System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Chapter 274: Chapter 274: The Mask of a Traitor

Ethan stood over the trembling man, watching him squirm on the infirmary floor. The more Vincent talked, the more he looked like a cornered animal trying to chew off its own leg to survive.

”I didn’t betray him! It was Jason! Your father’s personal guard, Jason... he’s the one who sold him out! He’s the one who turned on the old man, not me!” shouted the prisoner.

Ethan didn’t even blink. He looked down at Vincent with a pitying smirk. ”Is that the best you’ve got? Blaming the help? Jason works for me now, Vincent. He told me everything. He was the only one who stayed loyal while you were busy sharpening the knife for my father’s back,” Ethan said.

Vincent’s face paled, his eyes bulging. ”He’s lying! He’s trying to save himself! It’s all a misunderstanding, Ethan. I’ve been looking for you... I wanted to give you everything! Your father’s share, the legacy... it was all waiting for you!” said the prisoner.

”Stop. Just stop. My father left me a video, Vincent. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen the recording of you standing in his office, threatening his life if he didn’t hand over the keys to the kingdom,” Ethan said.

”No! That’s a trick! It’s deep-fake technology! Someone is incrimating me! I would be incapable of such a thing... I’m a businessman, not a killer!” shouted the prisoner, his voice cracking as he scrambled for a new lie.

Ethan’s expression turned into a mask of pure, frigid steel. He leaned in, his presence suffocating the small room.

”You’re a parasite. My father built the foundation, and you thought you could just kick him out and keep the house. Speaking of houses... I know you were the one who authorized the seizure of my parents’ home. You had the place stripped bare, didn’t you? You weren’t looking for memories; you were looking for his stock market analysis software,” Ethan said.

”I... I was just protecting the company’s assets... I had to ensure the intellectual property was safe...” said the prisoner.

The pathetic facade finally shattered. Ethan didn’t wait for him to finish. He delivered a stinging, backhanded slap that sent Vincent spinning across the floor, his excuses replaced by a mouthful of blood and a stunned silence.

”Shut up. The time for lying is over. You stole their home, you stole their peace, and you tried to steal their future. Now, I’m going to watch you rot in a cell while I tear down everything you ever built,” Ethan said.

Vincent lay on the floor, his cheek swelling rapidly, staring up at Ethan with the realization that there was no way out. The boy he had once dismissed as a non-threat had returned as his executioner.

”You’re going to live in this hellhole, Vincent. I’m going to make sure you rot here forever. No visitors, no lawyers, no hope. No one is coming for you. You will die in these walls, forgotten by the world,” said Ethan.

”Ethan, please... just kill me then! Don’t do this!” shouted the prisoner, tears streaming down his bruised face.

”Killing you would be too easy. It would be a mercy, and I’m not feeling merciful today. You murdered my father and thought you could just move on with your life? No. I want you to feel every second of your useless existence slipping away in total darkness,” said Ethan.

Vincent began to sob, his body racking with tremors as the weight of Ethan’s psychological pressure crushed his spirit.

”And don’t worry about Lucas. I have the same fate planned for him. I’m going to destroy him completely. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have him sent here as your cellmate so you can watch each other suffer for the rest of your lives,” said Ethan.

The mention of his son broke the last of Vincent’s defenses. The panic in his eyes turned into a frantic, raw desperation. He grabbed at the air, trying to reach Ethan’s hem.

”No! Not Lucas! Please, Ethan, listen to me! It was all me! I authorized the hit on you while you were in prison! I was the one who ordered the assault on the transport truck to eliminate your men! I admit it... I killed your father! I did it all!” shouted the prisoner.

Ethan stood perfectly still, his eyes cold as he recorded every word of the confession.

”But Lucas... he’s innocent! He doesn’t know anything! He’s just a boy, he had nothing to do with what I did! Take my life, torture me, do whatever you want to me, but please... have mercy on my son! Don’t hurt Lucas!” shouted the prisoner, his voice cracking into a desperate wail.

