Chapter 3 A Love Worth Fighting For

Ethan Sinclair had been called many things—ruthless, heartless, a man of power and wealth who bent the world to his will. But never had he been spoken to the way Charles just had.

Charles's cold, unwavering gaze bore into him, his deep brown eyes filled with both fury and determination. He wasn't the type to back down—not now, not ever.

Ethan clenched his fists under the polished mahogany desk. The office, filled with grandeur and luxury, suddenly felt suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on him.

"Now listen, Ethan," Charles said, his voice like steel. "I love Dorothy with all my life, and there's nothing you can do to tear us apart."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. He had always been the one in control, but now, standing before him was a man who wasn't afraid. He reminded Ethan of someone… Fredrick Rusher. His own boss. A man he both feared and respected.

For the first time in years, Ethan felt something foreign—intimidation. But he quickly composed himself, straightening his tie, masking the brief flicker of uncertainty.

"She is my daughter," Ethan snapped, his voice carrying authority.

Charles let out a humorless laugh, tilting his head slightly. "Really? Your daughter?" His lips curled into a smirk.

Ethan's patience thinned. "No one has ever spoken to me like this before. Walk away, or you'll regret it." He turned toward the massive window, looking out at the city lights below. Seoul sparkled under the night sky, but his mind was clouded.

When he turned back, Charles was still standing there, arms crossed, his jaw set in defiance.

Ethan studied him again. He could see it—the way Charles looked at Dorothy. It wasn't just fleeting affection or reckless youth. It was real.

Unlike the wealthy, spoiled suitors he had entertained before, Charles had nothing—but he had her. And that meant everything.

But…

They were too late.

Ethan inhaled deeply before finally saying the words that changed everything.

"Dorothy already has a suitor."

Silence.

The air in the office became unbearably thick.

Dorothy's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"

Her voice came out in a breathless whisper, barely able to comprehend what she had just heard.

Ethan refused to meet her gaze.

"No… no, Dad, you're lying, right?" Dorothy's voice cracked. "Why don't you like him? He's done nothing to you! You're cruel! You're ruthless!"

Tears welled in her eyes as she turned on her heel and ran from the office, her sobs echoing down the hall.

The sound of the heavy wooden door slamming shut sent a jolt through Ethan's chest.

He stood there, frozen.

She had just called him ruthless.

All his life, he had done everything to protect her. To give her a future. And now… she hated him for it.

Charles, however, remained unfazed. Slowly, he walked over to the chair where they had been sitting and lowered himself down, crossing one leg over the other.

His expression was unreadable, but there was something chilling about the way he looked at Ethan.

"Can you explain?" His voice was calm, but there was an underlying sharpness to it.

Ethan exhaled harshly. "She is my daughter. I can make her cry if I want. Now stop the questioning and get out."

Charles leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. His sharp gaze never wavered. "Really? You don't mean that, do you?"

Ethan frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Charles smirked. "Even though we just met, I know you're not the type of man who would deliberately hurt his daughter."

Ethan clenched his jaw.

"It's my Dorothy. Now get out." He pointed toward the door.

But Charles only chuckled darkly. "Come on, Ethan… what kind of imbecile trades their beloved daughter for wealth?"

Ethan's eye twitched. "Watch your mouth, boy."

"Oh? Did I strike a nerve?" Charles's smirk deepened. "Well done, cockroach. You've succeeded in making me angry."

Ethan's grip on the desk tightened.

Charles stood up, dusting off his jeans. "Till we meet again, Ethan." He turned to leave, but just as his hand touched the door handle, Ethan's voice stopped him.

"Do not touch her."

Charles turned slightly, raising a brow.

Ethan's voice was low, almost a whisper. "Her suitor wants her untouched. A virgin."

A dangerous silence followed.

Charles's expression darkened instantly. His eyes flickered with something unreadable—something cold and dangerous.

He studied Ethan for a moment before murmuring under his breath. "Something's off."

With that, he pushed the door open and walked out.

---

Present Day…

The night air was colder than usual, biting at Charles's skin as he sat on the porch of his small cabin. His hands trembled slightly as he held the old photograph of Dorothy.

His chest ached.

His vision blurred with unshed tears.

"I should have dug deeper…" he whispered.

"She wouldn't have died."

A broken sob escaped his lips as he finally let the tears fall.