Chapter 101: If it’s Brother Ethan Cole, it’s not necessarily a no

Upon seeing Megan Price, Ethan Cole felt a surge of anger.

This girl was too much, keeping him up all night yesterday.

He planned to give her a severe scolding.

Yet, Megan Price, upon seeing Ethan Cole, lunged straight at him.

Under Ethan Cole’s astonished gaze,

She collapsed to her knees with a thud, begging, “Spare me, I know I was wrong.”

Was this the so-called adaptability?

After that submissive act, Ethan Cole’s anger considerably subsided.

But still, he warned her, “If this happens again,

I will shave off all your long hair.”

Megan Price looked at him with watery eyes, “If it’s you, Ethan Cole, I might consider.”

“Consider your ass!” Ethan Cole was utterly speechless.

He discovered that his methods to deal with Megan Price were indeed very few.

Scaring her with brute force seemed the only effective method.

Fed up with her nonsense, Ethan Cole grabbed his backpack and headed out the door.

Before leaving, he dragged her down from the second floor.

However, what Ethan Cole didn’t know was,

Megan Price soon returned upstairs and locked herself inside his room.

She wrapped herself in a quilt,

And strange sounds started coming from the room.

When Ethan Cole arrived at the school, the first class had just ended.

Grace Bennett anxiously asked him what had happened.

“Ah!” Ethan Cole sighed, “Nothing much, just that I couldn’t sleep last night. I kept tossing and turning.

Kept seeing someone’s figure in my head. Before I knew it, it was morning.”

“Wh…who were you thinking about?” Grace Bennett nervously and expectantly asked.

Ethan Cole shrugged, “I don’t know, but that girl liked to bite people, she was a little menace.”

Grace Bennett fell silent.

She quickly picked up a book, lowered her head, pretending to be engrossed in reading.

Ethan Cole couldn’t help but tap her.

Grace Bennett angrily retorted, “What are you hitting me for?”

“Dummy, you’re holding the book upside down.”

Grace Bennett looked down. Sure enough, she was.

She laid her head on the table, feeling too embarrassed to face anyone.

Ethan Cole burst into laughter.

At noon, Ethan Cole received a call from Julia Monroe.

She wanted to buy the TV and Film rights to “Pure Lover”.

It seemed the initial success of “Those Bygone Years” had given her a taste of success.

Therefore, she wished to continue the collaboration between them.

They agreed to meet at six in the evening to discuss the details.

When school ended in the afternoon, Ethan Cole parted ways with Grace Bennett.

Now he was going home with Natalie Brooks.

They established a good rapport during the summer break.

Ethan Cole had observed this girl. She was pretty decent and could be a friend.

The meeting took place at a restaurant.

Ethan Cole arrived first and waited for over ten minutes before Julia Monroe arrived.

She was elegantly dressed.

She sat down and said, “I apologize for being late. I was promoting our project in another city in the morning and got delayed on my way here.”

Ethan Cole shook his head indicating it wasn’t a problem.

He asked her about her food preferences and if she had any dietary restrictions.

They ordered eight dishes.

They didn’t jump into business right away and made polite conversation.

Honestly,

When Ethan Cole publicly humiliated Chloe Winters at school,

Julia Monroe really disliked him.

She even regretted buying the rights to his novel.

But after conducting investigations through other sources, her opinion of him completely changed.

She understood, it was Chloe Winters who had rejected Ethan Cole before.

It was entirely her own undoing.

Wasting such a good, such an outstanding boy.

The dishes arrived quickly.

Ethan Cole was cheerfully eating and chatting away with her.

He had no intention of bringing up the actual matter at hand.

He didn’t want to put himself at a disadvantage.

Julia Monroe couldn’t help but feel Chloe Winters was too impulsive and had really missed out.

Ethan Cole was only a senior in high school.

Yet, he exuded a maturity and stability some twenty-five or twenty-six-year-olds lacked.

Off her own accord, Julia Monroe starts, “About the copyright of the novel “Pure Lover,”

“I was thinking of going about it the same way as we did for the previous novel.

I believe you’ve seen the capabilities of Clearwater Company.”

“No, no, no.” Ethan Cole shook his head, “That doesn’t apply here.

“Firstly, “Pure Lover” sold twenty times as many copies as “Those Bygone Years.”

This corresponds to a higher level of name recognition, which naturally means higher copyright prices.”

Julia Monroe, “But the success of your novel

is due to the promotion by our company’s second-largest shareholder.”

Ethan Cole spread his hands, “But what does that have to do with me?

That was an individual voluntary act.”

Julia Monroe was exasperated.

At such a young age, he already behaved as if he could fleece others.

Helpless, Julia Monroe had to ask Ethan Cole what price he had in mind.

Ethan Cole said, “We can follow the model of our previous novel.

However, one thing should be added.

The revenue share should be increased by six percent. Additionally, pay me an extra hundred thousand.”

The revenue share agreed for the previous novel was ten percent of the net profit.

If six percent is added, that’s too much.

Julia Monroe could not accept that, shaking her head, saying it was too much and she couldn’t agree.

Ethan Cole came up with such an amount to negotiate, it was not the final price.

Subsequently, they started a war of words.

Finally, the revenue share for the third book was set between thirteen and twelve percent.

This time Julia Monroe wanted to buy both the TV series and movie copyrights.

Thirteen percent for the TV series and twelve percent for the movie.

Later, Julia Monroe planned to also sign for the TV series rights of “Those Bygone Years”.

Last time he only gave her the movie rights.

However, this time Ethan Cole demanded a fifteen percent share from the start.

And under no circumstances did he compromise.

“Those Bygone Years” already had a trend of becoming a sensation.

That meant the future TV series already had a pre-established audience base.

Under such circumstances, Ethan Cole naturally wouldn’t relent.

He had Julia Monroe cornered.

Julia Monroe was out of words, and Ethan Cole hadn’t budged an inch.

In the end, she had no choice but to agree.

She bitterly laughed, “You really know how to negotiate.”

Ethan Cole didn’t reply.

After the meal, they headed to the same law firm as before.

Under the lawyer’s witness, they finalized the agreements for two contracts.

They went their separate ways.

Actually, Ethan Cole initially planned to put forward another condition.

Which would forbid Chloe Winters from participating in “Pure Lover”.

But upon giving it some thought, he dropped the idea.

Though he had gained some fame now,

It had not reached to the point where he could influence their selection of actors.

He went home, planning to write more outlines for his novel.

Since he was not short on funds, he could go all out.

At ten o’clock, he stopped working.

He sent the outlines for sixteen novels to Nora Pierce.

Just as Ethan Cole was preparing to sleep, Grace Bennett sent him a message.

Chapter 102: Feels a bit guilty, but not much

Grace Bennett sent a message inviting him to her house the next evening.

For their housewarming banquet.

Ethan Cole asked her how many important relatives would be attending.

Like grandparents and so on.

Grace Bennett answered that there wouldn’t be many people.

Her family actually had many relatives.

However, they were poor in the past and these relatives would avoid them, fearing they would be asked for money.

So now that they had money, Grace Bennett’s family didn’t boast about it too much.

Ethan Cole said he understood.

In the end, Ethan Cole said, “Aren’t you going to send me a goodnight message?”

After a while, Grace Bennett sent him a goodnight message.

However, Ethan Cole replied, “Do you know the meaning of the phrase ‘good night’?”

A question mark was sent in response.

Ethan Cole said: “Good night, pronounced as ‘wan, an’.

The first character and first pronunciation, combined with the last two pronunciations.

Forms the meaning of ‘I love you’, so you…”

After the message was sent, Grace Bennett didn’t reply for a long time.

Ethan Cole could imagine it.

Her face must have been blazing red, she even hid her head under her quilt.

He put down his mobile phone, ready to go to sleep.

However, he suddenly thought of something.

He quietly got up.

He opened the drawer and took out a long iron chain and a lock he had bought on his way home.

He went to the next room and listened carefully.

Yes, there was a sound inside.

So he locked the door from the outside.

Now, he could finally have a sound sleep.

The house was very solidly built.

With excellent sound insulation.

Even if Megan Price was screaming in the next room, he wouldn’t hear anything.

He had also turned off his mobile phone.

That night, Ethan Cole had a good sleep.

It was only the next day when he got up that he unlocked the door.

The door of the room was not latched, it opened with a twist.

Then Ethan Cole was startled.

He saw Megan Price curled up on the floor, a look of agony on her face.

Ethan Cole hastily squatted down and patted her face, “Hey, what’s the matter with you?”

“You… jerk… I’ve been holding it all night… I’m going to die, boo hoo hoo.”

Ethan Cole was stunned: “No, don’t you have…?”

“You could use a cup if necessary.”

“A cup, my ass!” Megan Price was on the verge of crying. “Help me up, I can’t move.”

