Ethan's house came into view, standing tall and illuminated against the starry night. The convoy of vehicles pulled into the driveway with precision, the soft hum of engines fading into silence.

The others who had never been to his house were amazed at its size, especially the Moores. From inside the car, Julie, Harold, and the twins exchanged words of astonishment.

"Mom, who is Ethan?" asked Josh.

"Is he a millionaire?" asked Joshua.

Even Julie and Harold had no answers to that. They were stunned as well.

"I don't know, but he must be someone," replied Julie.

Harold, still gazing out the window, nodded repeatedly.

Steve and Ezra, who were inside the SUV with them, were also amazed, but having experienced much of the world, they managed to control their reactions.

Meanwhile, Jordan, who was inside the car with Mark, Ethan, and Jessica, could not contain his excitement. "Dude! What is this?!"

"This is a huge upgrade compared to your previous apartment! Why on earth did you never invite me at least once?" he added.

Ethan chuckled. "Well, I just moved in here and was planning to invite you."

"Planning? Just give me a call next time, and I'll be here in no time," Jordan replied.

Ethan could only shake his head at Jordan's antics. "Sorry about that, and since you're already here, welcome to my house," Ethan said with a laugh.

As Ethan stepped outside, he looked around the property. Guards were standing watch around the edge, showing their professionalism with their focused stances and sharp looks.

Ethan believed that they were Mark’s men without asking. Their presence made him feel secure after the chaos of the day.

'Still, I can't be complacent. I need to improve my strength and power,' Ethan thought.

While he was lost in thought, his eyes landed on his parents. Aaron and Elise stood waiting in the front garden.

Aaron’s hands were tucked into his pockets, his posture relaxed but observant, while Elise’s arms were crossed lightly, a gentle smile on her lips.

Ethan had sent them a message earlier, explaining the situation—not the real reason. Jessica’s family and Jordan would be staying the night.

His parents had agreed without hesitation, understanding the gravity of the unspoken details.

The doors of the other vehicles opened, and one by one, the guests stepped out. Ethan took the lead, walking up to his parents.

“Mom, Dad,” he began, his tone calm but edged with exhaustion. “You already know Jessica and Jordan.” He gestured toward Jessica, who offered a small, grateful smile, and Jordan, who gave a playful smile.

"Uncle, Auntie, it's been a while! How are you both doing?" Jordan greeted.

Both Aaron and Elise smiled at him. Jordan was the only friend Ethan had who visited their house before. "We're doing great, and it's wonderful to see you again."

Ethan then started to introduce the Moores. "Everyone, my parents, Aaron Cole and Elise Cole."

“And this is Jessica’s family,” Ethan continued. “Her grandfather, Harold, her mother, Julie, and her twin brothers, Josh and Joshua.”

Aaron stepped forward with a warm smile, shaking Harold’s hand. “It’s good to see you all. Welcome. Please make yourselves at home.”

Harold returned the handshake firmly. “Thank you, Aaron. We appreciate your hospitality.”

Julie offered a polite smile. “Thank you for having us on such short notice, Mr. and Mrs. Cole.”

Elise waved her hand dismissively. “No need for that. Call us Aaron and Elise. We’re happy to have you all here. You’ve had a long day, so let’s get you settled.”

Josh and Joshua had already spotted Jacob and Lily standing at the front

door, their curiosity apparent.

"That's Jacob and Lily," Ethan said, looking at the twins. "Go ahead. Jacob is the same age as you guys, and Lily is two years younger, but there’s no problem. You guys can surely get along."

The twins exchanged looks before bounding toward them, quickly striking up an animated conversation. Jacob and Lily, slightly shy at first, soon warmed up, and the four disappeared inside with laughter echoing behind them.

Jessica lingered beside Ethan, her expression softening as Elise approached her with a welcoming smile.

“Jessica,” Elise said, her tone warm and familiar. “It’s good to see you again. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thank you, Mrs.—” Jessica caught herself and smiled. “Elise.”

