Chapter 6

Early the next morning, I grudgingly went to work again.

There was a company dinner tonight that the boss was hosting. Unfortunately, I couldn't get out of it.

The boss brought along an even sleazier-looking executive. The two of them sitting together was quite an unsightly scene.

I sat to the side, quietly sipping my drink.

The atmosphere was lively when suddenly I heard someone call my name. I looked up to see the boss beckoning me over.

A bad feeling instinctively arose. I smiled, grabbed my purse, and sat down next to them. After toasting a glass of wine, the unfamiliar sleazy executive's vile hand landed on my thigh, attempting to grope further inward.

In my two years working at the hotel, I'd encountered this kind of thing many times, big and small. I was no longer the girl from a few years ago who would only know how to cry when scared.

Just as I was considering whether to slap him directly or take out the pepper spray from my bag and spray this old creep to death, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet.

In the dim light, the man's brows were slightly furrowed, his expression dark and unclear, but his aura was inexplicably intimidating.

Ethan picked up a glass of wine from the table and poured it over the man's face.

The boss, probably experiencing this kind of disrespect for the first time, looked angry and was about to pour it back.

Ethan let out a cold laugh.

"Try it."

"If you dare move, I can't guarantee you'll keep that hand."

After saying this, he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

I pulled the jacket tighter, feeling a bit relieved in my heart, marveling that after four years of societal tempering, Ethan had finally learned not to stupidly smash a wine bottle on his own head.

He also wouldn't impulsively resort to violence, but rather use his intimidating presence to subdue people.

Indeed, a mature man was steady and gave a sense of security.

As I was thinking this, I allowed Ethan to lead me out of the restaurant and into his car.

He sat silently in the car for three seconds, glanced at me, said "wait here," and suddenly got out of the car.

Before leaving, he even locked the car doors.

After a while, I watched Ethan stride back, open the door, and get into the car.

He unbuttoned his collar and loosened his tie, his face still showing traces of anger.

But for some reason, I liked seeing him lose his composure like this. I smiled and asked, "What did you go do?"

Ethan's hand gripping the steering wheel had bulging veins. He looked straight ahead and said calmly,

"Taught him a lesson."

I smiled, my eyes curving.

"I thought after not seeing you for a few years, you'd matured."

Ethan flashed a wicked grin and casually threw out a lewd comment.

"Well, there is a part of me that's matured. Want to try it out?"

Who's afraid of who?

Maybe it was the effect of the alcohol, but I suddenly had the urge to be naughty.

"Sure."

I smiled wider, my hand crawling up his suit pants.

"Let's try it out."

"Let's see... just how mature it's become."

Looking at his ear tip, I gently blew a breath.

Thinking back to a friend's gathering in our sophomore year, Ethan and I went to a karaoke place to meet up.

When we got to the main hall, I wanted bubble tea and insisted he go buy some for me nearby.

Unexpectedly, after he left, I was dragged by a group of men to their private room.

I was only nineteen at the time and didn't even dare to call the police.

Later, I couldn't remember how Ethan found me. I only remember that those men were about to force alcohol down my throat.

Ethan burst in and snatched away the wine glass, smashing it on the ground.

Everyone in the room stood up at once.