Lena’s expression softened slightly, but she held back her distance. She could have offered her support, but deep down, she wasn’t ready for that step. Not yet.
Despite everything, Lena believed Ethan needed to face the challenges alone, at least for now. She wanted to see how he would handle the full weight of the Great Families’ wrath.
This was a test—a chance to prove his strength, resilience, and resourcefulness. If she had stepped in to shield him now, she would never have known that Ethan had what it took to survive in her world.
Her position within the Volkov family gave her immense power—enough to make the Great Families back off with just one word. She could easily protect NovaTech, keeping Ethan safe and ending the threats aimed at him. But that wasn’t her goal. Not yet.
Lena had bigger plans.
She needed to assess Ethan’s potential to see if he could stand beside her. If he couldn’t handle the Great Families of Novan City, how could he hope to stand against the Volkovs? How could he survive in the dangerous, shadowy world she inhabited?
This was more than a simple test of strength. It was about whether Ethan could thrive in a constantly challenged world. Lena wasn’t just looking for an ally; she was looking for someone who could stand independently and had the potential to match her ambitions.
Ethan would only be worth considering if he could navigate the traps laid by the Great Families, face their underhanded tactics, and emerge stronger. Lena needed to know if he had the intelligence, cunning, and resilience to be more than just another pawn in the game. She wanted a partner, not a liability.
She would now observe from the shadows, offering just enough guidance to keep him on the right path. But ultimately, Ethan had to prove himself. If he survived and rose to meet the challenges ahead, only then would Lena consider a true alliance with him.
Ethan had no idea how closely he was being watched or the full extent of Lena’s expectations. As Ethan strategized on how to deal with the Great Families, he wasn’t just fighting for NovaTech’s survival—he was also proving himself in a much larger game than he could have imagined.
The challenges ahead would push him to his limits. Whether he succeeded or failed would shape his future and determine the powerful allies he would attract—or the enemies who would see him as a threat.
Lena observed quietly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Ethan was strong, but the real test was just beginning. If he survived this crucible, perhaps—just perhaps—he might be worthy of standing by her side when the time came.
But if he failed… well, there were always others.
***
Ethan sat at his desk, gazing at the towering buildings surrounding Novatech’s office. The view was impressive, but his thoughts were far from admiration. He was replaying the past few weeks’ events—his mistakes, misjudgments, and recklessness that had led him to this point.
He felt embarrassed as he sifted through the names and positions of his staff on the tablet in front of him. ‘How did I get here?’ he wondered.
Ethan felt he had made too many decisions without thinking them through, starting with the company itself. He had been ambitious and eager to prove himself, but he was completely unprepared for running a business.
His mind flashed back to when he had been looked down upon when he tried to make that big first impression at the property agency. He cringed at the memory of how he’d flexed his Premier status, proudly showing his account number to silence his critics.
At the time, it had felt like the right move, a way to prove that he belonged in those elite circles. But now, thinking about it, he realized how ridiculous and immature he had been.
‘I thought having money meant I’d made it,’ he reflected bitterly. ‘But I was acting like a fool.’
His behavior had been driven by ego—the need to show people he wasn’t just some nobody. But wealth didn’t mean he knew what he was doing.
Ethan had made novice mistakes, overreaching by hiring more staff than the system had suggested, going overboard with the grandeur of NovaTech’s office, and letting David handle too much of the business.
‘How could I have planned to build a company without understanding how it works?’ Ethan asked himself. He was ashamed of how he had approached everything.
Ethan didn’t know which positions to hire first, and it was clear now that some roles weren’t necessary yet. And while David had been an excellent help, Ethan realized he had leaned on him too much. This was supposed to be his company, but he had let someone else run it.
Now, he was left to clean up his own mess, and the first thing he needed to do was regain control.
He had to start with his staff. Looking back at his tablet’s names, Ethan realized he couldn’t continue operating blindly. He needed to know more about the people working for him—inside and out.
More than that, he needed trusted people in each department who could act as his eyes and ears, who wouldn’t betray him or have hidden connections to the Great Families.
‘No more mistakes,’ he thought, feeling the weight of his previous decisions. ‘I need clean, loyal people. And this time, I can’t get it wrong.’
