Chapter 425 Ethan's Despair
For days, Ethan isolated himself in his darkened room. Curled in the corner, refusing food and water, he transformed from a handsome young gentleman into a disheveled, broken man.
His hair and beard grew wild as he stared vacantly at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep, couldn't eat—a shell of his former self.
Outside his door, Doris paced anxiously. "Garrett, what can we do? It's been days. How long can Ethan continue like this? The Yates Group is in crisis with enemies both within and without. Rafferty is about to become the new CEO, and Ethan is just letting him run rampant."
Garrett placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Doris, if you're truly worried, I could bring in Ferndale's renowned hypnotherapist to help him."
"Hypnotherapy?" Doris gasped. "You mean to make him forget everything about Ashley?"
Garrett nodded solemnly. "Yes. Ashley's death has devastated him. Without intervention, he'll waste away completely."
At the word 'death,' Doris collapsed onto the sofa.
"Let's wait a little longer," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "Perhaps there's news of Ashley... Ethan would never want to forget her..."
Garrett sighed deeply. "Doris, it's been a week without any news. She's... she's not coming back."
Doris covered her face, grief overwhelming her. Garrett embraced her, offering silent comfort.
A knock interrupted them. Garrett opened the door to find George standing there.
After acknowledging Garrett with a nod, George approached Doris. "How's Ethan doing?"
Since Rafferty had exposed Ethan as not being of Yates blood, Ethan had been banished from the mansion, never to return.
"The same," Doris replied wearily. "What's happening with the Yates family?"
George's face darkened with anger. "That bastard Rafferty has seized control of both the Yates Group and the mansion. He's imprisoned James and driven Grandfather to the hospital with stress. I've heard he's even altered the will. The mansion is crawling with his people now. I've moved heaven and earth just to learn this much."
"That's criminal!" Doris exclaimed, shocked. "Isn't he afraid of legal consequences?"
"The infuriating part is that I know he's behind it all, but there's no evidence," George said bitterly.
The room fell into a heavy silence. Justice required proof.
"George," Doris ventured, "how do James and Michael truly feel about all this?"
"They still consider Ethan their own flesh and blood," George replied. "But Rafferty's methods are brutal yet meticulous—he's left no evidence. I can't touch him. That's why I need Ethan's help."
He added, "My contacts tell me Rafferty had a violent argument with Grandfather over control of the company. He even struck Grandmother!"
Suddenly, Ethan's bedroom door burst open. He emerged like a tempest. "What did you say? Someone dared to hit my grandmother? And put my grandfather in the hospital?"
Family had always been Ethan's anchor. No one harmed those he loved.
"It was Rafferty!" George confirmed.
"Ethan, snap out of it! Stop this downward spiral. Rafferty has seized everything. He's threatening Grandfather, and he won't stop until my mother and I are destroyed as well."
Ethan's jaw clenched, his voice ice-cold. "I'll destroy him."
As Ethan moved to leave, George blocked his path. "Wait! You can't face him looking like this. Clean up first—we need to strike decisively!"
Ethan glanced down at his disheveled appearance, resembling a vagrant more than a business titan. He nodded and returned to his room, emerging minutes later transformed. He had showered and changed, once again resembling the powerful man he once was.
But something had changed. The warmth was gone from his eyes, replaced by cold determination. He had become a man without mercy.
"Let's go," he said, keys in hand. George followed.
"What's the situation at the Yates Group?" Ethan asked as they drove.
"Most people resent Rafferty's leadership. Anyone who doesn't cooperate gets fired. He's replaced most of the staff with his own people. Diannel and Nick have been terminated as well."
Ethan's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "We'll find Diannel and Nick first."
They located the two former executives and, with their help, began assembling a team. Everyone knew Rafferty was guilty, but they needed evidence.
Ethan came alive only when working. When he tried to access funds to finance their operation, he discovered all his accounts frozen. He laughed bitterly—did Rafferty truly believe this would stop him? After years at the Yates Group, Ethan had cultivated extensive connections. A few calls later, resources began flowing in.
Two weeks passed in a whirlwind of activity.
Ethan located the hospital where Michael and Katherine were staying and had them moved to a secure location. He then stormed the Yates mansion and rescued James.
With meticulous planning, Ethan compiled a comprehensive record of Rafferty's crimes and delivered it to the authorities. Before Rafferty could warm his newly acquired CEO's chair, he found himself behind bars.
With the crisis resolved, emptiness crept back into Ethan's heart.
Standing in the familiar surroundings of the Yates mansion, Ethan handed his bank cards to Michael. "Grandfather, I'm not your blood. From today, I'm returning these accounts and relinquishing all responsibilities related to the Yates Group."
"Don't say that, Ethan," Michael protested. "In my heart, you are my grandson. You saved us. These accounts and the CEO position remain yours."
Ethan smiled sadly. "Grandfather, I no longer have the will to lead."
A month had passed without word of Ashley. Ethan had accepted the worst. With his heart turned to ash, how could he possibly manage a corporation?
Michael and James exchanged concerned glances. After a moment, Michael suggested, "Ethan, take some time off. Travel. Clear your head."
Ethan laughed bitterly. "I'll never recover, Grandfather. George is talented—entrust the company to him. Farewell."
As he rose to leave, dizziness overwhelmed him. The world spun, then went black as he collapsed.
"Ethan!"
At the hospital, Doris watched over Ethan's unconscious form, her face etched with worry.
"Doris," Garrett pleaded, "listen to reason. It's been nearly a month. Ethan barely eats or drinks, surviving on IV fluids. If this continues, we'll lose him too."
After an agonizing internal struggle, Doris looked at Ethan's pallid face and made her decision.
"Garrett," she whispered, her voice breaking, "call the hypnotherapist."
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