Ethan Cole felt a bit guilty, but not much.

This was payback.

He carefully helped her up.

She was hollering and screaming there.

“Can you be a bit more gentle?!”

“Don’t you know that I’m in a dangerous situation, ahh ahh, don’t move, don’t move…”

Ethan Cole: “…”

Moving at a snail’s pace, like helping an old lady.

Eventually, he managed to get her to the washroom.

Ethan Cole also helped her close the door on his way out.

Megan Price had already reached her limit, she couldn’t stand any stimulation.

However, the sound Ethan Cole made when closing the door was quite loud.

With this sudden shock, she got scared.

Then Megan Price let out a sky-shattering scream.

“Ahhhhh, Ethan Cole, I’m going to kill you, you bastard!”

At the age of eighteen, she actually had to…

This was the humiliation of her life.

When she was done, after taking a shower and changing her clothes, Ethan Cole was already gone.

Megan Price was planning to open Ethan Cole’s bedroom door to exact a little revenge when,

She saw a note stuck on the door.

It read: “It’d be better if you refrain from causing any chaos in my room.

Otherwise, I’ll let all company employees know about today’s incident.”

Megan Price paused, gritting her teeth.

In the end, she thought of something and smiled.

Today was Friday.

When they arrived in the classroom, everyone seemed excited.

They were discussing where to go for the weekend.

Grace Bennett became somewhat flustered when she saw Ethan Cole.

Ethan Cole thought it was because of what he said last night, which made her feel uncomfortable.

However, he soon discovered that was not the case.

She was hiding something.

Ethan Cole, seizing the moment when she was not looking, grabbed a stack of envelopes from her drawer.

He laughed when he saw it.

It was obviously love letters.

“It’s not what you think,” Grace Bennett hastily explained,

“As soon as I arrived, I found a whole pile of these under the desk.

If you’re upset, I’ll throw them away immediately.”

Ethan Cole suddenly leaned toward her.

Up close, he could smell the faint scent emanating from her.

Chuckling, he said, “Why, are you afraid I’ll get upset? Do you care about me?”

“I… I don’t, don’t talk nonsense.”

Grace Bennett was thrown into a panic when she was called out on her feelings.

Ethan Cole now had a clear idea.

He said, “No need to throw them away; they represent their feelings after all.

Give them all back and tell them you have someone you like.”

“I do not have anyone I like…”

Grace Bennett said quietly.

But somehow, she lacks the confidence.

In the afternoon after school, Ethan Cole went to buy a gift himself.

He couldn’t go empty-handed in the evening, could he?

By coincidence, the hundred thousand dollars had come through that afternoon.

Ethan Cole went to a gold store.

He selected a solid gold horseshoe statue that was thirty centimeters high.

It weighed over five hundred grams, a large part of which was hollowed out.

The current price of gold was around one hundred and eighty per gram.

So it cost over ninety thousand dollars.

Then he bought some fruit.

He rode back home on his motorcycle and set off.

When he reached the door, Grace Bennett was already waiting for him there.

Looking at her, it seemed she had been waiting for a long time,

Ethan Cole immediately understood.

The youngster was probably afraid that the security guards at the entrance would make things difficult for Ethan Cole, a student.

So she decided to wait here.

Her thoughtfulness was heartbreaking.

Upon seeing Ethan Cole, Grace Bennett’s face lit up and she was about to run toward him.

However, she remembered that Ethan Cole had once told her not to run in public.

Something about it being gaudy.

She didn’t understand, but she remembered.

And so she sauntered over with long strides.

“Have all the guests arrived?” Ethan Cole asked.

“Yes, actually, only you were invited.

And a few of my father’s friends, just enough to fill a table, but…”

“But what?”

Ethan Cole noticed Grace Bennett furrow her brows.

“Nothing.” Grace Bennett shook her head: “I am probably overthinking.”

The two walked side by side.

Ethan Cole pushed his motorcycle.

The environment here was great, and the surrounding facilities were first-rate.

Ethan Cole also planned to buy a house here.

This was a rich district.

Living here, he might be able to build some useful connections in the future.

Even if he did not live here,

A house here currently costs around five million dollars.

In ten years, he reckoned that it would cost no less than a billion.

When they reached the house,

Grace Bennett personally bent down and took out a pair of slippers for Ethan Cole.

She said in her crisp voice, “See if it fits, I bought them especially for you.”

As soon as Ethan Cole slipped them on, he found them to be very comfortable and a perfect fit.

He couldn’t help but ridicule her, “So considerate, how about we get married after we graduate from university?”

Grace Bennett blushed and didn’t speak.

Ethan Cole felt invigorated by teasing Grace Bennett every day.

He carried the things into the living room.

And the next second, he almost blurted out, ‘damn.’

Chapter 103: Well, A Minotaur in Person, Huh?

Inside the living room sat Frank Bennett, Diane Bennett, and a few middle-aged men that Ethan Cole did not recognize.

They must be Frank Bennett’s friends.

But that wasn’t the point.

The point was there was a woman, dressed in red with a powerful aura.

If not Vanessa Grant, then who?

Ethan Cole almost blurted out an expletive in surprise.

What was happening?

Suddenly, he conjured up a dramatic family scene in his mind.

On the outside, Ethan Cole calmly greeted everyone.

Frank Bennett and Diane Bennett were delighted to see Ethan Cole.

They introduced him to their friends,

and Vanessa Grant also turned her attention to him,

her eyes filled with evaluative intent.

Ethan Cole placed the fruit and gifts on the table, smiling, “Congratulations, Uncle, Auntie, and Grace on moving into your new house.”

Diane Bennett laughed heartily, “Ah, it’s enough that you came. Why bring gifts?

Ah, is this pure gold?”

She was quite surprised upon seeing the golden statues of happiness, prosperity, and longevity on the table.

Ethan Cole nodded yes.

A golden statue of this size, even if it wasn’t solid, would not be cheap.

Frank Bennett’s friends assumed Ethan Cole was a rich second-generation heir.

Vanessa Grant, however, was keenly interested in Ethan Cole.

What he had given didn’t matter to Diane Bennett as much as the evidence

that he was putting in effort did.

Grace Bennett felt a bit sorry for Ethan Cole.

She knew Ethan Cole was an entrepreneur and investing a lot of money.

Her eyes sparkled as she wondered about something.

Then Diane Bennett and Grace Bennett went into the kitchen to get busy.

Ethan Cole couldn’t help but give Frank Bennett an inquisitive look.

Frank Bennett blinked hard.

But the two men’s understanding wasn’t mutual enough.

So Ethan Cole didn’t understand what he wanted to convey.

Only when Vanessa Grant got up to go to the restroom did Ethan Cole rush over to ask Frank Bennett, “Uncle, what’s going on here?”

All of this was quite audacious.

Frank Bennett grinned bitterly, “She insisted on coming, claiming it was on behalf of her old class, and as an investor.

Moreover, she has invested a lot in this house, and it felt rude to stop her.”

Ethan Cole figured Frank Bennett played the muscle while she provided the capital, right?

He decided this was a family affair, and he had no right to intervene.

Better to stay out of it and not change the original course of events.

When Vanessa Grant returned from the restroom, she went to help in the kitchen.

She was adaptable.

Strong and forceful when necessary, yet gentle when needed.

She got along quite well with Diane Bennett.

Diane Bennett was either too easygoing or for other reasons,

did not pick up on anything unusual.

But Grace Bennett was different.

Her past insecurities had made her very sensitive.

She sensed something unusual about Vanessa Grant’s appearance at their home.

But she couldn’t put her finger on it, and that was why she hadn’t spoken up at the door.

Without evidence, she didn’t want to make insinuations.

She kept her head down and listened quietly to the conversation.

Vanessa Grant suddenly turned the conversation towards her.

“Grace, you’re in senior year, right?”

Grace Bennett was taken aback for a moment, but then nodded.

Vanessa Grant asked, “Grace, you’re beautiful and your grades are good.

Have you ever considered studying abroad?”

Grace Bennett shook her head, “No.”

Vanessa Grant added, “The quality of education abroad is really much better.

Additionally, holding a foreign degree will give you a great advantage when looking for jobs back home.

Luckily, I know a friend.

He has an entry qualification for the world’s second-ranked high school.”

The enrollment rate of that high school was very high.

As long as one performed normally, the chances of getting into top universities such as Cambridge, Harvard, or MIT were quite significant.

“If you want, I can help you get it,” I said.

Diane Bennett was a bit tempted upon hearing this.

In those days, being a foreign student was a sweet spot, something many people coveted.

Not to mention graduating from a prestigious university.

But she wouldn’t force Grace Bennett; everything depended on her own intentions.

After listening, Grace Bennett shook her head and merely said thank you.

Then she lowered her head and continued her work.

