0011
1121 Words
Perhaps their resemblance lies only in their eyes.
The atmosphere was intense, with bids surging relentlessly.
Ethan turned away, habitually adjusting his glasses with an elegance and poise that concealed the seething hatred within his gaze toward Thomas.
If not for him, he wouldn't have lost the girl he cherished for nine years...
If not for him, he would still know where she was...
When he was twelve, he attended the same school as Amelia. After classes, he would always wait for her at the school gate. They had attended the same school since the beginning of junior high; their homes were close, and they often walked home together. Gradually, it became a habit.
Until that day, when Thomas appeared and changed everything.
"Stay away from Amelia!"
It was their first direct confrontation. Before this, he had seen Thomas at the Collins' villa, in Amelia's photo album, and even heard her talk about him daily.
Initially, Amelia disliked Thomas, but over time, every time she mentioned him, Ethan could sense her growing fondness for this so-called "brother."
He had thought that Amelia's affection for Thomas was merely the kind a sister might feel for a brother.
But he was mistaken; he never anticipated what happened next. Amelia sobbed uncontrollably in front of him-all because of that man.
He ignored her, and she wept!
"Why?" He raised his chin, meeting the gaze of the boy who stood half a head taller, feeling an unyielding sense of oppression.
What Thomas said last was forgotten; all Ethan felt was an unprecedented threat.
Later, Thomas left, and Amelia seemed to become someone else, often staring blankly from the balcony, her once joyful smiles now replaced by strained, bitter smiles in his presence.
On her birthday, he prepared roses, ready to tell her that he loved her, that her simple smile had brightened his youth
But all he received was the news of her running away, until a year later, Thomas took over the Collins family.
Rumors spread, saying that Thomas and his mother had driven out the rightful heir of Sun International, seizing everything from the Collins family.
He completed his studies early and took over the Ethan Group, all for the chance to stand against Thomas and await Amelia's return.
"Boss Thomas, aren't you planning to bid?" Henry asked, daring to offer a gentle reminder.
The price had already climbed to eight figures. The auctioneer held the gavel, asking the crowd, feigning a final call.
Thomas shot Henry an irritated glance. Henry felt a chill run down his spine; after all, Thomas was only here on the Mrs. Collins insistence. She had said that William Collins held an unshakable affection for this land, intending to build something here, thus insisting Thomas attend in person.
In truth, this was merely to curry favor with William Collins-a notion Thomas detested most.
Thomas remained silent.
Ahem...
"Boss Thomas-"
Finally, with a flicker of impatience, Thomas glanced at the screen, a cold smirk tugging at his lips as he raised one finger toward Henry.
Henry understood immediately. "One hundred million."
The boss never left room for others.
In an instant, every gaze turned toward Thomas. When they recognized the bidder, silence fell; no one dared to speak recklessly.
They knew the show had just begun, especially with Ethan present. A shadow war between the two was inevitable.
They had thought Thomas's silence meant he wasn't interested in the land. It turned out he had simply been holding back for a grand finale. Now, it seemed the other bidders would have no chance, only able to watch Ethan and Thomas fight to the bitter end.
"One hundred and ten million." A voice, calm yet cold, rose from the corner.
As expected, Ethan had bid.
"The president of the Ethan Group is truly dead-set on opposing Sun International. Who knows what transpired between them?"
"Indeed, is he courting disaster? This land isn't even worth one hundred and ten million."
Whispers began among the crowd.
Thomas's cold eyes followed the sound, his lips curling in a mocking smile as he fixed his gaze upon Ethan, placing his legs down and parting his lips.
"One hundred and fifty million."
Gasps rippled through the room-who adds tens of millions in one go?
Ethan's face darkened, lifting his hand, only to be held back by his secretary.
Ethan paused momentarily, disdaining Thomas's unperturbed demeanor. He had taken what belonged to Amelia and remained utterly unruffled.
Ethan violently brushed off his secretary's hand. For Amelia's sake, he would compete with Thomas, even if it meant a loss; anything Thomas wanted, he would seize from him.
"Two hundred million!" His voice rang out, commanding the room's attention as everyone held their breath, awaiting Thomas's response.
This was no longer a contest over land.
Thomas's expression remained unchanged. With a slight arch of his brow, he stood, dusted his suit, and announced, "Three hundred million."
Then, without hesitation, he turned and walked out. Henry, sensing his role, stayed behind, for the land was now theirs. Boss Thomas never departed with such ease unless he was certain of victory.
Ethan's expression grew grim as he stood there, clenching his fists until veins bulged
"Thomas, you'd better remain so arrogant, living off what isn't rightfully yours." Ethan stepped forward, unabashedly pointing at Thomas and snarling.
Henry frowned. How dare he point at Boss Thomas?
Thomas stopped, turning his head slightly, his lips parting. "What I, Thomas, want, no one even qualifies to look upon."
"Yes, I am arrogant. What can you do? Gather every liquid asset the Ethan Group possesses, and perhaps you might come up with three hundred million." His voice dripped with scorn.
Not his? Indeed, it wasn't his.
"You-" Ethan choked on his words, knowing he couldn't muster that much.
Even two hundred million had stretched the Ethan Group thin, let alone three hundred million.
Thomas had foreseen his inability to pay, striding away with such ease.
Such a man was truly terrifying. How could Amelia have fallen for someone so ruthless and calculating?
Fallen for him? Ethan's face turned ashen.
He had stayed by her side, yet she had never confessed a single word of affection.
How long had Thomas even been in that household, indifferent to her, and still, she had fallen for him so readily?
"Ethan, I miss him so much. Why did he leave-is he avoiding me?"
"Is it because I love him that he despises me? Yes, that must be it."
The sound of the girl's voice, murmuring as if beside him, tinged with vulnerability yet laden with deep grievance.
For the first time, he realized she loved Thomas, her so-called brother.
But what did it matter? They could never be.
- Writer