The gentle hum of voices subsided as Aaron and Elise gestured toward the house. Aaron's steady voice cut through the cool evening air. “Come on inside, everyone. You’ve had a long day, and it’s time to get comfortable.”

Harold nodded appreciatively, placing a hand on Julie’s shoulder as the group began to move toward the entrance. Jessica lingered for a moment, her eyes flicking to Ethan. She noticed his slight hesitation.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Before Ethan could join the group, he caught sight of Maya standing near one of the vehicles with the other members of the Five Ghosts.

Ethan stepped toward them, his voice low. “You’re sure you don’t want to come inside? There’s plenty of space.”

Maya shook her head and smiled slightly. “We’ve already discussed this, Ethan. It’s better if we stay out of sight for now. You’ve got enough to explain without adding us into the mix.”

Steve gave a light chuckle, leaning against the SUV. “Yeah, we’d scare your folks half to death. Let’s keep things simple.”

Yamal adjusted the strap of his kukris with a small shrug. “We’ll be fine. This isn’t our first night under the stars.”

Ezra, as usual, remained silent, his eyes scanning the perimeter with calculated precision.

Mark stepped forward, resting a reassuring hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “We’ll discuss everything tomorrow. Tonight, focus on your family and getting everyone settled. We’ll be close if you need us.”

Ethan hesitated but eventually nodded. “Alright. But let me know if there’s anything you need.”

Maya smirked, crossing her arms. “We’ll be just fine, Ethan. Go.”

With a final glance at the group, Ethan turned and headed inside. The soft chatter of the Moores and his parents greeted him as he stepped through the door, the warm light of the house washing over him.

***

The meeting room was quiet, the air carrying an almost deceptive sense of calm as Victor LaRue leaned back in his chair. His sharp gaze moved between the three men seated before him.

Alexander, his adopted son, sat with an air of quiet composure while Mike and Taison, Lucien's personal bodyguards, maintained their professional demeanor.

Victor broke the silence, his voice steady but probing. “Mike, Taison. Tell me exactly what happened.”

The two men exchanged a brief glance before Mike straightened in his seat. “Sir, Lucien has marked Ethan Cole, the founder of Nova Tech. He aims to halt any sudden rise in influence, particularly in the technology industry. Nova Tech’s growth poses a threat to LR Tech’s standing.”

Taison nodded in agreement. “It’s consistent with Lucien’s role overseeing LR Tech. As one of the technology tycoons in Arland, he’s taking preventive measures.”

Victor listened intently, his expression unreadable.

"That makes sense," he said slowly. “But I know that isn’t the main reason Lucien ordered the attack. Is it?”

Mike and Taison froze, their professionalism momentarily faltering. They exchanged another look, one that spoke volumes. It was clear to both that nothing could escape Victor’s insight.

Taison exhaled quietly, breaking the silence. “You’re correct, sir. The main reason… is because of a woman, Jessica Moore.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Jessica Moore?”

Mike nodded, his voice steady. “Yes, sir. She’s connected to Ethan Cole. Lucien considers her involvement… personal.”

Victor leaned back in his chair, his fingers touching each other as he took in the information. The room fell silent again, and the weight of their words filled the table.

His piercing gaze lingered on Mike and Taison, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. “Why is Lucien behaving this way over a woman? Who is she, really?”

Mike cleared his throat before answering carefully, “She’s an ordinary woman from an ordinary family. No notable background or connections that we’re aware of.”

Taison added, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism, “Lucien mentioned he wanted to win her heart the right way. Perhaps it’s the first time he’s been genuinely in love. Or…” He hesitated before continuing, “It could be that he sees her as the perfect means to destroy Ethan Cole.”

It was then that Alexander, who had been listening quietly, leaned forward, his tone sharp. “On what basis? Do Ethan and Jessica have some kind of deep relationship?”

