Chapter 11
Gwen sorned her head away, snapping hac stay away from fr
sleepwithi
never you want. Cin ahead, thirty on nor night it ir sain your Care
Tahan’s eyes darkened. What good will cr
If he hadn’t been told to practice restraint, head have taught this olent woman a lesson already:
“Stay here and behave” Ethan’s tone carried a hint of esasperation, as thesight even speaking in here was a test of pa
“I told you I want nothing more to do with you. Don’t you understand?” Gwen was exhausted, leth physically and mentally
Erhan straightened, looking down at her from above “Do you even know what your’re refusing? As long as you behave and alo as you’re told, your grandmother can stay safely in the hospital”
Of course. Gwen understood his meaning. He wanted her to go back to the way th dress up and play with
‘things were—m stay by his side, be his emotional crutch, his doll in
ay she grew old and lost her appeal.
All while he, her self proclaimed master, came and went as he pleased, using her to vent his desires mutil the day only to be discarded.
And if she happened to get pregnant, the baby wouldn’t even belong to her.
Gwen smiled coldly. “Fine. I can stay by your side.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Namse your tering
Whatever poor she asked, he had the confidence and abilay to meet
You know what I want. Make me Mrs. Raymund, Gwen sand, fixing her gaze on him.
The next moment, Exdan burst into mocking laughter. “Dreaming alreasly? It’s not even shark out.”
mountain of debt
His answer didn’t surprise Gwen in the slightest. Someone like Talian could never love her. She had nothing–no money, only a
Unless he lost his mind, Ethan wouldn’t love someone like Jasmine Hatfield for her, husvion Group wouldn’t allow him to, either.
“Then there’s nothing more to say, Mr. Raymond. You’re young, handsome, filthy rich, and there’s no shortage of women waiting for you.” With that, Gwen threw back the covers and got out of bed.
“What’s this! Not concerned about your grandmother anymore? Eilian asked.
The mention of her grandmother made Gwen’s blood boil. Tve been with you for free years, and this is what it’s come to? Using her to threaten me told you, I won’t stay with a married man”
‘m not married. Besides,” Lilan moved to sit on the sofa, his eyes slowly scamming her from head to toe. Despite her weakened state, Gwen was still breathtakingly beautiful. “You’re right about one thing–I haven’t had enough of you yet.”
Before Gwen could respond, Ethan stood up. So, until I say otherwise, you’re staying here. As long as you’re here, your grandmother will be fue.”
The door slammed shut lechind him with a heavy thand. No phone, no means of contact. Gwen walked to the door and tried the handle, only to hol
“Edhan! Let me out, Ethan Gwen shouted at the top of her lungs.
Ethan, however, ignited her criesand headed straight for lus study.
Flora followed hung in, her face filled with concern. “Mr. Raymond, Ms. Leblanc is still unwell. Perhaps you should.
“Just focus on taking care of her. The rest isn’t your concern Ethan cut her off brusquely
It was clear he didn’t want to hear anyone’s advice. To him, if he couldn’t have the woman he wanted, his power was meaningless.
Chris–trailed behind Leal as they male their way upstairs, Gowen’s voice naturally reached their ears.
“That despicable harpy,” Leah hissed, her voice dripping with jealousy and hatres
Chapter II
Chris turned his head to her. “Have you forgotten your placet Since when was it your role to comment on Mr. Raymond i mattent
Leah bir ber lip, suppressing her frustration, and reluctantly followed.
In the study, Chris set a stack of documents on the desk. “Mr. Raymond, these are files that require your personal troonse”
Mansion No. I rarely housed Ethan’s work materials. The study itself had clearly been tailored for Gwen. The bookshe
es were lined with noveli
and comics she enjoyed
Art supplies were scattered on the floor, remnants of her idle sketches, along with a sewing machine the sometimes used.
The room had a distinctly girlish charm, making lahan seem ndilly out of place as he sat there.
