Ethan caught up, holding her wrist, puzzled, "You were fine just now. Why are you throwing a tantrum again?"
Samantha kept her head down, gently shaking it without speaking.
She was frustrated with herself for being so indecisive and hesitant. It wasn't fair to both Justin and Ethan. However, she couldn't control herself.
On one hand, she was determined to distance herself from Ethan, but unconsciously, she found herself leaning towards him.
Her silent demeanor made Ethan's temper flare uncontrollably. "Samantha, don't challenge my patience just because I like you. What's wrong with you?"
Samantha continued shaking her head. "I'm really fine. I'm just tired, haven't figured many things out. When I get back, I'll think it through, and I'll give you an answer."
After saying that, she forcibly freed her hand and walked towards the door.
Ethan had a fire burning in his chest but refused to go after her in anger. He glared at her back until she disappeared from sight.
...
Ethan returned to the banquet hall.
His face was covered in dark clouds, like a layer of frost.
People who had previously tried to please him quickly retreated, fearing his wrath.
Only Albert, holding a glass of red wine, calmly walked up to him. His tall figure leaned against the stair railing, lips curved in a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "What's wrong? Not in a good mood? I heard you were enjoying yourself at the Southern Pavilion. Didn't have enough fun?"
He and Ethan weren't close. At most, they had met a few times, considering he was soon to be his brother-in-law.
Only that.
Apart from that, there was no personal relationship between them.
Even important collaborations were handled by the company's top management, and they had no personal interactions.
Ethan glanced at him coldly, picked up a passing tray with red wine, raised his head, and drank it all down to vent the pent-up frustration.
Albert seemed indifferent, saying meaningfully, "Today's incident was clearly a trap targeted at Miss Miller."
Ethan's sharp gaze turned to him. "Why do you care so much about this?"
Albert rolled his eyes silently. "If they had set up Miss Miller with another man, I wouldn't interfere. But now I'm also a victim, and I won't allow anyone to scheme against me."
If he hadn't seen through the plot, he and Samantha might have already faced an irreparable situation.
Ethan withdrew his sharp gaze, pursed his thin lips. After a while, he said heavily, "II will investigate thoroughly, and I will give you an explanation."
Albert continued, "The old man and I have checked the surveillance. The security guard in charge of the surveillance was drugged, and the recordings from that time were deliberately destroyed."
Hearing this, Ethan's eyes narrowed sharply.
His hand holding the wine glass tightened suddenly.
Seeing him silent, Albert continued, "I won't stand by and watch on this matter!" He raised his glass to Ethan, "Shall we make a bet? Let's see who finds out the truth first."
Ethan disdainfully glanced at the wine glass in his hand, his thin lips slightly opened, expressionless. "I never engage in meaningless competitions."
After saying that, he walked past him without looking back.
Albert calmly said, "If you win, I'll give you the land in the south of the city for free. If I win, I want fifty percent of the shares in your newly developed resort."
His words successfully ignited Ethan's competitive spirit. He abruptly stopped his steps, turned slowly, and an evil smile appeared on his lips. "Agreed. I hope you won't regret it later."
After saying that, he left directly.
Watching his retreating figure, Albert, with a mysterious smile, took a shallow sip of the wine in his glass.
...
On the way back.
Samantha looked at the neon street scene outside the car, feeling a strange sadness, her mood low.
Jade glanced at her through the rearview mirror and tentatively called out, "Miss Miller..."
Samantha regained her senses, looking at him through the mirror. "Hmm? Is there something?"
Jade hesitated for a moment and then said, "I don't know what happened between you and Mr. Steele, but I can see that Mr. Steele likes you."
His words made Samantha even more depressed.
"Do you like him?"
Of course, Ethan liked her.
However, there were many kinds of liking.
Simply appreciating someone could also be considered liking.
The freshness of a new experience could lead to temporary liking.
Even pets around could be liked.
Not being able to get someone, the thrill of conquering them could also be described as liking.
So, what kind of liking did Ethan have for her? How long could this kind of liking last?
No.
She couldn't guarantee, nor could she risk her heart.
Seeing her silent, Jade boldly guessed, "I can see that you also like Mr. Steele."
Samantha smiled bitterly, "Like him?"
Yes!
A few minutes ago, she had confirmed that she liked Ethan.
It was precisely because she liked him that she had to restrain herself and not let herself fall.
She couldn't like Ethan.
The gap between them was too great.
Liking Ethan was undoubtedly like a moth to a flame.
Jade continued, "Since you like Mr. Steele, and Mr. Steele likes you, why do you keep going against your own feelings and hurting both him and yourself?"
He was really fed up with the recent low-pressure system of the president.
Watching these two awkward people, he couldn't take it anymore.
Samantha touched her forehead, looked at the street scene outside the window, and said thoughtfully, "Sometimes, liking doesn't necessarily mean compatibility. Being together is not something that can be achieved with just liking."
Jade didn't understand. He asked in confusion, "Isn't it complicated? If you like each other, be together. If you don't, just break up. Is it that complicated?" He paused and added, "You don't understand Mr. Steele. When it comes to things he likes, he will use all his power to obtain them and defend the relationship."
Otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly confronted Anna for Miss Miller.
Samantha was surprised, her breath caught for a moment.
She was afraid of Ethan's ruthless means! That's why she dared not try it lightly.
"Our situation is too complicated. You wouldn't understand!"
With that said, Jade didn't say anything more.
Silence filled the journey.
Half an hour later, Jade personally escorted Samantha to her doorstep.
Although Samantha strongly opposed it, he insisted on going his own way.
After returning home, the little one was still sitting on the living room sofa, watching TV. When she saw her return, she immediately ran over happily, hugged her thigh, and smiled, "Mommy, you're finally back! I thought you were going to abandon me and Godfather tonight!"
Samantha raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Godfather? Godfather is here?"
As her words fell, Justin walked out of the bedroom. "Charlotte, I've prepared the bed. It's time to sleep..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Samantha standing in the living room. With a gentle smile, he said, "You're back?"
Seeing him, Samantha felt a wave of guilt. She felt sorry for him.
"Justin, I..."
She wanted to confess, but it was difficult to say.
She had promised to be with him not long ago, but now she had a relationship with Ethan.
She really shouldn't have done that.
Seeing her hesitant, Justin smiled, reaching out to rub her head. However, he noticed the kiss marks on her neck, and his outstretched arm froze in midair.
***
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