CHAPTER 19: NOWHERE TO ESCAPE HIS HANDS

"No! Ethan, you can’t do this! I already apologized to you!"

Olivia’s eyes were red as she tried to step forward, but Andrew’s sharp bark cut her off. "Haven’t you caused enough embarrassment?"

She shrank back, standing behind him.

"Ethan," Andrew said firmly, "you were the one who once promised to marry my daughter. And now, you’re the one suddenly calling off the engagement. Marriage isn’t child’s play. I hope you think this through carefully."

"I’ve thought it through."

Ethan finally lifted his head. Gone was the respectful boy of the past—his gaze was cold, resolute. His mind was made up. He would break things off with Olivia.

"Ethan, I hope the words you speak are ones you can stand by—not impulsive nonsense. Otherwise, you’ll only hurt both of you."

"Uncle Morgan, you know exactly what I mean. From the very beginning, you tricked me into this. What you did was nothing short of fraudulent marriage."

Ethan’s words slammed into Andrew like a hammer. The older man’s anger surged.

"Fraudulent? Ethan, don’t twist things!"

"The original engagement was with Sophia. I liked her—truly. But you sent Olivia to seduce me. Do I really need to spell it out?"

The thin veil between them was ripped apart. The air turned heavy, both families’ faces darkening.

Andrew shot to his feet. "Ethan, I thought you were a man my daughter could rely on for life. Yet here you are, shirking responsibility! My daughter gave you eight years—why stay silent then? And now, when marriage is on the table, you cast her aside?"

"The breakup was her idea, Uncle Morgan. No one can endure her temper forever!"

Ethan had never bowed to force—Andrew’s push only made him push back harder.

Tears spilled down Olivia’s cheeks. "Ethan! Is that really how you see me? Were our eight years together nothing but a lie?"

"You can’t feel it? Olivia, I did love you once. But you destroyed that yourself. From today forward, we have nothing to do with each other."

Her jaw clenched, delicate fingers whitening from the force of her grip. In his eyes... she was worth nothing.

"Ahem—"

Thomas coughed lightly, then smiled as though to ease the tension.

"Andrew, we can’t force matters between the young. Maybe it truly wasn’t meant to be. Ethan’s words were harsh, but I’ll correct him. As for the marriage..." Thomas’s voice softened, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "You’ve seen for yourself. Ethan has no desire to go backward. Let’s set it aside for now. If, by chance, they find their way back together, we can revisit it then."

His tone sounded diplomatic, but it was clear: Thomas was pleased. He wanted Olivia gone. Clearing the air publicly was nothing but an advantage.

"Fine. Fine!" Andrew gave a cold laugh. He finally understood.

"So this is how it is. The Trump family uses us when it suits them, then kicks us aside when we’re no longer useful. My daughter may not be perfect, but she’s devoted to Ethan. You’ve taken her purity, ruined her reputation, and now you want to walk away? Good. Very good. I was blind to ever trust you. From this day on, the Morgans cut all ties with the Trumps!"

"No, Dad! Don’t!"

Olivia clutched his hand tightly, desperate not to be dragged away.

"You’ve embarrassed yourself enough already! Can’t you see he’s just using you?"

Andrew’s face burned with humiliation. If they stayed any longer, he’d lose the last shred of dignity he had left. He grabbed Olivia’s arm, ready to drag her away.

Susan’s expression was stormy. She was a mother—how could she not ache for her child?

"Ethan," she snapped, heels clicking against the floor as she positioned herself in front of her daughter, "Olivia is my daughter. And you dare to hurt her? This isn’t over. You’ll pay for this."

She pulled herself tall, proud and cold. "Come on, Olivia. We’re going home."

Olivia resisted for a moment, but when she turned back, all she saw in Ethan’s eyes was a coldness she had never known.

She had truly lost him. And no matter how hard she clung, she couldn’t get him back.

Her strength gave out. She let Susan pull her away.

When the heavy doors closed behind them, silence fell like a curtain.

Thomas chuckled knowingly. "Didn’t I say it? Those people can’t be trusted. The moment Ethan broke up with their daughter, they turned petty and vicious. Imagine if we’d actually tied ourselves to them. Ethan, you did the right thing. Grandfather supports you. But remember—our Trump family must keep climbing higher. You still have choices ahead of you."

Ethan straightened. "Grandfather, what do you mean?"

"Lucas and Sophia may have suddenly announced something unclear between them, but you were her former fiancé. That bond is still there."

Ethan’s eyes widened. "Grandfather, are you saying..."

"That’s right. Win Sophia back."

Brandon stared in disbelief. "Father, isn’t that going too far? After all—"

"That was then. Great men don’t fuss over the past. Mark my words—Sophia still feels something for you. The more she hates you, the deeper it runs. Get her back, and we’ll have the fashion industry and the elite luxury circle in our grasp. With her, our family’s status will soar. The money will come to us."

Thomas patted Ethan’s shoulder, voice heavy with meaning. "To achieve great things, you must rise above pride and look forward. The Trump family’s future rests on your shoulders."

Ethan nodded slowly. Grandfather was right. He had to think for himself.

But...

Could he really win against Lucas?

...

Hilton Group Headquarters.

"Mr. Hilton, all the files are here."

Lucas flipped them open, skimmed a few lines, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

"So the little rabbit has more bite than I thought."

"Mr. Hilton, do you plan to step in directly—to help Sophia crush the Trumps and the Morgans?"

Lucas shut the folder, his smile unreadable.

"Sophia’s no helpless bunny. She won’t let them go unpunished. Since they owe her, I’ll simply... lend a hand."

"Mr. Hilton, is this because six years ago you actually liked her?"

"As if."

A bitter smile curved his mouth.

"Send the Trump family’s fashion line into the market. As for Olivia—get one of Hilton Group’s film subsidiaries to push her into the entertainment industry."

Alex blinked, caught off guard even after all his years serving Lucas. So it was true—his boss couldn’t possibly like a woman he’d once had a one-night stand with.

No. What Lucas wanted was to watch her struggle under his shadow. What really mattered were those six children.

His children.

Lucas’s eyes gleamed with dark amusement.

His so-called "help" was nothing more than pouring fuel on the fire.

Six years ago, she had run after stealing everything—including his bloodline.

And now? She thought she could keep running?

Ha. Not a chance.