Chapter 9 Only an Idiot Would Believe That
Chapter 9 Only an Idiot Would Believe That
A warm, soft girl suddenly collapsed into his arms. Nathan’s mind went completely blank.
His whole body felt like it had been struck by lightning–he couldn’t move at all.
He watched as the girl’s face pressed against his chest and began to slide downward.
Just as he was about to reach out, she was yanked away from him.
Ethan caught Stella, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
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Once she was pulled upright, Stella slowly came back to herself. She shook her head. “I’m fine. I just haven’t slept in over twenty–four hours. I’m exhausted.”
Ethan let out a breath of relief and looked at Nathan. “Sorry about that, Mr. Nathan. My sister has severe insomnia. She didn’t sleep at all last night. She didn’t mean to fall into you like that.”
Anyone who didn’t know might’ve thought she was faking it.
But Nathan really was the gentleman everyone said he was.
His sister was a stunning woman who’d just fallen into his arms–and he hadn’t reacted at all.
No one had ever seen a woman linked to Nathan. The Ashford business circle had long whispered that Nathan might prefer
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Ethan hadn’t believed it before, but now… he kind of did.
Back in high school, his sister had been the darling of everyone.
If this
had been her sworn academic rival, maybe he really just didn’t care about women.
Stella finally realized how embarrassing that had been.
Her face turned as red as a baboon’s ass.
Stupid body. Couldn’t you just hold it together!
She looked up with an awkward smile. “Yeah… actually, that’s why I came here today.”
Her body still tingled like she’d been electrocuted. Nathan turned away to hide the look in his eyes. “Let’s sit down and talk.”
In the living room sat a dark green leather sofa set.
Stella’s eyes lit up. “Nathan, you didn’t throw this out?”
Nathan sat down, long legs crossed as he tugged down the hem of his jacket.
“It still works,” he said casually. “Why?”
Stella sat on the familiar couch and ran her hand over it. “Still in good shape. I had this custom made from Freah back in the day. It cost a fortune.”
She hadn’t expected that her old rival, now worth billions, still had such thrifty habits.
She remembered that back in high school, he didn’t seem well–off. His uniform was always washed so many times it was nearly white.
Now they were barely a meter apart.
Nathan carefully controlled his breathing and his gaze. His voice stayed calm. “This house used to be yours?”
Stella nodded. “Yeah. I came today because I want to buy it back
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Chapter 9 Only an Idiot Would Believe That
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“You can probably tell–I’ve got such dark circles I could pass for a panda. You don’t want to see an old classmate drop dead from exhaustion, do you?”
She pointed to her eyes with pale fingers, her gaze clear despite the tiredness,
She wasn’t trying to guilt–trip him, but she really had no choice.
Back in high school, she’d tried living in the dorms to save time. Didn’t sleep for three days straight. Collapsed in class and
had to be taken to the ER
Nathan had already noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes. He glanced again but quickly looked away, his gaze landing on the glass coffee table..
“Sorry. I’m not planning on selling the place.”
Ethan sat down nearby.
With two real big shots in the room, his posture was instinctively formal. He sat up straight with both hands on his knees, the black bracelet on his wrist dangling.
He spoke up. “Mr. Nathan, we’re open on the price. If we had any other option, we wouldn’t be bothering you like this. This place doesn’t have a great location anymore. Not many people live here now. It’s not lively.”
“Oh, right–I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ethan, CEO of Starlight Group. We’re developing a new luxury villa community. You’ve probably heard about it. I can reserve the best plot for you–bigger than this place, farmhouse style, ten acres. What do you think?”
Stella glanced at her brother and gave him a mental thumbs–up.
Whether it was money or a better house, there had to be something Nathan wanted.
Even the butler nearby was stunned.
This villa might be worth, at most, two hundred million
He’d heard about the new Starlight development–those places started at a billion.
Only an idiot would say no.
“Sorry. I’m not planning to sell, Nathan said, smiling politely.
“Why not?” Stella leaned forward.
Her skin was smooth like porcelain, and her glowing peach blossom eyes shimmered with light.
Nathan’s throat felt dry. He grabbed his teacup and took a sip, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Why not?”
His eyes were deep and hard to read behind the glasses.
Stella paused, then understood.
Her old rival was asking her why he should sell.
Fair enough. He didn’t need the money.
At this point in his life, money was just a number. It didn’t affect his quality of life anymore.
He hadn’t changed at all.
Polite and gentle on the surface, but always distant and hard to approach underneath. Detached from everyone.
Maybe he was like that with everyone, or maybe just with her.
Every time they’d crossed paths at school, he’d look away immediately, like he couldn’t stand her.
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Chapter 9 Only an Idiot Would Believe That
Understandable–there could only be one person in first place..
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Seeing her slightly dazed look. Nathan let his eyes linger a little longer, then adjusted his glasses and looked away. T’m used to living here. I don’t want to move.”
Ethan absentmindedly fiddled with his bracelet, his brows furrowed
This wasn’t going to be easy.
If money couldn’t solve it, then it was really a problem.
He looked at his sister.
Stella’s head hurt just thinking about it.
Nathan didn’t even need to give a reason, but he’d stooped to offer one anyway–and it was a good one.
If she were used to a place, she wouldn’t want to give it up either.
Stella was proud at heart. Even now, facing her wildly successful rival, she didn’t feel inferior.
She’d asked to buy the house in a straightforward, respectful way. She was offering more than it was worth.
But now she realized that wouldn’t work.
She was the one asking for a favor. She had to lower her stance.
Stella’s peach blossom eyes flicked toward Nathan as she scooted a little closer. “Nathan, I don’t think you actually remember who I am. I had a car accident back then. Now I’ve suddenly come back to life. Aren’t you curious how?”
It had been eleven years, Maybe it was time for a little catching up before jumping into business.
She’d been too impatient,
Her scent drifted through the air as she leaned in. Nathan’s heart pounded, his ears turned red, and his breath grew hot.
This was the closest they’d ever been.
His eyes locked onto her face. Her lips moved as she spoke, soft and pink, the tip of her tongue flicking in and out.
He couldn’t hear a word she was saying. His brain had only one thought
I want to kiss her..
The dark impulse surfaced. Nathan clenched his fist, pressing his nails into the old cut on his palm. The pain snapped him back to reality.
He looked away and muttered, “Mm.”
Conversations took two people.
She asked a question. He replied with the dullest possible answer
Just “mm” Like he was saying “oh” Barely interested
Stella awkwardly rubbed her nose and continued, “Since we’re old classmates, I’ll just be honest with you. I’m from eleven years ago. I time–traveled. Do you believe me?”
Ethan’s eyes flew wide. He hadn’t expected his sister to just blurt out the time travel thing like that!
He hadn’t even told Tina.
The butler frowned. This girl’s full of it.
Might as well say she was the mesiah reincarnated.
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Chapter 9 Only an Idiot Would Believe That
Only an idiot would believe that
“I believe you, Nathan said, smiling gently.
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