COMPLETED | I Saved a Mafia Princess… Five Years Later,… — Transcript

I used to be the all-powerful heir of the elite financial circle. I casually saved a mafia princess who was being hunted down by her family. I hid her in my private villa, personally applying her medicine and teaching her political strategy.

strategy. As she lay in my arms, she stroked my Adam's apple with bloodstained fingers. Her voice was raspy and seductive as she whispered, "Young master, once I take back everything, my life and my body will belong completely to you. Later, my

As she lay in my arms, she stroked my Adam's apple with bloodstained fingers. Her voice was raspy and seductive as she whispered, "Young master, once I take back everything, my life and my body will belong completely to you."

of the Golden Triangle, surrounded by a crowd of heavily armed mercenaries. She walked into my greasy barbecue stall, terrified, I buried my face in the thick smoke, fearful that she would recognize me, but she walked straight up to me,

Later, my family's empire collapsed overnight, and I became a stray dog that everyone wanted to kick. To stay alive, I fled to a small border town and started running a barbecue stall.

Boss, have you had your fun yet? If you don't come home with me right now, ie, I'll level this entire place and then tie you up and lock you to my bed. Boss, 10 skewers of pork kidneys, extra spicy.

When we met again, she had become the incredibly powerful queen of the Golden Triangle, surrounded by a crowd of heavily armed mercenaries. She walked into my greasy barbecue stall. Terrified, I buried my face in the thick smoke, fearful that she would recognize me, but she walked straight up to me, tilted my chin up with the barrel of her gun, and breathed hotly against my ear.

intense heat, mixing with the greasy smoke and blasting right into my face. My name is Ethan. I used to be the crown prince everyone fawned over in the elite financial circle. Now I'm just the owner of this barbecue stall in a small border

"Boss, have you had your fun yet? If you don't come home with me right now, I’ll level this entire place and then tie you up and lock you to my bed."

bustle of the night market. A dozen top tier luxury black cars like a pack of silent giant beasts surrounded my tiny little barbecue stall so tightly that not a drop of water could leak out. The customers were so frightened they went

"Boss, 10 skewers of pork kidneys, extra spicy."

The car doors swung open in perfect unison, and dozens of burly men in black suits and sunglasses stepped out, holding gleaming guns openly in their hands. With an aura of absolute oppression, they swiftly cleared out the entire street. The customers who had

A loud, greasy shout snapped me out of my brief daze. I gave a quick shout of acknowledgement, skillfully grabbed a handful of skewers, and tossed them onto the charcoal fire. The cumin and chili powder burst into a rich aroma under the intense heat, mixing with the greasy smoke and blasting right into my face.

hand. My heart pounding so violently in my chest that it felt like it would burst out of my throat. She came. She actually came after all. My instinct was to hide, burying my face even deeper into the choking thick smoke, hoping it

My name is Ethan. I used to be the crown prince everyone fawned over in the elite financial circle. Now I'm just the owner of this barbecue stall in a small border town, a greasy middle-aged man scraping by by selling skewers. Even though I'm only 27, it's been 5 years.

dare to look up, able to catch only the familiar cold and sharp scent of her perfume, forcing its way aggressively into my nose, instantly overpowering all the greasy smoke and the smell of cumin.

I thought I would rot away in the mud like this for the rest of my life until the screeching of brakes shattered the hustle and bustle of the night market. A dozen top-tier luxury black cars, like a pack of silent giant beasts, surrounded my tiny little barbecue stall so tightly that not a drop of water could leak out. The customers were so frightened they went dead silent, poking their heads out to watch with a mix of curiosity and fear.

hand even faster. A drop of hot oil splattered onto the back of my hand, burning with an agonizing sting.

The car doors swung open in perfect unison, and dozens of burly men in black suits and sunglasses stepped out, holding gleaming guns openly in their hands. With an aura of absolute oppression, they swiftly cleared out the entire street. The customers who had just been shouting orders at me ran away, scrambling and crawling over each other. Tables were overturned and beer bottles shattered all over the ground. I froze on the spot, still clutching a handful of uncooked meat skewers in my hand. My heart pounded so violently in my chest that it felt like it would burst out of my throat.

me to lift my head. It was a gun barrel. I finally saw her clearly. Her face was just as stunningly beautiful as ever.

She came. She actually came after all. My instinct was to hide, burying my face even deeper into the choking thick smoke, hoping it would serve as my camouflage. But those custom-made black high heels still stopped with absolute precision on the greasy ground right in front of me. The tips of her shoes were polished to a brilliant shine, looking completely out of place in this filthy mess.

beautiful eyes of hers, a thick, intense possessiveness swirled. one that I couldn't quite fathom. Ethan, she called my name, forcing out every single syllable as if squeezing them through her teeth. We haven't seen each other in 5 years. And look at how you've turned

I didn't dare to look up, able to catch only the familiar cold and sharp scent of her perfume, forcing its way aggressively into my nose, instantly overpowering all the greasy smoke and the smell of cumin. It was her favorite Rose of No Man's Land.

grease stains, and my hands were riddled with countless burns and calluses. my entire body radiating a heavy, inescapable smell of kitchen smoke.

"Boss," she spoke. Her voice cold, sharp, and carrying a faint, barely there smile that made my entire body shudder. I pretended I hadn't heard her, flipping the meat skewers in my hand even faster. A drop of hot oil splattered onto the back of my hand, burning with an agonizing sting.

right now, believe it or not, I'll level this entire place and then tie you up and lock you to my bed." Her words caused my face to instantly flush crimson, a mix of burning humiliation and raw embarrassment. Around us, her

"Business seems good," she said again. A hand clad in a black leather glove reached over, snatched the skewers from my grip, and carelessly tossed them onto the ground. Then a piece of cold, hard metal pressed against my chin, forcing me to lift my head. It was a gun barrel.

had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world and let out a low, soft laugh. let you go." She pulled back her gun, but in the very next second, she suddenly lunged forward, roughly grabbing me by the back of my neck when

I finally saw her clearly. Her face was just as stunningly beautiful as ever. But the innocence and youth from 5 years ago had completely vanished, leaving only a cold, regal aura of a queen who looked down on everyone. She looked down at me, scrutinizing me as if she were staring at a rat in a gutter.

immediately, flanking me on both sides and hoisting me up like a helpless chick. I thrashed against their grit for a brief second, but they pinned me down so tightly that I couldn't move an inch, and just like that, I was thrown into

In those beautiful eyes of hers, a thick, intense possessiveness swirled, one that I couldn't quite fathom. "Ethan," she called my name, forcing out every single syllable as if squeezing them through her teeth. "We haven't seen each other in 5 years. And look at how you've turned yourself into this wretched mess."

clinging to my clothes. Scarlet sat directly across from me, elegantly crossing her legs as she stared at me coldly. A deafly silence filled the car.

