Nadia stood in Ethan's room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes blazing with anger. "You think you can come back and pretend everything is fine?" she spat. "I know about the woman, Ethan. Ana, Mary...even one with ties to the mafia. Don't think I'm unaware."
Ethan sighed, maintaining his composure. "Nadia, I'm not here to hide anything or to play games. I'm here to make things right, but if that's not what you want, I'll talk to Gregory. I'll refuse this marriage and convince him that I don't need it to succeed."
Nadia's eyes widened in surprise, her anger momentarily replaced by confusion. "You would do that? Just walk away from everything?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, if that's what it takes to make things right for both of us. I'll tell Gregory that I don't need this marriage. I'll prove myself on my own terms."
Nadia's face trembled with rage. "You think it's that simple? You think you can just walk away and leave me with nothing?"
Ethan shook his head. "I'm not trying to leave you with nothing. I understand now that you're here because you've worked hard for this. If you're willing to work with me, we can both get what we want."
Nadia's expression hardened, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. "You don't get it, do you? I've fought tooth and nail to earn my place here. I'm not giving it up. If I have to, I'll make sure your family hates you and loves me."
Ethan stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "Nadia, listen to me. We don't have to fight. We can work together. You have information, experience, and connections that I need. In exchange, I'll earn us many properties, and I'll share them with you. We can both come out of this stronger."
Nadia's eyes narrowed as she studied him, her mind racing. "You're serious?"
"Yes," Ethan said. "I'm willing to put in the work, but I need your help. Tell me everything you know, everything that can help us succeed. I promise you, we'll both benefit."
Nadia hesitated, her anger giving way to contemplation. She could see the sincerity in Ethan's eyes, the determination to make things right. Slowly, she uncrossed her arms and took a deep breath. "Alright. But this doesn't mean I trust you completely. You have a lot to prove."
"I understand," Ethan said, nodding. "Let's start by figuring out what went wrong and how we can fix it together."
Nadia sat down, her posture still tense but less hostile. "Fine. Do you want to know what happened after you left?" Her words offered a temporary truce between them.
His lips curved into a ery smile as he shook his head.
Nadia sat down, her posture still tense but less hostile. "Fine. Do you want to know what happened after you left?" Her words offered a temporary truce between them.
Ethan's lips curved into a wry smile as he shook his head. "Actually, I want to know everything from the very start. Tell me about the family, their names, their roles. I need to understand the full picture."
Nadia's eyes narrowed in confusion. "You want me to explain everything from the beginning?"
"Yes," Ethan said, his tone resolute. "I need to know who everyone is and how they fit into this puzzle. Start with the names of the family members."
Nadia sighed, clearly annoyed but sensing his determination. "Alright," she said reluctantly. "Your immediate family first. Your father, Gregory, obviously, is the head of the family and runs the business. Then there's your sister, Emily. She's a couple of years younger than you and handles the charity work under the family's name."
Ethan nodded, listening intently. "And who else?"
"Your elder brother, Lucas," Nadia continued. "He's ambitious and has been handling some of the business aspects while you were gone. He sees himself as your competition now that you're back. And then the second brother Liam. he is not only active, hostile but had great contacts. His wife had a good reputation in the family and managed most of the work.
She had a good impression on your father while all I can do is depend on their sympathy." she glared at him with an accustary gaze but he ignored it and nodded.
She frowned when he took out a notebook to record that.
"Why don't you remember their names?" her voice came out dull of hostility but he only smiled in exchange as if he understood her doubts.
"I have suffered an accident and it caused me partial amnesia. I have forgotten most of the part about my family." he explained softly but she only gave him a doubtful look.
It was not that he had only forgotten about them. But he felt like a completely different person. His whole personality had changed. Could it be..? Wild thoughts started to dance in her mind. But Ethan ignored her doubts for now.
Ethan processed this information, making mental notes. "What about extended family? Anyone else I should know about?"
Nadia's frown deepened. "There's your cousin, Adrian. He's Gregory's nephew and is involved in the financial side of the business. He's loyal but always looks out for his own interests. Then there's Aunt Clara, your father's sister. She doesn't have a direct role in the business but has a lot of influence in family matters."
Ethan's eyes remained fixed on Nadia, absorbing every word. "And you? How do you fit into all of this?"
Nadia's gaze flickered with a mix of emotions. "I was brought in because our marriage was supposed to strengthen the business alliances between our families. My father, Victor, has significant investments in various sectors. Our marriage was strategic, meant to benefit both sides."
Ethan nodded slowly. "Alright. That gives me a clearer picture. Now, tell me what happened after I left."
Nadia leaned back slightly, her arms crossing over her chest once more. "You disappeared without a trace, no explanation. It threw everything into chaos. Your father was furious, your siblings took the benefit of it. Even your cousin had a bigger role in the business than you.
Your father is going to write his will soon. I am not even sure how you are going to convince him to get a few business on your name.
If you think that a small restaurant is enough to get a position then you are a fool. and I will be left to face the brunt if you keep making mistakes."
"You do not need to trust me, Nadia. You will get the result in a week. If not, you can break this collaboration between us."
Nadia nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll give you the details, but this doesn't mean I trust you completely. You have a lot to prove."
"I know," Ethan said, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's start from here and see where it takes us."
Nadia began recounting the intricacies of the business, the alliances, and the betrayals. As she spoke, Ethan could see the depth of her involvement, the hard work she had put in to maintain her standing within the family. The more she shared, the more he realized how much he had to catch up on.
The conversation stretched late into the night, with Nadia outlining the business dynamics, key players, and the challenges they faced. Ethan listened intently, asking questions, and seeking clarification.
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