Ethan waited outside his apartment building, leaning against a nearby stone bench. He rested his right elbow on his knee, his chin propped thoughtfully against his fist.
The low, purring hum of a massive V12 engine broke the silence. A sleek, two-tone black and white luxury sedan glided silently toward the curb.
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the imposing car.
Damn. Whose car is this...? Ethan thought.
The vehicle smoothly glided to a complete stop right beside him. Ethan frowned in suspicion until the heavily tinted passenger window rolled down, revealing Jake sitting behind the wheel.
Jake gestured with a subtle tilt of his head.
Ethan walked over, opened the door, and took the front passenger seat. The car glided back into motion without a sound.
Ethan glanced around the expansive, beige brown interior.
Last time he bought Bugatti Divo, and this. Ethan thought.
"Where's your friend?" Jake asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Oh, right. We're picking up Madison," Ethan replied.
The car turned around.
Ethan kept his eyes forward, though he repeatedly stole glances at Jake from the corner of his vision.
"Speak," Jake said suddenly, startling Ethan out of his head.
Ethan cleared his throat. "Right. I wanted to ask about this event tonight."
"Once your friend gets in, I'll tell you," Jake replied calmly.
Ethan gave a silent nod and settled back into his seat.
Jake glanced at him sideways. "Something else, you want to know?"
Ethan paused. Is he referring to our last meeting, when I asked him to save the truth about the plane crash for another time?
"Well, right now isn't the best time," Ethan said, shaking his head. "I'll ask you after the event."
"Nope. I won't answer," Jake said flatly.
Ethan blinked, turning to look at him. "What?"
"You missed your window," Jake said. "Wait till our next meeting."
Ethan stared at him in disbelief, but Jake simply focused on the road ahead. Ethan let out a quiet sigh and leaned back into the leather upholstery.
The rest of the drive remained silent until they pulled up to the gates of Madison's estate.
Ethan took out his phone to text her, but the heavy doors of the house were already opening. Madison stepped out wearing a crisp white shirt paired with a long, tailored black skirt, looking effortlessly elegant.
She opened the rear door and slid into the back seat. The moment her eyes locked onto Jake in the rearview mirror, her expression darkened into a cold glare.
As the luxury vehicle glided forward once more, Ethan quickly spoke up to defuse the tension. "So... care to tell us what this festival is really about?"
Jake gave a slow nod. "This gathering is monumental. Nearly every major and influential figure across the globe would have been summoned."
Madison's eyes widened slightly at the sheer scale of the event. "Who could possibly have the authority to pull off something like that?"
"The British Royal Family," Jake stated simply.
Ethan and Madison turned to him simultaneously, saying in unison: "What?!"
Ethan stared at Jake in utter disbelief, but Jake kept his hands steady on the wheel, pulling smoothly onto the interstate highway.
Madison leaned forward, her mind racing. "Wait, why are we—"
"There will be high-level people and tight security everywhere," Jake cut her off, his voice hardening. "Avoid exposing your true identities."
"Identities?" Ethan repeated.
"Meaning, don't reveal that you're Damian's son," Jake clarified. He glanced into the rearview mirror. "And you, Madison—keep it quiet that your father is Murphy."
Madison's eyes flashed with anger. "What are you really up to? Why are you dragging us into this high-level political field?"
"Kiddo, I'm taking Ethan," Jake replied with a dry smirk. "You just tagged along."
"You son of a—"
"Madison, wait," Ethan interrupted smoothly, turning back to face her. "Isn't it a good thing he's taking us to an event like this, by British Royal Family? You might be used to such events, but an event like this is completely new for me."
Madison took a deep breath and leaned back against her seat. "Even I've never attended an exclusive event hosted directly by the British Family." She paused, frowning. "But why would they host a grand festival? Why in Ottawa?"
"Exactly," Ethan agreed, looking at Jake.
"There are likely two reasons circulating," Jake explained. "First possibility isn't strong, but can be taken as possibility."
"What's the first one?" Madison asked.
"The King is preparing to announce his official successor," Jake said.
Ethan frowned. "Why?"
"Think about it," Madison pointed out. "If the King were simply naming an heir to the throne, why host the declaration on Canadian soil instead of London?"
Jake gave a nod, "That's why I said, it's not strong."
Ethan and Madison exchanged a quiet, understanding look.
"So what's the second possibility?" Madison pressed.
"A political marriage," Jake stated plainly.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "For who?"
"For you," Jake said deadpan.
Ethan froze, WHAT?!"
Jake glanced sideways at him, "Who else but the King's direct offspring? Did you considered something else?"
Madison burst out laughing from the back seat, the lingering tension completely dissolving.
Ethan quickly rubbed the back of his neck. "No! I... I was just caught off-guard."
"You actually thought you were getting married!" Madison said, still laughing.
Ethan grumbled under his breath as Madison continued to giggle, before the cabin settled back into a comfortable quiet.
After a few moments, Madison leaned closer to the center console. "Hey... where is the masked boy?"
Ethan looked over at Jake as well, curious.
"Occupied," Jake answered casually. "Training a kid."
"He's terrifyingly strong," Ethan noted softly, recalling the brutal training session.
"Extremely," Jake agreed.
"How do you know, Ethan?" Madison asked, looking between them.
"I could feel from his presence," Ethan explained, then turned back to Jake. "What's his actual name? What does he look like under that mask?"
"Chris," Jake said.
Ethan gave a slow, thoughtful nod, marking the name down in his memory.
He leaned back, sinking into the plush leather. "I'll admit... this ride is ridiculously comfortable."
"It should be," Madison remarked with a smile. "It's a Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended. with twin-turbocharged V12 engine."
Ethan blinked in quiet surprise, looking around the cabin once more.
"How much longer until we arrive?" Ethan asked.
"Roughly two to three hours," Jake replied, glancing at the navigation display. "Feel free to get some rest. There's a fully stocked mini-fridge in the back with food and drinks."