He just said he loved me to death”
“Was he serious?”
“How can there be such a person…”
Amusement flickered in Ethan’s eyes. He didn’t expose me, just played along: “Oh? Then we should let Grandfather pass judgment.”
Tears hung suspended in Sophia’s eyes, forgotten.
“It’s not like that, he loves me-”
I cut her off, distraught. “Miss Lin, you don’t need to cover for him! He can’t be redeemed.”
Sophia grew frantic. “How could it be you! It’s clearly me-”
She tried to regain everyone’s attention.
But people just shook their heads. “Miss Lin, this doesn’t concern you. Don’t get involved.”
In the end, Ethan, Nathan and I were all called to Grandfather’s study.
Ethan noticed the sweat on my palms and chuckled softly. Leaning close to my ear, he said, “You spun quite a tale earlier. Why are you afraid
now?”
I was too nervous to speak.
“Later, say whatever you want.”
Til back you up. It’ll be fine.”
My face went pale. “Even if I make things up?”
Ethan smiled. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Tell me what’s going on,” Grandfather Fu said sternly from across the desk.
Nathan launched into a tirade: “Grandpa, Olivia was my college girlfriend. We dated for five years.”
“She saw my brother had money and latched onto him. She’s clearly not a good person.”
Ethan didn’t even look up, his tone sarcastic. “You’re a good person? Good people cheat and two–time. How scary.”
Nathan choked. “You’re mocking me!”
“what are you going to do about it.
10:11 AM
<
Ethan raised an eyebrow, the picture of “what are you going to do about it?”
Nathan sputtered. “Olivia, you tell them!”
“Me?” I shrank behind Ethan, eyeing Nathan warily. “What can I say?”
“I can’t exactly repeat the things you said insulting your brother and grandfather…”
Nathan’s eye twitched. “Olivia, you green tea b-”
1 quickly ducked back behind Ethan and pressed play on a recording.
As Nathan watched in horror, my phone started playing:
“That old geezer has too much money to spend, always sponsoring poor students.”
“Relying on my brother, the Fu family will die out sooner or later.”
Nathan’s eyes were practically bulging out of his head in shock.
He lunged at me. “Olivia, you bitch! Playing dirty tricks on me.”
“Enough!”
Grandfather Fu’s cane came down on Nathan’s knee with a crack.
The cane snapped in two.
Nathan cried out in pain as he fell in front of me.
“Grandpa, I was just drunk…
Grandfather Fu ignored his excuses, stomping his foot in anger. “Call the lawyer! Draw up the papers! I’m cutting ties with him!”
As Ethan led me out, I “accidentally” stepped on Nathan’s arm.
An agonized scream suddenly rang out from the floor.
Ethan put his arm around my shoulders. “Grandfather, I’ll take Olivia home now She’s had a shock and can barely walk straight.”
The Fu household was bound to be in chaos tonight.
Ethan and I returned to our own villa.
We didn’t speak the whole way.
As soon as we got inside, Ethan suddenly gripped my waist and pinned me against the entryway cabinet.
It was pitch black all around.
We hadn’t had time to turn on the lights.
“Is this your gift to me?” Ethan asked.
Gone was his earlier relaxed manner. His hand caressed my neck.
His fingertips rested on my pulsing artery.
It was hard to say if this was a caress or predation.
My heart started racing.
“I said I would repay you.”
10:11 AM
<
Tonight, Nathan had been kicked off the list of heirs.
The inheritance rights were redistributed, with Ethan as the biggest winner.
“When did Nathan say those things?”
“Last week, when he was with Sophia in the office bathroom.”
I explained, “I just wanted to record evidence to protect myself in case he tried to smear me later. Who knew it would come in handy tonight.”
Ethan just stared at me silently, not saying a word.
Had I caused him trouble by making such a scene tonight?
I habitually apologized, “It won’t happen again-”
Before I could finish, I let out a short cry of surprise.
Ethan had picked me up and sat me on the cabinet.
He placed his hands on either side, boxing me in.
Trapping me in a small space.
“The gift was quite nice, but I prefer something else.”
“Something else?”
I was bewildered. “What else do you want?”
