Chapter 6
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Afterward, Ethan escorted me out of the exhibition hall. Even when we got in the car, a group of reporters kept hounding us.
Once we were away from the noise, Ethan glanced at me. “Sorry for putting you into this.”
Then, he told me the truth.
He and Jessica were arranged to marry by their parents, but he hadn’t agreed.
His parents wanted him to take over the family business, but he wasn’t willing to give up the company he’d built from scratch. His family had been putting pressure on him, and his company was suffering.
His
parents insisted on him marrying Jessica, but he refused.
He hadn’t taken me home because he feared his parents would find out about me. They might use me to threaten him or even harm me to force him into submission.
That was why he pretended not to know me at the hotel.
With a sigh, Ethan pulled me into his arms. “Before I have the strength to fight my family, I don’t want you to be in danger.”
I felt deeply moved.
Chapter 6
I didn’t know why I deserved such care from Ethan.
The events of today quickly became media fodder, and I was thrust into the spotlight.
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When James found out, he flew into a rage and had people take Ethan away.
Before he left, Ethan told me not to be scared and to wait for him.
But I didn’t want to sit by. A relationship was a two–way street. There was no reason for only one person to make all the effort.
I went to Clarke Group, hoping to meet Ethan’s father, James Clarke. But once they figured out who I was and why I was there, they refused to let me in. James didn’t even let me step inside the building.
I spent the whole day waiting outside, but I didn’t meet James. Instead, I ran into Jessica.
She asked, “If you want to see him, I can take you.”
I wasn’t sure what her game was, but I went with her anyway.
She took me to the most luxurious villa district in the city. I was amazed by how massive their courtyard was.
With Jessica leading the way, I got into the house without any trouble. James was in the living room reading the newspaper,
Chapter 6
and a maid was serving coffee.
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When he saw Jessica, his face softened with a kind smile. But as soon as he saw me standing next to her, his face fell.
This was the second time I had met him.
He sized me up with disdain. “So, you’re the woman Ethan’s been keeping on the side?”
I answered, “Sir, Ethan and I are legally married. I am his wife.”
He snorted, “So what? Do you think you can use some tricks to worm your way into the Clarke family? Dream on. Do you even know your place?”
I remained calm. “My parents were university professors before they retired, and I’m a designer. I don’t think my background is the issue.”
He casually took out a check. “Enough talk. How much? Name your price.”
I was stunned. I didn’t expect to experience the cliché of rich families trying to buy people off.
I shook my head. “I’m not with Ethan for money.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Then, what do you want?”
“I’m here to tell you that I won’t give up on Ethan,” I said boldly. “Unless he decides to leave me, I won’t leave him, no matter
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what you do to me.”
“Selina!” Ethan’s voice came from upstairs. I looked
him running down the staircase toward me.
James snapped, “Who let him out?”
up
and saw
One of the servants quickly answered, “It was Madam Clarke.”
Ethan let out a relieved sigh when he saw I was fine. “What are you doing here?”
He’d lost a lot of weight in just a few days, and his arms had several whip marks. There was even a bruise on his face.
My heart ached, and I gently touched his cheek. He must have been through a lot these past few days.
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