System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)-Chapter 313: Out of control

The feast sat untouched, the steam rising from the expensive steaks now feeling like a funeral shroud. Ethan stood up, his purple eyes flickering with a dark, unstable light.

"Everyone, leave. Now," Ethan said.

The group scrambled to stand, but as Hailey turned to follow them, Ethan reached out. His grip wasn’t rough, but it was absolute. "Not you. Stay. We need to talk," Ethan said.

"There is nothing to talk about, Ethan! Let me go!" Hailey said, her voice trembling.

Something began to burn within Ethan. Since the system had awakened, no one dared challenge him; the world bent to his will, his enemies fell before him, his words could unleash chaos upon the world, his fists could demolish any barrier in his path.

But now, after consuming the flower, it seemed his emotions had multiplied, his sense of power growing at an accelerated pace.

Having control of the world in his hands, yet feeling Hailey—his Hailey—resisting, triggered a wave of cold fury and possessive frustration. To him, she wasn’t just a girlfriend; she was his property.

Ethan gave a sharp nod to Congressman Thompson. The Congressman didn’t hesitate; he ushered the others out and pulled the heavy executive door shut. Hailey lunged for the handle, but the electronic lock engaged with a heavy, metallic thunk.

"Open this door! Ethan, stop this!" Hailey said, pounding on the reinforced wood.

Outside in the hallway, Max turned on his father, his face flushed with anger. "What are you doing? Why are you helping him? I know he’s the boss, but letting him lock her in there just because he has money? That’s not who you are!" Max said, reaching for the handle.

Thompson grabbed his son by the shoulder, his grip like a vice. He leaned in, whispering harshly into Max’s ear so only he could hear.

"Don’t you dare interfere. If he truly loses his temper, no one leaves this building alive. Just pray this settles peacefully. Even if he kidnaps her, you look the other way," Thompson said.

"How dare you...! I’m going to—" Max shouted.

Slap!

The sound of the blow echoed in the hall. "Shut up, you little idiot, and move!" Thompson said.

Seeing the commotion, five armed Royal guards stepped forward, their hands hovering over their weapons. "Is there a problem, Congressman?" the lead guard said.

"Help her! You have to help our friend!" Ruby screamed.

The guards didn’t even look at her. They grabbed Ruby and the others by the arms, dragging them down the hall. "You’ll wait in the secondary lounge until a decision is made regarding your status," the guard said.

Two guards watched them with one hand on the trigger of their automatic rifles and a look that left no doubt as to what would happen if they moved.

"How can you do this? You’re a Congressman! A future Governor! You bow down to a kid? Call the police! Call the army!" Max yelled as he was pushed away.

Thompson looked at his son with pity. "Even if the entire army arrived, they would only salute Ethan, turn around, and leave. You have no idea the power that boy holds. My seat, my life... it all exists because he allows it. We are only here because he desires it," Thompson said.

Thompson leaned back slightly in an armchair. He knew they were looking at him with fury, that they wanted to kill him, but he knew what they didn’t. He had seen Ethan’s power firsthand; he knew what he was capable of. He needed an army to stop him, and if he became enraged, they would all die instantly. He hated admitting to being so weak, but he had to protect his son at all costs.

Inside the room, Hailey was still screaming, kicking at the door that wouldn’t budge.

"Are you finished? Sit down so we can talk," Ethan said.

"Is this just a game to you? Why are you torturing us like this? What are you trying to win?" Hailey screamed, turning to face him.

Ethan looked at her, his gaze that of a predator watching a cornered bird. His mind was clouded, the sudden influx of spiritual energy making him brutal and possessive.

"You don’t seem to understand, Hailey. You are mine. You belong to me. If you aren’t with me, you won’t be with anyone. Ever," Ethan said. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Crul, tell me about her parents."

[Her father is a senior corporate manager; her mother is a high-profile defense attorney,] Crul’s voice echoed in Ethan’s mind.

"One phone call, Hailey. That’s all it takes. I can ruin their careers, their lives, and their future before the sun sets. I can erase them," Ethan said.

"How dare you! You think you’re above the law?" Hailey said.

Ethan’s fist slammed into the marble table, the reinforced stone shattering into a thousand pieces under his spiritual strength. "I AM THE LAW!" Ethan roared.

Hailey fell back, gasping in terror. She scrambled across the floor until her back hit the cold glass wall. There was nowhere left to run. Ethan moved toward her, the darkness in his mind completely taking over. He pinned her down, the sound of tearing fabric filling the room as he ripped through her blouse. He didn’t see the woman he loved; he saw a prize to be claimed.

His hand moved beneath her clothes, his lips pressing harshly against her neck. But just as he was about to cross the final line, a searing, white-hot pain exploded in his skull.

[Warning: Master’s psyche is under a violent spiritual relapse. Activating Control Protocol: Subjugation,] Crul shouted.

The pain was so intense it felt like his brain was being turned inside out. Ethan collapsed, rolling on the floor and clutching his head as a guttural scream escaped his throat. The possessive fog lifted instantly, replaced by agony.

The door slid open automatically. Using Ethan’s own vocal cords to mimic his voice perfectly, Crul spoke to the guards outside.

"Take them all. Get them out of here. Get them away from me now!" the voice commanded