65| A Stand for Integrity

Ethan sat at the head of the sleek conference table, his fingers steepled as the tension in the boardroom hung thick in the air.

Around him, Sinclair Enterprises' top executives—along with his father, Robert—were engaged in an animated discussion.

At the center of it all was one name:

Damon Blackwell.

A rival businessman. Ruthless. Wealthy. Powerful.

And now, a potential partner in what was being hailed as an unprecedented merger—a deal that could take Sinclair Enterprises to the next level.

But Ethan couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him.

For one, he hated Damon.

Despised him.

Because Damon Blackwell was everything Robert Sinclair would have wanted in a son—cold, wicked, merciless.

But that wasn't the only thing setting off alarms in Ethan's mind.

Just an hour ago, Jessica had walked into his office, her usual calm confidence replaced with something else.

Hesitation.

Jessica never hesitated.

Yet there she was, standing in the doorway, her brow furrowed, clutching a folder so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"Mr. Sinclair, I need to tell you something."

Ethan looked up immediately. "Go ahead, Jessica. Is something wrong?"

She shifted slightly, her expression grim.

"It's about the deal with Damon Blackwell."

Ethan's jaw tensed. Of course it was.

Jessica hesitated. Unusual for her.

"When you asked me to look into the loan sharks that harassed Sophie..."****—her voice lowered—"I found something."**

Ethan sat up straighter. "Something?"

Jessica exhaled sharply. "Blackwell is linked to them. Indirectly—but enough."

Ethan stilled.

"What?"

"Several unethical loan companies in town are tied to him. They use aggressive tactics, and Blackwell keeps them protected, covering up their actions with his influence."

The words rang in Ethan's ears like a gunshot.

For a long time, he had forced himself to believe it was over.

That he had done enough by shutting down the company that tormented Sophie.

But here it was again.

And this time, it led straight to Damon Blackwell.

Ethan's hands curled into fists.

That bastard.

That man had nearly hurt Sophie.

And now, they expected him to shake hands with him?

Ethan's voice was low, dangerous. "How did we not know this sooner?"

Jessica slid the folder onto his desk. "Your father might have known."

Ethan's stomach twisted.

Of course he did.

"He's been pushing for this deal hard," Jessica continued. "I don't think he cares about the consequences, as long as it benefits the company."

Ethan flipped through the damning documents, his pulse pounding. "We should be cutting ties with Blackwell—not signing a deal with him."

Since that last incident with his father that almost broke him, Ethan had vowed never to be involved in anything that blurred the lines between right and wrong.

No grey areas.

Just black and white.

And this?

This was not white.

Jessica's voice was sharp. "Damon is powerful. Untouchable, even. He's kept his name clean despite everything. But he's not innocent, Ethan. And we can't let him walk away from this."

Ethan's jaw locked.

He didn't care if Damon owned the whole damn world.

He had messed with Sophie.

And now, he was going to pay.

"Jessica, you're going to subtly tip off the FBI."

Back in the boardroom, Ethan was ripped from his thoughts by the sound of one of the board members speaking.

"Think about the profit margins, Ethan."

The man's voice was eager, almost pleading.

"This deal could take Sinclair Enterprises to the next level."

Ethan's fingers drummed against the table.

His father was watching him.

Waiting.

Expecting.

And Ethan knew—this was a test.

Robert Sinclair had spent his entire life shaping Ethan into something unfeeling, ruthless, obedient.

And right now, he wanted to see if he had finally succeeded.

Ethan clenched his jaw.

The answer?

No.

"This is an opportunity we can't afford to pass up," Robert said, his voice cool, measured.

"Make the right decision, Ethan."

Silence settled over the room.

All eyes were on him.

Ethan's gaze swept the boardroom, taking in the eager, calculating faces around him.

Men who had no problem shaking hands with criminals if it meant increasing their bottom line.

But then, he thought of Sophie.

Of how she had changed him.

Of who he was before her—a man willing to play his father's game.

