Chapter 5 The Vanishing Act

❤️❤️❤️The Vanishing Act❤️❤️❤️

Ethan's response was deliberate, his voice firm.

"I understand, Mr. Montgomery."

But his tone conveyed something else entirely.

A subtle defiance.

A refusal to yield.

Mr. Montgomery's expectation hung in the air.

"I expect your confirmation, Ethan."

Ethan's pause was calculated.

"I'll review Emily's file and make my own decision."

The line went silent.

Mr. Montgomery's anger was palpable, even through the phone.

"Ethan, don't test me."

"I'm not testing you, sir," Ethan replied, his tone even.

"I'm running my company, as I see fit."

The implications were clear.

Ethan wouldn't be swayed by Montgomery's influence.

Or Sophia's manipulation.

Mr. Montgomery's voice dropped to a menacing tone.

"We'll discuss this further."

The line went dead.

Ethan stood tall, his jaw set.

He wouldn't back down.

Not to Montgomery.

Not to anyone.

His phone buzzed again.

This time, it was Victor.

"Sir, Sophia's left the estate."

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"Ensure security remains tight."

Victor's affirmation was immediate.

"Yes, sir."

Ethan's thoughts turned to Emily.

Her file.

Her determination.

A smile crept onto his lips.

He wouldn't let Montgomery dictate his decisions.

Ethan's sleep was fitful, Montgomery's words echoing in his mind.

But as morning dawned, he shook off the unease.

Sunday's calm enveloped his estate.

He dialed Rachel's number.

"Good morning, sir," Rachel answered respectfully.

"Sir, it's Sunday. You're not usually-"

"I need Emily's files, Rachel," Ethan interrupted.

"And I want you to bring Emily with you, to my apartment."

Rachel's pause was brief.

"Sir, I'm at church right now."

"I'll bring everything once the service is over."

Ethan's gaze drifted to the clock.

"Be here within the hour."

Rachel's confirmation was immediate.

"Yes, sir."

Ethan ended the call.

His thoughts turned to Emily.

What would she think of this sudden summons?

.

.

As he waited, Ethan's mind wandered.

To the file.

To Emily's determination.

To Montgomery's threat.

The doorbell echoed through Ethan's estate, shattering the silence.

Ethan rose from his chair, his movements fluid.

He approached the entrance, where Rachel and Emily waited.

"Mr. Ethan," Rachel said, her voice professional.

"I've brought Emily and her files, as requested."

Ethan's smile was fleeting.

"Thank you, Rachel."

Rachel handed Ethan the file.

"Emily," Ethan said, turning to her.

"Let's discuss your file."

Emily's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

But beneath that, Ethan detected.

A flicker of unease.

A hint of attraction.

He dismissed the thought.

Focus on the task at hand.

Emily nodded.

Rachel turned to leave.

"I'll take my leave, sir," she said.

Ethan nodded.

"Thank you, Rachel."

As Rachel departed, Ethan gestured for Emily to sit.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," he said.

Emily sat, her hands clasped together.

Ethan joined her, opening the file.

"Let's review your work," he said.

Their eyes met.

For a moment.

Before Ethan focused on the file.

Ethan scrutinized Emily's academic file.

Minor issues caught his attention.

"Emily, can you explain these discrepancies?" he asked.

Emily leaned forward, her eyes locked on his.

"In my sophomore year, I was working on a group project," she began.

"One of my teammates submitted a similar paper."

"Unfortunately, the professor didn't notice."

Ethan's gaze narrowed.

"And you didn't report it?"

Emily's cheeks flushed.

"I should have, but I didn't want to ruin my teammate's grade."

Ethan's expression softened.

Impressed by her honesty.

For the first time, he truly saw Emily.

Her long, ebony hair cascaded down her back.

Natural, not artificially enhanced.

Her porcelain skin glowed.

Ethan's eyes lingered on her features.

Lust sparked within him.

Why did Sophia despise Emily?

