Chapter 8
Ethan’s eyes f
flickered slightly.
“Today was supposed to be Perla’s inauguration. Now Miss Stafford’s taken over, and it’s made quite a mess. Perla seems pretty embarrassed.” Derick continued his report. “Not sure how smooth Miss Stafford’s takeover of Galaxy Group will be, considering Cohen and Perla have always been in charge there.”
Derick noticed Ethan tapping his slender fingers casually on the desk. He realized Ethan did indeed care about Kylie. Otherwise, Ethan wouldn’t have risked his life to rescue her from the fire. But what baffled Derick was that Ethan typically avoided involvement with women. Yet, here Ethan was, not long after returning to Beliey, seemingly falling in love out of the blue. It was a bit hard for Derick to comprehend.
He didn’t dare pry into his boss’s personal affairs and could only say things Ethan would like to hear. “Boss, should I lend her a hand discreetly?”
Ethan fell silent for a moment before saying, “Kylic going alone to Galaxy Group shows her confidence. We have to trust her.”
“Yes,” Derick responded respectfully. He felt Ethan’s judgment wasn’t wrong. After all, the woman Ethan favored must be exceptional..
Kylie left Galaxy Group and returned home, just settling in when her phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she chose to answer.
“Kylie, why target Perla like this?” Sergio’s voice carried a tone of reproach. “Our issues have nothing to do with her. Don’t make it hard for her. If you’re upset, take it out on
- me.
Kylie understood it must have been Perla who complained to Sergio. Perla always liked playing the victim to sow discord between Kylie and others, a tactic Kylie had long grown used to.
“Sergio, don’t flatter yourself. This has nothing to do with you. I’m just reclaiming what’s rightfully mine,” Kylie replied.
Sergio sounded somewhat carnest. “Kylie, if you’re short on cash, tell me. Moreover, just because we broke up doesn’t mean you can’t work at Moore Group. I never said I’d fire you. You don’t have to put yourself through this misery! You can work at Moore Group and get your rightful compensation.”
Kylie felt like rolling her eyes. She believed there was no way to communicate with Sergio. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Sergio, I’ll say this crystal clear one last time! First, Galaxy Group is my mother’s legacy to me, and it has nothing to do with Perla. Put it more bluntly, even if I didn’t want Galaxy Group, I’d choose to donate it to
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Chapter 8
charity. I’ll never hand it over to the daughter of a homewrecker! Second, I won’t work at Moore Group again. When I have the time, I’ll come to collect my belongings. If you don’t want me to take those things, just have them thrown away. They’re not essential to me anyway. Lastly, don’t insult me with your so–called money, you’re not worthy!” With that, Kylie didn’t give Sergio a chance to speak again. She hung up.
Sergic, sitting in his car, wore an expression of utmost displeasure. Kylie had hung up on him outright, even ridiculed his kindness. He couldn’t fathom how Kylie had the audacity to treat him this way. The more Sergio thought, the angrier he got. He attempted to call again and again, but each time, Kylie ruthlessly disconnected the call, leaving Sergio’s hand holding the phone trembling with rage.
Kylie disconnected several consecutive calls from Sergio. When her phone rang again, she didn’t glance at it but picked it up, shouting, “If you dare call me again, I’ll teach you
a lesson!”
There was silence on the other end. Kylie sensed something amiss and quickly glanced at the phone, surprised to see an unfamiliar number.
Before Kylie could speak, a deep, magnetic voice came through. “If I’m not afraid of being taught a lesson, can I continue calling you?”
Kylie felt a stir within. She hadn’t expected it to be Ethan. Kylie pursed her lips and apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you earlier. What I said wasn’t directed at you.”
“So, it was directed at whom?” Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Kylie hesitated for a few seconds before slowly saying, “Mr. Hayden, don’t you know?”
Ethan furrowed his brow slightly. His fingers lightly tapped on the desk. “Do you need help?”
“No, I don’t.” Kylie refused directly, deliberately keeping her distance. “Mr. Hayden, did you need something from me?”
“Nothing,” Ethan replied.
Kylie frowned.
“I was just testing whether the number you gave Jos is true.”
Kylie paused angrily for a moment before continuing. “I don’t lie to children.”
Morcover, Ethan had helped her recover her phone number, so he couldn’t be unaware
of it.
“Do you have time tonight?” Ethan suddenly asked.
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Chapter S
The shift in conversation caught Kylie off guard.
“Let’s have dinner together,” Ethan suggested. “I’ll pick you up.”
“Sorry…” Kylie began to decline.
“Let’s celebrate my first day at work together,” Ethan continued.
Kylie felt like they were speaking different languages during their conversation.
“See you at six. Ethan said, and then he hung up.
Kylie took a deep breath. Ethan could be quite assertive at times, making her somewhat. defenseless.
After some thought, Kylie sent a message to Ethan. The message read. [Sorry, Mr. Hayden, I’m busy tonight and can’t celebrate with you. However, congratulations on your new job.]
After sending it, she added a celebratory emoji, trying to appear friendly. She thought this was the most polite way to refuse a stranger without making things awkward.
On the other end, Ethan, looking at the sent emojis, couldn’t help but laugh. It was a sudden burst of laughter that almost made Derick drop his jaw in shock. It was a scene he never expected to witness in his lifetime. He didn’t know Ethan could laugh. What surprised him even more was that Ethan’s smile looked peculiar.
“Derick,” Ethan suddenly said.
“Yes, Mr. Hayden, Derick responded urgently.
“Why do women send emojis to men?” Ethan inquired.
Derick widened his eyes. Ethan looked at him. Derick’s eyes darted rapidly, uncertain. and he said, “Maybe when they’re interested in you?”
Ethan’s smile became even more apparent. Seeing Ethan’s expression, Derick’s mouth twitched. He suddenly became curious about what kind of emojis Kylie had sent Ethan. Judging by Ethan’s satisfied look, he guessed they must have been quite unusual.
At that moment, a polite knock echoed outside the office door. The secretary walked in and respectfully said, “Mr. Hayden, Sergio Moore, the CEO of Moore Group, wishes to visit you in person. Are you available to see him now?”
Upon hearing Sergio’s name, Derick immediately jolted. He knew Sergio was Ethan’s rival in love.
“Not available,” Ethan declined.
Chapter 8
“When would be a convenient time for you?” the secretary asked.
“Never.” Ethan’s tone was cold.
The secretary, somewhat intimidated, said respectfully, “I’ll inform Mr. Moore to leave.”
Ethan remained silent. Taking it as a silent acknowledgement, the secretary, shaken, left, the office. It was the secretary’s first day dealing with Ethan, and the secretary found it impossible to understand Ethan’s temperament.
“Wait,” Ethan suddenly said.
The secretary quickly turned back, waiting for Ethan to speak.
“After the board meeting, perhaps I’ll have time to see him,” Ethan said.
The secretary understood and said, “Yes, I’ll relay that to Mr. Moore.”
Derick watched the secretary leave and then turned to assess Ethan. He knew Ethan wa planning to give Sergio a thorough lesson.
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Chapter 9