Vanessa Grant laughed and didn’t continue the conversation.

She cooked a full table of dishes.

Before eating, they had to pay respects to the Kitchen God.

The adults were chatting and laughing there.

Ethan Cole and Grace Bennett were eating on the side.

However, Ethan Cole quickly noticed that Grace Bennett’s mood was slightly off.

After they almost finished eating, Ethan Cole suggested taking a tour of the new house.

Diane Bennett smiled and said, “Sure, let Grace accompany you.”

Coming to the second floor, Ethan Cole asked, “What’s wrong? Today should be a happy day.

I noticed your mood is slightly off.”

Grace Bennett touched her face, “Is it that obvious?”

Ethan Cole nodded.

“It’s my father. Last night he asked if I wanted to study abroad...

And today, Aunt Patty said something similar.”

Ethan Cole was moved, “What do you think?”

He wasn’t worried.

After all, in her past life, Grace Bennett never went abroad.

“I don’t want to go. It’s quite nice here, but...”

Grace Bennett hesitated slightly.

She finally expressed her suspicions of something being amiss between Frank Bennett and Vanessa Grant.

She had grown to trust Ethan Cole deeply now.

Ethan Cole wasn’t overly surprised.

This girl had keen senses, and it was normal for her to pick up on things.

After some thought, Ethan Cole asked, “Just in case, I mean just in case, they really... What will you do?”

“I... I don’t know.”

Ethan Cole tousled her hair, “Let’s not meddle in adults’ affairs.

Just study well, get into a good university, and then we... hehehe.”

Grace Bennett lightly punched him, “Stop it.”

They took a tour around the second floor and finally arrived at Grace Bennett’s bedroom.

Compared to the old house, the new room was fairly large and tidy.

It had a large wardrobe.

A separate washroom, and even a desk, bookshelf, and so on.

Ethan Cole sat on the bed, patting it, “It’s really nice. This big bed for you alone...”

Before he could finish, Grace Bennett silently pulled out her mobile phone.

Given her intention, she was preparing to call Karen Cole.

Ethan Cole obediently kept his mouth shut.

Grace Bennett revealed a winner’s smile.

After staying there for a while longer, Ethan Cole left.

Just in time, Vanessa Grant also left.

Outside, she stopped Ethan Cole.

Then she handed him a business card, smiling as she said he could contact her if he ever needed help.

Ethan Cole couldn’t gauge her intentions, but still smiled and accepted it.

After leaving, Ethan Cole went home with a bag.

And then he arrived at his own restaurant.

He handed the bag to Karen Cole, “These are the gifts Grace knitted for you.

Gloves for dad, scarf for you.”

Karen Cole and Robert Cole looked at the items Grace Bennett had made.

The couple exchanged glances.

In perfect understanding,

One of them went to close the door, while the other went to get the broom.

Chapter 104: This woman does have a serious illness

Ethan Cole felt a murderous aura.

Upon seeing that Robert Cole pulled a broom, he immediately took a few steps back.

He yelled loudly, “Wait, what are you guys doing?

Didn’t I do anything wrong?”

Karen Cole looked displeased, “Look at you, such an ungrateful child.

See how considerate Grace is, she started knitting for us in such a short time.

You, on the other hand, haven’t given us anything despite being so old.”

Ethan Cole said, “What about the meals I deliver to you guys every day?”

“Oh, we forgot about that, haha,” Karen Cole slapped her head, somewhat embarrassed.

Robert Cole who had raised the broom scratched his head, “Then should I hit him or not?”

Karen Cole said, “Just hit him. It’s our son after all, what’s wrong with hitting him?

If not, wouldn’t it damage your dignity as a father?”

“Wife, you got a point.”

Robert Cole nodded in agreement, and the broom came down.

Ethan Cole, “What the hell!”

He got beaten for no reason.

Feeling a tad upset.

He returned home.

He saw Megan Price snacking on sunflower seeds in the living room on the second floor.

Ethan Cole went over and gave her a good beating.

Ah, that felt much better.

True enough, the smile didn’t disappear, but instead transferred from Megan Price’s face to his.

Megan Price looked at Ethan Cole with tearful eyes, “Why did you hit me?”

Ethan Cole said, “Just reminding you, so you don’t disturb me later tonight.”

Megan Price was docile, “No, I promise.”

Ethan Cole became alert instantly.

This woman, the more obedient she behaves, the greater the chance she is planning something bad.

He definitely needed to be on guard.

Megan Price suggested, “Would you come car shopping with me tomorrow?”

Ethan Cole nodded, “Sure.”

If the company had a car, it would help with the company’s image.

There weren’t many employees. One car would be enough for future gatherings or dinners.

He returned to his room.

He checked the location of the door handle.

When he left in the morning, he placed a hair on the door handle.

If the door was opened forcefully, the hair would inevitably fall off.

The hair was still there, so Megan Price probably hadn’t caused any trouble here.

Around ten o’clock.

Ethan Cole picked up his notebook and opened the door slightly.

Megan Price was in her room.

Ethan Cole closed the door gently, then went to his office on the first floor.

Yes, it was better to be cautious of her.

This place was also suitable for rest.

Around twelve o’clock.

The door to Megan Price’s room opened.

She came out, sneaking around.

She walked to the door of Ethan Cole’s bedroom with her hands behind her back.

After listening carefully, she crouched down.

She held firecrackers and a lighter in her hands.

She chuckled sinisterly.

Then she lighted a firecracker and threw it into the room through the gap under the door.

There was a loud bang!

Megan Price chuckled hehe.

She specifically bought the more expensive ones.

Then she immediately ran back to her room and locked the door.

Lying on her bed, all she could think about was how angry Ethan Cole must be.

Tomorrow, he will definitely give her another good beating.

“I really...enjoy being beaten by him...”

The next day, Ethan Cole woke up on time.

After typing two chapters in his notebook, he returned to the second floor.

He saw Megan Price in the living room, staring intently at Ethan Cole’s room.

When she saw Ethan Cole coming up from the first floor, she jumped up immediately.

“When did you go down?”

Ethan Cole said, “I went downstairs at ten last night and slept in the office.”

Megan Price clenched her little fists tight.

She miscalculated!

At one glance, Ethan Cole could tell from her expression that she was up to something mischievous.

He pushed the door open.

Almost exploded with anger when he saw what was inside.

A firecracker had inexplicably appeared in his room.

This devil of a woman was too much to bear.

If he had been in the room the night before.

A firecracker going off in the dead of night would have scared him witless.

With a face seething with rage, he stepped out of the room.

Ethan Cole said sternly, “Some things you shouldn’t mess with; doing so could easily lead to accidents.

What if a fire was started?

Even without a fire, a firecracker exploding when someone’s asleep late at night could startle someone into having a heart attack.

I hope there won’t be a next time.

If there is, you should avoid showing your face around me.”

Megan Price was older than him.

However, mentally, she was not particularly mature.

Ethan Cole felt obliged to correct some of her bad habits.

Megan Price’s eyes reddened.

Ethan Cole was not joking around.

She felt as though she were being partially abandoned.

It was not easy to find Ethan Cole, and naturally, she did not want to experience such a thing again.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong.” She got up.

She stood sideways, hands on the sofa, “You can hit me if you want.”

Ethan Cole noted her sincere apology and his anger receded somewhat.

He dismissed her suggestion, “I’ll forgive you this time, but there won’t be a second chance if this happens again.”

Megan Price insisted, “No, it’s okay, you can hit me. I would feel better that way.”

Ethan Cole shook his head, “There’s no need, the important thing is that you understand your mistake.

Let’s go, brush your teeth, wash your face, and then we’ll head out to buy a car.”

Megan Price became anxious immediately.

She stomped her foot, “No, you have to hit me. If you don’t, I’ll lose respect for you.”

“Hmm?” Ethan Cole looked at her in surprise.

This little girl didn’t have some weird fetish, did she?

Upon further thought, that seemed to be the case.

Megan Price might be purposely aggravating him to achieve that end.

Ethan Cole was stunned speechless.

Even he found her behavior abhorrent.

“You have five minutes to get yourself together, or else I’m leaving.”

He issued this ultimatum then went to freshen up.

Megan Price displayed an expression of disappointment.

Her large beautiful eyes started to whirl around.

She was in deep thought, pondering other ways to make Ethan Cole mad.

After five minutes, Megan Price went downstairs.

Saturdays and Sundays were days off from work.

Megan Price sat in the back of the car, put on her helmet, and was about to wrap her arms around Ethan Cole’s waist.

He slapped her hands away, “Have some respect, what kind of person do you take me for?”

Megan Price pouted, “Ethan Cole, I have discovered that you have a lot of shortcomings. You look old, you’re not tall enough, and you’re not handsome enough. You’re too meticulous in everything you do, your hairstyle is not fashionable, and even your clothes are out of style. You smell bad, and you also have bad breath. No girl would like a boy like you, hehe.”

