the mark of trust

Ethan woke up early that morning, feeling both anxious and excited about the day ahead. After getting dressed, he walked into the living room where Mr. Maxwell was already seated, sipping coffee and reading a newspaper.

"Good morning, Dad," Ethan greeted with a bright smile, attempting to hide the nervousness in his tone.

Mr. Maxwell lowered the newspaper and looked up, a warm but firm expression on his face. "Good morning, Ethan. How was your night?"

"It was good, sir. And yours?" Ethan responded politely, his posture upright to show respect.

"Good," Mr. Maxwell replied with a subtle nod. Then, with a tone of authority, he added, "Are you ready? We'll be leaving in ten minutes."

"Yes, sir," Ethan replied quickly, before excusing himself to check on his mother in the guest room.

He knocked gently on the door.

"Come in," Audrey's soft voice called from inside.

Ethan opened the door to see his mother standing in front of the mirror, adjusting her dress. She looked elegant yet humble, the simple attire doing little to hide her graceful demeanor.

"Good morning, Mom," Ethan greeted with affection.

"Morning, dear. How do I look?" she asked, turning slightly with a proud smile that reached her eyes.

"You look beautiful, Mom," Ethan replied sincerely.

Audrey smiled, but her expression turned serious as she walked over to her son. "Ethan, listen carefully. You're going out with Mr. Maxwell today. This is your chance to prove yourself worthy of being his son. Don't disappoint me, okay?"

Ethan swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. "I'll do my best, Mom," he assured her.

Audrey straightened his shirt, her maternal instincts on full display. "Good. Just remember, this is about more than just you. Make us proud."

With a final smile, Ethan left the room and joined Mr. Maxwell, who was waiting by the door. Together, they got into a sleek black car and began their journey toward New York City.

As the car cruised down the highway, Mr. Maxwell broke the silence. "So, Ethan, what's your plan? Do you have a strategy for rescuing Caldwell Horizon?"

Ethan hesitated, thinking carefully before answering. "Yes, I do. My plan is to approach the situation as my usual self—a simple, struggling man. With Sophia's help, I'll gather information about Mr. Caldwell and the company's situation. Once I know enough, I'll carefully approach Mr. Caldwell to ask him questions directly, without upsetting him. I'll keep everything calm to ensure he trusts me enough to talk."

Mr. Maxwell raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And after that?"

"After that, I'll call you and provide a full update. If you think the situation is worth intervening, then we'll move forward with your plan to save them," Ethan explained confidently.

Mr. Maxwell leaned back in his seat, his expression unreadable. "What about James? Do you have a plan if he comes after you?"

Ethan's jaw tightened as he considered the question. "Yes, I'll be cautious and keep a low profile. I won't let James see me as a threat. He might have promised to punish me for being close to Sophia, but I doubt he'll act recklessly. He wouldn't want to reveal his true nature to the public."

"That's a smart approach," Mr. Maxwell said, nodding approvingly. "Have you been in contact with Sophia? Is she willing to help you with information?"

Ethan's gaze shifted to the passing scenery outside. "No, I haven't spoken to her in a while. The last time I saw her was on the night of Mr. Caldwell's birthday—the same night the robbery happened. I didn't know about the attack until after I left."

"Tell me more about that night," Mr. Maxwell said, his tone sharp with curiosity.

Ethan sighed, his voice tinged with embarrassment and determination. "That night, Mr. Caldwell wanted to meet Sophia's boyfriend—the man she intended to marry. When she introduced me, everyone mocked me because of my appearance. I was dressed plainly, and some of his friends whispered insults about me being a shame to the Caldwell family.

"One man even accused Mr. Caldwell of rejecting a successful suitor for Sophia just because his daughter chose someone like me. Mr. Caldwell, however, handled the situation maturely. He called me over, patted my back, and said, 'You're not worthy of my daughter yet. Prove yourself as a real man, and then we'll talk.'

"I promised him that I'd return after proving myself. The ridicule from the guests that day still haunts me, but it also drives me to succeed."

Mr. Maxwell listened intently, his expression softening. "You've been through a lot, Ethan. Don't worry—I'll support you. Just stick to the plan and stay careful. I'll have Sam transfer funds to your account in case you need anything. Once this mission is over, you'll work closely with me as my personal accountant. You'll manage everything under my guidance. Deal?"

Ethan nodded, a surge of gratitude washing over him. "Deal, Dad."

When they arrived at Mr. Maxwell's mansion in New York City, Ethan's jaw dropped. The estate was breathtaking—an enormous property with lush gardens, towering fountains, and gleaming luxury cars parked in the driveway. Ethan couldn't hide his amazement.

"This is one of my homes," Mr. Maxwell said casually as they stepped out of the car. "I brought you here to show you something important."

As they walked through the grand entrance, Ethan's eyes widened at the opulence. Every detail, from the marble floors to the crystal chandeliers, screamed wealth and sophistication. Even the furniture looked like it belonged in a museum.

