Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up
The notification snapped Ethan back to reality.
Right. That’s why I’m here today.
My long–dead sister’s sudden reappearance had short–circuited my brain, making me completely forget about Hannah.
His brow furrowed as his fingers absently twisted the black bracelet around his wrist..
Tina knew that look.
Furrowed brows plus bracelet fiddling mean that Ethan is deep in thought.
I’d heard the notification too. Hannah’s special alert tone.
And since they were seated side by side, she’d caught a glimpse of the message.
Is he figuring out how to tell Stella he needs to leave!
Hannah could always shop somewhere else.
This was the first time Hannah had ever asked Ethan to go shopping with her–a golden opportunity.
Meanwhile, Stella, blissfully unaware, was busy ordering food.
“Ethan, what do you want?” she asked, finally looking up.
Before he could answer, Tina cut in, “I’ll order Mr. Ethan’s… occupied.”
“Occupied with what?” Stella frowned.
Ethan shook his head, typing a reply:
“Couldn’t clear the mall. Something carne up. Next time.”
J’ll let Stella know about the whole thing between me and Hannah later Once she gets to know her, she’ll love Hannah too,
Tina’s eyes widened.
He’s choosing Stella over Hannah?!
So, he puts family first. There’s hope for him yet!
Inside her idling van, Hannah stared at her phone in disbelief.
He was spamming me an hour ago asking when I’d arrive!
I’d even tipped off paparazzi to snap pics of the “romantic shopping date–surefire bait to make Lucas lose it.
He’s already begging for me back, but I won’t make it easy.
He needs to suffer
Gritting her teeth, she sent another text:
“Ehan, are you mad? I fell asleep in the car and missed your messages! Not ignoring you!”
sad cat emoji/”
The extended notification tone blared twice.
Stella’s fork paused mid–air. “Who’s blowing up your phone?”
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Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up
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Ethan dunked a slice of tripe into the boiling broth–her favorite–without glancing at his screen. “Nothing important.”
Tina nearly choked. Since when does he ignore Hannah?!
Ethan noticed her stare. “What? Does my face have something to eat?”
“Oh! Sorry, I was just… zoning out, Tina muttered, grabbing her own fork.
This is my first time seeing him eat leisurely. For years, meals are just fuel between meetings.
Stella kind of takes the chill out of him.
I’d watched him rebuild Starlight Group from a failing real estate firm into a conglomerate in four years, after sending his embezzling uncle to prison without blinking.
The business world called him the “King of Hell in Business.
And until today, I’d only seen too modes, workaholic zombie or Hannah–obsessed simp
This relared, human Ethan? Unprecedented
After fifteen minutes of radio silence, Hannah’s manicured nails dug into her palms.
How dare he?! Just a simp, and even dare leave me alone?!
Her assistant’s phone buzzed–the paparazzi were getting antsy.
“Let’s go,” Hannah snapped. “Tell the paps to scrap it. If he wants to stand me up, fine!
But she fired off one last text:
I’m leaving since you’re busy. Won’t disturb you!
This time, he replied instantly:
“Sorry, just something came up. I’ll transfer 15,000 dollars to you. Next time, I’m all yours, shopping and everything.”
Hannah scoffed
15,000 dollars? Pocket change!
Id let it sit. He always sent more when I ignored the first payment.
Let’s see how sorry he really is.
Stella, meanwhile, nearly spat out her tea seeing that transfer.
15,000 dollars?! Just goes up in smoke. This money would be better off donated to those in need.
She inhaled deeply.
Sume Wood. Can’t kill him!
“What a simp!” she said as they left the steakhouse.
Ethan blinked. “What?” Stella patted his shoulder–too kindly–and marched ahead
Should’ve borrowed cash from security for a belt.
Ethan turned to Tina. “What’s that word?”
The all–knowing Tina coughed. “Imagine a guy holding an umbrella over a girl who’s texting another guy…”
“So
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Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up
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Ethan dunked a slice of tripe into the boiling broth–her favorite–without glancing at his screen. “Nothing important.”
Tina nearly choked. Since when does he ignore Hannak?!
Ethan noticed her stare. “What? Does my face have something to eat?
“Oh! Sorry. I was just… zoning out, Tina muttered, grabbing her own fork.