Ethan Cole turned to look at her, “Are you sick?”

Megan Price retaliated, “Do you have any medicine? If you’re unhappy about it, just hit me, hehe.”

Ethan Cole understood then.

She was in the throes of a strange addiction.

She was uncomfortable if she didn’t get hit.

That was also a kind of sickness, and it needed treatment.

With that, he revved the engine of his car, making a loud, roaring noise.

Megan Price gritted her teeth in exasperation.

Why was it that even after saying so many harsh things, Ethan Cole remained unaffected?

She felt like she had hundreds of ants crawling all over her body; it was incredibly uncomfortable.

Not until they reached the breakfast shop.

Ethan Cole noticed Megan Price was still sulking and refusing to get off the bike.

Unable to restrain himself, he smacked her on the head.

Only then did Megan Price break into a smile.

Yes, this was exactly the feeling she was yearning for.

Chapter 105 - Famous Scene in the Asura Field

After finishing breakfast with the problem-child Megan Price.

Ethan Cole was planning to visit the nearest Mercedes-Benz 4S Store.

But he was shocked in the next second.

Because he saw Grace Bennett.

Grace Bennett saw him too.

A smile appeared on her face, and she was about to come over.

But she then saw Megan Price standing close to Ethan Cole.

They appeared incredibly close.

Grace Bennett’s smile froze at once.

And Megan Price noticed this girl who was breathtakingly beautiful.

With a woman’s intuition, she guessed that Grace Bennett and Ethan Cole were closely related.

Both Grace Bennett and Megan Price were very beautiful.

In terms of figure, attractiveness, and facial features, Grace Bennett was superior.

What Megan Price could surpass Grace Bennett in,

Seemed to be only... pervert.

The scene caught Ethan Cole off guard as well.

He was thrust into a difficult situation too quickly.

But his mental fortitude was quite strong.

He waved at Grace Bennett with a smile.

Grace Bennett walked over stiffly.

Ethan Cole, with a jolly smile, said to Grace Bennett, “What brings you here?”

The girl looked a bit pale at this point and spoke in a soft voice, “Just out for some shopping.”

“Hmm.” Ethan Cole nodded, pointed at Megan Price and said, “This is the second shareholder I mentioned to you earlier, Megan Price.

We are going to buy a car for the company later.”

A hint of vitality appeared in Grace Bennett’s eyes.

Then he addressed Megan Price, “Grace Bennett, the fourth shareholder I mentioned before,

Er... she might become the eighteen... or a hundred and eight shareholders,

as her share is simply too small, haha.”

“Puff!”

Both girls started laughing.

So that’s what was going on.

Grace Bennett felt much better.

She had thought the two of them were in a relationship.

In front of others,

Megan Price was acting innocent and harmless, as if anyone could bully her.

She said a bit shyly, “Nice to meet you, sister.”

Grace Bennett: “You’re... you’re pretty. You’re adorable, little sister.”

“Have you eaten?” asked Ethan Cole.

“Yeah.” Grace Bennett, having regained her youthful energy, gave a sweet smile to Ethan Cole.

Megan Price leaned towards Grace Bennett, “Sister, you’re very pretty, so tall, with a great figure, and you smell good too.”

Grace Bennett blushed with the compliments,

She modestly said that she was very ordinary.

Ethan Cole was worried that Megan Price might come up with some strange idea,

He still had to quickly separate the two girls.

After all, Grace Bennett was so innocent that she simply could not handle the twofaced Megan Price.

Even though she was older, she pretended to be young and weak, referring to others as sister.

“We’re going to buy the car, make sure you go home quickly. There are a lot of bad people out there, Got it?”

“Alright, you two take care.” Grace Bennett waved at them.

“Goodbye, sister.”

Then, Megan Price got into Ethan Cole’s car.

Watching the two people leave,

The smile on Grace Bennett’s face gradually disappeared.

She thought about her father.

The scene today reminded her of her father.

But on second thought,

She and Ethan Cole were not lovers. Whoever he wanted to be with was his choice.

Was she in any position to judge or feel unhappy?

“Sigh...”

The young girl let out a long sigh.

On the other side.

Megan Price looked at Ethan Cole’s back, “Although you looked calm and collected just now,

But I could still feel that you were nervous.

So it seems she means a lot to you, huh?

If I do something to her...”

Ethan Cole said calmly, “You would die.”

Grace Bennett was the best girl Ethan Cole had ever known in his two lifetimes.

Whoever dared to hurt her, Ethan Cole wouldn’t hold back at all.

Megan Price’s pupils dilated.

Ethan Cole’s tone was light and breezy.

But the ruthless undertone in his words was frightening.

He wasn’t just saying it, he would actually do it!

Megan Price responded in a sour tone, “It seems you care about her a lot.”

Ethan Cole grunted in agreement, focusing on driving.

Megan Price didn’t dwell on this topic any longer, wisely changing the subject.

However, she mulled it over in her heart.

What if one day she ‘coincidentally’ saw Grace Bennett again.

And then ‘accidentally’ reveal to Grace Bennett that she was living at Ethan Cole’s house.

How would she react?

This woman, who loved to stir up trouble, hatched another wicked plan.

After a half an hour drive, they arrived at the Mercedes-Benz 4S Store.

Having stated their requirements.

A salesperson led them to the car’s display area.

The Mercedes-Benz Thunder, an MPV model.

The salesperson noticed their young age but extraordinary demeanor.

Therefore, he didn’t dare to take them lightly

He introduced the vehicle carefully.

The car was more than five meters long, nearly two meters wide, and one point eight meters high.

Ethan Cole was satisfied with its appearance and interior design.

It had ample space too.

Even high heels wouldn’t scratch the roof.

The price, after discounts and with high-end features, came to 520,000 dollars.

They swiped the card, took the contract, and left.

The salesperson said they would be able to pick up the car within two weeks.

Once home, Ethan Cole continued writing.

Once he finished writing the current book, “Shattering the Heavens,” he would start another one, “The Bodyguard of the School Beauty”...

This time, Ethan Cole would let the majority of the netizens see the grand finale.

Meanwhile, Megan Price turned on her computer.

She entered an unrecognized website.

After several steps, she successfully hacked into Ethan Cole’s school website.

She easily accessed Grace Bennett’s information.

Her birthday, home address, and all.

After skimming through it once, she memorized the entire information.

Next, she left alone to visit Grace Bennett’s previous residence.

“Eh...she moved house...”

Megan Price was slightly surprised.

Then she went around asking the neighbors.

Making some random excuse.

With Megan Price’s docile and charming appearance, no one had any suspicions.

She easily obtained Grace Bennett’s new address.

“Oh, turns out she’s a rich girl like me.”

Then, she made a phone call.

Once connected, Megan Price spoke coldly, “As far as I know, you own a villa at Emerald Grove Estates, right?

Transfer it to my name, I want it.”

A robust voice came from the other end of the line.

“If my dearest daughter wants something, I’ll naturally give it to her.

Is one villa enough? If not, daddy will buy a few more.”

“That’s enough, just hurry up, you have two hours, that’s it, goodbye.”

...

Ethan Cole wrote until past five in the evening.

His stomach began to rumble from hunger.

He sent a message to Grace Bennett, inviting her to eat with him.

After waiting for a while, there was no reply.

She was either busy or angry.

Ethan Cole leaned toward the latter.

The low-end approach, apologize.

However, that would only lower your value in the girl’s heart.

The high-end approach, make her happy.

However, before Ethan Cole could think of a way to make Grace Bennett happy,

Nora Pierce called, “Boss, I have something to tell you...”.

Chapter 106: Mr. Kevin Sutton Looks Like An Old Acquaintance of Mine

In a coffee shop, Ethan Cole met Nora Pierce.

Half an hour ago, Nora Pierce had called, saying he had found a superb editor for the company.

Although the company wasn’t particularly short on staff at that moment.

But since Nora Pierce had recommended him, it wouldn’t hurt to meet him.

So, Ethan Cole personally came over.

A man who looked to be twenty-four or twenty-five years old, wearing glasses, quite handsome in appearance.

The man extended his hand toward Ethan Cole: “Hello, my name is Kevin Sutton.”

Ethan Cole also extended his hand: “Mr. Carver, hello, hello,” he said.

“Ah?” Kevin Sutton was taken aback: “I think you’ve mistaken, my last name is Sutton.”

“Ha, sorry,” Ethan Cole patted his head,”Mr. Carver... Mr. Sutton looks very much like an old acquaintance of mine.”

Nora Pierce: “???”

Kevin Sutton: “???”

After they sat down, Ethan Cole conducted a brief job interview.

He found that this guy called ‘Spawn’ was quite knowledgeable and passionate about this line of work.

