Chapter 8 – Ethan’s Unexpected Move

The sun was barely rising when Lyra Xian stepped into the halls of Regis Academy, her mind still reeling from the events of the previous night.

Her long-lost brother was alive.

And he had warned her.

"You’re in dangerous territory, Lyra. Ethan Vaughn isn’t someone you want as an enemy."

She clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing. Ethan Vaughn was already her enemy.

And if Leo was right, then Ethan had been after her brother for a long time.

That meant she had two problems:

Figure out why Ethan wanted Red Phantom.

Stay one step ahead before he found out who she really was.

She took a slow breath. Fine. Let’s see what you do next, Mr. Vaughn.

She didn’t have to wait long.

Because the moment she walked into class, she saw something that made her stop cold.

Ethan Vaughn was sitting at her desk.

Waiting for her.

The classroom was silent as students cautiously took their seats. The tension in the air was palpable.

Ethan looked completely relaxed, his sleeves rolled up slightly, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk.

As if he wasn’t a billionaire CEO running one of the world’s biggest corporations.

As if he belonged here.

Lyra forced her expression to stay neutral. "You’re in my seat."

Ethan looked up, amused.

"Am I?"

A few students gasped, their eyes flicking between them. No one ever talked to Ethan Vaughn like that.

But Lyra wasn’t just anyone.

She raised a brow. "Unless you suddenly decided to drop down from CEO to student, I’d suggest moving."

Ethan smirked.

"You assume I take orders, Miss Xian."

Her patience thinned. "You assume I care, Mr. Vaughn."

More gasps. Someone whispered, "Is she insane?"

Ethan just chuckled—but there was something sharp beneath the sound.

"You’re interesting," he admitted, his dark eyes locked onto hers. "I like interesting."

Lyra crossed her arms. "And I like my seat back."

A pause.

Then, Ethan stood slowly, stepping aside with an exaggerated gesture.

"By all means."

She sat down, not missing the way his gaze lingered on her for a second too long.

The moment should have ended there.

But of course, Ethan Vaughn had other plans.

Ethan turned to face the class. "Before we begin today’s lesson, I have an announcement."

The entire room tensed.

"When I joined Regis Academy, I wasn’t just here to observe," he continued, his gaze flickering toward Lyra.

"I’m also here to select a personal intern."

Dead silence.

Then, chaos.

"What?!"

"An internship at Vaughn Industries?!"

"This is insane!"

Lyra froze.

This… this wasn’t what she expected.

But Ethan wasn’t finished.

"Only one student will be chosen," he said smoothly. "And since I don’t waste my time on mediocrity, the selection process will be… challenging."

He finally turned his full attention to Lyra.

"Let’s call it a game of survival."

Her stomach dropped.

He was targeting her.

And worse?

She had no choice but to play.

---

After Class –

Lyra didn’t wait.

The moment the class ended, she cornered Ethan in the hallway, stepping in front of him before he could leave.

"What the hell are you doing?" she hissed under her breath.

Ethan didn’t even blink. "Whatever do you mean, Miss Xian?"

She narrowed her eyes. "An internship? Really? Why not just say you want to put me under surveillance?"

Ethan smirked, but his eyes darkened.

"Now why would I do that?"

Lyra exhaled sharply, trying to calm the frustration bubbling inside her.

"Look," she said, her voice even. "You’re wasting your time. I’m not interested in your little corporate empire, and I definitely don’t want to be your intern."

Ethan tilted his head slightly, studying her.

Then, he leaned in—just enough to make her breath catch.

"You misunderstand something," he murmured. "This isn’t about what you want."

Her fingers twitched at her sides.

"And what exactly is it about, then?"** she shot back.

Ethan held her gaze for a long, excruciating second.

Then, he smiled.

"Survival."

And just like that, he walked away.

Leaving Lyra with one terrifying realization.

This wasn’t just about an internship.

This was war.

---

That Night –

Lyra sat at her computer, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Ethan was trying to trap her.

Fine.

She would turn it around on him.

She was about to begin digging deeper into Vaughn Industries when her phone buzzed.

A new message.

From Leo.

Her fingers clenched as she opened it.

"You need to stop, Lyra."

She frowned. "Why?"

His response came instantly.

"Because Ethan Vaughn isn’t just after you. He’s after me, too. And if you keep playing this game—he’ll use you to get to me."

Her breath hitched.

Ethan wasn’t just hunting her.

He was using her as bait.

Lyra’s heart pounded.

She had underestimated him.

And now, she was in way deeper than she had planned.

---

End of Chapter 8

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