I parted my lips to speak, but my throat was so dry that no sound came out. A wave of intense shame washed over me, completely submerging me. The cheap T-shirt I wore was completely covered in grease stains, and my hands were riddled with countless burns and calluses, my entire body radiating a heavy, inescapable smell of kitchen smoke.

felt incredibly cold, her skin impossibly smooth. As if I had just been badly burned, I jerked my hand away violently. Scarlet's movements froze instantly. She lifted her head and stared unblinkingly at me, causing the temperature inside the car to seemingly

Meanwhile, she was glamorous, radiant, and absolutely arrogant. An insurmountable chasm loomed wide open between us. She lightly traced her gun barrel along my jawline, stroke by stroke. Her movements were both intimate and incredibly dangerous.

tightly behind me, leaving the two bodyguards stationed outside like fierce guardian deities. Scarlet removed her tailored blazer, revealing the delicate silk chamisole underneath. She sank lazily back into the plush sofa, pouring herself a glass of rich red wine. Then,

"Have you had your fun yet? If you don't come home with me right now, believe it or not, I'll level this entire place and then tie you up and lock you to my bed." Her words caused my face to instantly flush crimson, a mix of burning humiliation and raw embarrassment.

the massive floor to ceiling mirror, I stared at the utterly dejected, pathetic, and thoroughly humiliated man looking back at me. It was me, and yet it didn't look like me at all. I had honestly believed that all of my pride

Around us, her heavily armed bodyguards watched everything unfold with entirely blank expressions. I felt exactly like a clown who had been stripped completely naked in public. "Scarlet," I forced her name past my lips with great difficulty. "Just let me go, please."

was digging it back out in the crulest way possible, viciously trampling it under her feet. It took me a very long time to finish washing up with every layer of grime I scrubbed off. It felt as though I were peeling away a layer of

She looked as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world and let out a low, soft laugh. "Let you go?" She pulled back her gun, but in the very next second, she suddenly lunged forward, roughly grabbing me by the back of my neck. "When you saved me 5 years ago, why didn't you think about letting me go then?"

into the carpet without making a sound. Yet each step felt like it was pounding directly on my heart. She came to a stop right in front of me, the crimson wine swirling in her glass, reflecting the dark, unreadable light in her eyes. She

Before I could answer, she shoved me forward with a sudden thrust. Anne commanded the bodyguards beside her, "Take him." The two bodyguards stepped forward immediately, flanking me on both sides and hoisting me up like a helpless chick.

didn't dare move, nor did I dare breathe. I didn't know what she was going to do next. Repay a kindness or seek revenge. Or maybe she just wanted to see her former savior in his current pathetic state to satisfy her own

I thrashed against their grip for a brief second, but they pinned me down so tightly that I couldn't move an inch, and just like that, I was thrown into the back of a Rolls-Royce in the most humiliating manner imaginable. The door of the Phantom slammed shut, cutting off the entire outside world.

voice. I didn't answer, but the rigidity of my body gave everything away. She withdrew her hand, turned around, and pulled a card out from the coffee table drawer. She slapped it onto the table.

The interior of the car was scented with expensive agarwood, which clashed violently with a heavy stench of grease and smoke clinging to my clothes. Scarlet sat directly across from me, elegantly crossing her legs as she stared at me coldly. A deadly silence filled the car.

She looked at me. Her tone is casual, as if she were commenting on the nice weather today. Forget about that pathetic stall of yours. Follow me from now on. The blood instantly rushed to my head. Humiliation, anger, and an

I stared down at my hands, which were entirely covered in thick calluses and painful burn scars. Ashamed and deeply self-conscious, I tried to hide my hands inside my sleeves, but she suddenly leaned forward, reaching out to place her hand over the back of mine. Her hand felt incredibly cold, her skin impossibly smooth.

current destitution could probably be easily solved with money. Is her majesty the queen paying back a debt of gratitude? I let out a cold laugh. My voice incredibly raspy, or is she just keeping a dog? Slap. Her expression

As if I had just been badly burned, I jerked my hand away violently. Scarlet's movements froze instantly. She lifted her head and stared unblinkingly at me, causing the temperature inside the car to seemingly plummet to a freezing point.

was filled with suppressed rage as she grabbed my wrist, squeezing with so much force, it felt like she would crush my bones. "Don't throw my generosity back in my face." The sharp pain cleared my head a bit. I forcefully shook off her

The car finally pulled up right outside the grand entrance of the most luxurious hotel in the entire city. Escorted by the two bodyguards, I was escorted straight up into the penthouse presidential suite. The heavy doors shut tightly behind me, leaving the two bodyguards stationed outside like fierce guardian deities.

She wrapped her soft body tightly around me from behind, pressing against my rigid back. Yet her voice remained utterly devoid of warmth. 5 years ago, you hid me away in your villa and wouldn't let me step a single foot

Scarlet removed her tailored blazer, revealing the delicate silk camisole underneath. She sank lazily back into the plush sofa, pouring herself a glass of rich red wine. Then, examining me exactly as...

Each syllable sounded like it had been dragged out of an ice cellar. "Let me go, charity," she let out a low laugh against my ear. A laugh tainted with a wounded, angry shadow. "I am simply taking back what belongs to me." She

violently spun me around, forcing me to face her. Her bloodshot eyes flashed with a mad obsessive paranoia. Have you forgotten what you said to me? You said my life belonged to you. Now that I'm back, I am going to take your body, your

heart, and everything you have back. Looking at her near manic state, my heart throbbed with a sharp ache. How did we end up like this? Was the girl who once trembled in my arms, promising to give me her life, and the queen

standing before me now, using money and power to humiliate me? Were they truly the exact same person? Scarlet, I took a deep breath, forcing my voice to sound as calm as possible. 5 years is long enough to change a lot of things. I am

no longer the Ethan from back then, and you are no longer the you from back then either. We are even. Even, she chewed on those words. The fury on her face gradually fading away. In its place came a bone chilling coldness. You think

we're even just because you say so? I didn't want to argue with her anymore. I violently tore open the collar of my bathrobe, revealing the hideous scar across my chest. The scar ran all the way from my left shoulder down to my

abdomen like a grotesque centipede sprawling across my skin. Is this? I pointed at the scar and locked eyes with her enough to pay you back for your life. Scarlet's pupils contracted violently. She stared dead at the scar as if trying to look right through it.

Every single expression on her face, the dominance, the anger, and the paranoia vanished in an instant, leaving behind nothing but utter helplessness and agony. This was the first time she had broken her facade in front of me. She

reached out, her fingertips trembling as she tried to touch the scar, yet she didn't dare to make contact. Is Is that from back then? Even her voice was shaking. I pulled my collar back together, hiding that hideous mark along

with the absolute last shred of my dignity. Yes. I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at her anymore. So, we owe each other nothing. The room fell into a deafly, suffocating silence. I could hear her rapid, suppressed

breathing. A long time passed, so long that I thought she was finally going to give up. Suddenly, she spoke. "It's not enough." Her voice was very soft. Yet it carried an absolute unquestionable determination. It's nowhere near enough.

How could a single scar be enough to pay me back for my life? Ethan, what you owe me can never be paid off in this lifetime. I snapped my eyes open and looked at her in sheer disbelief. What

on earth did she want from me? The pain in her eyes had completely vanished. In its place was a deeper, terrifying obsession that sent a shiver down my spine. She seemed to have severely misunderstood something. Ding-dong. The sound of the doorbell shattered the

suffocating standoff in the room. Scarlet instantly regained her regal queenly composure. She shot me a cold glance. Stay here and don't move. She walked over to open the door. A man was standing outside. He was immaculately dressed in a suit, looking thoroughly

sophisticated and refined, holding an elegant insulated food container in his hand. Scarlet, I had the hotel kitchen prepare some late night soup for you.

