Chapter 97 Ethan’s Wrath

Chapter 97 Ethan’s Wrath
The blood red spotlight swept across Emily’s face, which was now fully submerged in her "Laurance" persona.

Fixing her gaze on Ethan, she immediately began her provocative dance. The techno music thrashed louder, deafeningly intense, but only one name echoed in Emily’s head.

"Ethan, why did you have to come here?" she muttered under her breath.

Did Ethan’s possessive instincts have a radar she simply couldn't evade? Emily knew that if Ethan saw her dancing under the hungry stares of these men, The Abyss would turn into a bloodbath in an instant.

In the VIP corner, Othega looked on, mesmerized or more accurately, obsessed. Swaying slightly from the alcohol, he stumbled toward the edge of the stage.

"Laurance ... you always know how to set me on fire," Othega growled, his voice barely audible over the pounding bass.

From the corner of her eye, Emily saw Ethan move. The man at the corner table straightened his back. Though his face was obscured by the shadow of his hat, Emily felt the temperature in the room plummet. Ethan’s hawk like gaze was locked onto Othega’s hand, which was reaching out to touch the hem of her dress.

"Not now, Ethan. Don't ruin my plan," Emily panicked internally.

Instead of pulling away, Emily did something insane. She flashed a playful smirk behind her lace mask. With a fluid, graceful motion, she leaned toward Othega, letting his fingers brush her ankle. She bent down slightly, whispering something in his ear that made the man let out a satisfied laugh.

In the corner, the glass in Ethan’s hand began to crack. Emily saw the raw jealousy in his eyes. She knew she was playing with fire, drawing Ethan’s attention solely to keep him from blowing her cover.

"Mr. Othega," Emily whispered, her voice like honey even though her stomach was churning with nausea. "Isn't it too noisy down here? I heard Madam Helena keeps the best wine collection upstairs. Why don't we continue this conversation somewhere more ... private?"

Othega gasped, his eyes gleaming with lust. "Are you challenging me, darling? Madam Helena never lets anyone upstairs unless they're a VIP."

"I am your most important guest tonight," Emily replied with a wink.

This was the only way. She had to use Othega as her ticket to the top floor the place where Helena and that mysterious man were conducting their dark business. Emily had to get there before Ethan lost control and leveled the building.

Othega signaled to his two bodyguards. "Take her upstairs. Tell Helena that Laurance belongs to me tonight."

As Emily climbed down from the stage and was led through the crowd by Othega’s guards, she intentionally brushed past Ethan’s table. She didn't look at him, but as her dress grazed the leg of his table, she leaned in.

"Don't move until I give the word, Ethan. If you truly love me, let me finish this. Do you understand, sweetheart?" she whispered barely audibly.

She didn't wait for an answer. Emily walked tall up the stairs to the second floor, leaving behind an Ethan who was now clutching shards of broken glass, his palm bleeding.

The upper floor of The Abyss was a stark contrast to the chaos below. Here, the walls were lined with soundproof velvet. The scent of expensive cigars replaced the smell of cheap perfume.

Othega guided her toward a large room at the end of the hallway. However, Emily’s pace slowed when she saw a man entering a secret room alongside Helena. He was tall, well built, with a distinct scar running across his left eyebrow.

"Mr. Rudolf," Emily murmured, stunned. "So it’s true. The man who’s been keeping me locked up here all this time was Rudolf?"

Rudolf narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Emily’s face behind the mask. Emily held her breath. She felt exposed under his piercing gaze. This was the man who had thrown her into the abyss. This was the man who had been working with Helena all along to erase her from Ethan’s life.

You bastard, it was your plan all along, Rudolf! she screamed internally.

Before entering the room, Rudolf took one last suspicious look at her masked face. He quickly pulled his hat lower, hoping Emily hadn't recognized him.

"Sir, shall we go in?" Helena invited.

Emily let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. Stupid. You’re so stupid, Emily. Why didn't you investigate this sooner? Ethan isn't the type to break his promises; there's no way he would throw me into a place like this. You’ve wasted so much time, she thought bitterly.

The tension broke when Helena finally noticed Emily. Her face turned pale seeing Emily standing between Othega and Rudolf.

"Mr. Othega! What are you doing bringing this dancer up here?" Helena snapped.

"I’m the one who invited her, Madam Helena. Prepare the best room tonight is going to be my lucky night."

Emily knew her time was running out. She had to find out what Rudolf was doing here and get proof of his crimes.

"I only wish to serve your esteemed guest, Madam Helena," Emily interjected.

Helena’s eyes widened. She realized Emily wasn't playing around anymore. Before Helena could retaliate, a small explosion rocked the floor below.

BOOM!

The club’s alarm blared. Hysterical screams began to erupt from the main hall.

"What's going on?!" Rudolf shouted, drawing a pistol from his jacket.

"Dammit, that has to be Ethan!" Emily hissed. She used the panic to snatch the hat off Rudolf’s head.

"Mr. Rudolf ... so it really is you?" Emily said, feigning shock.

"You!" Rudolf pointed his weapon at Emily, panic flaring in his eyes.

"So it’s true, you're the one who threw me here? I wonder what will happen when Ethan finds out the woman he loves is still alive?" she taunted sharply.

"Then before Ethan finds out, I’ll make sure you're gone for good," Rudolf countered.

"Unfortunately, you're too late. Wait for your downfall, Mr. Rudolf."

Before he could pull the trigger, the door was kicked off its hinges. Ethan stormed in like an unstoppable storm. His leather jacket was torn at the shoulder, and his eyes were bloodshot with pure rage.

"Touch her, and I’ll make sure you never hold a gun again," Ethan growled, his voice more terrifying than the explosion downstairs.

Rudolf stared at him in horror. "Ethan ..."