The sound of that voice made Summer startle. After a moment of stunned silence, her expression became profoundly complex.
Michael Langford also looked surprised, turning his head to look.
They saw Ethan Chen striding in, blocked by several security guards from The Dynasty.
Michael frowned and waved a hand, signaling the guards to stand down.
Ethan walked straight to the table and sat down, unceremoniously opening a bottle of beer and taking several deep gulps.
Gwendolyn Langford was astounded. She hadn't even considered the possibility that this person could emerge alive from Lansway, let alone appear relatively unscathed.
Everyone in the circle knew what kind of man Jack "Two-Finger" Zhao was. The fact that Ethan was here meant he had succeeded?
Ethan finished the entire bottle, slammed it down heavily on the table, and looked at Michael. "The money. Where is it?"
Michael glanced at the empty bottle. "The proof?"
"The other party took it," Ethan said coldly. "When does the final payment arrive?"
Lucas sneered from the side, "Beggar."
Ethan's gaze swept over Lucas before settling back on Michael.
Michael waved a hand at Summer, instructing her to transfer the remaining funds.
Ethan watched his phone, not moving until the bank notification for the deposit appeared. Only then did he put his phone away.
Lucas spat on the floor near Ethan's feet. "You got your money. Why are you still sitting there? Get lost! Planning to stick around for a midnight snack?"
Ethan kept his eyes locked on Michael. "The money is settled. Now let's talk about something else. We have a score to settle."
Michael seemed to guess what Ethan meant, his eyes shifting slightly. "Before taking this job, you should have known it involved risking your life. One hundred and twenty thousand is more than some people's lives are worth. Granted, not telling you upfront what the 'shipment' was is on me. But I wasn't obligated to share those details."
Ethan shook his head. "I'm not talking about that."
Before Michael could speak, Lucas cut in again.
"Then what the hell are you talking about? Bitching that he never raised you? Wanting a piece of The Dynasty? You're dreaming, you pathetic bastard! You think you're worthy? Mom, don't you think Dad needs a reminder?"
Gwendolyn merely glanced at Ethan, her eyes filled with bottomless disgust, as if speaking to him would be beneath her.
Ethan grabbed the empty beer bottle, turned, and smashed it directly over Gwendolyn's head.
The bottle shattered instantly. Blood streamed down Gwendolyn's forehead.
The move was so sudden that even someone with Michael's composure was stunned for a few seconds.
Lucas stood frozen in place.
Ethan wasn't finished. He followed up with a kick that sent Gwendolyn tumbling off the couch.
Michael finally snapped out of it, stepping forward and grabbing Ethan's wrist.
Ethan, still holding the broken bottleneck, thrust it toward Michael's face.
Michael's pupils contracted. He dodged hastily, but the sharp glass still sliced a line across his cheek. He countered, trying to twist Ethan's arm into a submission hold.
Ethan spun, driving a knee upward.
Michael blocked the knee with one hand while maintaining his grip on Ethan's other hand with the other. The two men strained against each other. Fresh blood could be seen seeping through the bandage on Ethan's pinky finger.
"Ethan! Have you lost your damn mind?!" Michael roared, his voice full of authority.
"Go to hell, Michael!" Ethan shouted back. "You dare lay a hand on my mother? Not tearing you apart would mean I'm the one who's crazy!"
Michael's face changed dramatically. He shot a look at Gwendolyn.
"Michael, what are you looking at me for?!" Gwendolyn shrieked, touching the blood on her head, her whole body trembling. "This little bastard hits me and you do nothing?!"
Michael stared at her, his voice hard. "You went to see her?"
Gwendolyn screamed, "So what! His bastard son attacked my boy! Was I just supposed to let it slide?!"
Michael shoved Ethan's hand away and turned to face him. "Enough. This isn't the place for your tantrum. Get out of here!"
"He's not going anywhere!" Gwendolyn waved a hand, screaming at the bodyguards who had finally surged forward. "What are you all waiting for!? Hold him! He laid a hand on me! He won't be walking out of here in one piece!"
Over a dozen bodyguards closed in, surrounding Ethan.
Michael stood in the middle, looking at Ethan encircled by the guards, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
Summer moved to stand beside Ethan, whispering urgently, "I understand how you feel, but this was too impulsive. Michael only owns half of The Dynasty. The other half belongs to his wife."
"Break his limbs!" Gwendolyn's voice was shrill and piercing, her face contorted with rage.
"Break my limbs?" Ethan's face showed pure contempt. "Do you really think you can handle the consequences?"
Gwendolyn snarled, "You bastard! Do you really think anyone can protect you? Ask Michael! Even if I have you crippled, do you think he'd dare say a word?!"
Ethan shoved the bodyguard directly in front of him aside and addressed Gwendolyn. "You might not care about Michael. But what about The Boss?"
"The Boss?" Gwendolyn laughed hysterically. "What does The Boss have to do with you? You don't even have the right to meet The Boss!"
"I've never met The Boss," Ethan conceded, his voice steady. "But I'm the one who took the trophy from Jack 'Two-Finger' Zhao." He looked directly at Michael. "Mr. Kun wants Zhao's business. The Boss gave his silent approval. But that business probably won't be handed over entirely to Mr. Kun to manage, will it? The Boss will need his own people to keep an eye on it."
Everyone understood the implication of Ethan's words.
Summer looked at him with newfound respect. She had thought him reckless, but now it seemed the young man had calculated his moves.
"Dad, that's absolutely out of the question!" Lucas panicked. "You promised me! You said you'd find a chance for me to—"
"Shut up!" Michael snapped, glaring at Lucas.
Lucas realized his mistake and quickly closed his mouth.
"Michael, the rules of this circle are clear," Ethan said, dropping the broken bottleneck. "Am I wrong?"
Michael took a deep breath, a look of feigned confusion on his face. "Ethan, aren't you overestimating yourself? Even if the rules are as you say, what makes you think The Boss would use you? And why would you think Mr. Kun would count you in?"
"Heh." Ethan's face was full of disdain. "I'm the one who took Zhao's trophy. I've proven I have the capability. If The Boss doesn't use me, who will he use? That waste of space next to you?"
"Who the hell are you calling waste?!" Lucas exploded.
A bodyguard hurried over and whispered in Summer's ear. She glanced toward the entrance. "Michael, Mr. Kun is here."
No sooner had Summer spoken than a loud, hearty laugh echoed from the doorway.
"Hahaha! Michael, my boy! Well done! Exceptionally well done!"
In the entrance, a man in his sixties, wearing a traditional tang suit and leaning on a dragon-headed cane, entered, supported by Serena He.
Seeing the newcomer, Michael hurried forward. "Mr. Kun!"
Even Gwendolyn was forced to plaster a strained smile on her face and step forward to greet him.
Mr. Kun's eyes fell on the blood trickling down Gwendolyn's forehead. "It seems I've arrived at an inopportune time?"
Gwendolyn started to say something.
"Ethan!" Serena, with one hand supporting Mr. Kun, waved her other hand enthusiastically at Ethan in greeting.
"Oh?" Mr. Kun's gaze also shifted to Ethan, his eyes filled with keen interest. "So, you are Ethan Chen?"