The man's voice was gentle, his eyes filled with an obvious, deep adoration. Then his gaze bypassed Scarlet and landed squarely on me. When he saw me standing there in a silk bathrobe, with water still dripping from my hair, the

smile on his face froze instantly. His expression rapidly shifted from initial shock to completely unmasked contempt and hostility. "And who is this?" he asked Scarlet, though his eyes cut into me like sharp knives. Scarlet stepped aside to let him in. My guest, her tone

was flat, completely devoid of any emotion. The man who happened to be Wesley, was a rising star in the business world, and he was also one of Scarlet's most important business partners. Now, I had read all of this

information. In a cheap newspaper back in that small border town, Wesley placed the insulated food container on the table and then walked straight toward me. He stopped right in front of me, looking me up and down with a gaze that

was scrutinizing a piece of merchandise. Scarlet, is this the savior you've been looking for for 5 years? His tone was filled with utter contempt and mockery.

A mere cook from a barbecue stall. He emphasized the word cook with particular weight. I clenched my fists so hard that my fingernails dug deeply into my palms.

From the moment he walked in, I knew tonight wouldn't end well. The way this man looked at Scarlet was brimming with intense possessiveness, an eye, an unidentified man who had suddenly appeared, had undoubtedly become a thorn in his side. Wesley. Scarlet's voice

turned ice cold. Watch your mouth. Yet Wesley acted as if he hadn't heard Scarlet's warning. He even made an exaggerated gesture with his hand, fanning the air in front of me. Stinks of grease and smoke. How cheap. He let

out a soft laugh and leaned closer to me, speaking in a voice only the two of us could hear. Kid, I don't care who you used to be. Right now, you're just a dog that Scarlet brought back. If you behave

and do what you're told, you might get a scrap to eat, but if you don't know your place before he could even finish his sentence, Scarlet suddenly rushed over and forcefully shoved him away. The massive force sent him staggering back

several steps, nearly making him fall over. What are you doing? Wesley looked at Scarlet in sheer disbelief. Scarlet shielded me behind her back like an infuriated lioness. He is my guest. It is not your place to tell him what to

do. Her voice was piercingly cold, carrying an unquestionable authority. Wesley's face turned incredibly ugly. He stared at Scarlet standing protectively in front of me. His eyes filled with jealousy and deep resentment. You're turning on me for his sake. Is a

worthless piece of trash really worth it? Whether he's trash or not, I know better than you do." Scarlet shot back without the slightest hesitation. "Now take your late night food and get the hell out." Wesley's face turned livid

with rage. He pointed at Scarlet, unable to squeeze out a word for a long time.

Ultimately, he still didn't dare to completely burn his bridges with Scarlet. He shot me a vicious glare instead. A look like a venomous snake coiled and ready to strike, as if he wanted to swallow me alive. Fine. Very

well, he said through gritted teeth. Scarlet, you're going to regret this. With that, he slammed the door and stormed out. The thunderous sound of the slamming door echoed through the empty room. I looked at Scarlet's back, which was rising and falling slightly with

anger, and my heart swirled with a complex mix of emotions. Was she defending me, or was she just protecting her own property, refusing to let anyone else touch it? I didn't know. All I knew was that my presence had brought her

trouble. See, I blurted out, a trace of self-mockery in my voice. I will only bring you trouble. Scarlet turned around, the anger in her chest not yet subsided. She looked at me, her gaze complicated. This isn't your fault, is

it? I curled the corner of my mouth. If I were still the Ethan from 5 years ago, would he ever dare speak to me like that? My words were like a thorn stabbing deeply into Scarlet's heart as well as into my own. Yeah, if I were

still that all powerful crown prince of the elite financial circle, who the hell would Wesley think he is? But right now, I was just a barbecue stall owner, a failure who couldn't even respect himself. Scarlet fell silent. The

atmosphere in the room grew heavy and suffocating once more. I didn't want to stay here anymore, tolerating her pity while being humiliated by her suitor.

I'm leaving, I stated once again. I already told you you can't leave. Scarlet's attitude remained unyielding.

Why? I practically screamed at her. What on earth do you want to get from a broken man like me? If you want to repay a favor, I don't want your money. And I already gave my life back to you. What

more do you want? Looking at my sudden emotional breakdown, a flash of deep pain crossed Scarlet's eyes. She didn't answer my question. Instead, she turned around and pulled something out of her handbag. It was a piece of paper that

had already yellowed, yet was meticulously folded. She unfolded the paper and held it out in front of me.

The moment I saw that paper, my breath completely hitched. It was a life and denture contract. It was something I had jokingly half coaxed and half tricked Scarlet into signing back then. written on it in my own bold sweeping

handwriting was Scarlet voluntarily surrenders the ownership of the rest of her life fully and completely to Mr.

Ethan. At the bottom was her crooked signature from back then along with a bright red thumb print. I thought she had thrown this useless piece of paper away a long time ago. I never expected that she would actually keep it, let

alone keep it for five whole years. I stared at it, my throat completely dry.

The corner of Scarlet's mouth curled into a dangerously seductive smile, one that carried a hint of playfulness and triumph. "You're the one who made me sign this 5 years ago. Now I've come to exercise my ownership." She pointed to

the words, "Mr. Ethan, on the contract," and then pointed back at me. "Ethan, for the next month, you belong to me.

Starting tomorrow, you are my special assistant." I froze on the spot. "A special assistant? This was a contract I couldn't possibly reject because it was something I had created with my own hands. But this was also the way out she

was offering me. A reason to stay by her side without completely shredding my remaining self-esteem. Looking at her completely confident smile, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions flooded my heart. Ultimately, I chose to accept it silently because I knew I didn't have

any room to choose to begin with. And deep down in the absolute depths of my heart, it seemed I didn't truly want to leave either. Early the next morning, designers and stylists from a top tier luxury brand knocked on the sweet door,

treating me like a priceless work of art. They measured my body for custom clothes and styled my hair. When I changed into a perfectly tailored hot couture suit and stood in front of the mirror, I could barely recognize myself.

The man in the mirror stood tall and straight, his features sharp and striking, even though there was still a trace of exhaustion on his face. From living at the bottom of society for so long, the noble aura belonging to the

crown prince of the financial circle had already returned by 70 or 80%. It felt as if those past 5 years of a miserable, pathetic life had been nothing more than a bad dream. "Not bad," Scarlet's voice rang out from behind me. She was wearing

a sharp professional white skirt suit with her long hair elegantly pinned up, radiating an absolute commanding presence. She walked a slow circle around me and nodded with immense satisfaction. This is the Ethan I know.

In her eyes, there was an unmasked fixation and a profound pride. Being stared at like that made me a little uncomfortable, and I instinctively adjusted my tie. That evening, Scarlet took me out to attend a high-end business gala. She introduced me to

everyone as her special assistant. This title was highly subtle. It gave me a legitimate position, yet it also carried an underlying indescribable tension. The people at the gala were all either incredibly wealthy or highly powerful.

