29. Powerful of black Phoenix

Samuel Hamilton was about to insist that at least one of his own bodyguards stay behind to protect Emma. But as he turned to signal his men, he froze in shock. All of them—every single one—were sprawled on the floor, unconscious. The sight made his blood run cold.

These weren't just any bodyguards; they were elite, handpicked for their combat skills and military training, capable of going toe-to-toe with the best forces in the world. And yet, here they were, defeated without a sound or struggle. Samuel's gaze slowly shifted to Ethan's retreating figure, a mix of fear and disbelief washing over him.

How had this happened? Samuel's mind raced. He knew Ethan was formidable, but this was beyond anything he had imagined. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—Ethan wasn't just trying to make a point; he was demonstrating that Samuel's so-called elite guards were utterly useless in the face of true danger.

Samuel's hands clenched into fists, more out of frustration than anything else. The sheer power Ethan wielded was terrifying, and the fact that it had been displayed so casually was even more unsettling. But more than that, Samuel felt a deep sense of helplessness. His pride, his confidence in his own preparations, had been shattered in an instant.

He scanned the area, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of Black Phoenix, the legendary assassin who had taken down his men. But there was nothing—no trace of her presence, no sign that she had even been there. It was as if she were a ghost, a phantom that struck without leaving a single clue behind.

Samuel Hamilton stood frozen in the hospital corridor, his eyes locked on the unconscious bodies of his elite bodyguards. The realization of what had just occurred sent a chill down his spine. These were no ordinary men—they had undergone rigorous military training, selected for their exceptional skills in combat and tactics. Yet, they had been taken down without a sound, without a struggle, in the blink of an eye. The implications were staggering.

Ethan's casual departure down the hallway felt like an ironclad declaration: "You're out of your league." Samuel's jaw tightened, the sting of his pride making it difficult to swallow. The power Ethan had just displayed was something beyond the scope of his understanding—beyond the scope of anything he had ever encountered. He wasn't just showing off; he was sending a message loud and clear.

Finally, after a moment that felt like an eternity, Samuel's mind snapped back to the present. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but the unease gnawing at his gut wouldn't dissipate. He couldn't let it end like this—not without at least trying to confront Ethan.

"Ethan!" Samuel's voice echoed down the corridor, more forceful than he intended. His brother paused mid-stride, his back still turned.

"What is it now, Samuel?" Ethan replied, his tone laced with impatience as he slowly turned around, his expression unreadable. The contrast between his calm demeanor and the carnage he had left behind only served to heighten Samuel's anxiety.

"You had no right," Samuel began, trying to keep his voice steady. "No right to come in here and undermine my authority. Those men were the best of the best, and you—" He faltered, his words catching in his throat as he glanced at his downed bodyguards.

"Are they?" Ethan cut in smoothly, one eyebrow arched in a cold, mocking expression. "The best? Is that what you call this?" He gestured dismissively at the fallen men. "Because from where I'm standing, they look like a bunch of amateurs who couldn't even last a second against real threats."

Samuel's face flushed with anger and humiliation. "You made your point," he growled. "But this isn't just about pride, Ethan. This is about Emma's safety. She's our sister—"

Ethan's eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "And you think I don't know that? You think I don't care about her safety? Let me make something very clear, Samuel. Your 'best' men aren't good enough for what's coming. Not by a long shot. You may have power, influence, and a nice little collection of trained dogs, but that won't save Emma from the kind of enemies she's facing now."

Samuel stiffened, the implications of Ethan's words settling in. "What do you mean? What aren't you telling me?"

Ethan stepped closer, his presence dominating the space between them. "There are forces at play here that you can't even begin to comprehend. Shadows that move in the dark, beyond the reach of your influence. And those shadows are circling Emma."

Samuel swallowed hard, his mind racing. "So, what do we do? Just let you handle it all? We're her brothers, Ethan. We have a responsibility—"

"I'm not saying you don't," Ethan interrupted, his voice softer but no less firm. "But understand this: I'm leaving Black Phoenix to protect Emma because she's the only one who can. Your men would be dead before they even knew what hit them if they tried to stand in her way."

Samuel's mouth opened, but no words came out. The name Black Phoenix sent a shiver through him. She was a ghost, a myth whispered about in the darkest corners of the world—an assassin of unparalleled skill, known for surviving impossible odds. The fact that she was under Ethan's command only added to the enigma that was his brother.

"When did you—how did you even—" Samuel stammered, still reeling from the revelation.

Ethan's eyes softened, just a fraction, as if he recognized the turmoil in Samuel's mind. "There are many things you don't know about me, Samuel. Things I've kept from all of you for your own safety. But trust me when I say, I will protect Emma with everything I have. And right now, that means using every resource at my disposal, including Black Phoenix."

Samuel clenched his fists, torn between frustration and reluctant acceptance. "You're suggesting… she's in danger right now? That these incidents—"

"Are not coincidences," Ethan finished for him. "I've been tracking certain… movements, people who shouldn't be in the city, and all of it points back to Emma. The glass incident was just the beginning. Whoever is behind this wants her gone, and they're getting bolder."

A heavy silence fell between the two brothers as the weight of the situation pressed down on them."But for now, I need you to trust me, Samuel. Go back, do what you can from your end, but let me handle the rest. This isn't a game we can afford to lose."

Samuel hesitated, still wary but knowing deep down that Ethan was right. There were battles where pride had no place, and this was one of them. He nodded, though the movement was stiff, reluctant.

"Fine," Samuel muttered, looking away, unable to fully meet Ethan's gaze. "But you better bring her through this, Ethan. Because if anything happens to Emma—"

"I'll die before I let that happen," Ethan replied, his voice carrying the weight of an unbreakable vow.

With that, Ethan turned, pulling out his phone as he walked away, already barking orders to someone on the other end. Samuel watched him go, his thoughts swirling with everything that had transpired. As he scanned the area one last time, still unable to catch even a glimpse of Black Phoenix, he knew one thing for certain: the Hamilton family was about to be pulled into a darkness they hadn't anticipated.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Samuel accepted the futility of his situation. He had no choice but to leave, knowing that his efforts to protect Emma were now in Ethan's hands. With a resigned expression, he called for the rest of his team, instructing them to gather the unconscious bodyguards and get them out of the hospital.

As he walked away, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his gut. Ethan's display of power, the silent defeat of his guards, the unseen presence of Black Phoenix—it all pointed to a world Samuel had only glimpsed from afar. A world where the rules were different, where strength was measured not just by numbers or training, but by something far more lethal and elusive.

In the back of his mind, Samuel knew that this was just the beginning. Whatever was happening around Emma, it was far more dangerous than he had anticipated. And as much as he hated to admit it, Samuel knew he was out of his depth. The only thing he could do now was trust Ethan's judgment, as unsettling as that was.

But as he left the hospital, one thought lingered: if Ethan was this powerful, how much more dangerous were the enemies they were up against? And what lengths would they go to in order to protect their family, even if it meant tearing down everything in their path?