She was talented, kind, and beautiful.

Ethan's thoughts startled him.

He regained his composure.

Dismissed the unwanted attraction.

Focus on the task at hand.

"Thank you for clarifying, Emily," Ethan said.

His tone professional once more.

"Your work is impressive."

Emily smiled.

Relief washing over her face.

"I'm glad I could explain," she said.

Ethan nodded.

"Your dedication is evident."

As they discussed further.

Ethan struggled to maintain his distance.

Emily's presence had unsettled him.

In ways he couldn't understand.

Ethan considered offering Emily a glass of wine.

But pride intervened.

He didn't want to reveal his growing interest.

So he shrugged the thought off.

"Time to call it a day, I suppose," Ethan said.

Emily nodded.

"I should head home."

"I'll have my driver take you," Ethan offered.

Emily hesitated.

But Ethan insisted.

"A call, please, James," Ethan said into his intercom.

The driver arrived promptly.

"Thank you, Mr. Ethan," Emily said.

As she departed with the driver.

Ethan watched her leave.

Unsettled.

For the first time since his parents' tragic accident.

Ethan had guarded his heart.

No woman had breached his defenses.

Until Emily.

Her humility.

Her beauty.

Haunted him.

But Ethan shoved aside the feelings.

He wasn't ready.

For love.

For vulnerability.

He focused on the file still open on his desk.

Montgomery's threat lingered.

Ethan's priorities remained clear.

Business.

Protection.

No room for romance.

Yet.

Emily's smile lingered in his mind.

A nagging sense of longing.

Ethan pushed it away.

He wouldn't surrender.

Not yet.

.

.

Ethan's evening passed in a blur.

His mind wandered to Emily.

Her eyes.

He shook his head.

Focus on Montgomery.

On the threat.

Ethan's phone buzzed.

Rachel's name flashed on the screen.

"Sir, Sophia's been asking questions," Rachel said.

"About Emily."

Ethan's grip tightened.

"What did you tell her?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Good."

Ethan ended the call.

Sophia's meddling.

Unwelcome.

He wouldn't let her harm Emily.

Not without a fight.

The night wore on.

Ethan's thoughts remained with Emily.

Her determination.

Her kindness.

He couldn't shake the feeling.

That Emily was different.

Special.

But Ethan's defenses remained up.

No room for love.

No room for vulnerability.

Or so he told himself.

.

.

.

Monday dawned, casting a warm glow over the small house.

Emily's alarm blared to life.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

6:00 AM.

Time to start the day.

Emily freshened up.

Washed her face.

Brushed her teeth.

Changed into a crisp business suit.

Downstairs, her parents already sat at the kitchen table.

"Good morning, sweetie," Jae-Hwa said.

"Morning, Mom. Dad," Emily replied.

Min-Soo smiled.

"Big day ahead?"

Emily nodded.

"Yeah, lots to do at Thompson."

Jae-Hwa placed a steaming bowl before Emily.

"Eat quickly, don't be late."

Emily devoured her breakfast.

Rice, kimchi, and scrambled eggs.

Fuel for the busy day.

"Mom, Dad, I'll see you tonight," Emily said.

"Hurry, Emily!" Min-Soo reminded.

Emily grabbed her bag.

Rushed out the door.

The crisp morning air invigorated her.

A short walk to the park.

The bus stop.

Emily joined the morning commute.

Watching the city awaken.

As the bus rumbled toward Thompson Innovation.

Emily's thoughts turned to Ethan.

Their meeting yesterday.

His piercing gaze.

Her heart skipped a beat.

What would today bring?

The bus stopped.

Emily stood.

Thompson Innovation's sleek building beckoned.

Time to face the day.

With determination.

Emily stepped off the bus.

Into the bustling streets.

Ready to tackle whatever Monday had in store.

Emily walked into Thompson Innovation.

The receptionist greeted her warmly.

"Good morning, Emily."

"Good morning," Emily replied.

She made her way to her workstation.

