Chapter 6 No Sleeping Here
And now he owned her family’s old villa.
Fate was weirdly persistent.
Wonder how he was doing these days?
Probably amazing.
She exited WhatsApp and opened her browser, typing in “Nathan.”
+5 Free Co
Coins
His handsome face appeared on screen instantly. Still wore those silver–framed glasses. Still had that tiny brown mole on his nose that made him oddly attractive.
He’d lost the boyish vibe from high school. Now he looked like a man–refined, restrained, and powerful.
She clicked his bio.
Of course. He was now the head of Succeed Capital, the largest investment firm in Asia.
Succeed Capital had started as a tech company and evolved into a financial powerhouse. Nearly every profitable company in the region had its backing..
Stella wasn’t that surprised.
Nathan had stolen her top rank in school more than once. With that brain, he’d have succeeded at anything.
So here he was at twenty–nine, worth billions.
And she, at eighteen, had nothing to her name.
Stella let out a bitter laugh. “If melancholy were a superpower…
Still, after all these years, maybe he didn’t hate her anymore.
A small villa like that probably meant nothing to a man like him. Maybe he’d agree to sell,
She wasn’t sure. But one thing at a time.
First: catch the paparazzo,
Then go see if Nathan was willing to sell.
At 7:30 p.m., outside Serenity Restaurant-
The paparazzo grinned as he crouched behind a hedge.
He’d wanted to shoot from his car, but Hannah insisted car shots were too blurry–she wanted high–res glamour pics.
So here he was, hiding in the bushes.
Yesterday, Ethan had supposedly found someone new. Tonight, he was on a romantic dinner with Hannah.
Definitely hot gossip. No–brainer trending topic.
When the black Bentley pulled up, Ethan stepped out in a tailored black suit, bracelet on his wrist.
The paparazzo raised his camera-
And someone tapped his shoulder.
“Hey! No sleeping here!”
The paparazzo flinched so hard his camera nearly slipped from his hands.
He turned and saw a girl in a mask and baseball cap crouched beside him, holding a camera of her own.
“Photographer?” he asked, frowning.
The girl grinned. “Yup, Scoot over, let me hide too.
He rarely saw female paparazzi–mostly crazy fangirls. But whatever. “Nope. Go hide somewhere else.”
She shot him a few annoyed glances. “Don’t tell me… Hannah called you too?”
He froze. “What? She called you? What the hell–why would she hire two paparazzi?”
+5 Free Coins
The girl squatted down, her eyes sparkling. “You’re the one who got that mall shot yesterday, right? I should’ve stayed. I regret leaving.
He was ever
even more stunned. “You were there yesterday too? What’s Hannah trying to pull?”
If two separate paparazzi got shots, it wouldn’t be exclusive–less explosive.
The girl smiled slyly. “As long as I get paid, I don’t care. How much did she offer you tonight?”
Now he was just mad. “Thirty grand.”
That was just a base rate–future engagement would pay more.
The girl’s eyes widened, then she muttered, “Oh
He narrowed his eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean? How much did she give you?”
She smirked. “Obviously more than you. Guess you don’t cut it.”
No man takes that insult lying down. He shot to his feet. “She said I don’t cut it?”
She shrugged. “I got a hundred grand.”
That felt like a slap in the face. Just then, Hannah stepped out of her vàn
The man stormed toward her, fuming.
Stella, job well done, slipped out and messaged Ethan on WhatsApp.
Come out front. I’ve got a surprise for you!
This was a high–end, trendy restaurant.
As Hannah got out of the van, she looked around. Only a few cars were parked nearby.
She smiled to herself. Private bookings really hit different.
Her heels clicked softly as she walked forward gracefully. The evening breeze lifted her long hair as she subtly tilted her chin upward
That angle would get her best side on camera.
The paparazzi had to be here by now.
All that worry last night had been for nothing–it was Ethan’s sister after all. Probably not a real sister either. He never mentioned having one.
