That's really foolish.

Chapter 19

The two men inside the black sedan followed Ethan; these two were not your typical thugs; these two were former ex-military that got discharged for doing illegal transactions with drug cartels. They were able to use their military connection to gather all the needed information on their targets, and among the countless young men who stood 6 feet tall and had a lean physical appearance, among the many names that came to their attention was a man named Ethan Abelard. Haniel, a 22-year-old who coincidentally came in search of work, had an unreported incident with Katarine Horn Siegert a few days ago in a warehouse fire.

The former military duo knew that this person was a perfect match for the person they were looking for, and the only test to determine their assumptions was right; they just needed a simple altercation with Ethan from an outside source to prove he could fight, just like the man who was wearing a face mask and protecting Katarine Horn Siegert.

Victor isn't actually interested in gaining retribution or payment for the destruction of his nightclub; he was more interested in the video he briefly saw on the night of the club explosion, so the duo, wanting to fulfill their duties, called their organizations for new recruits and ordered them to put a particular person down, who they believed was responsible for the video. The new recruits eagerly accepted the mission, ready to prove themselves to their organization and take down the target with precision and skill.

Sadly, these new recruits were not the brightest among the batch; they were ordered to test the skill of the target and not kill him, but as soon as they received the orders, every communication given was all lost within the excitement of the moment. As they set out to carry out the mission, their lack of understanding and impulsiveness eventually led to a tragic mistake that could have been avoided with better communication and clearer instructions.

But either now or then, these groups were eager to prove their worth in an organization that would bring them power and fame, so all seventeen of them moved out and made sure to remember the face of the person they were going to terminate, ensuring that their actions would not go unnoticed or unappreciated by those in charge. The stakes were high, but their lack of understanding of the complexity of the situation will have a disastrous outcome. Being willing to do whatever it takes to succeed does not mean they will have the right outcome.

They all took different locations on their motorcycles and cars, and as they scattered all over the area with the idea to surround the target and make it look like a random incident, their minds set a clear sign that they were not that bright. This was not a strategic approach toward different targets, but rather a reckless and haphazard plan that lacked coordination and foresight. Their impulsive actions were based on the notion that they were misleading the target by attacking him in a different direction.

While on their vehicles, a text message came to their leaders attention, notifying them to proceed toward the Siegert underground parking mall as the target was seen going there. Ethan was indeed going there, but he was not delivering a parcel. Ethan went there to buy some items he actually needed, like additional clothing and groceries. As the group sped towards the parking mall, not knowing that their timing was off because this was the same time,

Grand Matriarch Helena Felicie Siegert was also leaving the hotel building and proceeded toward the shopping mall parking area, where butler Krauss parked their car next to a white delivery van after meeting with the board of directors.

Ethan was not a fashion-savvy person; any comfortable shirt will do, and he made a point to repay the store. He felt obligated to pay for the branded penguin suit that got ruined in the nightclub scuffle , but as soon as she went looking for the person who gave him the suit, he was greeted with a confused reaction as the sales associates were unaware of any such incident involving a high branded three piece suit. Ethan realized he must have made a mistake at the store and decided to let go of the idea of repayment. Because no matter how much he explained, the staff could not give him any answer concerning his inquiry.

As Ethan walked out with another confusing scenario, he saw the vast number of people buying expensive items at the mall based on the handful of shopping bags they were carrying, while he was just holding an ordinary paper bag that he got from the only cheap apparel shop inside the huge building. But it still cost him, like twice the price of an ordinary shirt and jeans. Feeling frustrated and out of place, Ethan couldn't help but wonder if he would ever be able to afford the luxuries others seemed to effortlessly enjoy. As he made his way home, the weight of his financial struggles seemed heavier than ever.

But at the back of his mind, this was still a fruitful reminder of the importance of budgeting and buying what is really important. As he headed toward the parking lot, he noticed a group of people were being escorted by mall security and from the way they were treating the old woman it was likely she was a very important and high value customer. As he watched the scene unfold, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the simple things he had in his life. It was a humbling experience that put his own financial struggles into perspective.

