Chapter 3 The plan

Ethan Sinclair sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his sharp eyes scanning the latest financial reports. The acquisition of Everlast Corp. was nearly complete, and with just a few more adjustments, it would be another jewel in the Sinclair empire. He tapped his pen against the surface, his mind already strategizing the next step.

His secretary, Amelia, stood by his side, awaiting his instructions. "We'll restructure their board after the transition. Retain their key executives, but I want our people in the most critical positions. Have the legal team ensure that all contracts are ironclad. No loose ends."

Amelia nodded, making quick notes. "Understood. I'll have the final report on your desk by morning."

Before Ethan could reply, the door burst open. Claire strode in, her expression a mix of frustration and entitlement.

"You need to do something about Elena Carter," she announced, dropping into a chair opposite him.

Ethan barely spared her a glance. "I'm busy, Claire, I did say I'll get it done so unless you have an actual plan, don't waste my time."

Claire crossed her arms. "She humiliated me in class, not once not twice. That girl needs to learn her place."

Ethan sighed, closing the file in front of him. "And what exactly do you want me to do?"

"I don't know! Get her expelled, make her life miserable-whatever it takes!" Claire exclaimed, exasperated.

Ethan leaned back, unimpressed. "Expelled? For what? Because she outperformed you in a discussion? The Sinclair influence is not for petty squabbles."

Claire's face burned. "It's not just about today. She's been a thorn in my side for years. If we don't stop her now, she'll keep climbing. And you know I won't let that happen."

Ethan tapped his fingers against the desk. "And you think eliminating her will make you look better?"

Claire huffed. "Are you going to help me or not?"

"I can do this with or without your help. You know how to fix things like this and that's why I came to you.

Ethan considered her for a moment, then sighed. "I'll look into it. But I will not get my hands dirty for something so trivial."

Claire smirked. "I knew you wouldn't let me down."

She left, satisfied, while Ethan turned to Amelia

"Find out everything there is to know about Elena Carter. Where she's lived, her school records, her financial situation. I want every detail."

Amelia, already anticipating his request, handed him a folder.

"This is what I could gather but in a few more hours I will have more."

"Don't keep me waiting." He grunted and dismissed the file.

Elena Carter's entire life was on his desk a few hours later

Ethan opened it and scanned through. Elena Carter-23 years old, an academic overachiever, always at the top of her class despite financial struggles. Lived in a lower-middle-class neighborhood. A single scholarship interview could have secured her future, but she missed it. The reason? Her father. He could relate to that.

Ethan's fingers tightened around the paper. Her father had a history of alcoholism. Once a thief, the police records prove that, he had even stolen from his own wife to fuel his addiction. Elena had reported him to the police herself, they hadn't gotten the money back but his stealing from his family has stopped. Three years ago, he nearly killed his younger son in a drunken stupor. Poor boy spent the better part of a month in the hospital another thing that put the family into more debts. After that, he turned his life around, but the damage was done. Now, he was suffering from liver cirrhosis and heart complications. Talk about karma.

"Interesting," Ethan murmured. "She's fighting an uphill battle."

Amelia cleared her throat. "She also started working part-time at a diner to support her family. Asked for more hours two days ago."

"Still taking care of the man who has cost her so much." He muttered. That he couldn't relate too.

Ethan leaned back, contemplating. She was responsible, determined, and willing to sacrifice for her family. A trait he could use. Now how could he make his sister happy.

Before he could finalize his thoughts, his phone buzzed. A message from Ava.

"Ethan, I told you before. Marriage isn't in the cards for me. It never was. I don't care who you are."

His jaw clenched. He dismissed Amelia as he dialed Ava's number immediately.

She picked up on the second ring. "Ethan, I don't have time for this."

"Make time," he snapped. "I want us to be together. I have waited long enough."

Ava sighed. "And I've told you-marriage isn't for me. You really need to accept that."

Ethan's grip tightened around the phone. "So what? You'll keep me around as your lover, but not your husband?"

"I never asked you to wait for me, Ethan. That was your choice. And I won't change who I am to fit into your world."

Something inside him snapped. "You think you can defy me, Ava? You think you can dictate how this ends?"

She scoffed. "You don't own me, Sinclair. And if you think threatening me will change anything, you're mistaken."

The line went dead.

Ethan stared at his phone, fury boiling under his calm exterior. Ava had always been the one person he couldn't control. But that was about to change.

A slow smirk formed on his lips.

Kill two birds with one stone.

He glanced at Elena's file once more. Hardworking. Smart. But most importantly, vulnerable.

He just needed to keep her away from school long enough for Claire to graduate and at the same time use her to make Ava lose her mind. There was only one solution, marriage. By the time he was done, Ava would realize her mistake. She would come back to him, humbled, ready to be his wife and Claire, his little sister Claire would be happy.

Ethan closed the folder and called out to Amelia. "Prepare a proposal. I know exactly how to deal with Elena Carter."