A Matrilocal Husband's Counterattack

Chapter 56: Ambush

Sophia's loan issue was resolved, and Ethan wanted to take a few days to rest.
After all, he had been too busy over the past half month.
He saved Cici twice, helped his mother-in-law recover her debt, rescued Andrew Brooks, healed Victor Blacke and Emily Brooks, and now even dealt with Ryan Barker's troubles.
Although the Taiji Scripture kept his body energized and tireless, his spirit longed for a break.

However, before Ethan could rest for two days, Victor Blacke called him:
"Brother Ethan, good afternoon."
His laughter was hearty: "Are you busy now?"
Ethan responded calmly: "Get to the point."
"Brother Ethan, two things."
Victor didn't beat around the bush:
"First, Lynn Zacher, Hanson Zacher, and Jasmine Hunter will no longer trouble you."
"Second, Damien Stone, that scoundrel, revealed a secret before he died."
"He said that the Hunter siblings' visit to ZH City this time, targeting you and Eugene Zacher, was just a side mission."

He lowered his voice: "Their real target is Ms. Scarlet."
Ethan's body tensed: "Targeting Ms. Scarlet?"
"Exactly."
Victor nodded: "Someone hired the four Hunters to return to ZH City with orders to kill Ms. Scarlet at all costs."
"When they infiltrated ZH City—on the very night you exposed Eugene Zacher's infertility—Victor Hunter received Lynn Zacher's distress call."
"So Victor and Jasmine Hunter helped Lynn and her son escape and decided to deal with you and Eugene Zacher along the way."
Victor Blacke complimented Ethan: "Too bad they didn't realize that you are invincible, Brother Ethan..."

"The four Hunter siblings..."
Ethan's gaze flickered with murderous intent:
"So, the other two are also in ZH City?"
He had thought Victor and Jasmine came specifically to rescue Lynn Zacher and Hanson, but now realized it was just a coincidence.
"Exactly."
Victor continued: "Ian and Baron Hunter are here too, along with many skilled subordinates."
"They are ruthless criminals with no moral boundaries and a penchant for torture. The underworld despises them."
"But don't worry; they'll never know you killed Victor Hunter."
"Their disappearance will be pinned on Eugene Zacher."
Victor reassured him with a laugh: "And Eugene Zacher, with over a hundred bodyguards and police surveillance, is as safe as can be."

Ethan said calmly: "Can we locate Baron and Ian?"
"Find them?"
Victor chuckled, then shuddered: "Brother Ethan, are you planning to eliminate them?"
Ethan didn't answer.
Victor and Jasmine had sought revenge but ended up dead. Whether or not Ethan was responsible, Baron and Ian would eventually come after him.
Ethan intended to root them out to end this for good.
Moreover, since they were targeting Ms. Scarlet, they had to die. After all, Ms. Scarlet was his first close confidante.

"Baron and Ian may be despised by both the underworld and the authorities, but they are formidable."
"Especially Ian, known as the modern Killer. His brute strength is terrifying; he can kill a bull with a single punch."
Victor cautioned Ethan: "Taking them on directly is risky."
"It's not that I doubt your abilities, but they're desperate outlaws. There's no need to confront them yourself."
"Just wait and watch. Baron and Ian targeting Ms. Scarlet is like courting death."
"Ms. Scarlet may seem like an ordinary woman, and the Five Lakes Group appears to be legitimate, but she's a ruthless force."
"She's been in ZH City for nearly a decade, rising from obscurity to become a prominent figure. Do you think she achieved that without exceptional skills?"
"I've met countless people, but Ms. Scarlet remains an enigma."
"This woman is deep."
Victor concluded: "The Hunter brothers trying to kill her? Impossible."

Ethan was surprised by Ms. Scarlet's hidden depths but still felt a trace of concern.
If Victor Blacke knew Ms. Scarlet's capabilities, the Hunter brothers surely did too. If they dared accept the mission, they must have some degree of confidence.
Why would anyone recklessly provoke a local powerhouse?

After hanging up, Ethan hailed a cab and instructed the driver to head to the Five Lakes Group.
At the same time, he called Ms. Scarlet, and she answered quickly with her usual playful tone:
"Ethan, what a pleasant surprise. Missing me already?"
Hearing her safe and sound, Ethan sighed with relief: "Where are you now?"
"Me? Passing through the eastern peak of Genting Mountain."
Ms. Scarlet chuckled softly: "I just strolled around the old town, looking for a place to set up your clinic."
"You're so lucky; I found a perfect spot. I'll take you to see it tomorrow."
"If you're satisfied, we'll lease it, renovate it, and it'll be ready to open in two months at most."

Her cheerful tone was filled with excitement as if the clinic was her project.
Ethan felt a twinge of gratitude, touched that she cared so much about his plans despite the scorching weather.
But he quickly remembered the urgent matter:
"The clinic can wait. I called because I received intel."
"Someone has hired the Hunter siblings to target you. Be extremely careful."
He didn't want anything to happen to her.

"Target me? The Hunter siblings? The four Hunters?"
Ms. Scarlet was slightly surprised: "Weren't they after you and Eugene Zacher?"
Ethan wasn't surprised she knew about his killing Victor Hunter:
"Victor and Jasmine targeting me and Eugene Zacher was just a detour."
"Their real mission is to come for you."
Ms. Scarlet fell silent for a moment before sighing: "It seems I've been careless. But it's nothing to worry about—just some minor characters."
Ethan warned: "Still, be cautious..."
"Don't worry."
Ms. Scarlet laughed: "I've already called my cousin, Rose, to join me. She's the head of my security team..."

"Bang—"
Before she could finish, Ethan heard a loud explosion through the phone, followed by the sound of gunfire and sharp weapons clashing.
There were several agonizing screams.

"Ms. Scarlet, what's happening?"
Ethan's heart sank: "What's going on?"
Ms. Scarlet didn't respond. Only static filled the line, as if the signal had been jammed.
Ethan tried calling several times, but the phone remained disconnected.

Sweating profusely, Ethan handed three days' worth of grocery money to the cab driver.
"Drive to Genting Mountain, East Peak, now."
A thousand dollars was a generous tip, but the driver slammed on the brakes upon hearing the destination.
The car came to a sudden halt.
The driver shook his head: "Not going!"

Ethan was stunned. He took out another thousand and threw it at the driver: "Hurry up."
"Sorry, not even for ten thousand. I'm not going to Genting Mountain."
The driver tossed the money back and opened the door for Ethan to get out.

Left with no choice, Ethan stepped out.
He tried flagging down more taxis, but although the drivers' eyes lit up at the sight of cash, they all fled upon hearing the destination.
After five failed attempts, Ethan could only curse in frustration.

"Ethan! Ethan! Waiting for a ride here?"
Just then, an old Mercedes pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, revealing Ricky's chubby face.
Ethan was momentarily surprised but quickly opened the door: "Genting Mountain."
"Genting Mountain?"
Ricky shuddered but floored the accelerator: "Got it!"

Without hesitation, Ricky drove like the wind toward Genting Mountain, heading into the twilight.