And of who he was now—a man who would rather burn it all down than betray the person who had taught him what it meant to be good.

The idea of compromising his integrity to work with a man like Blackwell was sickening.

Ethan took a slow breath, his resolve solidifying.

Then, he spoke.

"I understand the financial potential of this deal."

His voice was calm but firm, cutting through the air like steel.

"But we have to consider the broader impact of our actions. If we have to resort to dealing with frauds and criminals to get ahead, then that is a disgrace to the Sinclair name."

A murmur of protest rippled through the room.

Robert's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing.

"Ethan, you're not seeing the bigger picture," he said, his voice sharp.

"This is business, not charity."

Ethan met his father's gaze head-on, his jaw tightening.

"Business and ethics are not mutually exclusive," he shot back. "We have a responsibility—not just to our shareholders, but to our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve. And compromising our integrity for profit?"

His voice hardened.

"That is not a path I'm willing to take."

The room fell silent.

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.

Robert's face flushed with anger, but Ethan held his ground, feeling his conviction strengthen.

"This is our future we're talking about," another board member interjected.

"Think about the legacy you're leaving."

Ethan's fingers curled into fists.

"I am thinking about our legacy," he said sharply.

"And I want it to be one of integrity and respect. If we compromise our values now, we set a dangerous precedent for the future."

The backlash was immediate.

Voices rose in protest, arguments flying across the table.

Then—

Robert's voice sliced through the noise.

"Enough."

The room went dead silent.

His tone was sharp, commanding.

"Everyone, leave. I need to speak with my son alone."

The board members hesitated—glancing between father and son, sensing the tension thickening in the air.

But no one dared disobey.

They filed out in stiff, uncomfortable silence, the heavy door clicking shut behind them.

Ethan and Robert were alone.

A cold standoff.

Robert leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You're making a mistake, Ethan."

Ethan exhaled slowly, forcing his temper to stay in check.

"Did you know about Blackwell's history?"

Robert waved a dismissive hand. "So what if he has a few questionable dealings? Everyone does. This is how the world works."

"This is how your world works," Ethan corrected icily.

"Not mine."

Robert's eyes flashed.

"You're naive if you think every billionaire keeps their hands clean."

Ethan's anger burned white-hot.

"Did you know what his company almost did to Sophie?"

For the first time, Robert hesitated.

A flicker of something—unease, perhaps—crossed his face.

Then, his jaw tightened.

"So this is about that girl again?"

The words were casual, dismissive, cutting.

Ethan's temper snapped.

"Don't call her 'that girl.' She is my wife."

His voice dropped to a lethal calm.

"Mrs. Sinclair. And the fact that you're not outraged by someone disrespecting our family name infuriates me."

Robert's face hardened.

"That's nonsense—"

"Is the Sinclair name a joke to you?" Ethan's voice rose, his anger finally breaking through.

"Maybe you have lost all integrity, Father—"

"But I have not."

He took a step forward, his presence was commanding, unwavering.

"I will continue to hold our legacy in the highest esteem, starting with my wife and this company. And that means not making deals with criminals."

Robert stared him down.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then—Ethan turned sharply toward the door.

"Jessica."

His voice rang through the office.

Jessica reentered immediately. "Yes, sir?"

Ethan didn't take his eyes off his father. "Bring everyone back in."

She nodded and stepped out.

Moments later, the board members returned, shifting awkwardly in their seats, their eyes darting between father and son.

Ethan stood tall.

Commanding. Certain. Unshaken.

"My decision remains the same," he announced.

"Damon Blackwell is not a man to be trusted. All business talks with him will be suspended immediately."

The room tensed.

But no one argued.

Robert's face was like stone, his eyes locked onto Ethan's with barely concealed rage.

Then, after a long pause, he spoke—

"This isn't over." His voice was low, threatening.

Ethan didn't flinch.

Didn't blink.

"No, Father." His voice was calm, unwavering. "This discussion ends here."

"Meeting adjourned."

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