Infinite Returns : The More I Give, The Stronger I Become-Chapter 23: Falling deeper and deeper.

Chapter 23: Falling deeper and deeper.

Four Days Later

Four days had passed since Ethan's world had shifted.

Four days since he had declared Mei and Ellie as his wives to his family.

And the reactions?

Oh, priceless.

Lionnel Yagami, his father, had simply stood there, mouth slightly open, looking like he had just witnessed the laws of physics shatter before his eyes.

Iris? His ever-dramatic mother?

Tears. Actual tears.

"My son... my baby... you're a damn PLAYER?!"

Eva, his older sister?

A long, unimpressed stare. Absolute filth, her expression said.

That one hurt.

But Chloe, his adorable little sister?

She had simply clapped her hands together, grinning ear to ear. "So I have aunties now! Yay!"

All in all?

Pretty good.

Eric had left shortly after, returning home, leaving both Jade and Julie behind. Ethan hadn't asked him to, but the man clearly had no intention of pulling them away. Not yet.

Jade?

For four days, she had done nothing except exist. She moved through the Yagami estate like an observer, making connections, studying people, carefully establishing an image.

She was playing a game.

A long game.

Iris and Lionnel hadn't interfered—because Jade had signed a mana contract, binding her to certain rules. One wrong move, and the consequences would be severe.

Ellie, now forever bound to Ethan's shadow, had seamlessly become part of his world.

She wasn't spying. She wasn't overstepping.

When Ethan needed time alone, she vanished.

When Mei and Julie trained, she joined them.

The three had been... adjusting.

They weren't friends yet. But by training together, sweating together, and bleeding together, they were beginning to understand each other.

Beginning to accept that they shared something greater than rivalry.

And Ethan?

He was pleased with this situation.

Even if any girl who dared come within five meters of him now received a death glare capable of curdling milk.

Nobody dared anymore. Death by the hands of three crazy women was not something they are fond of.

But in these four days, Ethan had prepared for what truly mattered.

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The Tower.

He had searched the library, devoured books, looking for anything that could prepare him.

And what had he found?

Nothing useful.

The trials were tailored to each individual.

No pattern. No predictability.

He was alone in this.

So he had prepared himself—revisiting skills he already had (his talents skills), sharpening his instincts, refining his control with physical training.

He didn't want to waste time on complicated techniques. Not yet.

Not until he saw what the Tower would throw at him.

And now—

Now he was ready.

Or so he thought.

...

Ethan sat on his bed, lost in thought.

The room was dimly lit. Shadows flickered, cast by the soft glow of his bedside lamp.

Tomorrow, he would enter the Tower.

Tomorrow, everything could change.

Suddenly — A shift in the air.

A presence.

He opened his eyes.

And standing before him—

Was Jade Bloodsanguine.

A woman he did not expect. Not so soon.

Ethan tilted his head. "You finally decided to come to me."

Jade crossed her arms, red eyes narrowing.

"You think I had a choice?" she scoffed. "Your mother has been watching me like a damn hawk. What is with that woman?"

Ethan chuckled. "Isn't it obvious? Considering who you are?"

Jade clicked her tongue in irritation. Of course, she knew.

But that wasn't why she was here.

She studied him.

His face.

His body.

And—

She felt something dangerous stir inside her.

Desire. Desire for this young man in front of her.

Lust.

"You know why I'm here," she said, her voice husking with desire.

Ethan's expression was unreadable. "Why are you here?"

Jade's lips twitched. He was playing games. But she didn't have time for them.

She stepped forward.

Closed the distance.

Her face—inches from his.

Her red eyes glowed in the dim light.

Jade Bloodsanguine was beautiful.

Not in the delicate, untouchable way of a princess—

But in the way of a woman who had lived, survived, and thrived.

She was older—Way older even—But standing this close... the gap barely seemed to matter.

She opened her mouth—

"I want you."

Ethan didn't flinch.

His gaze locked onto hers, unwavering.

"You're married."

Jade didn't hesitate. "That never mattered."

"You're Eric's wife. An SS rank being. Do you want me dead?"

Her expression turned cold.

"Eric never saw me as a woman. Only as an object. A tool to birth an heir. And he can't do nothing to you, your father is also an SS rank being and I will not let him."

She stepped closer.

Her voice lowered to a whisper. She continued.

"He never loved me."

Her lips parted slightly.

"But you... You are different."

Silence.

Then—

"I do not ask to be your wife," she continued. "I will be your mistress. Your concubine. I don't care about titles."

Ethan's breath slowed.

Because he could feel it now.

The raw, unfiltered hunger in her voice.

And as a 15-year-old, with hormones raging

His self-control was being tested.

He exhaled slowly.

"You'll obey me?"

Jade's answer was immediate. "Yes."

Ethan's eyes darkened.

"Then you will work for me."

He leaned forward slightly, voice dropping into something deeper.

"The Bloodsanguine House will belong to me."

Jade didn't flinch.

"Yes."

"You will return with Julie. You will begin working from within."

Jade's lips parted.

"Yes, I will do that for you."

And that was it.

That was all Ethan needed.

He kissed her.

Jade's eyes widened—

But she didn't resist.

She melted into it.

It was not a gentle kiss.

It was claiming.

Their bodies pressed together, heat rising between them. Their tongues started to dance, a beautiful but lustful dance.

Jade's fingers curled into his shirt.

She wanted more.

She wanted him. She wanted him inside.

But just as things could escalate—

Ethan pulled back.

Jade stared, breathless.

Ethan smirked.

"You'll get what you want."

His voice was dangerous.

"But only when you've earned it."

Jade's breath hitched.

And in that moment—

She realized something.

She wasn't just falling for him.

She was already his.

Completely.

—End of Chapter 23—