[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322724E0B-552":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},552,14,"Chapter 14: Kneeling for the First Time","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ugh!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ethan’s body spasmed, doubling over as a wave of nausea hit him like a physical blow. Cold sweat slicked his forehead in an instant.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You ungrateful little rat.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon pulled his fist back, shaking out his wrist. He watched Ethan curl into a ball on the floor, his face twisted with a sadistic thrill. \"Did you really think I wouldn't touch you? I should shatter those hands right now. Let’s see what you’ll cook with then—let’s see how you plan to cozy up to Grace after that.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon cocked his fist again, but the front door burst open with a crash. Olivia Hayes stormed in, her eyes darting across the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damon, stop!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When she saw the state of the living room, her face paled. She lunged forward, shoving Damon aside to reach for Ethan. Seeing the agony etched into Ethan’s features, she whipped her head toward Damon, her voice sharp with fury. \"I told you to show some restraint! I need him in one piece to finish the project.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her tone was a demand, but beneath it lay a flicker of panic and something else—a shred of lingering attachment she hadn't yet dared to acknowledge.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon, shoved away, felt his adrenaline curdle into bitter jealousy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you feeling sorry for him?\" Damon spat, his eyes wild. \"I was doing this for you! You’re actually upset that I laid a hand on him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Olivia hesitated, the words \"I am\" caught in her throat. Before she could force them out, a dry, raspy laugh cut through the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ethan looked up at Damon, his voice gravelly and hollow. \"I wasn't planning on settling the score with you this soon.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He tugged at the corner of his mouth, the expression devoid of any warmth. \"You scalded my hands. You staged a fire just to rob me of my sense of smell and taste. You took my skin for your grafts. I’ve kept a tally of every single one of those debts.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ethan’s eyes were cold, like shards of broken glass. \"Consider tonight the first installment of what you owe me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon let out a harsh, mocking bark of laughter. \"Do you honestly think a few empty threats make me sweat? What exactly are you going to do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Ethan watched the disdain bloom across Damon’s face and let out a low, chilling chuckle. \"You’re about to find out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the words left his lips, a thunderous *BANG* echoed through the house.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The iron gate of the estate was kicked off its hinges. A dozen men in sharp, charcoal-grey suits swarmed into the living room, moving with the precision of a military strike. They fanned out, sealing the exits and trapping Damon, Olivia, and their terrified security detail in a tightening circle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">These weren't hired muscle. Their eyes were sharp, their movements predatory, radiating a level of violence that made the air in the room feel heavy and suffocating.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room went dead silent. Olivia’s face turned ghostly white. Damon’s bodyguards reached for their jackets, but the intruders were faster, pinning them to the wall before they could even draw a breath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon’s cocky smirk withered, replaced by raw, unadulterated shock. \"Who are you people?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A man in a deep-grey trench coat and gold-rimmed glasses walked through the doorway. It was Lawson Price, the right-hand man to Ethan’s father—a man known for being efficient, merciless, and never wasting time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson stepped up to Ethan and gave a crisp, respectful nod. \"Young Master. Apologies for the delay.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Two men moved quickly to Ethan’s side, gently hoisting him up and slicing through the restraints on his wrists. Ethan took a damp towel from one of them and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his movements fluid and unnervingly calm. He turned his gaze toward Lawson.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You know what he’s done to me, Lawson,\" Ethan said, his voice quiet but carrying the weight of a judge. \"I want it all back, with interest.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lawson adjusted his glasses, a thin, jagged smile touching his lips. \"Understood, Young Master.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He flicked his wrist. Without hesitation, a bodyguard stepped forward and slammed a boot into the back of Damon’s knee. Damon let out a guttural cry as his leg gave way, forcing him down until he was kneeling on the cold hardwood floor. A heavy hand clamped onto his shoulder, pinning him in place.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ethan, what the hell are you doing? You think you can touch me? I’m from the Meyer—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Agh!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A muffled thud silenced him. Lawson had driven a fist into Damon’s gut, doubling him over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That was for the Young Master,\" Lawson said, his voice flat and lethal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damon gasped for air, his face contorted in agony, unable to squeeze out another word.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Olivia stood frozen in the corner, her entire world shifting on its axis. She watched Ethan, trembling as she finally managed to choke out the question that haunted her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who... who exactly are you?\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272910499]