Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 68: Ethan’s true identity-2

Seraphina sat comfortably on the ornate couch, sipping tea with a slight smile.

Then she dropped the line that changed everything.

"Is it because of my cousin, Ethan Bond?"

The words echoed like a thunderclap.

Alistair’s cup froze mid-air. Carter leaned slightly forward, confused. Walter Hayes visibly stiffened. For a long second, none of them said a word. They exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from polite confusion to quiet alarm.

The silence was thick.until Seraphina softly chuckled.

"So you all knew," she said, tilting her head slightly. "And it is because of him, huh?"

Alistair cleared his throat. "How did you know?"

Before Seraphina could answer, Luke leaned forward slightly, a rare smirk forming on his usually cold face.

"Did you really think I wouldn’t look into the man who orchestrated a full-scale breakout in the middle of a auction?" he said calmly. "I did a thorough background check. And what I found... was surprising, to say the least."

He paused, letting the weight of his next words sink in.

"Ethan Bond is the rightful heir of the Raven family,once known as the previous royal family."

Walter’s hands curled into fists on his knees. Carter glanced at Alistair, his face unreadable. The mere mention of the Ravens brought discomfort.

Seraphina looked at their reactions with amusement and sipped her tea again.

"Your expressions... were worth it," she said with a chuckle. "I didn’t expect to find my long-lost cousin like this. Years ago, we tried searching for him and his family. But my father,King Everon,strictly forbade us from pursuing that path. So we stopped."

She looked at the flame of a nearby candle, her tone softening for just a moment.

"I always wondered what happened to Aunt Elise... and her child. Now I know."

Luke leaned back against the couch, his sharp eyes still locked onto the trio of nobles.

"So, let me guess," he said, voice now laced with quiet accusation. "You all gathered here not for a simple reunion... but because you found out who Ethan really is. And now, you want to support him,to weaken the Raven family."

Walter let out a small breath, but said nothing. Alistair tapped his fingers on the armrest. Carter offered a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"That’s quite the accusation," Carter finally said.

"Is it?" Seraphina asked, raising a brow.

No one responded.

Luke’s gaze remained firm. "He might not know it yet, but Ethan’s existence threatens the balance of many things. Especially with how fast he’s rising. You’re not just here for old times. You’re here to bet on the next king before the game even starts."

Seraphina smiled once more, tapping her fingers together.

"Well, gentlemen," she said, "whether your intentions are pure or not... my cousin isn’t someone to be played easily. And if any of you think of using him—"

Her voice sharpened like a blade.

"You’ll have to go through me first."

Luke didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. His presence was enough of a warning.

Walter Hayes leaned forward slightly, his deep voice steady but laced with authority.

"Princess... what you said was half correct," he said. Then he turned his eyes to Luke.

"But before we go further, I must make something clear. I’m not like Alistair or Carter. If you step over the line again, I will forget that you’re a royal knight."

The words were like a blade slicing through the room.

"And if you think I’m just throwing empty threats," Walter added coldly, "you can confirm with the king himself."

Luke’s pupils shrank. He didn’t flinch—but he didn’t reply either.

He took a small step back.

He knew Walter wasn’t bluffing.

The Marclaire family stood tall only because of this man’s sheer will and influence. He wasn’t someone easily provoked.

Even Seraphina adjusted her posture, her casual smile now replaced with a hint of caution.

Carter tried to defuse the tension.

"Walter, you need to stop doing this in every conversation."

Walter chuckled.

"Ah, forgive me, Princess. I was just joking." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

But no one laughed.

Alistair cleared his throat and picked up the conversation.

"As he said,you were only half right."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. Luke remained silent, observing.

"We didn’t gather just to support Ethan," Alistair said. "We came because we want one thing: the death of the person currently controlling the Raven Family."

That made both Seraphina and Luke stiffen.

Alistair continued calmly,

"The old Raven,Ethan’s grandfather,is no longer the true head. In fact, we don’t even know what he’s doing."

"Then who’s in charge now?" Luke asked.

"Someone else," Carter replied. "Someone who wants the throne. And the king knows it."

Seraphina frowned.

"The Raven Family were once the throne’s guardians... now they’ve become devourers."

"Exactly," Alistair nodded. "But the only one who can stop that spiral now... is Ethan."

Carter added,

"You’ve seen what he’s capable of. Like his mother, he’s not interested in borrowed crowns. From what we know, he wants to build something new,his own empire, not sit on someone else’s."

Seraphina looked genuinely surprised for a moment.

"Well... I wouldn’t mind if he joined the throne struggle. But I know Aunt Elise,she hated court politics."

Her voice softened just slightly.

"So you all decided," she said, scanning their faces. "You’ll support Ethan Bond?"

All three of them nodded without hesitation.

"Yes."

Just then, Luke’s phone buzzed.

He answered quickly, listened for a moment, then replied simply:

"Okay."

He looked up and turned to Seraphina.

"My men reported movement. Gregory is on the move."

Seraphina’s eyes sharpened.

"Then we go now."

"I’ll inform Ethan."

—

They walked down the corridor toward Ethan’s room.

Luke knocked once and pushed open the door. Ethan was sitting on the edge of the bed, in loose clothes, clearly ready to sleep.

His hair was a bit messy, and his eyelids were half-closed.

"Ethan," Luke said bluntly. "Gregory is moving. We need to go."

Ethan blinked twice.

His head tilted to one side. He let out a long, defeated sigh.

"F*ck... can’t I just sleep for once?Why does every time someone else moves, I have to get out of bed..."

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