Sophia Sullivan moved along the narrow secret passage.
She soon reached a pitch-black room.
Just as she thought about finding an exit.
Steady footsteps sounded behind her.
Someone had entered the secret chamber.
The situation was bad.
Sophia quickly hid inside the nearest cabinet.
"Find out everything about the mafia."
"If the captives won't talk, dispose of them."
"Leave no loose ends."
Ethan Sullivan's deep voice resonated.
Ambiguous lighting illuminated the room.
Sophia had encountered the man himself.
She peered through the cabinet door crack.
Ethan lifted his shirt with one hand.
Revealing his taut muscles.
The smooth lines of his back came into view.
But that wasn't what shocked Sophia the most.
She looked up at the wall.
And froze completely.
The room contained no confidential files as she'd imagined.
The walls were covered with various whips.
And all kinds of small toys.
From handcuffs to candles.
Even collars.
All were props for particular preferences.
Wasn't Ethan supposed to be indifferent to women?
He appeared aloof and abstinent.
Not like someone who played so intensely.
Sophia's brain briefly short-circuited.
The Sullivan family's forbidden ground.
A secret chamber where outsiders weren't allowed.
Actually contained these things.
While she was stunned.
Ethan had already removed his shirt and sat on the sofa.
Applying medicine to himself before a floor-length mirror.
His phone was on speaker nearby.
His subordinate was reporting work.
Even without seeing his expression.
Sophia could hear from his icy tone.
The solemnity and impatience.
"Mess up again, and don't blame me for being ruthless."
Ethan's voice carried killing intent.
"I don't keep useless people."
Though he was cold toward Sophia.
He had still been somewhat reasonable.
But before others.
He completely transformed into a merciless demon.
Cruel words left his mouth casually.
"Regarding that skinned mafia member."
"If he's not dead yet, slice his flesh piece by piece."
Ethan's expression remained neutral.
Making him appear particularly dangerous.
"They truly deserve to die."
Sophia felt somewhat surprised by this ruthlessness he'd never shown before.
Rationally, she understood.
That for Ethan to survive the wealthy family struggles.
He must possess extraordinary methods.
Yet it was difficult to connect the gloomy, violent man before her.
With her previous understanding of him.
Sophia could tell.
When Ethan spoke about torture methods.
It was like discussing mundane matters.
Casual and habitual.
Clearly not his first time doing such things.
While speaking with his subordinate.
He carried the oppressive aura of long-held authority.
Making one's heart race.
No wonder the rumors about Ethan.
Depicted him as an unpredictable madman.
Sophia wasn't an innocent young girl.
This scene didn't shock her greatly.
What puzzled her most.
Were those props on the wall.
She examined them carefully.
They were stylish and made of premium materials.
That Ethan had such preferences.
She had completely failed to notice.
Ethan remained unaware of anyone in the room.
He expressionlessly changed the dressing on his abdominal wound.
Issuing instructions methodically.
"Move grandmother to a different care facility."
"The previous place had nice scenery."
"But security was too lax."
"The western mountains have good scenery."
"Build a private care facility there."
"Station our people to guard it."
The person on the phone hesitated slightly.
"If we transfer her, the director might cause trouble..."
Ethan frowned impatiently.
He let out a cold laugh.
"They're all useless."
"I give them so much money every year."
"Yet they still make mistakes."
"The last oversight was serious enough."
"I can't let grandmother stay there any longer."
Ethan's mood was somber.
He accidentally pressed the alcohol swab hard against his wound.
The pain was enough to make someone scream.
Yet he only frowned.
Without making a sound.
Even when alone.
He showed no trace of vulnerability.
The subordinate on the phone.
Fell silent from this reprimand.
After acknowledging, they didn't dare say more.
"Yes."
The air instantly froze.
Ethan slowly looked up.
Gazing at his reflection in the mirror.
His skin was crisscrossed with scars.
All old injuries.
The flesh around his new wound hadn't fully healed yet.
Heavy pressure on the wound should have been extremely painful.
But as Ethan looked in the mirror.
Sophia's figure appeared in his mind.
When she had treated his wound before.
Her dark hair had lightly brushed his skin.
Those cool eyes of hers.
Seemed to see through worldly matters.
Sophia's expression had been indifferent.
But her hands moved gently and precisely.
In the floor-length mirror.
Ethan almost saw.
A pair of delicate, cool hands.
Gliding across his skin.
He couldn't feel the pain anymore.
The real Sophia.
Frowned slightly behind him.
Through the crack, she could see.
Fine sweat seeping through on Ethan's back.
Why was he so rough with himself?
He could easily call a private doctor.
Yet chose to haphazardly treat himself here.
It was truly strange.