Samantha didn't expect Ethan to suddenly appear, and she was momentarily stunned.
Albert raised his thin lips in a smile, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Is President Steele prepared to sit back and reap the benefits, or are you afraid I'll harm Miss Miller?"
Before Ethan could speak, Samantha instinctively denied, "There's no relationship between President Steele and me. Please, Mr. Davis, don't speak recklessly and cause misunderstandings."
At her words, Albert smiled meaningfully.
Ethan's face turned as dark as ink.
Albert smiled insincerely. "Oh... it seems I misunderstood..."
Ethan stiffly tugged at his thin lips and gritted his teeth. "Albert, the bet is between you and me. Don't involve innocent people."
Although he wasn't familiar with Albert, he knew all too well about Albert's methods in the business world.
Cruel, ruthless, and brutal.
He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Compared to him, Ethan paled in comparison.
An illegitimate child, returning to the Davis family a few years ago, had already secured a significant position within the family in a short time. It was evident that this person was not simple.
Samantha's thoughts were too naive; she shouldn't get too close to him. Otherwise, she'd be devoured, leaving nothing behind.
Samantha looked at them in astonishment.
A bet?
What bet?
The smile on Albert's lips deepened. Step by step, he walked slowly towards Ethan, his thin lips near his ear, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear, "It seems that Samantha holds a much more significant place in your heart than I imagined. Allow me to kindly advise my future brother-in-law, revealing weaknesses too quickly might make it easier for someone to exploit them."
At first, he thought Samantha was just a pawn in Ethan's game, perhaps slightly different in Ethan's eyes. But he didn't expect that just taking Samantha out would prompt Ethan to immediately bring his men, fearing he might harm her.
This showed Samantha's status in Ethan's eyes.
Wasn't he benefiting from this disaster?
Unexpectedly learning Ethan's weaknesses?
With this leverage in hand, could he now control Ethan?
Thinking of this, Albert's mood instantly improved, and he grinned in satisfaction.
Before leaving, he made sure to glance at Samantha intentionally, saying, "Once there's news, I'll contact you again!"
This statement was deliberately aimed at Ethan.
After saying that, he bent down to get into the car and honked the horn.
Ethan waved his hand.
The bodyguards immediately made way.
Albert drove away.
Ethan's face was covered in frost, and he seemed to be enveloped in a frozen wasteland.
Jade sensed that something was wrong and immediately signaled for the bodyguards to get into the car and leave.
In an instant, the vast space was left with only Ethan and Samantha.
Seeing Ethan's face, which seemed ready to kill, Samantha instinctively took a step back, her face full of vigilance.
"Why do you know I'm here?"
Ethan didn't answer her question but grabbed her wrist and pulled her forcefully towards him. "Do you know who Albert is? How dare you come here alone with him?"
Samantha's wrist was pinched painfully, feeling as if her bones were about to be crushed. She struggled angrily. "Let go of me, you're hurting me..."
Seeing her delicate face twisted in pain, Ethan's heart ached, subconsciously loosening his grip.
Samantha took the opportunity to pull her hand out.
A surge of anger swelled in Ethan's chest, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"Did you hear what I just said? Stay away from Albert Davis in the future. He's not as simple as you think."
Samantha couldn't help but laugh at his words. "Mr. Steele, the person you say isn't simple seems to be your future brother-in-law, right? Since you think he's not good, why marry your sister to him?"
Ethan explained, "This is a business marriage, with intricate complexities that can't be explained in a few words."
Samantha chuckled, "A business marriage? For the family business, even the happiness of your own sister can be disregarded. It seems what others say is true, that aristocratic families are ruthless, caring only about their interests."
Ethan's handsome face turned gloomy.
Before he could speak, Samantha continued, "Also, I appreciate your concern, but I have no relationship with you. There's no need for you to be unnecessarily concerned."
With that, she turned to leave.
Ethan grabbed her arm. "It's far from the city here. I'll take you back."
Samantha pulled her hand away expressionlessly. "No need. I think I made it clear before.You and I have no relationship. I think it's best if we keep our distance to avoid any misunderstandings with your fiancée."
Her tone was sour.
Even she didn't realize it.
Ethan also didn't notice the sourness in her tone. His pupils contracted sharply, as if he heard the sound of his own heart gradually cooling down.
"Ingratitude."
With those cold words, Ethan angrily bent down to get into the car.
The black SUV quickly dashed out, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Samantha was furious.
With her head held high and her heels clicking, she stubbornly continued walking forward.
This place was remote.
It took a full hour and a half to drive here.
There were no buses or taxis around, only private cars coming and going.
After walking for over an hour, Samantha still hadn't found a bus stop. Looking around, she couldn't see a single person, resembling a desolate wilderness where even birds wouldn't bother to visit.
Her feet were blistered and bleeding.
Every step she took, the wounds stung fiercely.
The more she walked, the more aggrieved she felt.
Unconsciously, tears welled up in her eyes.
In her mind, she cursed Ethan over and over again.
Damn Ethan.
If it weren't for him.
She could have taken Albert's car back.
But now.
They were all gone, leaving her alone here.
It was almost afternoon.
She didn't know if she could make it back before dark.
There was no one here.
It would be terrifying at night.
Just the thought of it made her hair stand on end with fear.
Because her vision was blurred by tears, Samantha didn't notice the stones underfoot. Her high heels stepped on them, causing her to stumble harshly.
Her body immediately lost balance and fell to the ground.
Her palms hit the concrete, leaving countless bloodstains.
Tiny drops of blood oozed out from them.
Her feet hurt, her hands hurt, her legs hurt, and Samantha couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. Angry, she picked up a stone from the ground and threw it fiercely, cursing under her breath.
"Damn Ethan, meeting you brings nothing but trouble... You're like a jinx, a disaster..."
Just as she was focused on her ranting, a cold and helpless voice sounded behind her.
"If you keep cursing, your so-called jinx, disaster will really leave..."
The sudden voice made Samantha turn around abruptly.
A familiar figure stood backlit, appearing like a deity behind her.
At the sight of Ethan, all the grievances surged forth.
Tears uncontrollably flowed from her eyes.
He was back?
He really came back.
But he made her walk for over an hour before returning.
Thinking about this, she felt even more aggrieved.
Her tears fell even more fiercely.
Her nose was red.
Resembling a pitiful little bunny.
***