Settled in.

Booted up her computer.

Began reviewing her tasks for the day.

Glanced at the clock.

8:50 AM.

Ethan hadn't arrived yet.

Emily wondered.

Was he always late?

Or was today an exception?

She shrugged.

Focused on her work.

The morning sunlight streamed.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Illuminating the office.

As Emily immersed herself.

In her projects.

The minutes ticked by.

9:10 AM.

Still no Ethan.

Emily's curiosity grew.

Where was he?

Was everything okay?

Just as she pondered.

The elevator doors slid open.

Ethan stepped out.

Confident.

Commanding attention.

His eyes scanned the room.

Locked onto Emily.

For a fleeting moment.

A spark.

Then.

He strode toward his office.

Without a word.

Leaving Emily.

Wondering.

Ethan's presence seemed to shift the air.

Emily felt a flutter in her chest.

She refocused on her screen.

Trying to shake off the distraction.

But her gaze drifted back.

To Ethan's closed office door.

Wondering what lay behind it.

Their meeting yesterday.

His intense gaze.

Lingering questions.

The office bustled around her.

Colleagues chatting.

Keyboards clicking.

Emily's phone buzzed.

Rachel's name flashed on the screen.

"Emily, Ethan wants to see you."

Emily's heart skipped a beat.

"Now?" she asked.

"Yes, please head to his office."

Emily took a deep breath.

Gathered her thoughts.

Stood up.

Smoothed her dress.

Walked toward Ethan's office.

The door swung open.

Ethan's eyes met hers.

"Good morning, Emily."

His voice low.

Commanding.

"Good morning, Mr. Ethan."

Emily replied.

"Please, have a seat."

Ethan gestured.

To the chair opposite his desk.

Emily sat.

Waiting.

Ethan leaned back in his chair.

"Emily, I have a new assignment for you."

"A field project."

Emily's curiosity piqued.

"What's the objective?" she asked.

"Observe and document consumer behavior."

"At various market hubs."

"In-person research."

Emily nodded.

"I understand."

Ethan handed her a folder.

"Details inside."

"Report directly to me."

Emily took the folder.

"Any specific requirements?"

"Yes," Ethan said.

"Go undercover."

"No Thompson Innovation affiliation."

"Blend in."

Emily's eyes widened.

"Discreet?"

Ethan nodded.

"Absolutely."

Emily's mind racing.

With questions.

But Ethan's expression.

Was resolute.

"Begin tomorrow."

"At 9 AM."

"Report back."

"In one week."

Emily stood.

"Understood."

She turned to leave.

But Ethan's voice stopped her.

"Emily."

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

Ethan's eyes locked onto hers.

"Very careful."

.

.

Emily walked through the bustling market.

Notebook and pen in hand.

Observing consumer behavior.

Blending in.

As instructed.

She jotted down notes.

On purchasing patterns.

And vendor interactions.

Lost in her task.

Emily didn't notice.

The two men watching her.

From across the street.

Their eyes locked onto hers.

With sinister intent.

Emily sensed danger.

Too late.

The men approached.

One grasped her arm.

The other.

Pointed a gun.

At her head.

"Come with us," he growled.

Emily's heart racing.

"Let me go!"

She struggled.

But they dragged her.

Away from the crowd.

Into a waiting van.

Speeding away.

From the market.

Emily's phone.

Snatched from her hand.

Her cries.

Muffled.

As the van.

Disappeared.

Into the city's darkness.

Ethan's warning.

Echoed in her mind.

"Be careful."

Too late.

The van stopped.

In an abandoned warehouse.

Emily's captors.

Forced her out.

"Who are you?" Emily demanded.

The men remained silent.

Their faces obscured.

By masks.

One pulled out.

A photograph.

Of Ethan.

"You'll find out soon enough."

As Emily's world.

Darkened.

To Be Continued...

Will Emily escape?

What do her captors want?

Is Ethan involved?

The suspense builds...