Chapter 100 A Dangerous Retaliation
Magnus’s Next Move
Magnus sat in his dimly lit office, his grip tightening around the glass of whiskey in his hand. Ethan had humiliated him again.
The news headlines replayed on the large screen before him:
“Magnus Blackwood Under Fire for Corporate Sabotage!”
“Watson Group Clears Name—Whistleblower Admits Bribery!”
Richard Caldwell, his uncle, paced the room. “You underestimated Ethan.”
Magnus exhaled sharply. “No. I underestimated how far he’d go to clean up my mess.”
Richard stopped pacing. “The board is growing restless. If this keeps up, you’ll lose their support.”
Magnus smirked. “Then I’ll have to change the game.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly do you have in mind?”
Magnus set down his glass. “Ethan fights like a businessman. I’m going to remind him that power isn’t just about money—it’s about fear.”
Richard’s expression darkened. “What are you planning?”
Magnus’s smirk widened. “I think it’s time Ethan Watson learns what real war looks like.”
An Unexpected Attack
Ethan had barely set foot in his office when Andra burst in. “We have a situation.”
Alea followed, her face tense. “It’s bad, Ethan.”
Ethan frowned. “What now?”
Andra threw a tablet onto his desk. The screen displayed shocking footage—
A Watson Group warehouse was on fire.
The video showed flames engulfing the structure, black smoke billowing into the night sky. The caption read:
“Mysterious Arson Attack on Watson Group—Millions in Damages.”
Ethan’s fists clenched. “Magnus.”
Alea nodded. “It’s too much of a coincidence.”
Andra sighed. “The authorities haven’t found evidence linking him, but we know this was a message.”
Ethan’s voice was dangerously calm. “Then we’ll send one back.”
Meeting in the Shadows
That night, Ethan arrived at an abandoned parking garage. The city lights flickered in the distance, but here, in the dimly lit structure, power played by different rules.
Alea stood beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the area. “Are you sure about this?”
Ethan nodded. “I need to know what Magnus is planning next.”
A car pulled up. The driver stepped out—a man in a dark suit, his expression unreadable.
Luca Moretti. A powerful underground figure with deep ties to corporate espionage.
Luca smirked. “Mr. Watson. Always a pleasure.”
Ethan wasted no time. “Magnus Blackwood. What’s his next move?”
Luca chuckled. “Straight to business. I like that.”
He pulled out a file and handed it over. “Your little warehouse fire? Just the beginning. Magnus is buying muscle—people who don’t care about laws or rules.”
Alea’s jaw tightened. “He’s escalating.”
Luca nodded. “And he’s targeting more than just your company.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
Luca’s smirk faded. “Magnus doesn’t just want your business. He wants to break you. Personally.”
Ethan exchanged a look with Alea.
Luca continued, “You should keep an eye on the people close to you.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold. This wasn’t just business anymore. Magnus was making it personal.
Alea in Danger
The next morning, Alea’s car sped through the city. She had a meeting scheduled at a high-profile venue, but something felt off.
As she approached an intersection, a black SUV swerved into her lane, forcing her to hit the brakes.
Her heart pounded. This wasn’t random.
Before she could react, another car blocked her from behind.
A masked figure stepped out of the SUV, approaching her car.
Alea’s instincts kicked in. She reached for the small handgun hidden beneath her seat.
The figure knocked on her window.
She rolled it down slightly, keeping the gun out of sight. “What do you want?”
The man’s voice was low. “A message from Magnus.”
He reached into his jacket—
Alea reacted instantly. She flung open the door, knocking him back, and leveled the gun at his chest.
“Tell Magnus,” she said coldly, “if he wants a war, he’s got one.”
The man smirked and stepped back. “Message received.”
The cars blocking her path moved, allowing her to drive away.
As she gripped the steering wheel, her heart pounded. Magnus had crossed the line.
Declaring War
Ethan stormed into his penthouse, his fury barely contained.
Alea was already there, pacing. “He tried to have me threatened. In broad daylight.”
Ethan’s voice was ice. “He’s making it personal.”
Alea turned to him. “Then we need to end this.”
Ethan nodded. “No more defense. It’s time to take Magnus down—for good.”
No More Restraint
Ethan stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse, the city glowing beneath him. His jaw was tight, his hands curled into fists.
Magnus had made a mistake—a huge mistake.
The moment he targeted Alea, he crossed an irreversible line.
And Ethan Watson wasn’t the type of man to forgive.
Alea poured herself a glass of whiskey, her fingers still trembling from the near-attack earlier that day. She took a deep breath, pushing aside the lingering fear, and turned to Ethan.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she said. “And I’m not going to tell you to stop.”
Ethan glanced at her. “I wasn’t expecting you to.”
Alea smirked, sipping her drink. “Good. Because I want to watch Magnus Blackwood burn just as much as you do.”
Ethan turned fully to her. “Then let’s destroy him.”
Alea’s eyes gleamed with determination. “Where do we start?”
Ethan picked up his phone and dialed a number.
“We take everything from him—his money, his allies, his reputation.”
The call connected.
“Luca,” Ethan said, his voice smooth but sharp as a blade. “It’s time.”
Magnus’s Empire Starts to Crumble
Within twenty-four hours, Magnus’s carefully built world began to collapse.
His financial assets were frozen. Ethan had uncovered an offshore account Magnus had been using for illegal deals. With a few well-placed calls, regulators shut it down.
His company’s board turned against him. Ethan leaked documents revealing Magnus’s backdoor dealings. The board, already uneasy, began discussing his removal as CEO.
His allies disappeared. Luca and his underground contacts convinced several of Magnus’s key business partners to walk away, leaving him without crucial support.
By the end of the second day, Magnus was furious.
He stormed into his office, throwing a chair across the room. Richard Caldwell stood in the corner, arms crossed.
“They’re shutting me out,” Magnus growled. “Ethan is pulling every string he has.”
Richard remained calm. “So what’s your next move?”
Magnus’s eyes burned with rage. “If Ethan wants war, I’ll show him what war really means.”
A Trap Set in Blood
Ethan received an anonymous message that night:
“Come to the old factory. Alone. If you want this to end.”
Alea read over his shoulder. “It’s a trap.”
Ethan smirked. “Of course it is.”
She grabbed his arm. “Then you’re not going alone.”
Ethan’s expression hardened. “No. I have to.”
Alea shook her head. “I’m not letting you walk into this.”
Ethan cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “Trust me.”
Alea hesitated. “Fine. But I’m not staying far.”
Ethan nodded. “Deal.”
The Factory Showdown
Ethan arrived at the abandoned factory at midnight. The air was thick with the scent of rust and oil, the old machinery casting long shadows in the dim light.
Magnus stood in the center of the room, flanked by two armed men.
“Ah, Ethan,” Magnus greeted, his smirk cruel. “So predictable.”
Ethan took slow, deliberate steps forward. “You called me here. Let’s finish this.”
Magnus chuckled. “Oh, we will.”
He snapped his fingers. One of his men stepped forward, dragging a bound and bruised man into view.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed.
It was James Carter, one of Ethan’s trusted executives.
Magnus pressed a gun to James’s temple. “You see, Ethan, I still have leverage. And I wonder… how much is loyalty worth to you?”
Ethan’s expression didn’t change. “Let him go, Magnus.”
Magnus smirked. “Make me.”
Ethan exhaled. “Alright.”
And then—gunfire erupted.
A shot rang out from the shadows—Alea.
One of Magnus’s men collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.