CHAPTER 1

"The clock’s ticking, Mrs Martin's. And I'm not sure how much more time Jake has.”

Evelyn held her breath as Dr. Patel's words filled his office. The doctor gave her a pitying look as she tried to focus on his moving lips, her mind already calculating the mounting bills that threatened to drown them.

Jake had been so sick lately that she'd missed three shifts at the bar already this week. Like the devoted sister she was, she'd done everything possible to keep him comfortable and cared for, working double shifts and overtime until her feet bled in her worn shoes.

She had made it her mission to give him the best care possible since their parents' death, picking up every extra job she could find.

It was never enough for his condition, but little things like extra night shifts and selling their old possessions would surely help with the medical bills.

Only she had frozen in horror when Dr. Patel mentioned the new treatment costs. The numbers stared back at her, very large on the paper he'd slid across his desk.

She knew Jake hadn't been getting better for a while. The doctors had made that clear with all their concerned looks, but she thought that was just because they needed time. It had taken them three years to get his SLE under some control.

For the past year, they had been trying new medications, a better treatment plan this time if they would be so lucky, but it seemed that wasn't in the cards for them. At least, it wasn't for her wallet. According to Dr. Patel, she was running out of time, a fact he and the hospital administration never let her forget and had openly come to pressure her about.

She didn't wait for Dr. Patel to finish his speech. She couldn't bear to hear more about money they didn't have. Instead, she grabbed her purse and headed straight for Jake's room.

The memory of the accident crashed into her as she watched him through the window. The screech of metal, her mother's scream, her father's desperate attempt to control the car. Her hand unconsciously touched the scar on her leg, still angry and red after all these years.

"Miss Evelyn, there you are. Jake's been asking for you."

"Of course, he has. Why wouldn't he?" She turned to face the night nurse, Sarah, who had become too familiar with their story. "He's all I have left."

Sarah looked down the hallway behind her to ensure it was empty before shaking her head. "The poor thing's been through so much today. These new medications are really taking a toll."

Evelyn's hand reached for Jake's door handle, but her glance at the watch stopped her cold. "Shit." Mr. Garrett's warning from yesterday echoed in her head - one more missed shift and she'd be looking for a new job. With trembling fingers, she pulled back from the door and whispered a silent apology to her sleeping brother.

Thirty minutes later, she bursted through the back door of the Rusty Nail bar, chest heaving from her run across town. Her fingers fumbled with her hair tie as she tried to make herself presentable, praying she could slip in unnoticed.

"I don't pay you to sneak around my back door like some theif in the night."

Mr. Garrett's voice froze her in place. The hair tie snapped and fell uselessly to the floor.

"Mr. Garrett, I'm so sorry. My brother, he—"

"Save it." He cut through her explanation. "I'm sick of hearing about your brother. Every damn time, it's some new excuse. You think this place runs itself? You think customers serve themselves? While you're off playing nurse. I'm here losing money."

Evelyn swallowed hard. "I know, and I'm truly sorry. I'll work extra shifts next week, make up for all the time I've missed." She took a deep breath, knowing this was the worst possible moment but having no choice. "Actually, I was hoping we could discuss a small raise—"

Mr Garrett bursted out laughing and tried to stifle it with his palm . "A raise? You've got some nerve." He stepped closer this time. "You come in late, again, and have the audacity to ask for more money?"

"Please, Mr. Garrett." Her voice shook. "You know I'm a hard worker. I just need—"

"What you need," he jabbed a thick finger into her chest, forcing her back against the wall, "is to learn your damn place. Not only are you not getting a raise, but I'm docking your pay for today. Now get out there and do your job before I decide I don't need you at all."

Evelyn stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.

"What are you waiting for?" Mr. Garrett barked which made her jump. "Move!"

She hurried toward the bar, fingers trembling as she tied her apron. As she grabbed her serving tray, one question kept echoing through her mind

How was she going to pay for Jake's treatment now?

***********

THE NEXT DAY

Ethan sat at the head of the conference table as he fixed his gaze on every potential partner in the room, taking in their expressions. He'd spent months crafting this deal, and he wouldn't let it slip away now.

"Gentlemen," Ethan cut through the silence after the partners had taken in the proposal. "I believe we were about to finalize the details of our partnership. Mr. Zhao, do you have any further questions?"

Mr. Zhao, the CEO of a Chinese pharmaceutical company cleared his throat as he adjusted his tie. "Mr. Maverick, we're impressed with Maverick Foundation's proposal, but we feel we need more time to conduct a more thorough search to identify any risks."