He also had quite a few unique insights.

It was indeed exactly as Nora Pierce had described.

So he was hired.

His salary was three thousand two hundred.

Which was quite high already.

No probation period, either.

Kevin Sutton didn’t seem to have any issues with this.

He would come over to sign the contract and officially start work on Monday.

After the interview, he had also managed to eat his fill.

After they parted ways, Ethan Cole checked his phone.

Well, Grace Bennett still hadn’t replied.

He bought a stick of candy-coated haws on his way.

He reached the Emerald Grove Estates.

He sent another text to Grace Bennett.

‘I found a string of stars. Come down, and I’ll give them to you. Three minutes. If you don’t come, I’ll give it to someone else.’

Send.

In less than three minutes, two and a half minutes to be precise, Grace Bennett came out.

Then, Ethan Cole almost laughed out loud.

She was actually riding a bicycle.

Still strictly obeying Ethan Cole’s advice not to run too much.

“What is it...” Grace Bennett spoke.

Her tone was a bit heavy, indicating her mood was not good.

“Here.” Ethan Cole handed her the candy-coated haws from his hand.

Grace Bennett’s eyes slightly brightened.

She reached out and took it.

She loved candy-coated haws the most.

Besides, it was a gift from Ethan Cole.

Seeing her accept the candy-coated haws, Ethan Cole knew she wasn’t too angry.

Then he took the initiative to tell her that Megan Price was living with him now.

Originally, Grace Bennett’s face had a hint of a smile.

Upon hearing this, her smile faded away.

Ethan Cole continued: “She’s a pitiful person. Her dad had an affair, and her mom doesn’t care about her.”

She has a bit of an issue with her personality, but it doesn’t matter.”

Ethan Cole chose to lay his cards on the table.

Knowing Megan Price as he did.

This scheming woman.

Would definitely find ways to tell Grace Bennett about her staying at his place.

Telling her himself has a completely different effect than if she were to expose it.

This move is called ‘I foresaw your foresight.’

As expected.

Grace Bennett, this kind-hearted girl, started to feel some sympathy for Megan Price after hearing about her tragic experience.

“Then ... you have to be nice to her ... What does she like to eat, I’ll make it for her tomorrow,” she said.

Ethan Cole shook his head: “No need, you should study more on Saturdays and Sundays.

By the end of this term, finish studying the entire curriculum of senior year.”

He was busy with many things, but Ethan Cole never neglected his studies.

He had already mastered the entire senior year curriculum.

Next, he needed to start on university-level courses.

“Oh, okay then...” Grace Bennett nodded.

Then she pulled out a bank card from her pocket and handed it to Ethan Cole, “The password is six eights, there’s one hundred and fifty thousand in there.”

“Huh? Why are you giving me money?” Ethan Cole was puzzled.

“Didn’t you buy a pure gold horseshoe statue the other day?

It’s too expensive, you’re starting a business and money is needed everywhere.

I asked dad for a bit of money, telling him it was for bags and such...”

Her voice trailed off towards the end, seemingly a bit shy.

Ethan Cole felt touched deep down.

What a good girl, always considering him in everything.

Ethan Cole knew Grace Bennett’s character.

If he refused, she would overthink.

Holding the bank card, Ethan Cole said, “Then this money, I’ll consider it as your investment in the company.

I’ll raise your shares a bit.”

Grace Bennett slightly nodded.

Either way was fine, as long as Ethan Cole accepted the money.

After appeasing Grace Bennett, Ethan Cole left.

He didn’t know if it was a coincidence or if it was intentional on the part of Megan Price.

Just as Grace Bennett entered the community, she ran into Megan Price, who was walking towards her.

Megan Price was wearing a small white dress, her feet in a pair of sandals, revealing translucent little toes.

“Oh, big sis Grace, what a coincidence, you’re here too?”

Megan Price’s eyes lit up and she bounced over.

Affectionately she grasped Grace Bennett’s hand.

Calling sis here and sis there.

Grace Bennett felt a bit embarrassed.

She’d been a bit jealous of this girl before, not expecting Megan Price to be this enthusiastic.

She felt a bit petty.

“You live here too, Megan?”

“Yeah,” Megan Price said with innocent face, “But I don’t live here often, I just visit from time to time.

Most of the time, I’m living with Ethan Cole.

I feel safe living with him.”

After saying this, her eyes were carefully watching Grace Bennett’s reactions.

She had thought that Grace Bennett would surely be upset.

At the least, she would get angry or infuriated.

Unexpectedly, Grace Bennett calmly replied, “That’s good. He is indeed quite caring.

Little sister, is there anything you’d like to eat? I can cook it for you when I have time.”

Now it was Megan Price’s turn to be shocked.

She didn’t see any unhappiness or any other negative emotions on Grace Bennett’s face.

Instead, there was a kind of pity for herself in her eyes.

What’s up with that?

She was a bit confused.

So she tested, “You’re not mad, sis? I can tell, you like him.”

“No...no way.” Grace Bennett’s heart was racing, and her face turned a little hot.

She forcefully tried to cover up her shyness and said, “I’m not mad, who he is good to is his choice.

And, you need care more than I do, little sister.”

Megan Price was utterly confused.

What was going on?

That was not how Grace Bennett had been in the morning.

Although Megan Price was vindictive.

In terms of experience, she could not compare with Ethan Cole.

She did not realize it at all.

Her not yet executed trick had been broken by Ethan Cole already.

In the end, Megan Price could only go back to Ethan Cole’s house in a huff.

After going upstairs, she removed her shoes.

Barefoot, she stood at the door of Ethan Cole’s bedroom and knocked on the door.

The door opened.

Ethan Cole asked brusquely, “What?”

Megan Price stared at him, “Did you talk to Grace Bennett about something?

Why was it that when I said I stayed at your place tonight, she wasn’t angry at all?”

Ethan Cole, “Do you want to know?”

Megan Price, “Of course.”

Ethan Cole, “I told her you’re actually a man.”

Megan Price was pissed, “Since you said I’m a man, then you...”

Chapter 107: Wait until I remove the seal, then you’ll know what cruelty is

Provocation!

This was a profound provocation aimed at Ethan Cole.

How could such a grown man bear such provocation?

He glared maliciously at Megan Price and said, “Good, remember the words you’ve said today and the date.

Wait until I graduate from high school, lift the seal, and let you know what cruelty is.”

Megan Price curled her lips, “I’m not afraid, you’re just a bad guy, I’m done with you.”

Annoyed, she flung her hands and went back to her room.

Instigator, exposed.

Ethan Cole went back to his room and typed for a while.

Then he went online to check the box office of “Those Years”.

A bit of a surprise.

It had already made twenty-two million.

Major platforms had quite good evaluations of this film.

The box office was continually skyrocketing.

Several professional agencies

even predicted a box office of up to sixty to seventy million.

For a low-cost project,

without any famous stars, that was already impressive.

But the film had only made the female lead, Chloe Winters, famous.

The male lead, despite being fairly handsome,

was a newbie, his acting skills were completely overshadowed by Chloe Winters’s.

He couldn’t compete with the veteran actors, but he was enough to overshadow the new male actors.

This was the result of Chloe Winters’s hard work.

Ethan Cole checked her WeTalk fans again.

My goodness, she already had five hundred thousand.

For a newbie, this was an explosive achievement.

But of course, the credit probably goes to her entertainment company promoting her.

Ethan Cole didn’t actually care if Chloe Winters could become popular.

What he cared about was how much profit this movie would ultimately bring him.

If the agency’s predictions were correct,

the ultimate box office would reach seventy million.

Therefore, after subtracting all kinds of channel shares, the net profit would be around twenty-five million.

Would he then get a before-tax sum of two and a-half million?

Ethan Cole pondered this silently.

Right.

When the movie goes offline,

the portion of profit belonging to him will be deposited into his account.

At that time, the QuickRead Fiction website could officially go online.

By then, the library would at least have a thousand books with over a million words each.

It could support the operations and retain the readers.

Turning off the lights to sleep.

Good.

After being warned, Megan Price did not make trouble that night.

I wonder if it could continue.

Then came Monday.

After having lunch with Grace Bennett at noon after class, Ethan Cole went out alone.

The house he’d bought from Hannah Reed before had been built already.

It was supposed to be ready before the semester started.

But unfortunately, one of the workers had an emergency at home and left early,

so the project was delayed quite a bit.

When Ethan Cole went over, he took some drinks and a few packs of cigarettes.

He briefly inspected it.

He chatted with the workers for a while, then let them go.

His assets increased once again.

The exterior was quite ugly.

But not for long, it would soon turn into blocks of gold.

After admiring it for a while, Ethan Cole returned to school.

After school in the afternoon, Ethan Cole and Grace Bennett were laughing and chatting as they pushed their bikes out of school.