This is my first time seeing him eat leisurely. For years, meals are just fuel between meetings.
Stella kind of takes the chill out of him.
I’d watched him rebuild Starlight Group from a failing real estate firm into a conglomerate in four years, after sending his embezzling uncle to prison without blinking.
The business world called him the “King of Hell in Business,”
And until today. I’d only seen two modes, workaholic zombie or Hannah–obsessed simp
This relaxed, human Ethan? Unprecedented.
After fifteen minutes of radio silence, Hannah’s manicured nails dug into her palms..
How dare hef! Just a simp, and even dare leave me alone?!
Her assistant’s phone buzzed–the paparazzi were getting antsy.
“Let’s go.” Hannah snapped. “Tell the paps to scrap it. If he wants to stand me up, fine!”
But she fired off one last text:
“I’m leaving since you’re busy, Won’t disturb you
This time, he replied instantly
“Sorry, just something came up. I’ll transfer 15,000 dollars to you. Next time, I’m all yours, shopping and everything
Hannah scoffed.
15,000 dollars? Pocket change!
I’d let it sit. He always sent more when I ignored the first payment.
Let’s see how sorry he really is.
Stella, meanwhile, nearly spat out her tea seeing that transfer.
15,000 dollars?! Just goes up in smoke. This money would be better off donated to those in need.
She inhaled deeply.
Same blood. Can’t kill him!
“What a simp!” she said as they left the steakhouse.
Ethan blinked. “What?” Stella patted his shoulder–too kindly–and marched ahead.
Should’ve borrowed cash from security for a belt.
Ethan turned to Tina, “What’s that word?”
The all–knowing Tina coughed. “Imagine a guy holding an umbrella over a girl who’s texting another guy…”
“So?”
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Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up
Tina smiled. “You’re like the guy holding an umbrella, and Hannah is like the girl…
Then she bolted after Stella before his glare could freeze her solid.
“Stella, wait for me!”
Ethan, left behind, muttered. I’m not……
This misunderstanding is ridiculous
Fueled by “if I don’t spend his money Hannah will logic, Stella raided the mall.
Top–tier smartphone? Check.
Designer boutiques? Check.
By the time their arms were stacked with bags, her mood had marginally improved.
Unbeknownst to her, the paparazzi Hannah had hired were still lurking.
Sporting Ethan with another girl, the cameraman went berserk.
Clickalickclick-
Ethan was very popular online–handsome, hot, wealthy, and dangerous.
His rumored fling with rising star Hannah had fans swooning.
But seasoned paparazzi knew drama outsold fluff any day.
Ethan Dumps Hannah for Mystery Woman” is a viral goldmine.
Disguised as a janitor, the paparazzi nearly wept with joy.
Unfortunately, Ethan’s proximity to the girl–plus Tina’s constant presence–blocked clear shots.
Only blurred side profiles and back views made the cut.
Yet by 7 PM, they detonated online:
EthanSpotsMysteryBeauty #EthanHannahOver #EthanNewFlame
In a custom gray Rolls Royce, Ryan King scrolled through the headlines and sighed.
“Mr. Foster, Ethan’s at it again. Ethan’s been possessed by some horny ghost lately. “Should we dial back Starlight investments? Their Qa profits are dipping
He couldn’t fathom why his boss had bankrolled Ethan’s empire for years.
From the right scat, a man in a white suit adjusted his silver–framed glasses.
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With his ethereal beauty and aloof aura, Nathan Foster resembled an untouchable deity–until the streetlights caught the tea- colored mole on his nose, adding a sinful contrast,
Exhausted, he removed his glasses, pinching the bridge. “Which actress this time?”
Ryan zoomed in on the grainy photos. “No ID yet. But look at that figure–total bombshell.”
Nathan’s gaze flicked to the screen.
Three figures, Ethan laden with bags, his tall assistant, and between them-
A girl.
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Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up
Just a sliver of her profile, hair cascading over slender shoulders, porcelain skin glowing.
No distinctive features.
Yet the world screeched to a halt.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Ryan yelped as his phone was snatched away.
He turned–and his jaw dropped.
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Nathan, the man who never showed an ounce of vulnerability, was staring at the screen with ravenous, almost desperate intensity.
