Ethan arrived early. There was a strange feeling in his gut but, despite the dread, there was a strange lightness under the weight. Yesterday had given him something he didn't expect—a sliver of peace. Seeing Ruby again, even behind the mask, had settled something inside him. Her silence, her presence... it had been enough. For the first time in weeks, he hadn't felt entirely alone.
Not because he wanted to be there—but because something told him today would spiral fast. And he was right.
Voices echoed down the corridor the moment he stepped out of the elevator. Loud, cutting—his mother's voice unmistakable, sharp as glass.
"You don't get to use your brother's pain as leverage, Hunter!"
He moved toward the boardroom, each step heavy with the kind of dread he'd grown too familiar with lately.
Through the frosted glass, he saw them—Hunter, pacing with dramatic flair, and Marlena Lockwood, standing tall, arms crossed like a queen ready to smite someone. Ethan pushed the door open without knocking.
Hunter turned. "Ah. Speak of the devil."
Ethan's expression didn't shift. "Funny. I was going to say the same."
Marlena's eyes darted to him, unreadable, though tension lined her jaw. "You're early."
"I could say the same," Ethan replied, staring straight at his brother. "Plotting already, Hunter? You usually wait until the body's cold."
Hunter scoffed. "Spare me the dramatics. You've been spiraling since Amanda left. Someone has to think about the company's future."
"Right," Ethan said, voice flat. "And you think it should be you."
Hunter didn't flinch. "I do. You've been distracted. You come in late, leave early. You're… not the same."
Ethan stepped closer, his gaze like ice. "You mean since I found out my wife was screwing my brother?"
Marlena winced but didn't intervene.
Hunter held his ground. "I made a mistake."
"No," Ethan said quietly, "you made a choice."
The room pulsed with silence.
Marlena finally stepped between them. "Enough. I've listened to both of you for days. If you can't work together—then I'll make the decision for you."
Ethan stiffened. "What decision?"
She exhaled, brushing her hand across the back of her neck like she was tired of holding this family together. "I'm breaking Lockwood Enterprises into two divisions. It's the only way to keep the company from crumbling under your drama."
Hunter's brow lifted. "Seriously?"
"Dead serious," Marlena said. "Digital Security stays with you, Hunter."
Ethan's heart sank.
"That division is established, profitable. It needs maintenance, not emotion."
She turned to Ethan, voice cooling. "You'll take the Escrow Division."
Ethan's jaw locked. "The smaller one. The underfunded one."
"It has potential," Marlena countered. "But it needs vision. You always were the risk-taker."
Hunter chuckled under his breath. "How noble."
Ethan turned sharply to him. "You think I won't build it into something better than your hollow security contracts?"
Hunter smirked. "I think you'll be lucky to keep the lights on."
"I built that company from the ground up, when Dad passed, it was in loss and I was the only one who believed in it. You told me to sell it and invest the money in something that was more profitable but I built it up and you want to give it to Hunter who did nothing for it except spend the money on vacations?" Ethan asked his mother, a fiery look in his eyes one that she knew well enough.
"Then build this one up too." Was all she said.
"This is unfair." Ethan muttered.
Marlena slammed her hand on the table. "Enough. If you can't handle this division peacefully, I will sell the entire company and donate every last cent. Do you understand me?"
Silence.
Hunter finally gave a slow nod. "Crystal."
Ethan gave her a single look—half betrayal, half bitter resolve. "So that's it?"
"You want to prove you're more than a broken man?" she said coldly. "Then prove it."
Ethan didn't answer. He just turned and walked out, his pulse roaring in his ears.
Let them give him scraps.
He'd turn it into gold—and bury them in it.
Jake caught up to Ethan just outside the boardroom, his brow furrowed in concern. "What the hell was that about? I could hear Marlena from down the hall."
Ethan didn't answer right away. His jaw was tight, his eyes stormy.
"She split the company," he finally muttered. "Gave the Digital Security division to Hunter. I got the escrow side."
Jake's eyes widened. "You're kidding. That's insane."
Before Ethan could reply, Hunter stepped out of the boardroom, adjusting his cufflinks with smug precision.
"Oh good," he said, voice laced with venom. "Jake. Just who I needed to see."
Jake crossed his arms. "You've got something to say, say it."
Hunter gave a mock sigh. "Unfortunately, as the new head of Digital Security, I'm making some changes. Starting with your position."
Jake blinked. "You're firing me?"
"You're too close to Ethan," Hunter said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "And frankly, I need someone a little more... loyal."
"You're out of your mind," Jake snapped. "I've been CFO for seven years. You don't get to erase that because you're nursing a bruised ego. I know this company in and out. I was there when it was nothing."
"I already did erase you. The company has me now. It has no need for a crutch." Hunter replied coolly. "Clean out your office."
Jake stood frozen for a second before turning to Ethan. "You good with this?"
Ethan's stare never left his brother. "No. But I'll fix it. Do you want to join the Escrow?"
Jake nodded once. "Who else will be your right hand?"
And with that, he walked away—his loyalty still intact, even if his title wasn't.