Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 125

Ethan's POV:

The tension in the car was suffocating.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter as I navigated the winding roads of Long Island, occasionally glancing at Daisy in the rearview mirror.

Her face was turned toward the window, tear tracks still visible on her cheeks.

I hadn't spoken a word to her since we left the Thornton estate.

What was there to say? I didn't understand why she never listened to advice.

"We're almost there," I announced, breaking the heavy silence as we approached the gated entrance of our newly purchased property.

I parked in the circular driveway and was surprised to see Finley's car already there.

He and Clara were waiting by the entrance, despite the early hour.

Clara's gentle smile was a stark contrast to the chaos that seemed to follow my family wherever we went.

"Did you find Daisy?" Finley asked immediately as I stepped out of the car.

Before I could answer, the passenger door flew open.

Daisy emerged, slamming the door with enough force to make the whole car shake.

Without acknowledging either Finley or Clara, she stormed past them and disappeared into the house.

Clara looked concerned. "Is she okay?"

"Don't worry about her," I sighed, gesturing for them to follow me.

"Let's go inside. She just needs some time to cool off."

As we walked toward the entrance, Finley gave me a curious look.

"So, why the sudden real estate acquisition in New York? "

I said while inviting them to sit down.

"The New York division of Cole Enterprises is expanding, and having a base here will facilitate our business relationships. It's much more convenient than constantly flying back and forth."

Another reason I didn't tell them is that being close to Thornton Manor makes it convenient to communicate with Caspar and search for my missing sister.

Before we could continue our conversation, Daisy appeared in the doorway, her face freshly made up as if the morning's accident had never happened.

"Have you calmed down? Can we sit down and talk now?" I asked.

"What the hell were you thinking, going to see Dorothy Thornton?"

"I deserve Caspar more than anyone else," she snapped.

"Deserve?" I could feel my blood pressure rising.

"This isn't about who deserves what. Caspar Thornton isn't a prize to be won."

"You don't understand," Daisy insisted, her eyes flashing. "We would be perfect together. The Cole and Thornton families—it makes sense."

"What makes sense is respecting his choices. He's clearly chosen Audrey."

"He's confused," she said dismissively. "He'll see eventually."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to maintain my composure.

"Daisy, this has to stop. Chasing after someone who's clearly not interested will only make people avoid you. You're embarrassing yourself and our family."

"I'm embarrassing the family?" Her voice rose sharply.

"Ethan. Always. From the time I was little, there was nothing I wanted that I couldn't get."

My temper flared. "Listen to me very carefully, Daisy. If you continue this obsessive pursuit, I'll act like I don't have a sister. Do you understand me?"

Daisy froze, her expression shifting from defiance to shock.

She clearly hadn't expected such harsh words from me. Her eyes immediately welled with tears.

"You've changed," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"You used to help me get whatever I wanted. You were always on my side. What happened to you, Ethan?"

I remained unmoved by her tears.

I understood with painful clarity that if I didn't force her to face reality now, the world would teach her the same lesson in a far crueler way.

"I'm still on your side," I said more quietly. "That's why I'm telling you the truth instead of what you want to hear."

Clara stepped forward hesitantly, her gentle voice cutting through the tension.

"Maybe we should all take a moment to calm down. Ethan is also doing this for your own good, Daisy."

"Don't pretend you understand anything about our family," Daisy snapped at Clara, wiping away tears.

"You've been a Cole for what, a week? Stop playing peacemaker with that fake concern."

"Daisy!" I barked. "That's enough. Show some respect to your sister-in-law."

"You just can't stand me anymore." Daisy's voice cracked.

She grabbed a crystal paperweight from my desk and hurled it against the wall, where it shattered.

"Maybe I should die, then everyone would care!"

Something inside me snapped.

In three strides, I crossed the room and slapped her across the face.

The sound echoed in the sudden silence.

Daisy stared at me in shock, her hand rising to her reddening cheek.

"Daisy, how could you become so pathetic." I said, my voice dangerously low.

Tears streamed down Daisy's face, but I wasn't finished.

"You need to grow up, Daisy. The world doesn't revolve around you and your wants. "

Daisy turned and fled from the room, sobbing.

I sank into my chair, suddenly exhausted.

The hand that hit Daisy couldn't stop trembling.

"Don't take her words to heart," I told Clara, my voice hoarse.

"She doesn't understand the consequences of what she says or does yet. She's still... learning."

Clara approached cautiously.

"It's alright. I'm not offended."

Her eyes reflected genuine concern.

"I know this isn't easy for you either. Watching your sister make mistakes and not being able to stop them... it hurts."

I nodded, grateful for her understanding.

"Someone has to teach her that actions have consequences. The world won't be as forgiving as family."

My phone rang, interrupting the moment.

Caspar's name flashed on the screen.

"I should take this," I said, standing up.

Clara and Finley nodded, leaving me alone in the study.

"Caspar," I answered, closing the door behind them. "I wanted to apologize again for Daisy's behavior this morning."

"That's not why I'm calling," Caspar replied, his voice all business.

"I found something. A nephew of one of the men involved in the kidnapping case. He has been helping suspects commit illegal and criminal acts since childhood. His name is Kevin. He lives in Brooklyn. "

My heart skipped a beat. "You're sure?"

"Yes, maybe we should pay him a visit tomorrow."

"You've done enough already, Caspar," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"I can handle this myself. "

"You know, Cole," Caspar replied, a hint in his voice, "sometimes you're too kind-hearted for your own good. These aren't the kind of people you negotiate with over tea and biscuits."

"Fine," I conceded. "Nine o'clock tomorrow."

I ended the call, staring out at the darkening sky.

Twenty-six years of searching, and finally, a potential lead.

When I turned around, I was startled to find Finley standing in the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.