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Salma stood still, genuinely shocked by Ethan’s imposing presence. But in the next moment, she disregarded everything and shouted loudly. “Ethan, do you think Kylie is a good person? You’ve just returned, and maybe you don’t know how promiscuous and unscrupulous the is! She messed around at the age of 18 and even got pregnant with an illegitimate child. And now, without breaking up with my brother, she shamelessly seduces you! Don’t fall for her tricks!”
As her words echoed, discussions erupted around them.
“So she’s Kylie. She managed to hook up with Mr. Hayden so
quickly. She is quite something.”
“I heard her dress is worth 1,776,000 dollars. She really went all out to seduce Mr. Hayden.”
“Earlier, I heard Mr. Joseph call Kylie Mommy: Could it be that Kylie has already won over Mr. Joseph?
“Kylie is indeed quite cunning…“.
Salma, hearing the sarcastic comments about Kylie, couldn’t help but wear a triumphant smile. She was determined to embarrass Kylie and make Ethan see what kind of person Kylie truly was. She refused to believe that Ethan could accept someone like Kylie. She would never allow Kylie to get involved with Ethan.
“Kylie was framed at 18 and forced to get pregnant. It’s her misfortune, not a stain on her character. We should pity and sympathize with Kylie for her past tragic experiences, not maliciously slander and mock her.” Ethan’s voice, cold and threatening, cut through the discussions.
“Don’t be fooled by her. She has no morals…” Salma retorted passionately.
“From today onward, anyone who dares to speak ill of Kylie is going against me. I never show mercy to my enemies.” Ethan declared firmly.
The people gossiping around couldn’t help but shudder, afraid of facing Ethan’s retaliation.
“As for what happened between Kylie and Sergio…” Ethan raised an eyebrow and looked at the Moore. family’s people. “Do I need to reveal it publicly?”
Jarrett was shocked and quickly responded, “Today, my daughter behaved recklessly and offended Mr. Hayden. I’ll take her back immediately. Mr. Hayden, please overlook her mistakes, and we’ll leave right away.”
With that, he rudely dragged Salma out of the hall. “What an embarrassing day, he thought.
But Ethan stopped them. “Wait.”
Jarrett dared not leave and looked at Ethan in fear.
“My son said she stained Kylie’s dress,” Ethan said.
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*I’ll compensate. How much? I’ll compensate Kylie, Jarrett hastily said.
“Dad, the dress was bought by my brother. Why do we have to compensate?” Salma interjected, agitated.
They weren’t fools. There was no reason to give money to Kylie repeatedly.
“Shut up!” Jarrett scolded. At that moment, he wanted to give Salma a good beating.
“Compensation is just one aspect,” Ethan stated.
“What do you mean by that, Mr. Hayden?” Jarrett was unable to read through Ethan’s mind and could only inquire.
“Shouldn’t she apologize first when she’s done something wrong?” Ethan asked frankly.
Jarrett quickly turned to Salma and sternly demanded, “Apologize to Kylie. Hurry up.”
“I won’t…” Salma refused, with a proud and arrogant demeanor. In Salma’s eyes, she had always been at superior figure. Now making her give in to Kylie was something she absolutely refused to do.
“Salma, aren’t you listening to me?” Jarrett threatened sternly.
“Dad, didn’t you say Ethan likes me?” Salma blurted out.
Regret surged through her heart. If she had known Ethan was this handsome, she would have agreed earlier.
“I have no interest in Miss Moore, Ethan clarified before Jarrett could say anything.
As his words echoed, there were mocking murmurs around.
Salma had boasted to everyone in the upper class that Ethan admired her, and now she was publicly rebuffed. She was so smug before, and now she was embarrassed in public.
“Do you still refuse to apologize?” Ethan’s patience was clearly running thin.
Salma bit her lip and looked at Kylie. Kylie maintained her elegant composure and wore a faint smile. But no matter how Salma looked at it, she thought Kylie was laughing at her.
“Sorry.” Salma finally gave in. Feeling the weight of humiliation, she almost broke down on the spot..
“It’s okay,” Kylie responded generously with a wider smile, showing great tolerance. This was already enough for Salma to bear.
Seeing that Salma had apologized, Jarrett seized the opportunity and asked Ethan, “Mr. Hayden, can I take my daughter back now?”
“This incident should not set a precedent,” said Ethan.
“Yes, yes, of course. I’ll make sure to educate her properly when I get home.” Jarrett roughly pulled Salma
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away, leaving the hall in embarrassment.
Once they left, the atmosphere returned to normal, but many still looked at Erhan and Kylie with disbelief. Two people seemingly unrelated were now connected. How could this be possible? But everyone present witnessed what had just happened. They had to believe it.
“TI! be a bit busy tonight. Wait for me. I’ll drive you home later.” Ethan said.
“No need. I can go home myself,” Kylie replied.
Just do as I say, okay?” Ethan’s voice was gentle but non–negotiable. He was such a gentle yet domineering
man.
Jou take care of Mommy, Ethan instructed his son.
“Yes, Daddy,” Joseph immediately agreed.
Ethan then turned around and walked away.
Watching his hurried steps, Kylie thought, ‘Despite being busy, he still came to my aid so decisively, huh?
It was genuinely moving, but Kylie knew it hadn’t reached a deeper level.
“Mommy, let’s go play on the swings outside,” Joseph said.
Kylie redirected her gaze and nodded. She could not help but lovingly stroke Joseph’s small head. Jos. thank you for earlier.”
“Mommy, you’re welcome. Daddy said I’m a man, and men should protect their mommies. Joseph’s innocent voice sounded natural as if it were a given.
Kylie’s heart softened once again. She held Joseph’s hand tightly and left the hall.
Perla, standing not far away, watched Kylie’s departing figure. There was an undisguised maliciousness in her eyes. She turned and glanced at Ethan, who was socializing on the other side. He exuded an aura of dominance and nobility that no other man in the scene could match.
She had been misled by Sergio that Ethan was a firefighter, but her feelings toward Ethan changed completely after she learned about Ethan’s true identity. Especially just now, when Ethan took the initiative to meet Sergio, Sergio was no match at all for Ethan in comparison.
Perla’s heart suddenly pounded. She knew exactly where this excitement came from. She had never failed. to get what she wanted. ‘Kylie, let’s see how this unfolds, she thought.
The night grew much darker. Joseph was picked up by Lorenzo from the banquet hall at 9 p.m. After all, he was still a child and needed to sleep at a reasonable hour.
After Joseph obediently left, Kylie returned to the hall, which was still lively with no sign of people leaving.
Choosing a corner, Kylie watched Ethan still engaging in conversations with many people from afar. She
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casually picked up a glass of wine and slowly sipped it. Feeling bored, she had one glass after another.
“Miss Stafford, it seems you have good alcohol tolerance. Suddenly, a man’s voice sounded.
Kylie turned her head and saw Leopold standing not far away. She wasn’t very familiar with him, but ne entirely a stranger either.
First, as a director, he had a certain level of fame in the country, and Kylie had seen a lot of his work Second, they had encountered each other a few times at nightclubs, and he had even escorted her to the hospital once.
Speaking of which, Leopold had shown her some kindness.
