The next month was relentless.
Ethan moved constantly between cities.
London.
Berlin.
Singapore.
Each place offered new opportunities, new investors, and new challenges.
But something else was happening too.
His name was spreading.
Financial news networks discussed him regularly.
Podcasts debated his strategies.
Analysts tried to understand how a young entrepreneur had expanded so quickly.
Yet one strange detail remained consistent.
Very few people had seen his face clearly.
Most interviews were audio only.
Conference appearances often happened behind closed doors.
And the mystery surrounding him grew.
The Office Incident
Back at the main headquarters a problem developed.
One of the senior logistics managers—Richard Hale, unrelated to Marcus but equally arrogant—began undermining Aria during meetings.
Subtle comments.
Dismissive tone.
The kind of disrespect older executives sometimes showed younger colleagues.
Aria tolerated it quietly for several weeks.
Until Ethan noticed.
He called a full staff meeting.
The entire office gathered in the conference hall.
Chris happened to be visiting that day and stood near the back watching with interest.
Ethan stepped to the front.
"This company operates on two principles," he said calmly.
"Competence and respect."
He turned toward Richard.
"You have demonstrated neither."
The room froze.
Richard scoffed.
"You're firing me? I have fifteen years of experience."
Ethan nodded once.
"And none of it here."
Security escorted the man out within minutes.
After the meeting Chris approached Ethan.
"That was brutal."
Ethan shrugged slightly.
"Necessary."
Across the room Aria watched quietly.
Later she approached him in his office.
"You didn't have to do that publicly," she said.
"Yes I did."
"Why?"
Ethan answered simply.
"Because everyone needed to see it."