The looks they gave me were filled with scrutiny and curiosity. I tried my best to maintain my composure, but 5 years of isolation from the world still made me feel a bit out of place. Like an outsider, I followed silently behind

Scarlet. Then we ran into Wesley again. He clearly hadn't expected me to appear in this kind of look and a flash of jealousy and resentment crossed his eyes. He walked over holding a wine glass. A hypocritical smile plastered

across his face. "Oh, Assistant Ethan, you changed your skin, and I almost didn't recognize you." He deliberately put extra emphasis on the word assistant. Scarlet's face darkened, and just as she was about to speak, I shook my head at her. I couldn't keep hiding

behind her forever. You're joking, Mr. Wesley. I raised a glass of champagne slightly toward him and said, "Clothes make the man." I have Miss Scarlet to thank for this suit. My attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, forcing Wesley to swallow down the entire

stomach full of mockery he had prepared. He wasn't willing to just let it go. It just so happened that at this moment, the host of the gala, a real estate tycoon, was discussing with several people a complex overseas investment

project. Wesley's eyes darted around and he suddenly said loudly, "Chairman Wong, let me introduce someone to you. This is the special assistant Miss Scarlet just hired. Mr. Ethan, Mr. Ethan is a top tier graduate. Why don't we let him give

you some pointers on this project?" Everyone's eyes instantly focused on me. Wesley was doing this to humiliate me in public. What could a barbecue stall owner possibly know about overseas investment? Everyone had an expression that showed they were waiting to see a

joke. Chairman Wang also frowned, clearly feeling that Wesley was making a mountain out of a molehill. Scarlet's hands clenched tightly, the veins on the back of her hands bulging. But I remained very calm. I took the microphone and walked to the project

display screen. The screen was filled with dense data and charts. With just one glance, the business knowledge and logic that had been locked away in my mind for 5 years were instantly activated from the surface data. This project indeed has a very alluring

return rate. I began, my voice not loud, but clearly carrying across the entire venue. But you have overlooked three fatal loopholes. I picked up the laser pointer and pointed at a data point on the screen. First, exchange rate risk.

Your profit estimates are based on the current exchange rate, but the target country's political situation is unstable, and its currency carries a massive depreciation risk. Once it depreciates by more than 5%, the entire project will turn from a profit to a

loss. Second, legal traps. The Local Land Privatization Act has hidden clauses. Commercial real estate held by foreign capital can be reclaimed by the government without compensation under specific circumstances. Third, and the most fatal point, your target customer profile is completely wrong. Relying on

the knowledge I had accumulated back when. I was still the crown prince and my extraordinary business intuition, I hit the nail right on the head. With precise logic and absolute clarity, I pointed out all the loopholes and potential risks in the project. The

entire venue was completely silent. Everyone was utterly shocked by my analysis. Even that chairman Wang changed his expression from initial disdain to solemn gravity and finally to total admiration. Weslo's face had already turned the color of pig liver.

He originally wanted to make me look foolish, but instead he ended up becoming my stepping stone, allowing me to make a name for myself in a single battle. When I finished, I handed the microphone back to the host and stepped

back to Scarlet side. The whole room erupted into thunderous applause. Countless people looked at me with newfound respect and even awefilled gazes. That chairman Wong even walked over personally, tightly grasping my hand. Mr. Ethan, you possess great talent. I really have to thank you

today. Otherwise, my several billion dollars would have gone down the drain. He enthusiastically handed over his business card. We must keep in touch and exchange ideas in the future. As I dealt with all this enthusiasm, my gaze involuntarily drifted towards Scarlet. I

saw the completely unmasked, near fanatical pride and obsession in her eyes, right against my ear. In a voice only the two of us could hear, she whispered softly, "Tonight you look delicious." My heart skipped the beat, showing my competence at the gala,

allowed me to quickly secure a solid foothold in Scarlet's company. Those who used to look at me with scrutinizing and dismissive eyes were now exceptionally polite to me. Scarlet seemed very satisfied with this result. She began to hand over some important projects for me

to handle as actual, granting me immense authority. Among them was a multi-billion dollar semiconductor chip research and development project in collaboration with Wesley's company.

"This is a test for you," Scarlet said as she placed a thick stack of documents on my desk. And it is also your opportunity. I understood what she meant. If I could handle this project well, I could completely rid myself of

any suspicion of being a kept man and truly become her right-hand man in her career. But I also knew this project wouldn't be easy. Wesley had been publicly humiliated by me at the gala, losing all his dignity. He would never

just let the matter drop. Uh, sure enough, at the project alignment meeting, Wesley behaved with extraordinary cooperation, and a polite smile was even plastered on his face, as if the unpleasantness at the gayla had never happened. Assistant Ethan, please

guide me well in the future. He proactively extended his hand to me. I reached out to shake it. His palm was completely cold and deep in his gaze there was a trace of hidden malice that was hard to detect. You're being too

polite, Mr. Wesley. Let's learn from each other. Over the next few days, the project progressed with extraordinary smoothness. Wesley's company provided all the required data and technical support. Our team also quickly came up with the initial cooperation plan.

Everything was so smooth. It felt a bit abnormal. relying on the intuition I had developed from years of weathering storms in the business world back then, I felt a wave of unease. How could a petty person who seeks revenge for every

grievance like Wesley possibly swallow that insult so easily? There must be a trap behind this. I reviewed all the contract data and technical documents over and over again, dozens of times.

Finally, late one night, I discovered a loophole that was almost impossible to detect in a core technical parameter that Wesley provided to us. He had altered a single digit six places after the decimal point. This alteration was extremely tiny and wouldn't expose any

problem during routine testing at all. But once the chip entered the mass production phase, this tiny error would be amplified infinitely, causing the entire batch of chips to be completely scrapped. That would result in an astronomical financial loss. What was

even more ruthless was that in this contract, Wesley used complex legal terms to shift all technical risks entirely onto our company's shoulders.

Once something went wrong, not only would Scarlet's company have to bear all the economic losses, but as the person in charge of this project, I would be charged by him with commercial fraud and dereliction of duty and sent straight to

prison. What a venomous scheme. He calculated perfectly that because I had been out of the business world for 5 years. I would naturally be unfamiliar with the latest technology and complex contract details and would definitely overlook this trap. I stared at the data

on the computer screen that I had marked with a red circle a cold shiver running down my spine. If I hadn't discovered it, the consequences would have been unimaginable. I didn't make a scene immediately. I knew that if I alerted

the enemy now, Wesley would only make excuses, claiming it was an error made by the technical staff. What I wanted was to deal him a fatal blow. At the moment, he was most smug. I quietly gathered all the evidence of Wesley

tampering with the data, including the backend operation logs of the server. At the same time, I contacted someone. The man I contacted was Logan, my father's driver from back in the day and also one of my most trusted former subordinates.

After the collapse of the Ethan family, he used a sum of money I gave him to start his own business, and now he was already a top cyber security expert in the country. I explained the situation to him. Without a second thought, Logan

brought his team overnight to help me put together a Counter-Strike plan. We utilized the back door Wesley had left behind, not only fixing the data error, but also planting a program in reverse.

This program could, during the signing ceremony, display in real time. The entire process of Wesley tampering with the data in the back end. Having done all this, I placed two documents on my desk. One was the erroneous contract

that Wesley hoped I would sign. The other was an optimized plan with all errors corrected, which would also increase the project's profit margin by 20%. I prepared to give Wesley a surprise. He would never forget for the rest of his life at the signing

ceremony. Scarlet seemed to have noticed my unusual behavior over the past few days. I often worked late into the night, and my expression was somewhat solemn, but she didn't ask anything.

Instead, every single night, a glass of warm milk would appear on my desk. On the morning I was preparing to head to the signing ceremony. She stopped me.

She helped me adjust my slightly wrinkled collar. Her movements gentle. I believe in your ability, she said seriously, looking into my eyes. Just go for it. A simple sentence, yet it gave me infinite strength and confidence. I looked at her and nodded solemnly. Wait

for my return. Wesley, your day of reckoning has arrived. I will never give anyone another chance to hurt her. In the conference room for the signing ceremony, the atmosphere was solemn and enthusiastic. The telephoto lenses and video cameras of major media outlets

were already set up. Flash bulbs snapping continuously. This collaboration for both Scarlet's company and Wesley's company was an important strategic move that drew immense attention from the industry. Wesley sat opposite me in high spirits. He frequently waved to the media reporters.

