A tearing sound ripped through the air as the white gauze wrapped around me was shredded, but my fist was already aimed at Martin Lin's face. Just then, a hand gripped me firmly.
"Ethan Zhang, don't lose your temper yet."
It was Walter Wu. My eyes were red as Martin Lin stared at me in shock. Twenty or thirty Hades Circle Born closed in around us.
"I'll say it again—move aside."
A surge of Deathbane Aura shot out from my chest, morphing into a giant claw that seized Martin Lin. He screamed desperately as the Hades Circle Born around us began making strange hand gestures. My Deathbane Aura had already extended to Walter Wu's neck. In that moment, a murderous intent exploded in my mind.
"That's enough, Ethan."
At that moment, Rachel Lan placed her hand on my arm. Her gaze, tinged with anger, was fixed on me, her eyes blank and unblinking.
"That's enough, Ethan. I... I'm going to marry him."
In an instant, all my anger turned to icy dread. It felt as though someone had gouged a hole in my heart. Rachel Lan quietly looked at me. Slowly, I let go. She leaned her head close to my ear, wrapped her arms around me, and embraced me.
"Ethan, trust me."
It was only a brief sentence. Then Rachel Lan walked over and helped Martin Lin up. At first, he looked resentful, but soon he wrapped his arm around Rachel Lan's waist, his expression turning smug.
I couldn't make sense of what was happening—was it an illusion, or something else? My mood had completely hit rock bottom. I reached out, staring blankly as Rachel Lan walked away. Inside, a sense of resignation called out to me, wave after wave of helplessness. Walter Wu patted my shoulder.
"What's wrong, Ethan Zhang? Heartbroken?"
A familiar voice sounded. I turned—it was Rachel Lan's mother, Helen Lane. Instantly, my anger shifted to her. Seeing her smiling face, rage welled up inside me.
"Aunt Helen, please—what is going on here?"
Helen Lane walked up to me, looked me up and down, and spoke each word deliberately.
"Just as it seems, Ethan Zhang. You're a man, aren't you?"
My anger had completely overtaken me—I lost all sense of reason, my mind blank. I felt as if something inside me was about to break free.
"Brother, rein in your murderous intent."
Just then, John Chou appeared at my side, slinging one arm around my shoulders.