Chapter 1 - The Fallout
Ethan pushed through the heavy gold doors of the Grand Regent Hotel, leaving the chaotic whispers of the ballroom behind him.
The freezing New York wind instantly hit his face, hardening the sugary cake icing into a stiff, uncomfortable mask.
He ignored the frantic shouts of paparazzi swarming the red carpet, stepping quickly into the safety of his waiting armored limousine.
His driver, Thomas, took one look in the rearview mirror and wisely chose not to say a single word about the ruined tuxedo.
Ethan poured himself a glass of expensive scotch from the minibar, his hand perfectly steady despite the utter humiliation he had just endured.
He pulled out his tablet and watched as his company's stock ticker began a terrifying, unprecedented downward spiral.
Chloe had already posted the livestream video, and it had accumulated three million views in less than ten minutes.
The internet was entirely ruthless, calling him a pathetic, out-of-touch billionaire who couldn't even handle a simple practical joke.
What the public didn't know was that the planned proposal was the final clause required to execute a massive merger with Chloe's father's crumbling real estate empire.
Ethan had been willing to save her ungrateful family from total bankruptcy out of sheer loyalty, patience, and love.
Now, he was going to let their entire legacy burn to the ground without a second thought.
He opened his encrypted email and authorized the immediate withdrawal of all financial backing from her father's firm.
He watched the confirmation screen load, knowing this single action would leave Chloe's family completely destitute by morning.
Suddenly, the sleek electronic display on the limousine's dashboard flickered violently and turned completely black.
Thomas slammed his foot on the brake pedal, but the massive vehicle continued accelerating aggressively down the wet asphalt.
The electronic doors clicked locked, trapping them inside as the speedometer rapidly climbed past ninety miles an hour.
A distorted, metallic voice echoed through the car's premium sound system, chilling Ethan to the very bone.
May you like
The automated voice smoothly informed him that the vehicle's braking system had been permanently disabled.
It politely warned him that the concrete retaining wall of the upcoming bridge was exactly one mile away.
