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.

instinctively moved to help

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

soon as she left, the butler hurried to support Ethan. He had long since lost the strength to stand; his weight pressed entirely against the servant. He had been hungover since the previous night and was forced awake by Charlotte that morning. He had planned to rest briefly, but he

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

for a few days. It'll also 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 room

she opened her laptop and reviewed the encrypted files on George once more. Ten years ago, George 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