Leah, noticing that Ethan wasn’t buy at the moment, decided to speak up. “Mr. Raymond. Sharon is inll in the hospital. She’s been waiting for you to visit her. Perhaps.
“Didn’t they say she’s fine? Let her rest and recover. Don’t bother me with this again” Ethan’s tone was laced with impatience.
Leah pressed her lips together and tried again.. The Hatfield family has been asking when you might be available to join them for a meal. Mr. Juli Hatfield’s n0th birthday is next week
Ethan didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and fixed Leah with a steady gaze.
The intensity of his stare made Leah’s scalp tingle. Chris quickly interjected, “Mr. Raymond, if there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave now?
“Goalcad,” Ethan sad, dismissing them with a wave.
As they descended the stains. Chris shot Leah a pointed look. “II you want to keep your position at Innovion Group, you’d better think carefully abour what you say. There’s no shortage of people who can replace you
Leah glared up toward the second Door, her resentment clear. She couldn’t understand how Gwen managed to hold Ethan’s attention.
It had been three years, and yet he still wasn’t tired of her.
Ethan was busy with work when he plugged in Gwen’s phone to charge.
Once it powered on, a barrage of notifications appeared. Skimming through them, he noticed a string of messages from a group chat called Career Compass. After checking further, there were no messages from any men
However, there were over a dozen texts from Gwen’s aunt, Monica—all mean and accusatory.
Monica: [I don’t care what you think. Vincent needs Mr. Anderson’s support. The little money you make won’t cut it. Be sensible. Mr. Anderson likes you, and I’ve set up a golf outing with him for you. Do your part, and we’ll land this project.]
Ethan lowered his eyes as he read. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk.
Meanwhile, Gwen was in the bedroom, sulking. Suddenly, the door swung open, startling her.
She leapt to her feet but wobbled, nearly losing her balance. Ethan caught her in an instant. “Saying you want to break up one moment, then throwing yourself into any arma die next. Playing hard to get, are wel”
Gwen steadied herself and glared at him. “Do I even need to play hard to get?”
She did nothing, but he still came.
Ethan wasn’t offended by he
For once, he even agreed. You have a point.
Gwen stared at him, confused by his uncharact
“I’ll admit, I’m not foul of how you’re acting right now. Keeping a defiant woman around isn’t fun.
Til let yo
you go.” Ethan shrugged.
He tossed her phone to her. When he saw Gwen actually moving to pack her things, he added, in a you leave, it won’t be so easy to come back”
in a deliberately sl
y slow tone, “Think carefully. Once
Gwen stood with her back to him, her expression unreadable. If I’ve decided to leave, I won’t return”
She grabbed her phone, and Ethan called after her, “After everything between us, you’re leaving just like that?”
She paused, lowering her eyes. “If you’re willing to give me some money, and the house you promised. I’d be deeply grateful. I really need the
2/3
Chapter 11
Exhan stared at her. If you stayed with me, you’d have access to far more.”
Goven didn’t respond, her stubborn silence only fueling his frustration. He wanted to grab her, to make her understand, but he restrained himself
After a long pause. Ethan finally said. “Chris will contact you later. You’ll get what’s owed to you. Now leave–and don’t ever let me see you again
Gwen didn’t hesitate. She bolted down the stairs, showing not the slightest hint of regret or attachment
Bit Ethan’s devilish voice followed her like a shadow. “If I ever see you again, Gwen, whether you stay or go won’t be up to you anymore.
Gwen froze for a moment before letting out a liner laugh. “Mr. Raymond, you don’t need to worry. You and 1 are worlds apart. Wherever you go.
make sure to steer clear. Someone as clueless arme–just forget Lever existed.”
She clutched her phone tightly, her mind d racing. Everything she had came from Ethan
But with the money he promised, she could take Beatrice and move to another city. She refused to believe she couldn’t survive on her own.
As for Ethan, she had given him all she could. She owed him nothing now
AD