Ethan Cole said, “Did you know that someone in our school created a Beauty Rankings list and you’re at the top of it, the school beauty.”

This incident had happened a few days ago.

But Ethan Cole only knew about it in the afternoon.

Normally, female students would be very excited upon hearing such news.

But Grace Bennett didn’t show much emotion.

She even seemed a bit uncomfortable.

She was not a girl who liked to attract attention.

Grace Bennett smoothed a few strands of hair from her temples: “We still have time, let’s go buy some roasted sausages, my treat.”

Ethan Cole: “Sounds good.”

What they didn’t notice was...

On the street opposite the school, a humble sedan was parked.

In it sat a man and a woman.

The woman was Vanessa Grant.

The man was quite a handsome young man.

Vanessa Grant pointed to Grace Bennett not far away: “That’s her.”

The young man lit up: “A remarkably beautiful girl, unlike any I’ve seen.”

Vanessa Grant said, “Her name is Grace Bennett.

If you can win her over,

and convince her to study abroad with you, I’ll give you a reward of five hundred thousand.

This, is your advance.”

With that,

Vanessa Grant handed the young man a black bag.

The young man opened the bag and carefully counted.

Then he cracked a grin: “Rest assured, I’ll complete the mission.

I pride myself a pro at relationships, never failed.”

Vanessa Grant nodded: “Looking forward then to your good news.

The admission procedures and such, I’ve prepared for you.

You can come to school tomorrow.

Remember your role: a wealthy aristocrat, rich second-generation, pure-hearted boy.”

“OK, I got it. See you.”

After he said that, he got off her car.

Vanessa Grant watched the direction where Grace Bennett vanished, murmuring:

“Don’t blame your aunt for such indecent methods.

How could your father ever agree to let me get pregnant if you don’t leave?”

Having said that, she caressed her flat belly.

The relationship between Frank Bennett and Vanessa Grant escalated quickly.

Thus, Vanessa Grant naturally had the desire to have a child with him.

Only Frank Bennett would not allow it.

Every time after ‘it’, he always took off to the restroom right away,

leaving no chance for Vanessa Grant.

The reason was his daughter.

Therefore, after some considerations,

Vanessa Grant came up with the idea to send Grace Bennett abroad for study.

In this way, as time passed,

Being unable to see his daughter, Frank Bennett would surely miss her profoundly.

At that moment, if she whispered sweet words into his ear, chances are that Frank Bennett would agree.

If Grace Bennett could return from a prestigious foreign university,

She could then arrange a better marriage match for Grace,

And thereby securing her and Frank Bennett’s enterprise an advantage.

Grace Bennett had no idea she was being targeted.

At this moment, she was happily eating street food with Ethan Cole.

With a drink in one hand and a roast sausage skewer in the other,

The two were sitting on a roadside flower bed, their bikes parked nearby.

Ethan Cole occasionally cracked a joke,

always managing to coax a smile out of his companion.

To the outside world, they made a perfect pair of childhood sweethearts.

Grace Bennett cherished and loved everything she had now.

The weather was just right, a gentle wind brushing over their faces.

With good food, and accompanied by you.

At a certain moment,

Grace Bennett suddenly wished that time could stay still at this very moment.

After finishing their food, the two leisurely cycled back.

Grace Bennett’s new home was even closer to school.

So, they spent less time together on the road.

In no time, they reached the entrance of the residential complex where Grace Bennett stayed.

“Wait a minute!”

Just as they parted, Ethan Cole suddenly remembered something,

and called Grace Bennett back.

Chapter 108 Ethan Cole: There’s always someone trying to make trouble!

“Huh?” Grace Bennett looked confused at Ethan Cole.

Ethan Cole organized his thoughts and said, “About your old house, I suggest you let your father transfer the property to your name.”

As Vanessa Grant’s appearances in his and Grace Bennett’s lives gradually increased, so did his sense of unease.

In his previous life, Ethan Cole hadn’t been a part of Grace Bennett’s life, so he didn’t know what she might have gone through during that time.

Yet, in this life, due to his involvement, many things have changed.

What if in this life, Frank Bennett didn’t follow the predetermined path but instead chose to divorce Diane Bennett?

Then at least, if Grace Bennett owned a house, she would have some basic security.

Although, Ethan Cole could provide her with a place to live.

But, he knew that this seemingly delicate girl had a strong sense of self-esteem.

Moreover, if house prices increase in the future, it would be as if she is holding tens of millions of dollars in her hands, giving her a solid foundation no matter what direction she takes.

“Why did you suddenly say this?” The young girl didn’t seem to fully grasp the idea.

“Ahem,” Ethan Cole coughed then said, “I already own two properties myself. As my desk mate, you should also own one. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be unfair?”

He might not be able to fool this girl with other excuses. However, this seemingly childish one might just make her believe it.

True enough, Grace Bennett thought seriously for a moment.

Then she nodded, “Okay, I will talk to my dad when I get home.”

Ethan Cole smiled and said, “Good, then you should go.”

“Goodbye,” she replied.

Upon returning home, the problematic girl was nowhere to be found.

Ethan Cole was glad for the peace and quiet.

He prepared some food for himself.

After eating, he continued writing.

Martial Universe had already reached 1.2 million words.

Given the pace, it would take more than two months to finish.

At ten o’clock in the evening, he shut down his computer.

Took a look outside, but Megan Price was still not back.

Forget it, he said to himself, let’s sleep.

...

“Dad, I want to talk to you about something,” Grace Bennett said to her rarely-present-at-home father, Frank Bennett, after dinner.

Now Frank Bennett’s clothing business was booming, already having expanded by over one-fold.

He seemed to have ventured into other businesses as well.

However, he didn’t inform Grace Bennett or Diane Bennett about it.

Nowadays, the number of times his daughter and wife saw him was becoming less and less.

Frank Bennett put down his chopsticks, smiled, and said, “What is it, my dear daughter?”

Grace Bennett pursed her lips and said, “I want the property from our old house. Can I have it?”

“Hm?” Frank Bennett was puzzled. “Why do you have such a thought?”

Grace Bennett said, “It has my childhood memories; I want to own it.”

“Ah, if that’s the case, no problem, I’ll get someone to process it for you tomorrow,” Frank Bennett quickly agreed.

Grace Bennett showed a smile and said, “Thank you, dad.”

“Ah, about that, Grace...” Since the opportunity to speak had arisen, Frank Bennett brought up an old topic:

“The matter of studying abroad that we spoke about last time, why don’t you reconsider it?

This is a rare opportunity that could change the course of your life.

If you miss it, it’ll be hard to get such an opportunity again.”

“Yes, daughter,” Diane Bennett who was sitting on the side also said, “I had a thorough discussion with your dad yesterday evening.

I will go with you at that time. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“I’m not going,” Grace Bennett gently shook her head.

Her voice was light, but the tone was firm.

Frank Bennett hesitated before asking, “Is it because of Ethan Cole?

You both are still young and shouldn’t be thinking of such things.

If you truly are destined for each other, you’ll still be together after graduation from university.”

“Mom and dad, I need to go back and do my homework,” Grace Bennett said, changing the subject.

After saying this, Grace Bennett left the room.

Frank Bennett and Diane Bennett both were taken aback.

Grace Bennett, who had always been the obedient girl in their eyes, had never acted so ‘radically’ before.

“Ah, well.” Frank Bennett sighed, “For now, let it be. We will persuade her if we have any chance.”

“That’s probably the best course.” Diane Bennett suddenly grabbed Frank Bennett’s hand, “I just bought a new set of pajamas...”

“This...” Frank Bennett hesitated, “I’ve been quite tired recently.”

Diane Bennett coldly snorted, “I don’t care, it’s been over two months.

You must...even if you do need to eat a hundred pounds of oysters for dinner.”

Frank Bennett couldn’t help but wryly smile, as he felt a faint backache.

It seemed like his thermos needed more than just goji berries. He would have to add some other things.

...

“Farewell, Director Whitmore, Director Osborn...”

At the entrance of a hotel in Ironport City.

Julia Monroe, Vivian Chase, Chloe Winters, and others were waving goodbye to two portly middle-aged men.

The two men were leering at the young women.

After some small talk, they got into their car and drove away.

Once they were out of sight, everyone’s faces fell.

Chloe Winters rubbed her somewhat swollen belly, “Is this the true face of the entertainment circle?”

Earlier, while having dinner with the two investors, she was coerced to drink a lot.

However, Julia Monroe smartly switched her white wine with boiled water.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to stand.

Of course, in order not to expose her trick,

Chloe Winters used a little trick to make her face blush.

But as for what the trick was, she couldn’t say.

Vivian Chase said, looping an arm around her shoulder, “That’s right. This is the reality of the industry. If you want to survive here, there are certain things you just have to face.”

Julia Monroe laughed, “These two investors are actually quite decent.

