Chapter 74: Chapter 74

An elderly man, over fifty, slowly emerged from the shadows, clapping his hands.

He was dressed in formal attire, his hair a mix of black and white.

"The legendary Reaper values a woman so highly. If I had known, I would have captured her sooner."

The man smiled heartily, sitting opposite Ethan Sterling, looking at him with the confidence of someone in a superior position.

Seraphina Redgrave scrutinized him carefully and realized this man was Ethan Sterling’s rival, named Fuller.

Reports had said he was always at odds with Ethan but was consistently suppressed by Ethan, with his company nearing bankruptcy.

This time they were kidnapped here, clearly masterminded by this man.

Ethan seemed to have anticipated this, leaned back in his chair, his eyes ice-cold: "President Fuller is already nearing old age, yet still plotting kidnapping schemes. Aren’t you afraid of shortening your life?"

President Fuller’s face almost couldn’t withstand the sarcasm; he forced a smile while looking at Ethan: "Ethan, I am still your elder."

"Elder? Ryan Sterling wouldn’t even claim elder status; what do you count as?"

Ethan said with a cold sneer.

President Fuller could barely keep his composure, sneering: "You’re on the losing side now, mind your words, I have your woman’s life in my hands."

Upon hearing this, Ethan slightly lifted his gaze, his amber eyes nearly turning icy: "If you harm her, see how terribly you’ll die."

President Fuller’s face turned livid with fury, yet he held back: "Ethan, I know you’re actually worried about her now, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. If you want her alive, fine, give me half of the maritime and aviation businesses."

The main transport routes in Country Z were entirely controlled by Ethan; holding onto these two cash cows, he continuously expanded the Sterling empire, while others wouldn’t receive any mercy from him.

Others could only pick up Ethan’s leftovers.

After saying this, a man in black handed a contract to Ethan, asking him to agree to President Fuller’s demands.

Ethan glanced at the contract but showed no intention of signing.

"President Fuller wants too much; given your current strength, you probably can’t handle it."

Nathan Ayers spoke from the side.

Seraphina Redgrave calmly watched everything downstairs; President Fuller indeed had a clever idea, daringly asking for much while holding hostages. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveIＦire.net

Seraphina was also curious whether Ethan would give up his primary source of profit for Mia Redgrave.

"Whether Fuller Group can handle it is not your concern, Sterling." President Fuller glanced at Ethan, "You only need to know, the woman you care most about is still in our hands. My people are mercenaries who don’t understand compassion; if anything happens to her..."

President Fuller paused at the perfect moment.

Ethan still showed no intention of signing, just coldly said: "I want to see her."

Not tearing up the contract directly, considering Ethan’s temperament, his actions were indeed unexpected. Apparently, Mia Redgrave held an exceptional meaning to Ethan.

Seraphina concealed herself on the second floor, watching downstairs without blinking.

President Fuller gestured to a man in black beside him.

After a short while, a man in black led a crying Mia Redgrave downstairs.

Mia had her hands bound; her clothes and hair were disheveled, her complexion waxy yellow, vomit stained her face, and her legs wobbled at every step, entirely being dragged downstairs by the man in black.

"Young Master Sterling, as promised, I haven’t touched a single finger on this woman."

President Fuller showed a delighted smile.

Though he spoke with a hint of hospitality, Mia was still under the threat of a gun’s barrel; one misstep, and Mia could say goodbye to the world.

Hearing President Fuller’s words, Mia looked towards the table incredulously, only to see a man who should never be there — Ethan Sterling.

Ethan never really looked at her, except during parties when he might allow her closer, otherwise never wasting time on her.

But now he actually appeared here.

Perhaps Ethan’s love wasn’t obvious?

She looked at Ethan, as if seeing a savior, crying even more: "Young Master Sterling, thank goodness you came!"

Ethan truly loves her, braving dangers alone for her.

Ethan didn’t spare a glance at Mia, only steadily looked at President Fuller: "Where are the others?"

President Fuller didn’t quite understand, the man in black’s leader whispered beside him: "While executing today’s plan, Mia kept holding onto a woman nearby. To avoid delays, I brought her too. Initially planning to kill her, but the woman had impressive skills, I temporarily secured her on the second floor, intending to deal with it later."

Their fate has no relevance to this transaction.

President Fuller asked.

The leader of the men in black answered.

President Fuller understood; Ethan’s public image had always been unblemished. If those passersby shared today’s events, it would only add danger to Ethan’s beloved woman.

After figuring this out, President Fuller smiled politely: "Young Master Sterling, you can trust me; to ease your mind in agreeing to my demands, those miscellaneous passersby are already dead, so sign freely, it’s between us, heaven and earth, no one else will know."

This would put Ethan at ease and promptly have him sign the contract.

Nathan Ayers’ face turned grim.

Seraphina Redgrave being killed?

Ethan said nothing, yet lightly curled his lips, taking the pen from the table, tapping it while looking at President Fuller, his voice cold: "Are you sure they’re all dead?"

"Of course they’re dead; I personally ordered it. There’s no reason for them not to execute it."

President Fuller explained his reliability, greedily eyeing the contract under Ethan’s hand, urging agreement!

Just half of the maritime and aviation given to him, and he’d never need to fear bankruptcy again.

Ethan agreed, twirling the pen in his hand, his voice still cold: "How did they die?"

President Fuller didn’t quite understand why Ethan would inquire about a passerby’s death so meticulously but still looked towards the leader of the men in black. The leader stood, gestured as if shooting the head: "Shot in the head, forever removed."

Ethan sat in his position, with a hint of a smile on his lips, yet coldness pervaded.

He gently placed the pen on the table, then slowly articulated: "President Fuller, how dare you; that’s someone even I wouldn’t want to harm."

Upon hearing this, Seraphina Redgrave suddenly stiffened.

Ethan... what was he saying?

President Fuller was also dumbfounded, failing to react in time when Ethan’s icy tone declared: "How dare you!"

Finishing, the pen in his hand shot forward.

Everything happened too fast.

President Fuller had no awareness of what transpired, the pen’s sharp tip pierced his throat; he tried to summon help but couldn’t utter a sound.

Everyone was dumbfounded.