Seeing the elevator was crowded Ethan decided to use the shopping mall stairs. After countless inquiries on how to get there, he was finally able to find the right door going down. As he recalled, when he parked the van at the second underground parking, the stairs were narrow and lacked ventilation. Obviously, it was created based on the strict policy of the city government to have a proper emergency exit route. The dimly lit stairwell made Ethan annoyed because he came came it using their elevator and the decision to walk down made him question how the owner of the building could allow such poor conditions on their property. Ethan's frustration grew as he descended further, as he could hear the sound of people arguing and smell the musty cigaret smell wafting up from below. He quickened his pace, eager to reach the ground floor and see what was happening.,

The noise was getting louder, like a group of men were feigning another group, and Ethan's curiosity got the best of him as he prepared himself to intervene if necessary. As he reached the bottom of the stairwell, he was met with a chaotic scene that left him feeling both concerned as the mall security were fending off a group of thugs from the underground parking. As they were harassing the people parking their cars there, sadly, the person who was getting harassed was the old VIP woman. Ethan's heart raced as he saw the vulnerable woman being targeted by the thugs. Without hesitation, he sprang into action, rushing to her aid and helping mall security fend off the attackers.

The two guards were already hurt. Ethan saw that the old lady was being protected. According to what seemed to be her assistant, the Rolls-Royce vehicle was vaguely familiar to him, but the commotion that was happening was far more important. The thugs were using metal pipes and baseball bats to intimidate the woman; he assumed they were after her because she was rich and two guards seemed like a perfect target. The fallen guard was about to get on the head when Ethan gave the attacker a strong chest kick and followed with a crescent kick on the head. The impact was strong and immediately knocked the attacker unconscious. The leader of the thugs saw the guy they were actually waiting for,

They believed they were going to rob Grand Matriarch Helena Felicie Siegert, which is what caused them to attack the elderly woman and her two guards. The leader gestured to Ethan, who had just completely incapacitated one of their members, as soon as they recognized their true objective had finally materialized. The commander gave him the order to attack him without delay.

This was the opportunity for the old woman assistant to open the car and quickly enter the safety of their bullet proof car. As the fight continued, Ethan was now surrounded; he was hoping that the police would arrive soon. Despite the fact that they were inside a privately owned shopping mall, sadly, all his preconceived notions that day were wrong.

All the CCTVs at the underground shopping mall parking lot were under maintenance and not functioning. And because they were underground cellphone sifnals were also unreliable, leaving Ethan feeling even more isolated and vulnerable. He knew he had to rely on his own instincts and skills to survive this, hoping that these thugs would lose interest as their suspected targets target are inside the car and were now safe from harm.

Again, another misconception on his part, as these thugs were not after the old woman , in fact they were after him. Ethan's heart pounded with trepidation as he realized the gravity of his situation. Surrounded by a formidable gang of thugs, he knew he couldn't engage them all simultaneously.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he braced himself for the worst. These were not petty criminals or spoiled brats; they were seasoned warriors, steeped in violence and equipped to inflict pain. Ethan's only hope lay in targeting one individual at a time, neutralizing them swiftly and decisively. With a grim determination, he scanned the enemy ranks, searching for a vulnerability he could exploit. Time was of the essence,

and he needed to strike with precision and speed. Ethan's mind raced through countless scenarios, each potentially ending in his demise. Yet, amidst the chaos and fear, a flicker of resolve ignited within him. He could not succumb to despair; he had to survive. With newfound desperation, he began to plot his strategy, knowing that his only path to salvation lay in carefully choosing his next target and delivering a devastating blow that would leave them incapacitated and grant him a precious respite.

his fists clenched. Suddenly, a burly thug stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. Ethan lunged, dodging the thug's clumsy swing. With lightning reflexes, he unleashed a flurry of punches, each blow sending shockwaves through the thug's body. The thug staggered backward, but another stepped forward, wielding a rusted pipe.

Ethan swiftly side-stepped the attack, his eyes fixed on his target. He grappled with the thug, twisting his arm behind his back and forcing him to drop the pipe. As the thug crumpled to the ground, another two emerged from the darkness. Ethan knew he was outnumbered, but his determination never wavered. With a deep breath, he prepared to face the new threats head-on, ready to defend himself with every ounce of strength he had left.

Ethan knew he was outnumbered, but his resolve remained unshaken. He unleashed a torrent of kicks and punches, sending the thugs reeling. The parking lot echoed with the thud of bodies hitting the concrete. Ethan pressed his advantage, disarming one thug of a knife and using it to fend off the other. As the fight continued, Ethan's adrenaline surged, fueling his every move. Despite the odds stacked against him, he refused to back down, determined to emerge victorious.

