_Chapter 11: The Call from Prison_
The phone rang, shrill and insistent. Ethan's eyes narrowed as he picked it up. "What do you want?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then a hesitant voice spoke up. "Ethan...it's Marcus."
Ethan's grip on the phone tightened. "What could you possibly want, Marcus?" he spat, his anger and disgust evident in his tone.
Marcus's voice was shaking, barely above a whisper. "Please...you have to listen to me. I'm being tortured in here. Beaten. I'm not the person I used to be. I need your help."
Ethan's expression didn't change, but a spark of curiosity ignited within him. "What makes you think I'll help you?" he asked, his voice cold.
Marcus took a deep breath. "I want to tell you the truth. It wasn't me. I didn't kill your parents."
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise, and he felt a surge of emotions. He had expected Marcus to deny any involvement in the corporation's wrongdoings, but he hadn't expected him to claim innocence in his parents' death.
"What are you talking about?" Ethan demanded, his voice firm. "You're the one who's been behind it all. You're the mastermind."
"No," Marcus said, his voice cracking. "I'm not. I was involved in the corporation, yes. But I didn't kill your parents. I don't know who did, but it wasn't me."
Ethan's mind was racing. Could Marcus be telling the truth? Was there someone else behind his parents' death?
"Then how was it?" Ethan asked, his voice a little softer, but still cautious.
Marcus hesitated, and Ethan could almost hear the fear in his voice. "I'll tell you everything," Marcus said. "But you have to protect me. You have to get me out of here."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure if he could trust Marcus, but he was willing to listen. For now. "I'll listen," he said. "But don't expect any favors."
Marcus's voice was filled with desperation. "Thank you, Ethan. Thank you."
As Ethan listened to Marcus's story, he realized that the truth was more complex than he had ever imagined. And he wasn't sure if he was ready for what he was about to hear.