Chapter fifty-four:《The Unconventional Solution》
The Unexpected Remedy
Ethan's grip on Violet's hand loosened, a silent signal.
Instead of launching into another impassioned defense against the accusations hurled their way, they simply turned and walked away.
The whispers followed them like a persistent shadow, a cacophony of doubt and disapproval.
Let them whisper, Ethan thought, his jaw tight.
Actions speak louder than words.
And act they did.
Instead of retaliating against the snide remarks and thinly veiled insults, they began, subtly, to help.
Aunt Mildred, perpetually complaining about her failing garden?
The next morning, a team of expert gardeners, anonymously hired, descended upon her overgrown patch, transforming it into a vibrant oasis.
Cousin George, struggling with a mountain of debt from a failed business venture?
A discreet loan, with no strings attached, appeared in his account.
The effect wasn't immediate.
Some relatives saw the gestures as a desperate attempt to buy their favor.
"Trying to bribe us now, are they?
" sneered Uncle Harold, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Others remained skeptical, their arms crossed, their expressions stony.
But a few, a precious few, began to waver.
The seed of doubt had been planted.
Meanwhile, in the cutthroat world of business, Ethan's competitors, sensing vulnerability, sharpened their knives.
They saw the family drama as a distraction, an opportunity to strike while Ethan was preoccupied.
They unleashed a barrage of aggressive marketing campaigns, poached key employees, and spread rumors designed to undermine Ethan's company.
They thought he was down.
They were dead wrong.
Ethan had anticipated their moves.
While they were busy gloating, he'd been quietly building alliances, forging partnerships with innovative startups, securing deals that would blindside his competition.
He'd laid a trap, and they'd walked right into it.
The news hit the business world like a shockwave: Ethan's company, seemingly on the back foot, had just secured a game-changing partnership with a tech giant.
The stock market reacted instantly.
His competitors' stocks plummeted, while his soared.
Panic set in.
The whispers in the boardrooms shifted from gleeful anticipation to frantic damage control.
"How did he pull that off?" they muttered in disbelief.
Back on the home front, Violet continued her quiet campaign of kindness.
She discovered that young Lily, her cousin's daughter, was struggling with advanced calculus.
Violet, a whiz with numbers, began tutoring the girl, transforming her from a struggling student to a confident mathlete.
Lily's mother, initially one of the most vocal critics, was overwhelmed with gratitude.
She finally understood.
She began to speak up for Ethan and Violet, explaining their actions, dispelling the rumors that had taken root.
The tide was slowly turning.
One evening, as Violet sat with Lily, working through a particularly challenging problem, the phone rang.
It was one of Ethan's associates, his voice strained.
"Mr.
Blackwood," he began, his voice hushed, "We have a situation.
A new player has entered the game… someone… unexpected.
He's… he's claiming ownership of the Blackwood patents.
" Ethan exchanged a look with Violet, a cold dread creeping into his heart.
He recognized the name.
It couldn't be…
He took the phone from Violet.
"Put him through," Ethan said, his voice a low growl.
A moment later, a smooth, chilling voice echoed through the speaker.
"Ethan, my dear boy," it purred, "Long time no see.
" Ethan's grip tightened on the phone.
He looked at Violet, his eyes filled with a chilling certainty.
The game had just changed.
This wasn't a business rivalry anymore.
This was personal.
He glanced at the chessboard where he'd been teaching Lily earlier.
He picked up a black knight, its obsidian surface gleaming in the lamplight.
He placed it on the board, a decisive move.
"Check," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.