Billionaire's Match

Chapter 286 After stepping out of the conference hall, Clarice was immediately followed by the butler. She gave a few curt instructions regarding the Starr family. "Handle it as quickly as possible. I want a full report by tomorrow." "Yes, ma'am," the butler replied, then hesitated before adding, "By the way, Young Master Ethan is still kneeling in the punishment chamber. It's been four hours. Do you want to check on him?" Only then did Clarice remember Ethan. Ever since Khloe's return, his competence seemed to have vanished completely.

Several attempts to deal with Khloe had ended in humiliating failures. This latest blunder had even affected her business, testing her patience to its limit. Clarice had no desire to see him, but recognizing he still had some utility, she changed direction and headed toward the underground chamber. The chamber had been built as a bomb shelter when the estate was first constructed. It was usually used to store miscellaneous items. After Clarice arrived at the Morrison residence, she had converted it into two rooms: one a bedroom, the other a study.

The rooms were sealed tight, unventilated, unbearably hot in summer, freezing in winter, damp and musty- designed specifically for punishment. From a young age, whenever Ethan misbehaved, he would be locked inside. Clarice believed in strict discipline, thinking only a well-regulated child could grow into a controlled adult. Whenever Ethan erred as a child, he would kneel in the chamber under a servant's watch, confined to reflect on his mistakes. The longest he had ever been held was two weeks. Yet he had a sharp memory; once punished, he rarely repeated the same error.

By adulthood, Clarice seldom had cause to discipline him. The door to the chamber swung open. Ethan's upper body was bare, his hair and skin soaked with sweat. He knelt rigidly in the corner of the study, his head bowed. On the wall hung the seventy-eight rules Clarice had set for him since childhood. "Young Master Ethan, Madam has arrived," the butler whispered. Ethan slowly raised his head and murmured, "Mother." "Stand up," Clarice said, her tone softening slightly at the sight of his disheveled state.

He pressed against the wall, rising slowly. The butler instinctively moved to help him, but Clarice's sharp glance stopped him, "Do you understand where you went wrong this time?" she asked coldly, her voice routine but authoritative. "Yes," Ethan said hoarsely. "Negligence... underestimating the situation." Clarice drew

to have you kneel four hours for making mistakes?" "No, Mother. The punishment is deserved. I am at fault." His head remained lowered; his voice, though calm and humble, revealed no trace of resentment. Clarice's satisfaction softened her expression. "From the day I adopted you, I told you I do not raise incompetents." 1/2 Chapter 286 +25 Bonus "I was wrong. I will not disappoint you, Mother." "Go take a shower, change your clothes, and come to the study to see me." Clarice inspected him briefly,

He had planned to rest briefly, but he hadn't expected Clarice's people to track him down immediately. Barely out of Charlotte's presence, he was intercepted on the way. Half an hour

me with something." Clarice handed Ethan a freshly printed document. He glanced at it, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes. "You want me to... take action against the Hunt family?" "Mind your own business," Clarice said coldly. "You just follow orders. If this fails, I will be utterly disappointed in you." Ethan knew exactly what being a disappointment to Clarice meant. Years

serve as an explanation to Khloe. If you can't do your job properly, I won't have the energy to cover for you. Follow company regulations-Khloe can't touch you." Clarice left him no

had offended a powerful underworld organization. To have a son pay for his father's debt... it was only natural. By evening, Ethan returned to the office to wrap up his work. As he was about to leave, he noticed movement inside the office. Opening the door, he found Charlotte.