The smuggness on his face impossible to hide. The way he looked at me was filled with a cat-and- mouse amusement and pity. He must have thought that I, the former crown prince, would be completely ruined by his hands today. Scarlet sat

beside me, her expression calm, but her tightly clasped hand around mine, still betrayed a trace of her nervousness. I turned my hand over to pat the back of hers, giving her a reassuring look. The signing ceremony officially began. The

legal teams from both sides made the final contract verifications. The entire process followed Wesley's script precisely. Finally, the master of ceremonies announced, "Representatives from both sides, please come to the stage to sign." Wesley adjusted his suit and stood up, beaming with absolute

delight. I stood up as well. Just as we were about to walk toward the signing table to make that decisive stroke of the pen, I suddenly spoke up. Hold on a moment. My voice wasn't loud, but in the

quiet venue, it sounded like a sudden clap of thunder, and everyone froze, looking at me in confusion. Wesley's smile stiffened on his face. "Assistant Ethan, what is the meaning of this?" He frowned, his tone displeased. "Do you have some objection to the contract?

Haven't our legal teams already confirmed that there are no issues with the contract itself?" I looked at him with a slight smile. What has an issue?

Are the technical parameters behind this contract? The moment my words fell, Wesley's expression instantly changed, but he quickly composed himself and scolded harshly. "What nonsense are you talking? All technical parameters have been jointly tested by our technical teams on both sides. How could there

possibly be an issue?" He struck first to falsely accuse me, turning around to bite back. "I think you're just pretending to know what you're talking about. Trying to play to the crowd here and disrupt our signing ceremony, aren't

you?" He attempted to muddy the waters. this way to deny me any opportunity to explain. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to give him that chance anymore. Whether it's nonsense or not, everyone can see for themselves. I ignored his shouting

and simply snapped my fingers calmly. The large screen at the back of the conference room lit up instantly. What appeared on the screen was not the originally scheduled background presentation for the ceremony, but a computer backend operation interface.

Lines of bright red code flickered, which was the program Logan's team had planted. The screen clearly displayed an IP address that late at night three days ago had logged into the core server of Wesley's company and precisely modified

a document named core parameters of the seventh chip. The data before and after the modification were displayed side by side, and that difference in the sixth decimal place was amplified countless times, standing out conspicuously before everyone. The people present were all

industry experts and they instantly understood what this implied. The venue erupted into an uproar. Wesley's face, the moment he clearly saw the content on the screen, turned as pale as paper. His entire body trembled, pointing at me with quivering lips, unable to utter a

single word. I didn't stop. I picked up the microphone, my voice cold and clear.

Mr. Wesley, do you want to say that this was an error made by the technical staff? It doesn't matter. We also have a server login log right here. The screen display switched and the login account for that day. The operator and the Wi-Fi

name connected during the operation were all displayed with absolute clarity. The Wi-Fi name was precisely that of Wesley's office. The evidence was solid, leaving no room for denial. Wesley's legs went weak and he slumped into his chair, his face ashen. The lenses of all

the media outlets frantically focused on him. The representative of the partner side turned livid, standing up and pointing at Wesley as he cursed angrily.

Wesley, to think he would use such despicable means. Our company will absolutely never collaborate with an unprincipled enterprise like yours.

Looking at Wesley's pathetic state as everyone turned on him, I felt not the slightest bit of sympathy, I pressed the next button on the remote control.

everyone. I drew everyone's attention right back to me. Although, we ran into a little surprise just now. This doesn't mean there's no turning point for our collaboration. On the massive display screen, a brand new project plan suddenly appeared. It was the optimized

plan. I had stayed up all night working on my Counter Strike strategy. This is an optimized version our team developed based on the original blueprint. Not only have we bypassed the technical trap that Mr. Wesley, just try the plant, but

by optimizing the core algorithms, we can also boost the project's final profit margin by another 20%. I presented my proposal with a voice that was solid and resonant. The partner represented his eyes lit up instantly.

He snatched the document, becoming more astounded the more he read and more exhilarated the deeper he looked.

Genius. This is an absolute stroke of genius. He made a decision on the spot.

We have decided to immediately terminate all cooperation with Wesley's company. Furthermore, we hope to adopt your proposal, Mr. Ethan, and form a deeper strategic alliance with Scarlet's company. The entire room erupted into applause that was even more thunderous

than before. Everyone turned their gazes toward me, filled with deep admiration and awe. Because of his commercial fraud and malicious sabotage, Wesley was directly escorted out by the security guards. As he was being dragged away, he still glared at me viciously with a look

of pure malice, hurling filthy curses past his lips. But I didn't care anymore. I met Scarlet's burning gaze.

She walked up right beside me, and under the watchful eyes of everyone present, she gave me a tight, powerful embrace.

Then, in a tone that bordered on boasting, she whispered right against my ear, addressing both me and everyone else, "Welcome back, my Mr. Ethan." At this exact moment, I was no longer just her special assistant. Nor was I that

barbecue stall owner. I was Ethan, the Ethan who had relied on his own capabilities to stand tall once again.

The absolute counter strike at the ceremony made me famous overnight. After a 5-year absence, the name Ethan shook the entire business community once more, marking the return of a king. Everyone now knew that a man with terrifying capability and methods had appeared

right by Scarlet's side. Wesley's company went bankrupt due to its ruined credibility. Its stock price plummeted and it was quickly phased out by the market. He himself was also facing prison time for the crime of commercial fraud. On the night when everything had

finally settled, the company threw a victory banquet for me. I was surrounded by a large crowd, clinking glasses back and forth, listening to all kinds of praise and compliments. Yet, I felt somewhat distracted. Scarlet had briefly showed up at the start of the banquet,

said a few polite words, and then left early, making a quick excuse. I extricated myself from the bustling crowd, and headed back to the company ahead of time. I wanted to see her. When I walked up to her office, the door

wasn't fully closed, leaving a small crack open. A heated argument was echoing from inside. Miss Scarlet, you acted far too impulsively. An elderly, agitated voice rang out. I recognized it as Uncle Arthur, one of the company's veteran board members. Is it really

worth completely offending the Wesley family just for an Ethan? Wesley might have fallen, but his family's foundations are still intact. Their connections and channels over in South America are the key to our next strategic move. Have you considered how

massive our losses will be? if you cut off all business dealings with them right now. Another director chimed in as well. Exactly, Miss Scarlet. We all admit that Ethan has outstanding capabilities, but if you let your emotions dictate business like this for

him, it will deeply dishearten everyone else. I froze right outside the door, my feet completely unable to move a single inch, cutting off all business dealings with the Wesley family. I only knew that Wesley was finished, but I had no idea

that Scarlet had done so much for me behind the scenes just to vent this anger on my behalf. She hadn't hesitated to sacrifice such a massive corporate interest. Inside the office, Scarlet's voice rang out cold and carrying an

absolute unquestionable determination. She said only a single phrase, "My rules are the rules." Then came the loud slam of a palm hitting the desk. Anyone who dares to touch Ethan is touching my life. Let me say this one more time.