Ethan's jaw tightened almost immediately. This deal was crucial for the foundation's expansion of their medical equipment into the market. Any delay would be very costly and he knew their competitors were always active waiting for such opening.

He leaned forward and tried to keep his cool. "I assure you our proposal has been efficiently prepared. Every risk has been thoroughly analyzed. Perhaps you can specify your concerns so we could address them immediately."

As Mr. Zhao opened his mouth to respond, everyone's phones started beeping. Executives on both sides glanced at their screens, and their eyes widened as they read whatever was on their screen.

"Attention," Ethan raised his voice, trying to bring everyone's attention back. "I believe we're in the middle of a meeting—"

The conference room door bursted open cutting his sentence off. David, Ethan's secretary rushed in looking disheveled and panicked. He went to Ethan and bent to his ear.

"Mr. Maverick," David panted, "I'm sorry to interrupt but you need to see something."

Ethan stood up and straightened his suit jacket. "Gentlemen, please excuse me for a minute." He followed David out of his office, who was still trying to catch his breath.

"This had better be important, David. You just interrupted a multi-million dollar negotiation." Ethan said once they were outside.

David placed the tablet in Ethan's hands with fingers trembling. "It's all over the news, sir. Every major outlet is running the story."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Ethan stared at the screen, his eyes widening as he took in the bold headline:

Ethan Maverick's Secret Life: Is the Maverick Heir Gay?

The article was filled with photos and quotes from anonymous sources, each one more scandalous than the last. They detailed his lack of public relationships with women, his cold treatment of them, and his suspiciously close relationship with David.

The final one was a blurry photo of Ethan standing intimately close to a male colleague, their faces mere inches apart in what appeared to be a private moment.

"This is ridiculous," Ethan snarled. "How dare they publish this baseless gossip?"

David stepped back, not knowing how to respond. Ethan phone's sudden beep cut through the silence. One glance at the screen showed Harrison's name, Ethan's father and before David could say anything, Harrison voice barked through the speaker: "In my office. Now."

Ethan gave David back the tablet as he reached for his father's door. Harrison didn't even wait for the heavy door to close behind him before his voice filled the room. "Do you understand the gravity of this? This could affect everything we've worked for—including the deal."

"It's just meaningless gossip, nothing more," Ethan countered already reaching for his phone. "I'll have my PR team issue a statement—"

"A statement won't be enough," Harrison interrupted. "The foundation's reputation is at stake. Our partners, our investors – they're all watching how we handle this."

"I'm aware of our position, Father," Ethan paced around the room now.

"Are you?" Harrison's voice cut like steel. "Then you should also be aware of what's at stake. This is all because you failed to listen to my advice—get a girl. Look at your brother Lucas. He's engaged to a respectable woman, settling down. Why can't you follow his example?"

The mention of his stepbrother Lucas made Ethan's hands clench. Lucas, Victoria's son—the perfect child who came into their lives after his mother died, when Harrison decided to give marriage another shot with Victoria.

"You have three months, Ethan," Harrison continued. "Three months to get a girl." He paused, his next words falling like hammer blows. "In fact, three months to marry. Show us you can be a reliable leader. Or I might have to consider other options for the chairman position. Perhaps someone more... stable."

"What?" Ethan's voice cracked. "What do you mean?"

"You're dismissed."

Ethan stormed out, his father's ultimatum ringing in his ears. Find a wife. The very thought made his blood boil, and memories of Sophia's betrayal came in.

He remembered their shared dreams, their plans, how he'd spent weeks choosing the perfect ring. Then came that shocking revelation, those damning documents that shattered everything he thought they had.

He shook his head violently, forcing the memories away. Looking up, he found David hovering nearby.

“We should get back to the meeting, We can't let these nonsense detail our-”

"Sir," David interrupted. "They... they all left."

"What?" Ethan froze on his steps. "What do you mean they left?"

David shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet his boss's eyes. "They saw the article and... well, they said they couldn't continue negotiations at this time."

Ethan hands slammed down on a nearby table, the expensive vase on it falling down. With a growl of frustration, he yanked his tie and loosened it as if it were choking him.

He turned to David again. "Clear my schedule for the rest of the day."

Without waiting for a response, he stormed out and entered his car. He drove with no particular destination in mind, but all he knew was that he needed a drink desperately. Then he stopped at the first view he saw.

RUSTY NAIL BAR.