He paused briefly, then continued, “From what I’ve gathered, they’ve only known each other for a week. Jessica is the property agent who handled the purchase of Nova Tech’s headquarters and Ethan’s house. Nothing more.”

Alexander’s lips curled into a faint smirk, though his eyes remained cold. “If this is truly about love, then Lucien is more blinded by it than I imagined. And that… is far more dangerous.”

Taison leaned back slightly, his tone calm but carrying an undercurrent of warning. “Speaking of dangerous, Ethan Cole isn’t someone we should overlook either.”

Victor’s curiosity piqued at the comment, his sharp gaze narrowing slightly. As the Head of the LaRue family, he was a man who knew the weight behind every word, especially when spoken by the two individuals before him.

Mike and Taison were no ordinary men. Their strength and skill were such that, by merit alone, they could easily be considered External Elders in any of the other Great Families.

Victor leaned forward slightly, his voice steady and probing. “What do you mean by that?”

Mike didn’t hesitate. “The one protecting Ethan is Mark Spencer.”

The name hung in the air for a moment, heavy with implication. Victor’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly as he repeated the name slowly, his voice carrying a deliberate weight. “Mark Spencer… of the Five Ghosts of Nemesis?”

Both Mike and Taison nodded in unison, their expressions serious.

The room was thick with silence, broken only when Alexander decided to speak, his tone tinged with both intrigue and calculation. “Speaking of that, Donald from Brookville reported something interesting.”

Victor’s gaze turned to his adopted son, his interest clearly piqued. “Go on.”

Alexander’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “Donald claimed that all five of the Ghosts showed up in Brookville… to protect Ethan Cole. It was a dispute tied to Jessica—or, more precisely, her family.”

Victor’s fingers tapped lightly against the table, his mind clearly processing the implications of what he had just heard. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable edge. “The Five Ghosts… mobilized for Ethan Cole?”

Alexander nodded, his smirk fading as he spoke with growing seriousness. “It seems so. And if they’re willing to protect him, then Ethan Cole is far more important—or far more dangerous—than we initially thought.”

Victor’s eyes gleamed with a mix of interest and concern, his mind already working to connect the threads. “This changes things,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. “If the Five Ghosts are involved, then this is no longer a simple matter of controlling a rising player in the tech industry.”

Alexander folded his arms, his tone shifting to one of mild annoyance. “Another thing. Donald suffered quite the humiliation in Brookville. If he’s not managed carefully, he might act foolishly and expose the connection between him and us. We can’t afford that.”

Victor nodded slowly, his expression calm but his gaze sharp. “You’re right. Someone needs to keep a close watch on Donald. If his pride pushes him to do something reckless, it could jeopardize more than just his petty operations.”

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he continued, “Order someone discreet and capable to monitor him. Ensure he doesn’t overstep his bounds. And if he does…” Victor’s voice trailed off, leaving the implications hanging in the air.

Alexander gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, already mentally running through candidates for the task. “Understood.”

Victor’s eyes darkened slightly, his tone measured as he added, “Above all, we cannot let any of our secrets leak—especially regarding that project.”

Mike and Taison exchanged brief glances, neither daring to ask further. Whatever the project entailed, its importance was evident from Victor’s tone.

Alexander nodded, understanding the project's importance. If any leaks occurred, they would face severe consequences.

Victor’s voice cut through the silence once more, calm but commanding. “Take care of it, Alexander. And ensure that this situation with Ethan Cole and Jessica Moore doesn’t spiral further out of control. We’ve worked too hard to let anything unravel now.”

“Yes, Father,” Alexander replied smoothly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he added, “I’ll make sure everything stays in order.”

Victor’s gaze lingered on Alexander for a moment before shifting back to Mike and Taison. “Keep me informed. I want no surprises.”

Mike and Taison nodded firmly, their professional demeanor unshaken despite the mounting stakes.

The meeting ended with a quiet but unspoken understanding: the LaRue family was moving deeper into dangerous waters, and every step forward would need to be as calculated as it was decisive.