ETHAN
I don't take the severance.
Instead, I storm Sterling Tower the next morning. Furious. Done being strategic. Done being calm. Done letting Chase destroy me quietly.
If he wants war, I'll give him war. Publicly. Loudly. In front of everyone.
Security tries to stop me. "Sir, do you have an appointment?"
"I don't need an appointment. I'm family." I push past. Head for the elevators. "Tell Chase his brother is here."
They call ahead. Alert someone. But I'm already in the elevator. Already rising toward Chase's floor. Already committed to confrontation.
The elevator opens to executive level. All glass and marble and expensive everything. People working. Typing. Making calls. Running an empire.
I walk straight to Chase's office. Don't knock. Just push open the door.
Chase sits at his desk. Looking at his computer. Not surprised. Like he was expecting me.
"Ethan," he says. Voice flat. Empty. "I thought you'd take the severance. Smart money was on you disappearing quietly."