Starting today, Siver, all business dealings with the Wesley family and any of their affiliates. I will personally bear all the resulting financial losses alone. If anyone still has an objection, you can hand in your resignation letter right now. The office fell into an

instant dead silence, standing hidden outside the door. My heart felt as though it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand. Shock, deep emotion, and an indescribable trace of heartache surged inside my chest. It turned out she had always been using her own way to

clear all obstacles for me, holding up a protective sky over my head. Yet, I was still caught up in my own ridiculous pride, suspecting that she was offering charity and trying to humiliate me. For the first time, I realized with absolute

clarity that her feelings for me could never be simplified down to a mere debt of gratitude. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the office door. The few veteran board members inside saw me, their expressions turning somewhat awkward and unnatural. The moment

Scarlet saw me, she instantly retracted all of her sharp edges and icy demeanor. Her gaze softened in a split second, as if the ruthless, decisive queen, who had just intimidated the entire room was merely an illusion. Ignoring the others,

I walked straight up to her. Under the astonished stares of everyone present, I reached out and proactively took her hand for the very first time. Her hand felt a little cold. "Thank you," I said, my voice quiet. Yet, those were the only

words I could force out at this moment. Scarlet's body trembled slightly, and she immediately squeezed my hand back tightly, even her fingertips trembling gently. "With me, you never have to say those words." Deep within her voice, there was a barely perceptible catch.

The thick wall of ice that had built up in my heart, due to my low self-esteem and sensitivity, finally began to crack at this exact moment. The veteran board members looked at each other, and knowing their place, they quietly

slipped out of the room. Only the two of us were left in the office. I held her hand for a long time, refusing to let go. I thought that perhaps I needed to get to know this woman before me all

over again and re-examine the relationship between us. I began to suspect that her finding me and forcing me back to her side was perhaps not merely driven by a paranoid possessiveness. Could there be a deeper hidden reason behind this that I knew

absolutely nothing about? A powerful curiosity about Scarlet's past bloomed inside me. I began to utilize the highle authority Scarlet had granted me to quietly investigate her experiences over these past 5 years. What I uncovered left me completely stunned. Scarlet's

past 5 years were nothing short of an absolute legend. She went from a penniles young girl being hunted down by her family to carving out a foothold in a cut-throat place like the Golden Triangle and then further building this

massive commercial empire she possessed today. The hardships and bloodshed involved were far beyond what any outsider could ever imagine. But none of that was what shocked me the most. The thing that truly shook me to my core. In

the process of my investigation, I discovered a standalone server that had been encrypted by her using the highest level of security clearance. The code name for the server was Sirius. It was a homophone for my name, Yan, and it was

also my favorite star. My heart skipped a violent beat and a strong premonition welled up in my mind. I attempted to crack the server's password, using up every single date and number I knew that was related to her. All of them failed

just when I was about to give up. My fingertips subconsciously typed out a string of Moore's code on the keyboard.

It was I love you. The very first code I had taught her out of pure boredom back when she was staying at my villa. As if possessed by a ghost, I entered this string of code into the input field.

With a chime, the computer indicated the password was correct, and the server's encryption dissolved. My hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

Inside the server, there weren't any of the corporate secrets I had anticipated. Instead, there was just a collection of encrypted folders, and every single folder name was related to me.

Investigation report on the collapse of the Ethan Group. list of involved personnel and criminal evidence tracking and acquisition plan for the Ethan family's lost assets. With a trembling hand, I clicked open the first folder.

Inside was a mountain of documents detailed to an absolute terrifying degree. Ever since the Ethan family collapsed overnight 5 years ago, Scarlet had been secretly investigating the ins and outs of the entire matter. The movements of every single person who had

betrayed my father back then along with all of their dirt and criminal evidence had been gathered by her through various means and organized with absolute clarity. She had even established a massive information network to monitor every single move of all our enemies. I

clicked open another folder and inside was something that shocked me even more. All these years, while she was fighting for survival in the Golden Triangle, she had also been buying back our family's assets that had been scattered across

the globe after our bankruptcy, sparing no expense, reclaiming them piece by piece. She had even secretly established a massive revenge fund under my name.

Every single penny in that fund had been prepared for me. Absolutely everything she did was not for herself. She didn't build this empire to become a queen. She did it for me. For me, a stray dog whom she thought had abandoned her a long

time ago. She had prepared all the ammunition needed for my comeback. Her finding me and forcing me back to her side was not a sudden whim, let alone an attempt to humiliate me. It was because she felt the time was ripe. She felt she

finally possessed enough power to protect me and to help me exact my revenge. I stared at the lines of text and rows of charts on the screen, my hands shaking so hard I could barely hold a mouse. My rims turned red in an

instant and my vision blurred. It turned out that what I thought was escaping, what I thought was avoiding being a burden was actually the deepest betrayal in her eyes. It turned out that while I was wallowing in self-pity and selling

barbecue in that small border town for the past 5 years, this woman had been carrying the heavy burden forward for me, smoothing out all the paths for my revenge. What a bastard I am. What on earth have I been doing? I snapped up

from my chair, my chest heaving violently. Guilt, profound emotion, heartache and regret. Countless emotions intertwined together, nearly tearing me apart. I could no longer keep my composure. Clutching that tablet computer with its screen still glowing.

I charged out of the office like a madman. I had to go find her. Right now, this very instant, I needed to see her immediately. I kicked open the door to Scarlet's bedroom. She was just getting ready to turn in, wearing only a

delicate silk night gown. Seeing me burst in with such utter loss of composure, she was visibly taken aback.

Ethan, before she could finish her sentence, I rushed over to her in a few strides and slammed the tablet computer down hard on the table right in front of her. What is this? I pointed at those folders on the screen, my voice

trembling with intense emotion as my bloodshot eyes glared at her. Why did you do this? Why didn't you tell me?

Scarlet looked at the server contents on the screen that I had cracked. Her face turning slightly pale. She remained silent for a moment, not answering my question, but merely lifting her head to look at me quietly. Her gaze was very

calm, yet it seemed to hold a bottomless ocean filled with far too much grievance, longing, and pain. A long time passed before she finally spoke, her voice incredibly raspy. Tell you, she let out a self-deprecating laugh.

tell you and then let you use that same old about not wanting to burden me to vanish from my sight for another 5 years. I was afraid. She looked at me a trace of vulnerability in her voice that

I had never seen before. I was afraid you wouldn't want the things I gave you.

I was afraid you would run away again. Water. Ethan, I really can't survive you leaving me without a word ever again.

Every single word she said was like a knife stabbing viciously into my heart. I closed my eyes in absolute agony. The reason I left back then, then I began to speak with great difficulty, confessing the secret that had been weighing on my

heart for 5 years, right? Was because right before my father died, he told me that the background of the forces that brought down the Ethan family was unfathomably deep. He told me to hide and never think about revenge. I was

terrified that a stray dog like me would bring a fatal disaster upon you, that I would drag you down with me. That's why I ran. It wasn't that I didn't want you.

You absolute bastard. Before I could even finish my words, Scarlet suddenly lunged forward and whipped a fierce backhand right across my face. This slap was heavier and harsher than the one back at the hotel. But immediately after, her tears spilled over without

any warning, and like a crazy woman, she began pounding on my chest with her fists, striking with so much force, it felt as if she wanted to break me to pieces. You bastard. You absolute She sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for breath as she struck me. I

waited for you for 5 years. I searched for you for 5 years. I thought I thought that once you made your comeback and achieved success and fame, you would look down on me, that you grew tired of me. I thought you had long since

forgotten about a woman like me whose hands are covered in blood. All the misunderstandings, all the hidden grievances at this exact moment completely erupted along with her tears and her fists. I let her pound on me, making no attempt to dodge, nor did I

strike back. I just tightly, fiercely wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a desperate embrace. I'm sorry. I apologized right against her ear over and over again, my voice cracking with a sob. I'm so sorry, Scarlet. I was wrong.