They just made small talk during dinner and didn’t make any inappropriate moves.

And we managed to close the deal for the project with them.”

Chloe Winters looked expectant, “The total investment for the second film reached twenty million.

Once it’s released, it will definitely be even more popular.”

Julia Monroe, after seeing the success of the first film, already planned to keep up with its momentum.

Sponsors had already been lined up for the second film.

Next, it would be all the preparations for the pre-production phase.

Yes, the second film was none other than “Pure Lover,” the copyright for which they had just bought from Ethan Cole.

Chloe Winters looked at the neon lights, her eyes shining with an indecipherable glint.

She quietly clenched her fist, “Ethan Cole, you want to distance yourself from me. That’s impossible.

Your novel has become my second lead role.

This mark cannot be erased!”

...

“Ah, is making a movie this troublesome?”

At the same time, Olivia Turner was also on the filming location.

Only after getting personally involved did she realize how tiring it was.

At this time of the day, she used to either go for late-night snacks or watch movies.

When did she start working so hard?

Nevertheless, despite her complaints, the work still had to be done.

The production of this film was already half done.

In a little over a month, it could be released.

The recent super-hit “Those Years” had given her quite a push.

Since her film as well was adapted from one of Ethan Cole’s novels, she couldn’t let it be of lesser quality than theirs, right?

...

“Ding Ling Ling...”

It was midnight, and the ringing of Ethan Cole’s mobile roused him from his sleep.

Ethan Cole was furious. Who could that nutcase be?

Seeing that it was Megan Price’s call, he swallowed his anger and answered, “You better have a reason for calling, or I’ll give you one!”

Chapter 109 Now I have only you, and those long, cold numbers in my bank card

Not far from Ethan Cole’s house, there was a newly opened McDonald’s.

It was past 2 in the morning, yet there were still quite a few people around.

Ethan Cole walked in.

He saw Megan Price, slumped over the table in a corner.

He gently nudged her.

Megan Price lifted her head, somewhat dazed, her face completely flushed.

He touched her forehead, it was burning hot.

Ethan Cole frowned, “What’s going on with you?”

She had interrupted his sleep with a phone call.

Her voice had been weak, and after giving an address, she had hung up.

“I feel so bad, brother...”

Tears were swimming in Megan Price’s eyes.

Her voice was like a kitten’s, stirring a strong urge to comfort within anyone who heard it.

Ethan Cole asked, “Can you walk by yourself?”

Megan Price’s eyelids fluttered.

Alright then.

Given her current state, it was better not to expect too much.

He lifted her off her feet and headed out.

Megan Price was lighter than she looked.

She felt like a bundle of waterlogged cotton.

Her body was scorching hot, her temperature must have been thirty-nine, close to forty degrees.

Not wanting to delay, Ethan Cole quickened his pace as he carried her home.

There was a reserve of commonly used medicine at home.

He first helped her remove her shoes and socks and put her in bed.

He covered her with a quilt and then fetched the fever reducer.

She was still somewhat conscious, so there was no need for mouth-to-mouth feeding like in TV shows and movies.

“Don’t leave...brother...I’m scared...”

Megan Price latched onto Ethan Cole’s wrist, her voice weak, she looked incredibly pitiful.

“Alright, stop pretending,” Ethan Cole gently freed himself, “Get some sleep quickly. You’ve been playing around all day.”

Megan Price pouted, tears glistening in her eyes.

Sympathy welled up in him.

Ethan Cole raised his hand, “If you keep pretending, I’ll slap you.”

“Hehe, alright, you stay here with me then, I’ll go to sleep.”

The cheeky girl changed her tune in an instant and then slowly closed her eyes.

Ethan Cole grumbled, but still went to his room to grab a quilt, laying it out on the floor to keep watch over her.

A smile tugged at the corner of Megan Price’s lips.

She didn’t dare to fall asleep deeply.

An hour later, Ethan Cole got up, touched her forehead, and peeked under the quilt.

She had sweated a lot and her clothes were soaked through.

Gently shaking her awake, he instructed, “Go change your clothes, and then we’ll check your temperature again.”

“I’m too weak, get my clothes for me. I want the semi-transparent nightgown.”

“Semi-transparent your sister.” Ethan Cole shot her the middle finger.

Even at this hour, this crazy woman was still in the mood to tease him, she was seriously sick.

He opened her wardrobe.

An odd fragrance immediately hit him.

The clothes inside were fanciful and plentiful.

Surprisingly though, they were all hung up or folded neatly.

This was beyond Ethan Cole’s expectation.

After all, in his mind, Megan Price was the type who wouldn’t do laundry for a month.

He randomly selected a set of shorts and a t-shirt and handed them to Megan Price.

Then he warned, “Change by yourself, stop whining.”

He left the room.

Ethan Cole put on a regretful expression.

Alas, he was also keen to help.

After all, helping others was his favorite thing to do.

But the omnipresent deity of error 404 was just too terrifying.

He dared not move, truly he dared not move.

A few minutes later, Ethan Cole re-entered the room.

Megan Price lay there, incredibly weak, her face pale.

Ethan Cole tucked a thermometer under her armpit and went to prepare a packet of cold medicine.

When he had touched her forehead earlier, it was still slightly hot. Her fever hadn’t completely subsided.

Megan Price pouted, “This drink is hot, can you feed it to me?”

Ethan Cole bent down, silently holding slippers in his hand.

“I’ll drink it myself, no need for you to trouble yourself.” Megan Price quickly conceded.

After watching her finish the drink, Ethan Cole placed a pack of tissues on the bedside table: “Wipe your own sweat, I’m going to sleep.”

With all these interruptions, it was already past four in the morning.

This had seriously violated his self-care routine.

Before long, an arm dangled over the side of the bed.

A weak voice belonging to Megan Price echoed, “Do you know why I suddenly had a high fever?”

Ethan Cole: “...”

Megan Price didn’t care, she continued on her own, “Someone told me she was here.

Even though I always say I hate her, I still hope she could spare me a glance.

So, I stood under the air conditioner for over an hour in the cold air, then went to meet her.

Guess what?

She’s pregnant, and was indifferent to see me sick.

At that moment, I really wanted to just drop dead in front of her.

Do you know, if you hadn’t come to the shop to find me before, I might have taken sleeping pills.”

Her tone was filled with a lingering sadness.

However, the mood was quickly ruined by Ethan Cole.

“You’re just bluffing. Without a doctor’s prescription, who would dare sell you sleeping pills, idiot.”

Megan Price: “...”

Seemed like she was choked by Ethan Cole’s words.

After a while, she spoke with a faint voice, “Ethan Cole, seriously, if I had any strength right now, I would kill you.”

Somebody was now planning a murder.

Ethan Cole slapped away her delicate white hand that was waving in front of his face: “Go to sleep, trying to be dramatic every time you meet people, such a pain.”

At seven o’clock, Ethan Cole woke up.

He got up and checked on Megan Price.

The fever was gone, her face was just a bit pale.

He left quietly to wash up, then bought lean meat porridge, four eggs, and youtiao with soy milk.

Back in Megan Price’s room, he crumbled two eggs into the porridge.

He patted her face.

Megan Price groggily woke up.

A look of confusion appeared in her eyes, which was soon replaced with the memory of what happened last night.

Immediately, she sat up, gripping the quilt with both hands, her face filled with fear, “You... what did you do to me last night, I...I’m not pure anymore.”

Ethan Cole’s face was expressionless: “Drink your porridge, then do whatever you need to do.”

Having said that, he also started eating his breakfast.

Having barely slept the night before, he didn’t plan to go to school in the morning.

He would ask for a leave of absence from the class teacher.

After all, he had finished the senior year curriculum anyway.

Maybe the class teacher had some questions she didn’t understand and needed to ask Ethan Cole...

Megan Price’s mood suddenly dropped again.

She silently sipped her porridge.

Suddenly, she uttered a sentence, “Thank you, perhaps in this world, only you truly care about me.

All I have now is you, and the long, cold string of numbers in my bank account.”

Ethan Cole was really hungry.

Having had to deal with everything overnight, he quickly finished his meal.

Roughly wiping his mouth with his hand, he said in annoyance: “Enough with your performance, just get some rest. I’m going back to sleep.”

Watching Ethan Cole’s retreating figure, Megan Price’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

Ethan Cole didn’t wake up until past twelve.

After eating something, he went to the next room to check on Megan Price.

Everything seemed fine.

A day or two of rest and she’d be back to her old self.

With his backpack slung over his shoulder, Ethan Cole was ready to leave for school.

Just as he was leaving, he slapped himself on the forehead.

He almost forgot something important!

Chapter 110: You do have virtues... don’t worry... I surely could think of some.

Darn it.

Having stayed in Megan Price’s room last night, he must have been permeated with some of her perfume scent.

