Chapter 5
“Jos stayed up an extra hour waiting for you,” Ethan said, diffusing the awkwardness.
Kylie felt a pang in her heart. She pursed her lips and said, “Actually, you can explain to Jos that I’m not his mommy.”
Ethan’s dark eyes fixated on her. His sudden silence made Kylie doubt if she had misspoken.
Without much consideration, she continued, “The fire was an accident, Mr. Hayden. You didn’t need to bring meals specifically for me, nor did I need two caregivers. Also, how much did that phone cost? I’ll transfer the money to you.”
“Miss Stafford, I thought you were smarter,” Ethan said.
Ethan’s words made Kylie furrow her brow in silence. She didn’t understand why Ethan would say that. She didn’t think she had done anything foolish.
Jos needs a mother,” Ethan stated matter–of–factly with a magnetic voice.
“And?” Kylie raised an eyebrow.
Ethan’s deep gaze lingered on her. After a moment, in a somewhat subdued voice, he said, “He likes you. So, Miss Stafford, I think you should be able to tell. I’m pursuing you.”
His words caught her off guard. She genuinely hadn’t noticed. She just felt his actions were affecting her life.
“Miss Stafford, you don’t have to give me an immediate answer. After all, we’re not…” Ethan paused as if searching for the right words and added, “…that close yet.”
Kylie didn’t feel “not that close” accurately described their current relationship. They were clearly two strangers who had just met each other.
Taking a deep breath to keep herself composed, Kylie said, “Mr. Hayden, aren’t you too hasty with relationships?”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t the easiest person to hang out with, and he seemed more distant now.
“Your son likes me, so you pursue me? Am I just a nanny to take care of your child for you? And if your son stops liking me, if he likes someone else, Mr. Hayden, would you. pursue someone else?” Kylie’s tone turned a bit unfriendly, and then she softened. Im sorry, I can’t accept your values.
Chapter 5
“Me pursuing you has nothing to do with my son. It just happens that my son and I both like you,” Ethan stated plainly.
Kylie thought she inisheard. She hadn’t expected such a sudden confession and felt Ethan was just joking, considering they had only met a few hours ago.
“Miss Stafford, you don’t need to worry about my son liking someone else,” Ethan said slowly. “We, in my family, are very faithful when it comes to relationships. It’s in our blood.”
After hearing Ethan’s words, Kylie stayed silent for a while. She couldn’t understand if Ethan was praising his son or himself. Yet, it felt like he was giving her some kind of
assurance.
Kylie felt she shouldn’t let Ethan lead her on. She couldn’t respond emotionally to someone she had just met. “Mr. Hayden, regardless of your intentions, I’ll make it clear, I refuse your pursuit,” Kylie said firmly.
Ethan’s dark eyes fixed on her.
“Please refrain from disturbing me in the future. I got injured in your hall, and you need to compensate for my loss. Other than that, there’s no further involvement between us,” Kylie continued.
“Miss Stafford, you reject my pursuit, and I reject your rejection.” Ethan interrupted Kylie’s words, his tone quite authoritative.
A hint of anger flickered in Kylie’s eyes as she exclaimed, “Do you know what kind of past I have? I’m far from what you think.”
“I never doubt my judgment, nor do I care about so–called pasts,” said Ethan.
“Somebody once said the same thing to me. Do you want to know how it ended?” Kylie wouldn’t believe a stranger she just met.
“You shouldn’t compare me to scum.” The room suddenly grew quiet. Ethan’s thin lips. twitched, his expression stern.
Kylie was momentarily stunned. Ethan’s expression made her feel like her previous words had deeply insulted him. Suddenly, Kylie laughed. She didn’t know why she was laughing. Perhaps because she hadn’t expected that someone in the world would think she was a decent person.
Everyone thought she wasn’t good enough for Sergio. Even her father shared that opinion.
“Next, I’ll make an effort to help you understand the difference between me and scum,
Chapter 5
Ethan said, watching Kylie’s smile, his eyes revealing clear emotional turmoil.
Ethan’s words clearly rieant that he was going to intensify his pursuit of her. Ethan
turned and walked away as if he didn’t want to waste any more time on this matter. His- decision was unalterable.
“Mr. Hayden,” Kylie was snapped back to reality and hurriedly called after him.
Ethan halted, not turning back.
“I suggest you get to know my past,” said Kylie.
“That is not necessary,” he said firmly, continuing to walk without looking back.
Kylie returned to her hospital room, lay back on the bed, and after some thought, took out her phone. It was only then that she remembered she hadn’t transferred the money. to Ethan. However, upon reflection, she decided against it. Ethan seemed affluent and probably wouldn’t care about the money. She intended to consider the funds as compensation for the emotional distress she received from him.
Relying on memory, Kylie dialed a somewhat unfamiliar number. When the call connected, she said, “Trevor Lopez, it’s Kylic Stafford.”
“Miss Stafford, hello,” Trevor replied.
“I want to reclaim Galaxy Group, the company my mother left behind. Any issues with that?” asked Kylic.
“Of course not,” Trevor replied. “Your mother’s will is clear, Galaxy Group belongs to
you,
Miss Stafford. It’s yours whenever you want it.”
Ever since her mother passed away, her mother’s primarily fashion–oriented Galaxy Group, established before marriage, had been managed by Cohen, her guardian. Later, when Kylie was sent abroad, Galaxy Group remained under Cohen’s control. When she returned with Sergio, she intended to take over her mother’s company, but dealing with
Consequently,
the crisis at Moore Group consumed much of her time andy, but dealing with
this matter remained unresolved until now.
“I’ll need you to accompany me to Galaxy Group,” Kylie requested.
“No problem, I’m happy to help at any time.” Trevor readily agreed.
Kylie stayed in the hospital for a week.
During that week, Joseph visited her from time to time, almost occupying most of her time. Although she didn’t mind Joseph’s visits, she felt a bit uncomfortable when Ethan occasionally accompanied Joseph.
19-34
Chapter 5
IMDI
She didn’t particularly find Ethan annoying. Since that day he “confessed” his pursuit of her, he hadn’t taken any actual actions. Sometimes, he seemed almost invisible.
She began to doubt if Ethan’s confession had been a spur–of–the–moment thing. If not, she suspected he might not understand what “pursuit” truly meant.
However, one thing made her believe Ethan genuinely cared for her. His insistence on Lorenzo delivering meals every day, each time more tailored to her tastes.
Kylie packed her belongings, realizing besides the phone Ethan had given her, there was nothing else she needed to take.
“Mommy, will I see you again?” Joseph looked at her with a pitiful expression, clearly reluctant to see Kylie leave. His demeanor stood in stark contrast to Ethan, who stood nearby seemingly indifferent, almost as if he didn’t exist.
