Chapter 2 Let’s Settle This Separately
Chapter 2 Let’s Settle This Separately
The manager’s office was spacious, but the air felt suffocatingly thin.
Ethan struggled to breathe, staring in shock at the girl who had him by the ear.
+5 Free Coins
She was stunning–her eyes that sparkled when she smiled but turned fiery when she was angry. And right now, they were practically shooting flames.
That look always terrified him
But today, his fear was drowned out by disbelief.
This can’t be real.
Zoe, meanwhile, was also gasping for his eyes bulging like Saucers.
This woman has a death wish!
Who does she think she is, grabbing Mr. Ethan’s ear?!
“Let go of Mr. Ethan!” he shouted, reaching out to yank Stella away.
But before he could touch her, a cold voice cut through the air like a blade
“Get out”
Zoe froze, pointing at himself. “Gel.. Out? Me?
Tina barely stifled a laugh as she dragged him away. “Yes, you. Move!”
She knew the CEO needed to talk to this girl alone.
And if I’m not mistaken, this girl is the sister Mr. Ethan had mentioned only once, years ago,
Back when I was still an intern, I’d driven a drunk Ethan home. He’d pointed at a photo on his nightstand, his eyes red.
“This is my sister. Beautiful, right? But she… died a long time ago.”
So this situation was beyond bizarre. But I’m not about to ask questions.
The security guard, still panting from the chase, gaped as Zoe was the one kicked out.
What kind of upside–down world is this?!
Once the door closed, the pain in Ethan’s ear sharpened. His eyes reddened, voice trembling.
“…Stella?”
My sister, dead for 11 years, is standing in front of me?
Is this craft
Her voice had sounded familiar on the phone, but I hadn’t dwelled on it.
Who would believe someone could come back after a decade?
Stella finally released his ear and plopped into the CEO’s chair like she owned it and started her order.
“Gel me some water. I’m exhausted!”
After Ethan hung up on me. I’d had no choice but to hunt down the office myself. The guard refused to tell me where it was, so I sprinted
1/4
7:55 AM Р Р
Chapter 2 Let’s Settle This Separately
through the mall, floor by floor, until I found it.
And now, here she was–bossing around the ruthless CEO who made entire industries tremble.
Yet Ethan, as if programmed, immediately fetched her water.
They had different last names–Stella took their mother’s–but they were full siblings.
+5 Free Coins
Seeing her forehead glistening with sweat, he instinctively grabbed a folder and fanned her, even though the office was air- conditioned.
Stella gulped the water down and slammed the cup on the desk. “Oh, and cancel the mall shutdown. Now,
Ethan’s cold eyes shimmered. “Stella. is it really you?”
She answered by smacking him upside the head. “Do it!”
The slap confirmed it.
This is her. My sister is back.
She’s alive!
His brain short–circuited from sheer cuphoria. No time to question how.
He strode to the door, yanked it open, and barked at Zoe, “Cancel the shutdown. Reopen.”
Before Zoe could even process Ethan’s red–rimmed eyes, the door slammed shut again.
Blinking, he turned to Tina. “Did Mr. Ethan just… cry?”
Tina kept a straight face. “You saw wrong just reopen the mall!”
Zoe scrambled to notify security while Ethan returned to Stella, still fanning her absently. His black bracelet swayed with
each motion.
“So you’re saying you time–traveled from 11 years ago?”
Stella sighed.
No point hiding it–I looked exactly as I had the day I died.
“Yep Notice my outfit? Same one I died in.”
Ethan’s gaze darkened. The black dress you wore for your date with Lucas
I’d never forget that day.
She’d tried on countless outfits, asking which I liked best.
The idea of her dating made me bristle, so I muttered, “They all suck!”
She’d smacked me, I caved and picked the black one
If Lucas had asked her out, she wouldn’t have been on that road.
Wouldn’t have died.
That’s why I’d loathed the man for over a decade.
At the mention of Lucas, Stella’s expression soured.
Back in Ashford High, She’d been the campus queen, with admirers everywhere.
Lucas, the carefree rich kid, had pursued her relentlessly since freshman year.
2/4
755 AM P P
Chapter 2 Let’s Settle This Separately
+5 From Coins
She hadn’t been impressed at first, but after four years–and a few incidents that changed her perspective–She’d agreed to dates.
At the graduation party, he made a grand confession to her. She’d said yes, mostly out of curiosity.
Did she love him? Not really.
Just figured, why not try dating after grinding for grades!
According to her dream, Lucas had become a superstar–and a serial heartbreaker–until meeting Hannah, the female lead.
Their on–screen romance bled into real life, but when Hannah learned about his “dead high school sweetheart,” she’d demanded. “Who do you love more?”
His two–second hesitation sparked a breakup.
The arrogant actor, used to fangirls swooning over him, hadn’t groveled immediately.
To provoke him, Hannah had cozied up to Ethan–even starring in his film.
Now Lucas was losing his mind, begging for her back while she played hard to get.
In the end, Ethan and Stella were just pawns in their drama!
“Let’s not dwell on the past,” Stella said abruptly. “I’m starving. Lunch?”
Ethan studied her grimace.
She must’ve heard about Lucas’s playboy reputation.
To her, he’s still her boyfriend. This has to hurt.
Suppressing his own irritation, he stood. “What do you want to eat?”
“Steak,” she said instantly.
Ethan trailed behind Stella like a lost puppy as they left the office.
The icy CEO, reduced to a meek follower by an eighteen–year–old girl.
The power of sibling hierarchy.
Tina mused, keeping her professionalism intact.
“Mr. Ethan, she greeted, then extended a hand to Stella. “I’m Tina Carter, Mr. Ethan’s assistant, Just Tina is fine.”
Tina was tall, poised, and sharp in her tailored suit. Stella thought she was really beautiful.
She beamed. “Tina! I’m Stella. Think of me as your little sister!”
Ethan blinked, glancing between them. His elder sister was eighteen now, and Tina was a year younger than he…….
Noticing his frown, Tina tactfully said, “We can be friends as well.”
Stella knew Tina had stuck by Ethan through everything–even his downfall.
She probably knows about me.
Don’t worry,” Stella chirped. “But I only have three brothers. I really want a sister. Can we just be sisters!”
Tina and Ethan were both speechless.
Ethan had objections. But he kept them to himself, fingers tightening around his bracelet.
3/4
755 AM
Chapter 2 Let’s Settle This Separately
D
“Let’s eat.”
Tina had already dismissed Zoe. The CEO’s privacy was paramount
I’ll stay here,” she offered.
Stella grabbed her wrist. “Nope! The more, the merrier!?
Tina hesitated, eyeing Ethan for approval.
He gave a curt nod. No need to exclude his most trusted assistant.
The mall was bustling again.
Good.
Money over pride, always
They walked into a steakhouse. Just as they sat, Ethan’s phone buzzed.
A message from Hannah:
“I’m here. But it’s still crowded? I thought you were clearing the place.”
