Ethan sat alone in the darkened room of Alexander's penthouse. The only light came from the dim glow of the city outside, reflecting off the massive portrait of his father hanging on the wall. The image seemed to mock him—a constant reminder of everything he'd lost, everything he'd failed to protect.
Anger, frustration, and grief mixed in his chest, coiling tighter with every breath. His mind kept circling back to one person: Xavier. The cause of his downfall, the one who took everything from him.
The silence of the room was broken by the sudden ring of the doorbell. Ethan frowned and walked over to the comms system, tapping the screen.
His eyes widened in shock when he saw the caller ID. It was Maximilian Hart.
"Open it," Ethan muttered, his voice cold but laced with curiosity.
