13. Ethan Hamilton

As Emma and Shirley shared a quiet moment watching the fireworks, they were completely unaware that, hidden in the shadows, a pair of eyes was carefully observing them. The man watching was one of Emma's fourth brother's most trusted operatives, tasked with keeping a close eye on her without her knowledge.

Emma's third and fourth brothers, much like her, were not favored in the family. The third brother, having built a powerful criminal empire, was shunned for his involvement in the underworld. Meanwhile, the fourth brother, with his ruthless intelligence and strategic mind, had risen to become the King of the Night, controlling countless assassination organizations and a vast intelligence network. Despite their estrangement from the family, these two brothers had an unspoken bond with Emma, one that was rooted in their shared experiences of being outsiders.

When Emma's second brother had discovered her journal and shared its contents with their eldest brother, the fourth brother had also become aware, thanks to his extensive network of spies and informants. He had known about Emma's struggles for a long time, but the journal had given him a clearer insight into her loneliness and pain.

Sir, she seems to be in good spirits," the operative reported quietly into a concealed earpiece. "She's with a friend, and they're watching the fireworks together."

The fourth brother listened silently, his expression unreadable. He was seated in a darkened room, the only light coming from the numerous monitors displaying live feeds from various locations. He had always been the most enigmatic of the siblings, his actions and thoughts shrouded in mystery even from his own family.

"Good," he finally said, his voice low and controlled. "Continue to watch over her, but don't let her or her friend notice. If anything unusual happens, I want to know immediately."

The operative acknowledged the order and blended further into the shadows, continuing to keep a watchful eye on Emma and Shirley as they prepared to leave the amusement park.

Back in his headquarters, the fourth brother leaned back in his chair, his mind turning over the new information. The revelation from the journal had stirred something deep within him. Unlike his other siblings, he didn't care much about blood ties or family legacy. To him, the bonds formed in childhood, the shared moments of innocence, were far more significant.

"It doesn't matter if she's really our sister by blood," he murmured to himself, his gaze distant as he recalled the few interactions he'd had with Emma when they were children. She had always been kind and gentle, a stark contrast to the coldness of their household. "What matters is how she treated us, even when the world turned its back on her."

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. One of his lieutenants entered, bowing respectfully."Sir, we've received the latest intelligence report. It seems the group of rich kids who harassed Miss Emma today were acting on someone else's orders. We suspect your new younger sister may be involved."

The fourth brother's eyes narrowed, a cold gleam flashing in them. "Interesting. It seems my new sister is trying to solidify her position. Keep digging. I want every detail on her and anyone she's been in contact with."

The lieutenant nodded and left the room, leaving the fourth brother alone with his thoughts. He considered his next move carefully. Despite his initial reluctance to get involved in family matters, something about Emma's situation made him feel protective. Perhaps it was because she, like him, had been an outcast. Or perhaps it was simply because she had never once treated him with anything less than kindness, even when the rest of the world had turned cold.

As the night wore on, the fourth brother continued to monitor the situation, his mind already formulating plans. He would ensure Emma's safety, but more than that, he would begin to uncover the truth. Whether or not she was their true sister by blood was irrelevant to him. What mattered was that she was someone he respected, someone who had earned his loyalty in a way few others ever had.

"No one will harm you, Emma," he whispered, his voice barely audible in the empty room. "Not while I'm watching."

Meanwhile, as Emma and Shirley left the amusement park, unaware of the silent guardian in the shadows, Emma felt a strange sense of peace wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe, as if some invisible force was watching over her, guiding her steps. She couldn't explain it, but she trusted it, and for now, that was enough.

Shirley, too, felt something as they walked away from the park. She glanced over her shoulder, a frown crossing her face. "Emma, do you feel like… we're being watched?"

Emma paused, looking around. The streets were quiet, with only a few people milling about. "No," she said, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "Why?"

Shirley shook her head, dismissing the feeling. "It's probably nothing. Let's get you home."

But as they continued walking, Shirley couldn't shake the feeling that someone was out there, someone who was watching over them, and she couldn't help but wonder who it was.