PART 2: Ethan caught Wade’s wrist before the man’s palm reached Hannah.
The movement was fast and quiet. He did not shout. He simply tightened his grip until Wade’s face twisted.
“Put your hand down,” Ethan said.
Wade looked at Ethan’s faded jeans and plain gray shirt and mistook restraint for weakness.
“This is market business. Walk away.”
Ethan released him, pulled out his phone, and called his chief of staff.
“Marcus, contact the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and our legal team. I want every complaint ever filed against Wade Mercer. I also want a forensic review of his purchasing company, tax records, permits, and payments to market officials.”
Wade’s confidence collapsed.
He knew Ethan’s name. Everyone connected to the land sale did.
Within minutes, Wade and his men retreated through the crowd, muttering that the matter had been misunderstood. Hannah did not thank Ethan. She gathered her damaged vegetables while the twins clung to her legs.
“Let me help,” Ethan said.
“You already helped enough five years ago.”
She lifted the sack and walked away.
Ethan remained in the mud with a crushed tomato in his hand
…