Before Ethan could fully absorb his surroundings, Sam approached with a ledger and a pen. "Young master, please provide your account details so I can transfer the funds."

Ethan fumbled with the pen, his hands shaky from the overwhelming sights around him. He scribbled his details and handed the paper back to Sam.

"Follow me," Mr. Maxwell instructed.

They descended a hidden staircase that Mr. Maxwell revealed by pressing a button on his wristwatch. The staircase led to an underground facility unlike anything Ethan had ever seen. The room was illuminated by sleek, futuristic lighting, showcasing golden cars, advanced robots, and treasures worth unimaginable sums.

Ethan's eyes darted around, his heart racing. "This… this is incredible," he stammered.

"Stay close," Mr. Maxwell said as they entered another room filled with stacks of money, floor to ceiling.

Ethan stood frozen, his mouth agape. "Dad, what is this place? What's going on?"

"Just follow me. I'll explain everything to you when it's the right time," Mr. Maxwell replied, his tone calm but firm, as they approached a sleek, humanoid robot stationed in the center of the room.

Ethan froze in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief as he peered cautiously from behind Mr. Maxwell. The robot's design was unlike anything he had ever imagined—its gleaming metallic frame seemed almost alive, with glowing blue eyes that exuded an unsettling intelligence.

"Welcome, Maxwell and Ethan. How may I assist you?" the robot said, its voice smooth yet eerily mechanical.

Ethan's breath hitched, his palms growing clammy as he instinctively stepped back, his heart pounding in his chest. Every part of his body screamed that he should flee, yet his curiosity rooted him to the spot.

"I want to confirm his identity to mine and grant him full access—as my son," Mr. Maxwell said with unwavering authority, glancing briefly at Ethan, whose face reflected a mixture of awe and apprehension.

"Request granted," the robot replied without hesitation.

Suddenly, a small drone-like device emerged from the ceiling, humming softly as it descended toward Ethan. He instinctively flinched as the machine positioned itself before him, scanning his face with a precise beam of light that traced every contour.

"What… what's happening?" Ethan stammered, his voice trembling.

"Relax, son. Just follow the instructions," Mr. Maxwell reassured him, his tone steady.

A second machine appeared, displaying a glowing fingerprint scanner. "Place your fingers," Mr. Maxwell instructed.

Ethan hesitated, his gaze darting between his father and the cold, unyielding machine. After a moment, he swallowed hard and extended his trembling hand, pressing his fingers against the scanner.

A sudden hiss filled the air as a slender device descended from above. Before Ethan could react, it delivered a swift injection of an unfamiliar blue substance into his neck. His body stiffened as a wave of dizziness overtook him. His vision blurred, the room spinning wildly before his eyes. He staggered slightly, clutching his head as he tried to steady himself.

"Dad… what's going on?" Ethan whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible as he felt an inexplicable heat coursing through his veins.

"Just hold on," Mr. Maxwell said, his expression unreadable yet calm.

As the process completed, Ethan's knees buckled, but he managed to stay upright. Slowly, his vision cleared, and the sensation in his body began to normalize.

"Task completed. Is there anything else you require, Maxwell?" the robot asked, its glowing eyes focused on Mr. Maxwell.

"No, that will be all for now. Thank you," Mr. Maxwell replied, his tone exuding confidence.

Ethan stood in stunned silence, the shock of the events etched across his face. The weight of what had just happened pressed heavily on him as they made their way back to the car. He struggled to find the right words, his mind racing with unanswered questions.

"Dad…" he finally managed, his voice shaky, "what was all that stuff? The robots, the scanning… and why was I injected with… whatever that was?"

Mr. Maxwell placed a firm yet gentle hand on Ethan's shoulder, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's okay, son. After you've completed your task with Mr. Caldwell, I promise I'll explain everything to you," he said, his tone warm but unwavering.

Ethan stared at him, his heart still racing. "I've never seen anything like that in my entire life," he admitted, his voice filled with a mix of wonder and unease.

"Why did it inject something into me?" he asked again, the tension in his voice revealing his lingering fear.

"It was necessary," Mr. Maxwell replied simply. He looked directly into Ethan's eyes, his expression softening. "Do you trust me?"

Ethan hesitated for a brief moment before nodding. "Yes, I trust you."

"Good. Then trust me when I say that I'll explain everything to you when the time is right," Mr. Maxwell said reassuringly.

The words lingered in Ethan's mind, their weight growing heavier with each passing second. "When the time is right…" The phrase echoed in his thoughts, stirring an unease he couldn't shake. He sat silently as they drove back, the gravity of the moment settling over him like a thick fog.

Deep inside, a storm of emotions churned. Questions without answers gnawed at his resolve, and the mysterious encounter left him feeling both awed and vulnerable. His chest tightened as doubt and uncertainty began to creep in, making him feel a faint weakness in his heart.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, one thing became clear to him—his life would never be the same again.