I was truly wrong. She cried in my arms like a little girl who had lost her way, completely devoid of even a fraction of her usual queenly demeanor. Her tears were scorching hot, soaking right through my shirt and burning straight

into my heart. After a long while, her crying gradually subsided, leaving only muffled, suppressed sobs. She lifted her head up from my chest, her eyes completely red and swollen. The sharp edge in her gaze had completely melted away, leaving behind only an endless

deep affection and an intense trembling insecurity. "Are you really not going to leave me again?" She looked at me, her voice trembling so hard it broke. Her eyes burned with an almost startling intensity. She cuped my face in both

hands, staring at me with a burning intensity. "Ethan, do your words from 5 years ago still stand?" I knew exactly what she was referring to. It was that promise. Once I take back everything, my life and my body will belong completely

to you. I didn't offer a verbal answer. Instead, I simply leaned down and pressed a deep, heavy kiss against her cool, yet incredibly soft lips. This kiss carried 5 years of yearning, 5 years of misunderstandings, 5 years of

agony, and profound regret. It also carried my current ecstasy of reclaiming what was lost, along with an absolute determination to never let go again. As the kiss finally ended, both of us were completely breathless. I rested my forehead against hers, gazing at her

cheeks, flushed from lack of oxygen and her glistening, swollen lips. From this moment on, I whispered right against her ear, using the most serious and earnest tone of my entire life, emphasizing every single word. Your life belongs to

me. Your body belongs to me, too. I paused for a brief second, then curled the corners of my mouth, adopting an aggressive, commanding tone to declare my absolute ownership. And you, Scarlet, along with everything that is yours, from the single strand of your hair to

the tips of your toes, from this exact moment into the far future, all of it belongs entirely to me." Scarlet let out a beautiful laugh. That smile was so radiant, it felt as though it could melt an entire winter's worth of ice and

snow. She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed me back. "Fine," she whispered. "It's a deal." The massive mountain of ice that had loomed between us for five long years had finally completely dissolved at this very moment. The very

next day, the organizational structure of Scarlet's corporate group underwent a massive upheaval. I was no longer just the special assistant. Instead, in the capacity of co-CEO, I officially stepped into the spotlight. Scarlet and I had become a true power couple in every

sense of the word. The news that Ethan, the crown prince of the elite financial circle, had returned alongside the queen of the golden triangle. To exact their revenge was like a massive bombshell, sending shock waves throughout the entirety of high society. Those enemies

who had once kicked a man while he was down and greedily carved up the Ethan family's assets now began to panic for their own safety. Our campaign of vengeance had officially commenced. I no longer harbored any reservations or

hesitation. I utilized the criminal evidence Scarlet had gathered over the past 5 years. Evidence more than enough to drag those people straight to hell.

Combined with the business strategies locked inside my mind to orchestrate our very first ambush. Our target was Uncle Arthur, the very first man to betray my father back then, and the one who had devoured the largest share of the Ethan

family's properties. He was a man I had once respected immensely. Someone I had affectionately called uncle for over a decade. We launched a synchronized two-pronged assault. Scarlet mobilized her extensive network of connections to anonymously submit ironclad proof of

Uncle Arthur's tax evasion and elicit trading activities to the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, I operated within the capital markets, utilizing our massive revenge fund wielded with astronomical financial resources to deliver a devastating, crushing blow to his company's stock price. First, I

coordinated with several international shortselling institutions to release damning research reports, severely rattling market confidence. Then, as the stock price went into a freef fall, we utilized leveraged funds to execute a hostile takeover. From start to finish, it took a mere three days for Uncle

Arthur's corporate empire to collapse like a house of cards. One week later, at the company's extraordinary board meeting, I walked into the conference room in the capacity of the largest single shareholder. The moment Uncle Arthur caught sight of me, he was

completely flabbergasted, looking exactly as though he had just seen a ghost. He pointed a trembling finger at me, his lips quivering violently, his face as pale as a sheet. Ethan, you aren't you supposed to be dead? I let

out a cold laugh as I walked up right in front of him, staring down at him with an imposing glare. Uncle Arthur, I trust you've been well over these past 5 years, living off my family's stolen wealth. Have you been sleeping easily at

night? His legs buckled beneath him completely, and he slid right out of his chair, collapsing onto his knees before me. He burst into a frantic fit of tears, clutching at my legs as he begged for mercy. Ethan, please. For the sake

of the close bond our two family shared for so many years. Spare me, please. I was forced into doing what I did back then. Disgusted, I kicked his hands away from me. Our close bond when you hired a

driver to crash into my father and kill him. Why didn't you care about our bond then? When you chased me out of the capital and sent hitmen to hunt me down.

Why didn't you care about our bond then? I pulled a document from my tailored suit pocket and slapped it squarely across his face. This is your equity transfer agreement and your resignation letter. Sign it and then get the hell

out. Out of respect for the fact that you were once my elder. I am leaving you a path to survive. As for the crimes you committed, you can spend the rest of your days repenting inside a prison cell. I publicly and thoroughly kicked

him out of his very own company. Throughout the entire process, Scarlet sat elegantly beside me, watching the events unfold as if enjoying a spectacular theatrical play. Once everything had finally settled, she walked over to personally pour me a

glass of fine champagne, holding it up gently right against my lips. Her eyes were brimming with deep admiration, utter fascination and profound love.

Drink up, my king, I took the glass and drained it in a single gulp. This was merely the beginning. Over the course of the next two months, we struck with the swiftness and force of a thunderbolt, employing identical and sometimes even

harsher methods, systematically eliminating every single enemy recorded on our revenge checklist. Those corporate tycoons who had once considered themselves untouchable were now being thrown into prison one after another. Their reputations completely ruined. Not only did I successfully reclaim absolutely everything that

originally belonged to the Ethan family, but I also completely absorbed all of those enemies businesses, I was no longer that privileged crown prince who required the protection and prestige of his family name. I had transformed into an even more ruthless, infinitely more

powerful king of revenge than I was 5 years ago. Within the entire business world, there wasn't a soul who didn't shudder at the name Ethan. Scarlet gazed at me as I sat in the grand office that had once belonged to my father, handling

strategies with absolute mastery. Smiling, she walked over, wrapping her arms around me from behind. Do you know something? She pressed a gentle kiss against the side of my face. Compared to that proud, high-spirited crowned prince from 5 years ago, I vastly prefer this

cold, ruthless king who fights for me and fights for our shared future. I spun my chair around, pulling her tightly into my embrace, settling her right onto my lap. Then that makes you my queen. I leaned down to capture her lips in a

firm kiss. We were the king and queen of this brand new world. However, both of us were acutely aware that the true final battle had not yet arrived. The mastermind hidden behind all of those intricate conspiracies, the one truly

responsible for bringing down the Ethan family, was still lurking deep within the shadows. that ultimate mastermind behind our family's collapse belonged to a deeply entrenched, immensely low-profile and incredibly powerful tycoon family, the family of old Mr.

