Chapter 99 Bound by Fate

Chapter 99 Bound by Fate
The tension inside the club remained suffocating even after Rudolf had fled. Ethan gave a sharp signal to his men to apprehend Helena, Ortega, and the man groveling at his feet. Helena tried to struggle, screaming Emily’s name in a piercing voice, but one cold stare from Ethan was enough to silence her instantly.

"Take them to the main warehouse. Don't let them escape," Ethan ordered firmly.

“Emily, Emily ... Auntie is begging you, tell Ethan to let me go!” Helena wailed.

However, Emily turned her face away, refusing to look at her.

“This is exactly what you deserve, Helena!” Emily hissed, filled with satisfaction.

Ethan then turned around, looking at Emily who was still standing there, stiff. Emily was just about to open her mouth to vent her frustration when the sound of small whimpers broke through the atmosphere from behind the staircase.

“Mommy?” Louei called out.

"Louei!" Emily gasped, forgetting her ego for a moment as she ran toward the sound.

There, at the foot of the stairs, Louei was curled up with his hands over his ears, his body shaking violently and his face drenched in tears. Emily immediately gathered him into her arms, pulling his small head to her chest.

"Mommy’s here, honey. It’s okay, it’s all over," Emily whispered, her voice which had been sharp moments ago now softening with deep affection.

Ethan stood a few steps behind them. Seeing the scene, his hard jawline softened slightly. He tucked his pistol back into his jacket and approached.

“Louei?” Ethan called.

Louei looked up. “Good Uncle.”

"We need to get out of here immediately," Ethan said, his voice calmer now. "The police will have this place surrounded in ten minutes, and I don’t want your name or Louei’s in a police report tonight. Both of you are coming home with me."

Emily wanted to argue. She wanted to say she would find her own place to stay, that she didn’t need protection from the man who had just messed up her plans. But seeing Louei’s traumatized state, she knew she had no choice. She nodded slowly.

“Come here, buddy. Want Daddy to carry you?” Ethan offered.

Emily’s eyes widened, glaring at him. She clearly didn't accept Ethan claiming to be his father, even though it was an undeniable truth.

“Good Uncle is Louei’s daddy?” Louei asked innocently.

“Louei, Good Uncle is—”

“Yes, son, of course. I’m your daddy!” Ethan cut her off.

Emily clicked her tongue in annoyance, but she didn’t want to argue in front of her son right now.

The ride to Ethan’s residence was filled with an oppressive silence. They sat in the same car as it sped through the thinning city traffic. Louei had fallen asleep from exhaustion in Emily’s lap, while Emily herself stared blankly out the window.

"You ruined everything, Ethan," Emily said suddenly without looking at him.

Ethan, sitting in the front passenger seat, didn't answer immediately. He glanced through the rearview mirror. "I saved your life, Emily. Rudolf is not someone you can handle. That man wouldn't have hesitated to pull the trigger."

“Rudolf?”

“Yes, I knew the man there before the lights went out was Rudolf.”

“So, you already knew everything?”

“Not everything,” Ethan replied. “But I’ll make sure he pays for every bit of his betrayal.”

“Ethan, what happens next? Are you going to punish Rudolf?”

"Of course, but first, I know how to handle a man like him. I’m close to getting a confession regarding his crimes and Helena’s involvement in your abduction."

Emily hissed, her voice hushed so as not to wake Louei. "Now he’s gone, and Helena has time to cook up new lies."

"Then we’ll break their lies," Ethan answered flatly. "You underestimate what I can do once I have captives in my hands."

The car stopped in front of a giant iron gate that opened automatically, revealing a modern minimalist mansion standing grandly on the hillside.

As soon as they stepped out, Ethan ordered his loyal housekeeper, Mrs. Martha, to prepare the best room for Louei.

"Take my son upstairs. Make sure there’s warm milk and comfortable blankets," Ethan commanded.

Emily hesitated for a moment as Mrs. Martha took the sleeping Louei into her arms, but the kindness in the old woman’s face put her at ease. Once Louei was taken away, Ethan led Emily into his spacious private study.

Inside the room, which smelled of masculine cologne, agarwood, and old books, Ethan poured a glass of brandy and offered it to Emily.

"Drink this. You’re shaking," Ethan said.

Emily pushed the glass away. "I don’t need alcohol. I need an explanation for all of this, Ethan."

Ethan sighed, setting the glass on his desk. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them until Emily could feel the heat radiating from him.

"I’ve suspected Rudolf ever since he tried to kill my informant at the docks. And I'm sorry ... I never believed you when you said Rudolf was acting strange," he explained.

Ethan took a breath, exhaustion and regret filling his chest.

"When I found out he was heading to this club, especially with Helena, and you were going in there alone ... what did you expect me to do? Sit back and watch you die?" Ethan continued.

"Why didn't you believe me from the start, Ethan?" Emily asked. "And I’m not some weak woman who needs saving all the time!"

"Yes, I know you’re not weak, and that was my own stupidity all along, Emily," Ethan interrupted quickly, his eyes locking onto hers.

Emily fell silent. Her overflowing rage slowly receded, replaced by an overwhelming sense of weariness. She leaned back against the edge of the desk.

"Rudolf won’t stop coming after me," Emily murmured anxiously.

"I know. But let him run for a while. A scared rat always returns to its hole when it gets hungry. In the meantime, you and Louei are staying here."

"Staying here?" Emily frowned. "This is too much."

"It’s security," Ethan countered. "This house has military grade security. My men will be guarding every corner. Here, Rudolf or anyone else won't be able to touch you. Tomorrow morning, we’ll start interrogating Helena and that servant properly my way."

Emily looked at Ethan’s broad back. She knew this man was dangerous, full of secrets, and often acted without mercy. Yet, behind the cold walls of this mansion, she also felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: absolute safety.

"Why are you doing all this, Ethan?" Emily asked softly.