32.Monitoring

On his way to pick up Emma from the hospital, Ethan Hamilton made a quick call to one of his most trusted operatives. The car's sleek interior was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of papers as Ethan reviewed his notes. His voice was low, controlled, betraying none of the inner turmoil he felt.

"Shadow, I want you to get close to the false heiress," Ethan instructed, his tone brooking no argument. "Whether we're gathering intelligence or confirming if she's behind this attack on Emma, your proximity to her will make everything easier."

A pause on the other end of the line signaled that Shadow, one of his best agents, was already processing the order. "Understood, sir. How far do you want me to go?"

Ethan's gaze flickered to the scenery passing by the window, his thoughts momentarily clouded with memories of the countless missions he'd overseen. "I don't need her eliminated—yet. But if she's involved, I won't hesitate to administer punishment. Nothing fatal," he added after a beat. "Just enough to remind her that she's playing a dangerous game."

Shadow's response was quick, efficient. "I'll make sure she knows where the line is, and what happens if she crosses it."

Satisfied, Ethan hung up and leaned back in his seat, his mind shifting gears. Running the Twilight Alliance had exposed him to the darkest corners of human nature. He'd trained and managed countless spies and assassins, turning them into tools for gathering information or eliminating threats. Life and death had become routine to him, a series of calculated decisions where human lives were just another variable in a complex equation.

Yet, despite his cold exterior, there were still those he valued—his trusted lieutenants, the members of his inner circle who had proven their loyalty over the years, and of course, Emma. For them, he would cross any line, bend any rule, to ensure their safety. But for someone like the false heiress, whose connection to him was tenuous at best, there was no such consideration. She was useful only as long as she wasn't a threat.

And if it turned out that she was involved in the plot against Emma, there would be no mercy, only consequences. Ethan's experiences had left him cold, indifferent to the fate of most, but he wasn't entirely heartless. The only thing keeping him from ordering her immediate execution was the faint possibility that she shared some blood with him. If not for that, the decision would have been far simpler.

As the car approached the hospital, Ethan's phone buzzed again. It was an update from his operative team.

"Sir, we've begun the surveillance. The false heiress has been spotted meeting with several individuals of interest. We're gathering details now, but it might take some time to connect the dots."

Ethan's lips curled into a thin smile. "Good. Keep me informed. The moment you have something concrete, I want to know."

"Yes, sir. And about Emma—"

"I'll handle Emma," Ethan cut in, his voice softening just a fraction. "Just make sure this operation stays quiet. The last thing we need is for word to get out and for our enemies to tighten their defenses."

"Of course, sir."

Ethan ended the call just as the car pulled up to the hospital entrance. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. His mind was still on the operation, but for now, his focus had to be on Emma. She had been through enough, and he intended to make her recovery as smooth as possible.

As he stepped out of the car, Shirley greeted him at the entrance. She had been staying with Emma, ensuring she had everything she needed.

"Ethan," she said, her voice filled with both relief and concern, "Emma's doing much better. The doctors say she's ready to be discharged."

Ethan nodded, his expression softening as he followed her inside. "Good. I want her to have the best care at home. Spare no expense."

Shirley smiled slightly, though her eyes still held a trace of worry. "You're a good brother, Ethan. She's lucky to have you."

He didn't respond to the compliment, his mind already shifting back to the situation at hand. As they made their way to Emma's room, Ethan knew that the next few days would be crucial. The surveillance on the false heiress would either confirm his suspicions or open up new avenues of inquiry.

But one thing was certain: anyone who had dared to harm Emma would pay dearly for it. And if the false heiress was involved, she would soon learn just how ruthless Ethan Hamilton could be.

As he entered Emma's room, her eyes lit up when she saw him, the exhaustion and pain momentarily forgotten. "Ethan," she greeted him, her voice still weak but filled with affection.

"Ready to go home?" he asked, his tone gentle, a stark contrast to the cold calculation he had shown moments earlier.

She nodded, though a hint of concern lingered in her eyes. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

Ethan smiled reassuringly. "Everything's fine, Emma. You just focus on getting better. I'll take care of the rest."

But even as he said the words, his mind was already back on the looming threat, on the woman who might be behind it all. He would play this game carefully, but he had no doubt about the outcome. One way or another, the truth would come out, and when it did, there would be no escape for those responsible.