If he went to school like this, he would be definitely sniffed out by Grace Bennett.

So he went back to take another shower, changed his clothes before heading off to school.

When he arrived in the classroom, Grace Bennett was not at her seat.

Just as he sat down, Grace Bennett returned.

The young girl’s eyes were sparkling bright, extending her right hand to him, “Here.”

In her hand was a peeled apple.

Ethan Cole took it, somewhat surprised. “How did you know I would come by now?”

He had told Grace Bennett he would be there in the afternoon, but he did not specify the time.

At this point, Natalie Brooks interjected. “You don’t know, do you? She had been waiting outside, watching the school gate.

Seeing you walk in, she went straight to peel an apple for you.”

“No... that’s not true,” Grace Bennett stammered, slightly embarrassed. “Don’t listen to her nonsense.”

Ethan Cole felt a warm sensation in his heart.

This silly girl had actually been waiting outside for him.

But he also felt relieved.

It was a good thing he had changed his clothes.

Otherwise, it would have been a severe accident waiting to happen.

“Crunch!”

Ethan Cole took a bite, grinning. “It’s really sweet.”

Grace Bennett also broke into a happy smile and sat down.

Then continued, “I talked to my father about the house yesterday.

A secretary of my father’s gave me the property certificate at noon.”

Saying this, she took out the property certificate from her backpack.

Ethan Cole took a glance at it and was relieved.

With this house, Grace Bennett would have a sanctuary, no matter what happened in the future.

In the afternoon, during the first lesson.

The class teacher came in and brought with him a handsome, clean-faced boy, nearly 1.8 meters tall.

Keep in mind, this was not a decade later when kids are well-nourished from a young age,

So having students who were 1.7 or 1.8 meters tall in primary school was quite common.

At this time, a height of 1.7 meters for a male student was considered quite good.

So, a new, handsome student of 1.8 meters instantly caught the attention of most girls in the class.

The class teacher spoke, “Sorry to interrupt, we have a new transfer student here. Let him introduce himself.”

“Hello, everyone. My name is Aaron Blake, I’m seventeen, and I’m very honored to become classmates with all of you.”

Having said that, he bowed deeply.

The class broke into warm applause.

Of course, it was mostly the girls who applauded enthusiastically.

The boys, however, were not as impressed.

After all, who would like someone who far surpasses them in all aspects of appearance?

The class teacher then seated Aaron Blake behind Derek Hayes and left.

Just a transfer student. Ethan Cole wasn’t preoccupied about it and continued reading his borrowed university textbook.

He was reading a book about programming.

This time, he wanted to change his major.

Programming would be in high demand in the next decade.

Moreover, if he were to start a business in the future, having relevant technical knowledge would be very convenient and could avoid being fooled by subordinates.

After the first lesson ended in the afternoon.

Aaron Blake rushed out.

Not long after, he came back carrying two large boxes.

He then announced to everyone, “I’m treating you all to bubble tea. I didn’t know what flavors everyone liked, so I bought a bunch of different ones.”

This gesture won the favor of many classmates almost instantaneously.

Yeah.

Kids at this age are just so straightforward.

If you treat me to eat and drink, then we’re good friends.

Especially for many of the girls in the class.

They initially thought Aaron Blake was quite good looking.

Now, they just had an even better impression of him.

A few female classmates cheerfully volunteered to help distribute the milk tea.

Aaron Blake handed two cups of milk tea to Ethan Cole.

His face bore a candid and friendly smile, “Here you two, have some milk tea.”

He handed one to Ethan Cole first, then to Grace Bennett.

His gaze didn’t linger on Grace Bennett for long before he moved on.

Ethan Cole, however, was slightly frowning.

Though Aaron Blake hadn’t acted unusually just now,

he could still sense something was off through his instinct as a man.

Something’s not right with this guy.

“The milk tea is really good.” Grace Bennett said softly.

Ethan Cole handed his own cup to her: “If you like it, you can have mine as well.”

“Mm, thank you.”

“No need to thank me, we’re family.”

The teenage girl blushed, giving Ethan Cole a glare.

Then she lowered her head, sipping the milk tea and reading her book at the same time.

She was still planning on majoring in education, just like in her past life.

This major could be quite promising if she were to start her own business someday.

Derek Hayes came over, nudging Ethan Cole playfully, “Feeling the threat?”

“Hmm? What threat?”

“That guy called Aaron Blake. He’s as good-looking as you, plus he’s taller. Heard he’s doing well in school too. Watch out or he might steal your ‘campus king’ title.”

Ethan Cole gave a cold laugh, “Shouldn’t you be worrying about yourself?”

Derek Hayes: “What?”

Ethan Cole struck back: “You’re only average-looking, of average height, with average grades, and your skin is dark.

Your overall ranking in the class isn’t high. Wouldn’t your rank drop one more place when he comes?”

“You!” Derek Hayes covered his heart, “You’re mean. You just enjoy humiliating me.

This humiliation, one day I will return it a hundredfold!”

A heartbroken Derek Hayes ran off.

Natalie Brooks handed him a piece of candy, “It’s alright. Don’t be sad.”

Derek Hayes said thanks, then asked, “Natalie, do I have any strong points?”

“Yes.”

Derek Hayes perked up, “Quick, tell me.”

“Um...” Natalie Brooks hesitated, “Your strength is... your strength is... Don’t rush me. You definitely have one. I can think of it...”

Derek Hayes laid his head on the desk, “Just go. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Before they knew it, school was over.

As usual, the two walked home together.

But halfway there, a shout came from behind them.

“You two, wait for me.”

Ethan Cole turned around and saw Aaron Blake.

He was pedaling his bicycle over.

With a full grin, he said, “What a coincidence! Do you two live this way too?”

Ethan Cole also smiled and nodded.

Grace Bennett politely nodded too.

“Could I walk with you guys?” Aaron Blake asked a bit embarrassedly, “I want to fit into this big family as soon as possible.”

As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Ethan Cole.

Full of sincerity and earnestness.

Aaron Blake tried his best not to look at Grace Bennett.

Just one look from afar on the bus yesterday had kept him restless all night.

Now up close, he could feel an even stronger impact.

His heart was on fire.

He had to win her over!

Grace Bennett couldn’t help but look at Ethan Cole.

Though she didn’t really like walking with someone she wasn’t familiar with,

she had just drunk that person’s milk tea and didn’t want to decline directly.

Ethan Cole’s eyes flickered, not rejecting, but inquired, “Did you say you want to fit in quickly?”

“Yes.” Aaron Blake nodded.

Ethan Cole’s lips curved up, “Well then, I have a way to help you integrate into our big family quickly.”

Chapter 111: It’s Not for the Beautiful Female Owner

“What is it?” Aaron Blake put on a show of listening intently.

Ethan Cole: “Help all the classmates in the class to take a turn at cleaning duty. I’m sure they will be very grateful.”

A twitch betrayed Aaron Blake’s smile.

Ethan Cole patted his shoulder: “What, not willing?”

Aaron Blake burst into laughter: “Of course, I’m willing.”

“Hmm.” Ethan Cole nodded: “Then start from today. Hurry back to the classroom and help today’s duty classmates clean up.”

Anger surged in Aaron Blake’s heart.

Ethan Cole teased him on purpose: “What, were you simply saying without meaning it?”

In front of Grace Bennett, Aaron Blake had to keep up appearances.

He laughed and said, “Alright, I’ll go now.”

The moment he turned around, his face read: MMP.

Ethan Cole turned his gaze back to Grace Bennett: “From now on, you’re not allowed to be alone with him, nor give him your PingMe number, phone number or the like, got it?”

“Got it.”

After parting with Grace Bennett, Ethan Cole received a message from Megan Price.

‘I want to eat seafood chowder, with crabs and oysters. Buy and cook it for me to nourish me.’

Ethan Cole’s reply was simple: No, scram.

Even so, Ethan Cole turned around and headed for the farmers market to buy the ingredients to make seafood chowder.

By six thirty in the evening, a large pot of fragrant seafood chowder was ready.

“Wow, it smells so good, brother, you are so awesome.”

Megan Price, wearing thin pajamas, sat at the dining table, drooling at the sight of the large pot of seafood chowder.

Ethan Cole swatted her reaching hand away: “Don’t touch.”

He took out a rice box, filled it halfway, and packed it up.

Megan Price was very dissatisfied: “Is this for that woman?”

Ethan Cole nodded: “Hmm, it’s specifically for her. You’re just a bonus.”

“Ah, it seems I have to work harder, or else who knows when I’ll be able to take the position of the empress.”

Ethan Cole sneered: “At most, you’re just a palace maid who washes the emperor’s drain.”

Megan Price was confused: “What’s washing the dragon’s drain?”

“Look it up yourself,” Ethan Cole said.

Megan Price a