Ethan’s voice was low and husky as he kissed my ear. “How about finishing that ‘Little Bunny‘ song?”
His lips barely touched before pulling away.
But they left behind their warmth.
Which quickly turned into boiling water.
Bewitching me to sink into him.
Ethan’s breathing became deep and slow, like a wolf that had lain in wait for a long time.
And wolves have no shortage of patience.
“Mr. Fu.”
“Mm?”
“You know I can’t resist you.”
“Then don’t resist.”
“Will I suffer if I finish the song?”
Ethan picked me up and tossed me onto the sofa, unhurriedly removing his watch.
“You might lose your life.”
In the faint moonlight, I finally saw his expression clearly.
His dark eyes held intense possessiveness.
Before I could react, Ethan leaned down again and asked softly:
D
10:11 AM
<
“Now, are you ready to continue?”
I never imagined that Ethan, such a big man, could be so obsessed with that song.
I lay in bed for three days before suddenly receiving a call from my editor–in–chief.
“Olivia, we have an interview with an important figure.”
“You and Sophia will work together. Whoever writes the better article gets to stay.”
Without Nathan’s protection, Sophia was now doing fieldwork and interviews just like me.
I sat bolt upright in bed.
“Thank you, Editor. I’ll definitely cherish this opportunity.”
This was my first time participating in a finance section interview.
Of course I couldn’t pass it up.
It was also a chance to get away and rest for a bit.
That evening, I packed my luggage and sent Ethan a message: “I’m going on a business trip.”
“Where to?”
To avoid being caught and brought home, I casually made something up: “Hainan.”
After a while I added weakly: “Take care of yourself lately.”
I could imagine his raised eyebrow upon reading the message.
Ethan didn’t object, just reminded me: “Be careful.”
I let out a long breath of relief.
No sooner had I left than the editor–in–chief called me.
“The interview subject suddenly went to Hainan. I’ve booked you a ticket for tonight.”
Time was tight, and I was whisked onto a flight to Hainan before I could ask any questions.
The plane landed in Sanya.
As soon as the door opened, a wave of heat hit me.
The deputy editor led us straight to check in at a local five–star hotel.
I was rushing to my room to prepare interview questions when suddenly someone blocked my way.
Olivia, you’re doing great, huh? Set me up and then ran off here?”
Nathan cornered me at the door. “Looks like life with my brother is treating you well.”
Remembering his furious look last time, I slowly backed up a step.
That very action seemed to enrage Nathan.
He grabbed me roughly. “Why are you running? You clung to me for five years, how heartless.”
D
<
As I struggled, he suddenly noticed the kiss marks on my neck.
His face darkened.
“You slept with him?”
“What’s it to you? We broke up.”
Nathan let out a cold laugh. “You just saw my brother had more money.”
I got annoyed too. “He’s not just richer than you, he’s also kinder, more responsible, more capable. He even has more abs than you! Who wouldn’t choose him?”
Nathan’s face turned red with anger. “You- you’re just a gold digger!”
“You’re so noble, not caring about money. Take off your designer clothes, check out of this hotel, sleep naked on the street tonight then.”
Nathan was about to explode. “Which bastard cured your stammer! You–you-”
“You–you-“I narrowed my eyes, mimicking him. “Takes three minutes to say one sentence. So stupid.”
Then I bit down hard on his hand.
He let out a howl of pain.
I quickly opened the door and ducked inside.
That night, I stayed up late finishing the interview outline and doing thorough research.
I was so nervous I didn’t even reply to Ethan’s messages.
Early the next morning, he called me.
“What are you up to?”
Clutching a bundle of materials, I said sleepily: “Waiting for the interview subject. Apparently it’s some big shot, but the deputy editor won’t tell me their background. It’s like opening a mystery box.”
“When are you coming back?”
1 feigned regret. “Probably in a week.”
“That long?”
“Yeah, evil capitalists-”
Before I could finish, I turned a corner and came face to face with Ethan leaning by the floor–to–ceiling windows, on the phone.
The morning sunlight fell on his sharp features, softening them.
I understood the playfulness in his eyes.
Through the phone came Ethan’s low chuckle. “So it’s my fault then?”