His side was hurting, and the blood flowing from the slashes and cuts on his arms was beginning to soak through his shirt, but Ethan pushed through the pain, focusing solely on defeating his opponents. With each strike, he defended his ground, his assailants falling like dominoes. With a final, decisive blow, Ethan incapacitated the last thug standing. Breathing heavily, he surveyed the scene of the battle, victorious but exhausted. The sound of approaching here was heard as the second guard was able to climb back up and ask for assistance. That was twenty minutes ago, as sirens signaled the arrival of law enforcement. The wounded thugs knew they had to make a quick escape before the police arrived on the scene. They quickly gathered their belongings and just ran toward the exit and left their vehicles , leaving Ethan wounded and nearly unconscious behind.

"Being helpful is getting really tiring."

Ethan thought to himself as he struggled to stay conscious. He knew he needed medical attention soon if he wanted to survive. As he lay there, fading in and out of consciousness, Ethan could hear the distant sound of approaching sirens growing louder.

" I hope they are fine,"

The smell of lavender was lingering in Ethan's senses; this was something he never smelled before, and waking up again in an unfamiliar place made him jump out of bed, but even if he wanted to, sadly, he couldn't. as the IV Drip plastic catheter is inserted into his right arm vein , restricting his movement. Ethan realized he was in a hospital room, hooked up to various machines. The urgency of the situation became even more apparent as he struggled to remember how he ended up there.

"Ah! Now I remember, being helpful is really tiring and painful."

"The reason I did it was to uphold my father's teaching."

Ethan thought to himself as he tried to piece together the events leading up to his hospitalization. The memories of the intense battle and sacrifices made flooded back.

"I remember this, but why can't I remember that moment?"

Ethan wiggled his fingers and toes and felt he was perfectly fine, but the lingering sense of confusion and disorientation made him uneasy. He closed his eyes and focused on breathing deeply, hoping that clarity would eventually come to him. When a voice of an elderly woman spoke to him,

"So being a hero tends to be a bit disorienting, doesn't it?"

Ethan's eyes shot open, realizing he was not alone in the room. He turned his head to see the elderly woman sitting in a chair beside his bed, a knowing smile on her face.

"You really didn't have to dive into that situation."

"I might be old, but my life is not worth dying for,"

Ethan felt a wave of relief wash over him as he realized she was safe. The elderly woman's words made him reflect on the risks he had taken in his attempt to be a hero.

" maam I was raised by the parents to help as much as I can," he explained, feeling a sense of duty and responsibility weighing heavily on him.

"But I promise to be more careful next time; I wouldn't want to cause you any worry."

"What next time? Being a hero can also lead you to become a victim yourself,"

She replied with a knowing smile.

"Remember, sometimes the best way to help is by ensuring your own safety first."

" I could easily give them money; it's just paper with a bunch of famous people's faces printed on it."

" When you are facing tragedy , all the money in the world can't help you."

"It's important to remember that true value lies in the relationships we build and the support we offer each other in times of need."

"Material possessions can be replaced, but genuine care and compassion are priceless."

"Thank you, ma'am, "

"So rest until you get better; this hospital belongs to me; I own this place; and the best that I could give my savior is this."

"Rest assured you will be compensated properly."

"Your health and well-being are my top priority, so please focus on getting better." "I will make sure you receive the best care possible during your time here."

Ethan was left speechless. The old lady looked at him with a warm smile before tapping his hand and going on to explain why. As she opened the VIP room, Ethan saw the very same man waiting for the old lady, confirming he was indeed an assistant. As he gave the lady some papers to look at,

"Ma'am, there are no reports of this man being affiliated with any organization, no criminal reports here or in any other parts of the world; he is just an ordinary young man."

"The timing of his sudden appearance was really just coincidence."

" From my investigation, his work van was parked right beside us at the same location."

"A possible angle was taken into consideration, but nothing conclusive was found."

"My concern is his family background; he is the son of Marine Captain James Haniel."

"The same James Haniel that saved my late husband."

"Yes, madam he is the same person."

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," she muttered under her breath, connecting the dots in her mind. "We need to dig deeper into his family history to understand him better."

"Either way, based on the events that just happened a few days ago, concerning the person who was with Katarine,"

"Remember the DNA test we got from your granddaughter's personal bed linen?"

"Huh! Don't tell me, he is the same young man who ran into my granddaughter's bathroom and rappelled down."

"Unfortunately, yes, madam. The DNA test results confirmed it was him."

"We need to take immediate action to ensure the safety of your granddaughter and your family."

"Are you going senile?"

"He will soon be my granddaughter's husband,"

"He does not know this yet, but he has already claimed Katarine."