept past rows of stunned faces, but when she didn’t find who she was looking for, her brows furrowed ever so slightly.

That was my cue.

I got to my feet, ready to step forward—ready to face her and confirm everything—when a hand suddenly shot out in front of me.

“Stop right there,” Damian snarled, stepping into my path like a guard dog. “Who the f**k told you to move?”

I stared at him coldly, but he didn’t stop.

“I don’t give a damn where you think you’re going,” he continued, his voice loud enough for people nearby to hear. “But Mr. Donovan cleared this place out for a reason. You walk over there, and you’re gonna piss him off—and that woman too.”

Alina was quick to jump in, her voice sharp and mocking. “Yeah, even Damian has to show her respect,” she said, crossing her arms, her lips curling into that same nasty smirk I once thought was cute. “Why would you, of all people, try to go near her? You wanna get us all killed?”

She tilted her head and added with venomous delight, “You’re a f*****g loser, Ethan. Go home and j******f—you’re an embarrassment to humanity.”

I stared at her for a long moment, something cold and hollow twisting in my chest. How the hell did I ever fall for an i***t like her?

Every word she spat, every sneer Damian threw at me, only made the fire inside me burn hotter. From the moment I’d walked into that club, all I’d faced was humiliation—mockery, pain, rejection. My pride had been trampled, my dignity shredded.

I could feel my anger rising, begging to explode. But deep inside, another voice whispered—calm, sharp, and dangerous. Not yet.

I took a slow breath, steadying myself.

They worshipped money. They measured worth in power and wealth. Fine. Then I’d show them what real money could do.

I raised my head, meeting Damian’s glare head-on, and said evenly, “She’s looking for me.”

The words cut through the noise like a blade.

The laughter, the mocking smiles—all froze midair. A few people in front of me turned, their eyes wide, disbelief written all over their faces.

The air felt suddenly heavier.

And for the first time since that night began, I was the one in control.