He needed to choose those few carefully, knowing that if even one of them was compromised, it could spell disaster for everything he was building. He couldn’t afford any more risks or misplaced trust.
These people would ensure NovaTech’s safety, helping him monitor the company from within while protecting it from external threats.
As he considered what must be done, his thoughts drifted toward his family. The Great Families were powerful and ruthless; if they saw him as a threat, it wouldn’t be long before they targeted those closest to him. ‘I have to make sure they’re safe,’ he thought, his resolve hardening.
Then, there was NovaTech itself. He had made the company stand out too quickly, drawing the wrong people’s attention. Now, he needed to ensure its security.
The Great Families would use any method they could—sabotage, blackmail, or even worse. NovaTech had to be fortified against all of it.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the city outside. His ambition had gotten him this far but also led him into danger. Now, it was time to be smarter. He wouldn’t allow himself to be caught off guard again.
‘I need to learn more about the Great Families,’ he thought. Lena had given him some insight, but it wasn’t enough. To survive in this world, he had to understand his enemies—their strengths, weaknesses, and how they operated. Only then could he prepare himself and NovaTech for what was coming.
As he stared out at the city, Ethan’s resolve solidified. He had made mistakes, but those mistakes wouldn’t define him. He had been naive, but now he knew what must be done.
The first few steps were to protect his family, secure his company, and ensure he had people he could trust. From there, he would learn everything he could about the Great Families and how to outmaneuver them.
No more ego. No more recklessness. From now on, every move would be calculated, every decision thought through.
‘This time,’ Ethan thought, ‘I’ll do it right.’
Deep in thought, Ethan leaned back in his chair when a soft knock interrupted his concentration.
“Come in,” he called out, his eyes still fixed on the tablet before him.
The door opened, and Lena stepped into the office. She was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit with sharp lines that gave her an air of quiet authority. Her silk blouse shimmered faintly in the light, tucked neatly into high-waisted trousers that were both elegant and professional. A minimalist silver brooch on her lapel added a subtle but unmistakable touch of luxury. Everything about her attire screamed sophistication and power—the look of someone who belonged to the upper echelons of society.
But Ethan barely noticed. He was preoccupied with too many concerns to fully take in her presence. The challenges ahead weighed heavily on him, leaving little room for distractions.
Without looking up, Ethan gestured toward the chair across from him. “Lena, is there something you need, or do you have something to tell me?”
Lena paused for a moment, observing him. She had originally intended to offer nothing more than a brief update, intending to let Ethan handle his problems on his own.
But as Lena watched him, something shifted in her thinking. She realized that Ethan needed more than just time and distance—he needed help. She even got help from the Elders of her family.
When she finally spoke, her voice was calm, but her words were unexpected.
“Actually, there’s something important I think you should consider,” Lena said, her tone steady but serious. “I know you’re focused on building NovaTech, but before anything else, you need to secure what matters most—your family.”
That got Ethan’s attention. His focus snapped to Lena, his previous concerns momentarily set aside.
“I know you have parents,” Lena continued, “and a younger brother and sister.”
Ethan’s expression tightened. He had been thinking about them, but hearing it from Lena brought a new urgency. If the Great Families decided to target him, his family would be their first weakness to exploit.
“I can connect you to people who can help,” Lena said, her voice unwavering. “Mercenaries—professionals who can stand up to Ascendants. They’re people who can protect your family when you can’t be there yourself.”
Ethan stared at her, processing what she was offering. He had planned to protect his family, but mercenaries trained to handle Ascendants? That was a step he hadn’t fully considered.
“You trust these people?” Ethan asked, his tone cautious but firm.
Lena nodded. “They’re discreet, experienced, and know how to deal with the threats you’re facing. You can’t do this alone, Ethan—not when your family’s involved.”
Ethan leaned back, the weight of her words sinking in. He had been so focused on NovaTech and his own journey that he hadn’t fully grasped his family’s vulnerability. If the Great Families wanted to hurt him, his loved ones would be the easiest targets.
After a long pause, he looked up at Lena, his decision clear. “Alright,” he said slowly, “tell me more about them.”
