Suzy walks behind everyone, watching their indifferent backs, feeling a sense of humiliation. She tightly twists the hem of her clothes, almost biting her lower lip with her sharp teeth.
It seems that everyone has recognized her status in the Steele family, discussing things in front of her without any reservations.
"Was that really Samantha under the blanket just now? It's a pity, never got to see her face from start to finish."
Ethan is really good at protecting her.
Except for her back, nothing was seen.
"Suzy and she are real sisters, living together for over a decade. If she says it's her, then it must be."
"Poor thing, she lost her fiancé to her own sister. Judging by how Ethan defends Samantha, she'll probably marry into the Steele family sooner or later."
"What's so good about Samantha? How did she bewitch Ethan? Didn't she have a child out of wedlock four years ago?"
"Who knows! Love is something you can't explain. If you like someone, you like them; if you don't, you don't."
"No wonder Ethan hasn't married Suzy for so many years. It seems he really doesn't like her."
"Sigh, so pitiful... waited for four years, even had a child for him, just to be ruthlessly abandoned. If it were me, I'd rather die; it's too embarrassing."
Their conversation, every word, enters Suzy's ears.
Her small face instantly turns deathly pale.
Her body sways weakly, as if she might faint at any moment.
At this moment, Anna's voice suddenly interrupts their discussion.
"As long as I'm here, Samantha will never be able to enter the Steele family's door! The only daughter-in-law I recognize is Suzy! As they say, marriage is a matter decided by parents."
Her voice is strong and powerful, every word like a string of pearls.
Unfortunately, others don't think so.
With Ethan's current dominant position in the Steele family, not even the patriarch may be able to control him, let alone someone like Anna without any real influence.
Although Liam is Ethan's biological father, he has never taken over the Emperor Group. Ethan directly took over from the patriarch.
Liam and his brother have only served as general managers.
Even though Anna, as a daughter-in-law, and Claudia have positions in the Emperor Group, they are just for show, with no real power.
So, her words aren't very trustworthy.
It's just to save face for Suzy.
Seeing everyone looking at her with interest, Anna is annoyed, her tone emphasizing, "Tonight's events, if they spread, will be considered going against the Steele family. You should be careful."
After saying that, she grabs Suzy's hand and leaves without looking back.
Everyone closes their mouths reluctantly, pouting, and follows suit.
...
In the room.
After Anna leaves, there are only Samantha and Ethan.
Hearing no sound from outside for a long time, Samantha pulls down a corner of the bedsheet and sneaks a peek outside.
When she sees Ethan standing by the bed, her small face instantly blushes red, immediately pulling up the bedsheet to cover her face.
Amused by her embarrassed appearance, Ethan chuckles, "They've gone. Come out!"
Samantha vigorously shakes her head, "I won't come out, not even if you kill me!"
It's just too embarrassing.
Thinking of the fierce battle with Ethan just now, she is too ashamed to show her face.
Ethan can't help but laugh at her, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching to pull the bedsheet, "Come out first, it's stuffy inside. You were tired just now; now you need to breathe some fresh air."
Hearing the playful tone in his voice, Samantha is angered and can't help but kick him, "You're annoying..."
Ethan catches her leg, patiently coaxing, "Good girl, come out. Be obedient..."
His voice is sexy and charming, like a cello.
Samantha's heart starts to beat uncontrollably, as if it might jump out of her throat.
She realizes that Ethan is like a majestic lion, needing to be stroked with the fur.
If you obey him, he can love you to the bone.
Once you provoke him, you'll have to endure the storm he brings.
Ethan gently said, "You must be tired from earlier. I'll have Jade take you back. Rest well tonight."
Samantha didn't want to stay here any longer and hurriedly said, "I can drive back myself..."
Ethan teased her, "I'm afraid your legs might give out, and you'll have an accident while driving."
"..."
Samantha's face instantly turned red, and she couldn't help but curse in her heart.
"But what about my car?"
"I'll have someone drive it back for you."
Samantha hesitated for a moment and asked, "But, Yurika is gone. Can you help me find her? We came together, so we should leave together."
"She and Nick left a long time ago."
"What?" Samantha exclaimed, forgetting her embarrassment. She pulled down the blanket, unbelievably asking, "She and Nick left a long time ago?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow, "You didn't know?"
Samantha awkwardly smiled.
Indeed.
No humanity when it comes to the opposite sex.
She left without a word with Nick.
Ethan gently stroked her disheveled hair, and said softly, "I'll have someone bring you a clean set of clothes. Wait for me here."
Samantha obediently nodded.
Ethan bent down and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
The scorching temperature burned Samantha's skin.
Her breath skipped a beat.
The hand clutching the bedsheet tightened abruptly.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Ethan didn't notice her strange reaction and got up to leave.
He left, but his cold aura still lingered in the room.
Samantha's cheeks burned like molten lava, intensely hot.
She couldn't help but use her hands to cover her cheeks, trying to calm her disheveled breath.
It's over, it's over.
She really fell for Ethan.
How could she possibly like Ethan?
Not to mention the vast difference in their social status, but they both have their own children. If they got married, the Steele family couldn't possibly accept a stepchild like Charlotte, right?
They surely wouldn't accept it.
So, for Charlottes sake, she must remain rational and not fall into Ethan's emotional trap.
...
Ethan is fast.
In no time, a maid brings a clean set of clothes.
Samantha absentmindedly puts on the clothes and walks out of the room.
Ethan is standing in the corridor.
He has changed into a brand new black suit, looking completely different from the fierce man just now.
Seeing her coming out, Ethan affectionately takes her hand, "There are guests at home, and I can't leave. I'll take you to the entrance, and Jade will personally take you back."
"Okay."
Samantha nods indifferently, walking towards the door with a blank expression.
Ethan is surprised. He doesn't understand why she suddenly became like this. Concerned, he asks, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
As he speaks, he tries to touch her face but is avoided by Samantha.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired and want to go back to rest soon!"
After saying that, she breaks free from his hand and walks toward the door.
***