decision into the dark road

Sophia was slowly adjusting to life in the small town where Elena lived. Through Elena, she made new friends who warmly welcomed her into their circle. After work in the evenings, they often gathered by the riverside, playing games, laughing, and sharing stories. Sophia made it a point to laugh wholeheartedly at every funny moment, feeling the stress in her heart gradually ease. For the first time in years, she felt the warmth of genuine friendship—bonds so strong they resembled a family.

The group's support and care for each other amazed Sophia. She felt free, playing like a child again. She swam in the river alongside them, her laughter echoing across the water. Later, as some of them roasted bush meat caught in their traps, Sophia sat with the group, sharing the meal and soaking in the love and camaraderie. She discovered a new side of herself—one she hadn't known existed.

Coming from a wealthy family, Sophia had always felt trapped by expectations, and love often felt transactional. But here, she experienced something pure and unconditional. Even though she wasn't ready to open up about her family's troubles, her new friends respected her boundaries, cheering her up and ensuring she felt included.

As the evening came to a close, Sophia sat on a stone by the riverside, lost in thought. She knew she couldn't stay here forever. She needed to save money and plan her next steps. She had to find her path. Her thoughts were interrupted when Elena splashed water on her and called her to join the fun.

After they returned home, Sophia expressed her gratitude to the group. "Thank you all. It really means a lot to have you around," she said sincerely.

Justin, one of the group members, replied with a grin, "Don't worry about it. We're friends now, okay? If you ever need help, just let us know."

Sophia smiled and nodded. "Okay. Bye!" She and Elena waved as the others left. Back in their small home, the two began preparing for the next day's work before heading to bed.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Ethan was restless. He couldn't stop thinking about his mother, praying silently for her recovery. "She suffered so much for me. I'm her hope. Now that I've brought Mr. Maxwell to help, please recover fast," he whispered in his heart.

Despite the doctors urging him to leave and come back the next day, Ethan stayed, unable to leave his mother's side.

That evening, Mr. Maxwell arrived at the hospital after work. "Hey, Ethan, how's your mom doing now?" he asked as he approached Ethan from behind.

Ethan and Sam greeted him. "Welcome, sir," they said in unison.

"The doctor says she's responding gradually. Once they're done, I'll be able to see her, but she needs more rest for now," Ethan explained, exhaustion evident in his voice.

"Good. Let the professionals do their job. Come on, let's go home and check on her early tomorrow," Mr. Maxwell said, handing Ethan a small, luxurious-looking box.

Ethan hesitated, his heart racing. Why is he giving me another gift? he wondered. "Thank you, sir," he said politely, taking the box.

As they drove home, Mr. Maxwell asked, "Do you know what's in the box?"

Ethan smiled and started to open it. "I think it's another wristwatch or something," he said, chuckling.

But as he paused, a thought struck him. "Sir, why did you believe my story so easily? Most rich men wouldn't believe someone like me could be related to them. You didn't even ask many questions."

Mr. Maxwell laughed. "When you see someone who's your blood, you just know. It's in the way they carry themselves, the way they look."

He paused for a moment, then added, "You have a birthmark on your arm, don't you?"

Ethan rolled up his sleeve. "Yes, I do."

Mr. Maxwell lifted his shirt to reveal the same birthmark on his torso. "All my forefathers had this birthmark, and their children inherited it too. That's how I knew the son my wife brought into my home wasn't mine. A DNA test later confirmed it. But with you, I didn't need a test. I just knew."

Ethan was speechless, his confusion replaced with awe. He opened the box and found a delicate gold necklace inside. "This looks real. Wow!" he exclaimed.

"Do you like it?" Mr. Maxwell asked, smiling.

"Yes, I love it. Thank you, Dad," Ethan replied, putting it on.

As they arrived at the house, the security guards greeted them, one of them rushing to Ethan with a tablet. "Sir, I found something you might want to see," the guard said, showing him a video.

Ethan watched in shock as James appeared on-screen, accusing Mr. Caldwell of being greedy and ruthless. James promised to expose the family's secrets and claimed he'd create a better environment for the workers.

Ethan's heart sank. What must Sophia be going through right now? he thought. The guard added that Mr. Caldwell had ordered his management to ramp up production to recover their losses.

"Thank you for letting me know," Ethan said, dismissing the guard. He headed inside, his face etched with worry.

"What's wrong, Ethan? You care about Caldwell Horizon, don't you?" Mr. Maxwell asked as Ethan sat on the couch.

Ethan sighed. "I don't think Mr. Caldwell is responsible for Reynold's death, but I can't be sure without knowing the full story. I need to find out the truth."

"Be careful," Mr. Maxwell warned. "The truth is often buried under layers of deceit."

"I need a plan to rescue Sophia," Ethan said, determination lighting up his face.

Mr. Maxwell chuckled. "So, there's a girl involved. I knew it."

"Dad, I need your help," Ethan said seriously.

Mr. Maxwell leaned forward. "Ask Mr. Caldwell about Reynold's death. If he's innocent, I'll help him. But if he's guilty, I can't intervene—it would be karma catching up to him."

Ethan nodded. "I'll confront him myself. But if he denies it?"

"Watch his eyes and listen carefully to his voice. You'll sense the truth," Mr. Maxwell advised.

Ethan smiled. "You're very wise, Dad. I'll follow your advice."

"So when do you plan to go?" Mr. Maxwell asked in a soft voice.

"After my mom is better, I'll go and find out the truth," Ethan replied.

"Alright, just know that you'll do this alone. I want to see how well you can handle the situations out there. Disguise yourself as the poor man they know you to be. Only ask for money or help if it's absolutely necessary for your safety. Do not reveal your true identity as my son. This is your task to test your ability and wisdom," Mr. Maxwell explained.

"Okay, Dad. I'd be happy to show you what I can do. I won't let you down," Ethan said, a confident smile spreading across his face.

The cook interrupted, "Dinner is ready, sir," she said politely.

"Wow, I'm starving already," Ethan replied, already feeling more at ease than he had when he first arrived.

"Dad, come on, let's eat. The food will get cold, and your book won't disappear," Ethan joked, and they both laughed.

As they sat down to eat, Mr. Maxwell spoke again. "About this mission you're taking on… be careful. James won't just let you do this without trying to stop you. If he notices you, he won't want you to succeed. You'll need to play it smart and outsmart him. He'll underestimate you, thinking you're not on his level, so you have a chance to expose his flaws. But remember, if you reveal your true identity, it won't be hard for him to bring you down. He'll try to spoil your image to the world, and that's one of the biggest weaknesses of the rich. If the world knows you're my son, and he accuses you of something, it could affect both of us. That's why many wealthy people avoid getting involved in situations like this—because it could ruin their reputation. Keep in mind, your mission is to rescue and expose. If you reach a point where you can't handle it, it's fine. Just come back, or let me know, and I'll handle it from there." Mr. Maxwell's face showed genuine concern.

"Don't worry, Dad. I get it. I'll be careful. And I'll show you that I'm not just your son—I'm just as smart as you," Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

At that moment, Sam entered the room. "Sir, Mrs. Audrey is in a better condition now. She'll probably be able to speak by tomorrow. But for now, the doctor says she's still sleeping because the treatment had a sedative effect," Sam reported in a calm voice.

"That's good to hear," Mr. Maxwell responded.

"Good job, Sam," Ethan added.

Sam smiled and nodded. "Thank you, small master."

Ethan chuckled, then excused himself and went to his room. As he sat down, he began to think about how he would handle everything without getting overwhelmed. Rescue and expose, he repeated in his mind, knowing that the path ahead would not be easy.