Chapter 9 Chapter 9 288 Vouchers Half an hour later , Ethan finally arrived at the scene . Before even stepping out of the car , he saw the long police tape stretched across the coastal highway . As soon as he got out , the driver rushed over to him . Ethan took a deep breath , forcing himself to stay calm : " What exactly happened ? Where's Amy ? " At the mention of Amy , the driver's eyes instantly reddened : " Miss Amy asked me to buy two bouquets of Funeral Flowers for her . After I got out ... she drove straight toward the cliff . " Ethan noticed the two bouquets of Funeral Flowers still clutched in the driver's hands and instantly understood . Amy always brought only one bouquet when visiting her mother's grave . One of those Funeral Flowers was clearly for herself - she'd planned this all along . The wrecked car was salvaged , completely mangled by the explosion . A rescuer approached Ethan , shaking his head grimly : " Falling from that height into the sea , then exploding ... slim chance anyone survived . " Ethan's heart plunged into icy depths . He stared desperately at the pitch - black ocean , searching for any sign of her . " Did you find her ? " The rescuer hesitated , then shook his head again . " Then she's not dead . If she's alive , I'll see her . If she's dead , I'll see her body ! " 10:21 Chapter 9 0:0 288 Vouchers Ethan refused to believe Amy was gone . He'd survived a worse crash - so could she . No body meant one last shred of hope . Waves crashed violently as Ethan stood on the shore , eyes dark and stormy . He hurled the Funeral Flowers to the ground , grinding them under his heel . " Amy , you can't be dead ! " Ethan waited until dawn , but no news came . Agitated , he reached for a cigarette , then remembered he'd quit years ago . He'd quit for Amy . During their first date , she'd run to him in a white dress . He'd forgotten his lit cigarette and kissed her . Smoke flooded her mouth , making her choke . Later , he noticed angry red rashes covering her skin . The hospital diagnosed nicotine allergy . Ethan never touched cigarettes again . His suit pocket vibrated twice . Ethan steadied his breathing before answering . Gerald's stern voice crackled through : " Wherever you are , come to the study now . We need to talk . " When Ethan entered , Gerald sat at the desk , massaging his temples .. Spotting him , Gerald gestured to the computer screen . Surveillance footage showed Amy and Ruth on the stairs that day . As the video ended , Ethan slammed his fist on the desk . Fury surged- he'd been the fool dancing to their tune . 30.20 % 10:21 Chapter 9 Deeper hatred followed- hatred for disbelieving Amy , hounding her toward death . " Let this end here . Ruth may have been wrong , but she bore the Johnson family's heir . " " So no matter what the truth is , Amy must bear all the blame ! " Gerald Johnson's casual remark settled the matter . Ethan immediately objected : " No ! I refuse ! " " Amy's innocent ! We still don't even know if she's alive . What did she ever do wrong ? Why would our family treat her like this ? " Ethan's eyes reddened , veins bulging on his neck . Gerald rose slowly , staring at Ethan : " Would you rather kick Ruth out ? Would that honor your brother ? " " You're Gabriel Jackson now , not Ethan Johnson ! " " Besides , Amy's already dead . " Gerald's words stabbed Ethan's heart like a knife . The mention of Amy's death suffocated him . He tore off his tie : " She's alive ! I'll find her ! " 10:21 288 Vouchers Chapter 9 He stormed out of the study , rushing downstairs . At the entrance , he encountered Ruth in her wheelchair , still recovering postpartum . Ethan brushed past her with undisguised loathing . " So you know everything now ? " Ruth's words deliberately tore open old wounds . Ethan clenched his fists : " Why did you do it ? " " For you . You're my husband now , yet you still want her . " " I don't care who you love . I just need you here with me - wearing Gabriel's face . " Ruth's sorrowful gaze pierced through him . Ethan knew she saw only his brother . Though the three grew up together , Ruth always treated him like a younger sibling . He'd buried his feelings to preserve their happiness . Until Amy taught him how to truly love . Turning away , Ethan slammed his fist against the wall . Blood trickled down the plaster as he ground out : " Never appear before me again ! " 10:22 288 Vouchers Chapter 10 : 288 Vouchers