Ethan looked down at the man who was now openly admitting to every crime, begging for the life of the son he had tried to build a stolen empire for.

”It’s a bit late for fatherly love, Vincent. You should have thought about Lucas before you turned my father’s life into a tragedy. Now, you both get to play your parts in mine,” said Ethan.

Ethan turned his back on the broken man, ignoring the frantic pleas and the sound of Vincent’s forehead hitting the floor as he bowed in a desperate, futile prayer for mercy.

Ethan stopped just as he reached the door. He paused, his hand on the frame, and slowly turned his head to look back at the broken man on the floor. A thin, cruel smile played on his lips.

”You know, Vincent... I’ve heard your wife is quite a beautiful woman. And your daughter-in-law, too. Very elegant,” said Ethan.

Vincent froze, his breath hitching in his throat. ”What... what are you saying?” said the prisoner.

”Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they aren’t lonely once you and Lucas are gone. Just like you ’took care’ of my father’s company, I’ll take care of them. I’ll make sure they have everything they need... under my roof,” said Ethan.

”You monster... leave them out of this!” shouted the prisoner, his voice weak and trembling.

Ethan ignored the outburst and stepped closer, his presence turning heavy and suffocating. ”I have one last question for you. Your answer will define exactly how much skin you keep on your bones by tomorrow morning,” said Ethan.

Vincent looked up, a tiny, desperate flicker of hope igniting in his eyes. He thought he saw a deal. He thought there was a way out. ”Yes! Anything! I’ll tell you anything you want to know! Just ask!” shouted the prisoner.

Ethan slowly began to roll up his sleeves, his movements methodical and calm. His eyes were like twin voids, cold and unforgiving. He leaned down, his voice dropping to a low, lethal whisper that seemed to vibrate through the very floorboards.

”Did you murder my little sister?” asked Ethan.

The air in the infirmary seemed to vanish. Vincent’s mouth hung open, but no sound came out. The flicker of hope in his eyes was instantly extinguished, replaced by a paralyzing, soul-deep dread. He realized then that Ethan wasn’t looking for a confession to use in court—he was looking for a reason to tear the world apart.

Ethan stood in the heavy silence, his eyes boring into Vincent’s soul. The man couldn’t even find the words to lie; his trembling lips and the way he recoiled told the whole story.

”I see... your eyes say everything I need to know,” said Ethan.

The coldness in Ethan’s voice was absolute. He turned away, his heart turning into a block of ice as he stepped toward the door. Miller was already there, holding the heavy steel handle, his expression grim.

”I don’t want him seeing anyone from this moment on. No messages, no lawyers, no contact with the outside world. I want him in total darkness, Miller. Completely isolated. Do whatever you have to do to break him down to his very core,” said Ethan.

”Total blackout. I got it, boss. But the red tape for that kind of isolation is usually a headache,” said Miller.

”I’ll speak with Director Hayes. She’ll give you permission for everything. You have a blank check, Miller. Don’t disappoint me. The next time I come here, I expect to find him very... cooperative,” said Ethan.

Miller straightened his cap and gave a sharp, determined nod, a cold glint appearing in his eyes.

”Don’t worry, Ethan. I know exactly what needs to be done. I’ll follow your instructions to the letter. By the time you’re back, he’ll be begging for the chance to tell you the color of the air,” said Miller.

Ethan walked out of the prison gates, the heavy iron clanging shut behind him for the last time that day. He ignored the respectful nods from the tower guards and headed straight for his armored SUV. Once inside, the silence of the cabin felt like a heavy shroud.

He sank deep into the leather seat, the adrenaline finally ebbing away to leave a hollow, aching coldness in its chest. Ethan raised his trembling hands and covered his eyes, leaning his head back against the headrest.

”I’m sorry it took me so long, Dad,” said Ethan.