She just knew Ethan adored her.
1/3
7:56 AM P
Chapter 7 Has Ethan Gone Ruthless?
Suddenly, a figure jumped in front of her. Hannah flinched.
“Who are you?”
+5 Free Coins
The paparazzo was livid, camera clutched tightly. “I’m one of the photographers you hired today! Why’d you give me thirty grand and the other girl a hundred?!”
Hannah’s brows furrowed slightly. “What are you talking about? My assistant would never hire two.”
“Caught you red–handed and you still won’t admit it? That chick’s right over–wait, where’d she go?”
He looked back toward the bushes. No one there.
But at the restaurant entrance stood a tall figure radiating authority.
Hannah quickly spotted him too. Her heart skipped. She glared at the photographer and hurried over in quick, delicate steps.
“Ethan! You’re here?”
Ethan stood stiffly, face dark.
The moment she got close, she could feel it–his aura had shifted. Something was off.
She lowered her voice. “That guy just asked for directions. I don’t know him.”
Ethan had come out after getting Stella’s message.
And the first thing he saw was Hannah talking to a man in a cap with a camera.
He knew that getup well. Paparazzo.
He wasn’t in the entertainment industry, but lately, it sure felt like it. Cameras were always on him.
He’d assumed the guy was trailing Hannah. Never expected it was Hannah who’d invited him.
Ethan didn’t say a word. Just stared at her with cold eyes. The black bracelet on his wrist caught the warm glow of the restaurant lights.
Hannah felt the pressure–her scalp tingled. “Ethan,
He must’ve overheard the conversation. How could he have such bad timing?
She bit her lip, big eyes filled with unshed tears. “Ethan, okay, yes–the papalazzo was my idea. I just… I wanted some buzz. It helps me land better roles. I used you. I’m sorry.”
Just a girl trying to build her career.
Ethan’s icy demeanor softened slightly. He was just about to say something when his phone buzzed.
It was Stella.
She just wants to piss off Lucas.
Stella was still nearby?
Ethan looked around. No one in sight.
Until he tilted his head and caught a glimpse of a pale face peeking out from behind a crooked tree at the edge of the lot.
His jaw twitched, then he looked down and typed:
Stella… really? You think so?”
Up in the tree, Stella rolled her eyes.
She had to admit–Hannah really was pretty. Dressed in a soft white dress, petite and delicate. The kind that made you wan
755AMP P
Chapter 7 Has Ethan Gone Ruthless?
to protect her,
Ethan messaged again: “Why are you here?”
No way she was going to say she came on
purpose.
“I was just out for a walk. Gotta go. Bye!”
+5 Free Coins
Fixing a lovesick man wasn’t as easy as it looked. Stella had learned her lesson.
Ethan frowned. “What do you mean go? Come eat with us.”
“Do I look like a third wheel to you? I’ve got plans.”
“What plans?”
I’m going to the old villa. I found out who owns it now. Gonna see if they’ll sell.”
Tll go with you.
Meanwhile, Hannah’s tears were nearly Niagara Falls, but no one was even paying attention to her scene
han was just staring at his phone the whole time!
Who is he texting?
She snuck a peek and saw the contact name: “Fourth Marriage.”
Seriously?
She wiped her tears, forced a sweet smile. “Ethan?”
He finally looked up. “Got it. Let’s end things here tonight. I’ve got to go.”
Her eyes widened, voice rising. “What? Again? You’re leaving again?”
Ethan’s brows knit slightly.
She swallowed and corrected herself. “I mean, aren’t you having dinner? Skipping dinner is bad for your stomach.”
He got the hint–she was trying to be caring. His cold expression thawed slightly. “If you’re hungry, go ahead and eat. I’m
not
His sister’s sleep issues had to be dealt with immediately.
Ethan turned and walked away, like a man who’d just made up his mind.
Hannah stood frozen. The paparazzo nearby was just as stunned.
Ethan used to be totally into her. Had she suddenly gone full ruthless mode?