Charles. His family and my grandfather had actually shared a life and death bond, making our two households multi-generational family friends, and precisely because of that history. My father had harbored absolutely no defenses against him back then, allowing that man to drive the most fatal,

devastating knife right into his back. The Charles family had hidden themselves exceptionally well over these years, erasing almost every single trace and piece of evidence connecting them to the destruction of the Ethan family. Yet, Scarlet had still managed to uncover a

few faint clues. We plotted and strategized for a very long time and finally secured a perfect opportunity to confront the Charles family headon. It was an international bidding convention for the mining rights of a diamond field in a certain African nation. This

specific mine represented the Charles family's most critical source of profit growth for the next 10 years. They were absolutely determined to win it at all costs. And our goal was to snatch this incredibly lucrative prize right out of

their open mouths. The location for the negotiations was set aboard a massive ultra luxury cruise liner out in international waters. Scarlet and I brought along our most elite team team and boarded the cruise ship. Just as we were conducting the final round of

critical negotiations with the representatives of the Charles family, something unexpected happened. Having lost absolutely everything. Wesley, who is now acting like a rabid dog, somehow managed to catch wind of the news, he actually brought a dozen desperate thugs

and barged into the negotiation room with guns drawn. Nobody move. Wesley's eyes were bloodshot, looking completely crazed and demonic. The barrel of his gun was pointed straight at Scarlet.

Scarlet. Ethan. He hissed through gritted teeth, his voice a roaring snarl. You two ruined my life and brought me to this wretched state.

Today, I'm going to make sure you both go down to the grave with me. He clearly intended to hold Scarlet hostage to threaten me or barter with the Charles family for a chance to escape. This scene was so strikingly similar to 5

years ago when Scarlet had been pinned into a corner by her enemies just like this with absolutely no way out. But this time, everything was different.

Without a fraction of a second's hesitation, I immediately shielded Scarlet, pulling her tightly behind me.

"Don't be afraid." I patted her back in a reassuring gesture, my voice terrifyingly calm. "I'm right here." I lifted my head, staring right into Wesley's manic eyes. "Wesley, do you really think you can walk away from this after coming here?" I confronted him

with absolute composure, my mind racing at lightning speed to analyze the current situation. On this ship, there are people from the Charles family.

There are my people. And there are government observers from various nations. If you pull that trigger right now, you'll be riddled with bullets in the very next second. Your only way out is to drop your weapon right this

instance. I might even show some mercy for old times sake and leave your corpse intact. With just a few brief words, I completely shattered the morale of the desperate thugs standing right behind him. They were only in this for the

money after all. None of them actually wanted to die here. Yet Wesley became even more violently agitated. Shut up, Ethan. You hypocritical bastard. Do you think I'll ever believe your again? Completely losing his emotional control, he let out a roaring shriek,

raised his weapon, and lunged straight at Scarlet. The exact instant he lunged forward, I moved. I slipped to the side to dodge the barrel of his gun. And with a swift, powerful grappling maneuver, I clamped my hand onto his wrist,

reversing his grip. With a brutal twist, Wesley let out a piercing shriek of agony, and the pistol slipped from his fingers, clattering onto the ground. I didn't grant him a single opening, executing a clean, decisive shoulder throw. I slammed him brutally against

the hard floor. I stomped my foot down squarely onto his chest. The crushing force causing him to cough up a spray of blood. The entire encounter unfolded in the blink of an eye. Every single person present in the room was rendered

completely speechless by this sudden turn of events. Scarlet's personal bodyguards and the ship's security personnel finally snapped back to their senses. At this moment, they swarmed forward in a single wave, completely subduing Wesley and all of his remaining

men. With the crisis thoroughly averted, I didn't spare another glance at Wesley lying on the floor, turning around to walk back to Scarlet. Her face still carried a trace of lingering shock, but it was mostly filled with utter

amazement. I walked right up to her, reaching out a hand to gently tuck a stray lock of hair that the wind had blown out of place. My movements incredibly tender. It made me seem like an entirely different person from the

ruthless man who had just dismantled Wesley a moment ago. It felt exactly like 5 years ago in that dark, bleak warehouse when she had carefully wiped the blood from my wounds. I told you not to be afraid. I looked at her and

offered a gentle smile. I'm here. Scarlet stared back at me, staring at the man who had shielded her so securely behind his back, taking the brunt of all dangers for her sake. Her eyes shone with a brilliant, blinding light. She

finally thoroughly understood that the man standing right before her no longer required her protection. He had already grown into a towering tree capable of shielding her from any storm. Standing firmly right by her side as an equal.

And as I gazed at the absolute reliance and deep love overflowing from her eyes, my heart was flooded with an unprecedented sense of profound fulfillment. This was the true meaning of my return. The long chapter of vengeance had finally come to a close.

Wesley was handed over directly to Interpol. The Charles family, heavily crippled by their loss at the bidding convention and the massive amounts of dirt we leaked right after, suffered a devastating blow to their core foundations. Ultimately, they were

forced to withdraw from the competition. Left barely scraping by to survive. Joining forces together, Scarlet and I not only reclaimed absolutely everything that belonged to the Ethan family, but we also expanded our corporate territory several times over. A brand new

conglomerate spanning across multiple major industries was successfully built by our very own hands. I no longer required the title of the financial circle's crown prince to validate myself because the name Ethan had itself become synonymous with the absolute pinnacle of

success. Scarlet and I had become the most compelling high-profile legend of this generation. Once every single matter had been settled, I took Scarlet back to the capital city. We returned to that private villa nestled halfway up the mountain, the exact place where I

had saved her life all those years ago. Everything here had been preserved exactly as it was 5 years ago. I dismissed all the household staff and on a beautifully clear afternoon. Out in the villa's back garden, I set up a

familiar barbecue grill, I shed my expensive tailored suit, changing into a simple, ordinary t-shirt. Just like those days back in that small border town 5 years ago, I busy myself with the mundane task of threading meat onto skewers. Scarlet sat right nearby in a

wicker chair, watching me with a radiant smile brimming in her eyes. The sunlight spilled over her form, making the scene look incredibly warm and beautiful. I painstakingly recreated the exact flavor of my old barbecue stall, grilling the skewers for her and her alone. The rich

aroma of cumin and chili powder wafted through the air. I handed her the very first finished skewer of poor kidneys.

Here, try it. Your majesty, see if your humble servant skills have gone downhill. Scarlet took the skewer from my hand, but didn't take a bite. She simply stared at me, her gaze so incredibly tender, it felt like it could

melt into water. "Ethan, "Yeah, I don't want to be the queen anymore," she said softly. "It's far too exhausting." I set down the grilling tongs and walked over to her, kneeling down as I took her hands in mine. "All right, then I will

take care of you from now on." Scarlet let out a soft laugh and gently shook her head. Thinking she didn't believe me, I pulled the document from my pocket. I hadn't prepared a diamond ring. I felt those things were far too

cliche and simply didn't suit her. What I pulled out instead was an equity transfer agreement. This represents a 51% controlling stake in our new empire.

From this moment on, all of it belongs to you. I looked into her eyes and said with absolute sincerity, "I told you before, everything I have belongs entirely to you." Scarlet looked down at that document. An agreement powerful

enough to send shock waves through the entire financial world. Yet, she didn't even bat an eyelash. She merely smiled, reached out, and took the piece of paper from my hands. Then, right before my eyes, she tore it completely to shreds.

The scraps of paper drifted through the air like falling snowflakes. "You idiot!" she rose from the wicker chair, wrapping her arms around my waist from behind, burying her face tightly against my back. Her warm breath seemed right through the thin fabric of my shirt,

pressing against my skin. "The thing I wanted was never your money." Standing up on her tiptoes, her breath felt like sweet orchids against my ear. I only want you. My heart was instantly filled to the absolute brim by those three

words. I spun around, locking her into a fierce, tight embrace, leaning down to find her lips and kissing her deeply.

This kiss was entirely devoid of the pain and struggle of our past, leaving nothing but an endless, profound tenderness and love. The end. Drop a like if you enjoyed the story. Don't forget to follow. This account will keep

bringing you more web novels and comic recaps.