As Zara entered the living room and sank into the plush couch, Mason strode in with urgency—but came to an abrupt halt, as if remembering something. A thought flickered across his face before he smiled at her and said, "Lia, have some fruits. I need a word with Ethan. We'll be back soon."
Zara, comfortably lounging, glanced up and gave a small nod.
Ethan, walking in behind Mason, overheard the remark but didn't respond. His expression remained unreadable, eyes fixed ahead as he continued forward without acknowledging Mason's words.
Mason wasn't surprised. He knew Ethan hated discussing serious matters when Zara was around. But he wasn't about to let it slide. Determined, he stepped forward and grabbed Ethan's arm, turning to the butler. "Where's the study?"
The butler hesitated, eyeing the hand Mason was holding and then glancing uncertainly at Ethan.
Ethan brushed Mason's hand off coolly and instead walked to Zara. "Don't be bored. If you need anything, ask David or Carter," he said, voice softening just a touch.
Zara nodded, understanding his quiet concern.
Once Ethan turned away and made his way to the stairs, Mason didn't waste a second—following behind him like a loyal puppy on a mission.
Inside the study, Ethan settled into his chair. Mason, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, flopped into the seat opposite and launched into a rapid-fire barrage."How did this happen? Zara's still alive, so why did the Adam family say she was dead back then? And how did you find out? When did you find out?"
Ethan silently listened, flipping through a file as if Mason wasn't practically vibrating in his seat across from him.
Mason watched him, frustration bubbling over. "Ethan! Come on, don't do this—I'm asking something important."
Ethan finally placed the file down and looked at him calmly. "You seemed to have more questions."
Mason rolled his eyes dramatically.
Unbothered, Ethan began explaining what he knew—how the Adam family kept Zara's status secret for her safety, and the circumstances surrounding it. His voice was calm, but his final words carried a sharp edge.
"Keep this to yourself."
Mason didn't need a second hint. Ethan's cold gaze was enough to seal his lips. Raising one hand as if swearing an oath, he said, "Mouth shut. Until you say otherwise."
Ethan rose from his chair and left without waiting for a reply. Mason stared after him for a second, then shook his head and chuckled softly.
Same old Ethan, he thought, a nostalgic warmth tugging at his smile. He followed him downstairs, where Zara was still seated.
Marcus strolled in like he owned the place. He dropped onto the couch beside her, eyes casually scanning the room before landing on the bandage peeking out from her collar.
His eyes sharpened. "What happened, Lia? How did you get hurt?"
Zara blinked, startled by the sudden concern. Before she could answer, her gaze involuntarily flicked toward Ethan, who had just reached the bottom of the stairs.
The moment their eyes met, Ethan looked away, rubbing his nose in that familiar, guilty way.
Marcus didn't miss it.
He raised an eyebrow and turned toward Ethan. "Really, Ethan? You hurt her? Are you even capable of keeping her safe?"
He turned back to Zara, placing a hand over his heart with exaggerated sincerity. "Lia, come with me instead. I promise—not even a mosquito will come near you. What do you say?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
David and Carter, standing to the side, shared a look. This again.
As expected, the temperature in the room dropped.
Marcus suddenly felt a chill, a prickling sensation crawling up his neck. He turned slowly, meeting Ethan's glare.
It was the kind of glare that didn't require words—the kind that promised trouble.
Marcus gulped.
But Zara, watching the scene unfold, decided to stir the pot. She straightened, smiled brightly at Marcus, and said, "Sounds good to me."
But Zara, amused by the brewing tension, decided to fan the flames. "Sounds good to me, Marcus," she said cheerfully. Turning toward him with an impish smile, she added, "I've been wanting to explore a bit—but someone," she shot a teasing glance at Ethan, "wouldn't let me out so easily. Maybe we should head out together and look around. It's my first time here, after all."
Hearing that, Marcus beamed. If Zara requested it, even Ethan would think twice before refusing. "Absolutely! I'll show you all the best places in the city. And once we return to Goldrid, I'll give you the grand tour!"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. His voice was dangerously calm. "You don't need to concern yourself with Lia. When we're back in Goldrid, I'll take her out if she wants. Focus on your own business, Mr. Edward."
Marcus feigned seriousness, replying smoothly, "That depends on Lia, Mr. Anderson." Then he turned to Zara with a wink, as if they were partners in crime.
Zara burst into laughter, delighting in the rare display of chaotic humor. "Mr. Anderson," she said with mock formality, "I believe I get to decide who I spend my time with."
Marcus smirked smugly and poured himself a glass of water, enjoying the small victory.
But Ethan wasn't done. He leaned back with a faint smile and a surprising softness in his voice. "Oh? But as your fiancé, it's my responsibility to look after you, my dear."
Marcus choked—literally—on his water. He coughed, spluttered, and stared at Ethan like he'd grown a second head.
"ETHAN!!! Mind us poor singles here! When did you turn into such a smooth-talking fox?! Don't feed us dog food like this!"
Ethan, unbothered, shrugged with a slight smirk. "Single dogs are free to leave the room."
Still gasping for breath, Marcus pointed an accusatory finger at Ethan but couldn't form a single coherent word.
Marcus stared at him, betrayed. You traitor.
Just then, Zara tilted her head and raised a brow, a playful glint in her eyes. "But I don't recall saying I accepted your proposal, Mr. Anderson."
David and Carter, standing off to the side, exchanged a silent look of awe and amusement. Thumbs up, Miss Zara. In their hearts, they saluted her bravery. Only she could dare reject their boss to his face and walk away unscathed. Anyone else would probably have been metaphorically buried six feet under.
They kept their admiration silent, but Marcus, ever the instigator, couldn't let the moment pass. He slapped his thigh and laughed aloud. "See, Ethan? That's how it feels to be rejected. Right to the face. This has to be a first for you, hasn't it?"
The satisfaction in his voice was impossible to miss. Watching Ethan—the Ethan Anderson—get turned down right in front of him was a moment he planned to savor. He leaned back, clearly enjoying himself.
But Ethan, unflinching as ever, ruined Marcus's fun with a cool, raised brow and a proud smirk. "Who said this was my first time?"
Marcus blinked. That wasn't the answer he was expecting.
He tilted his head, clearly thrown off. Wait… it's not his first time? Then who else had the guts to reject him? A business rival? A deal gone wrong? Or…
He slowly turned toward Zara, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Lia… don't tell me this isn't the first time you've rejected him?"
Zara didn't even pause. Her voice was calm and collected. "No."
Marcus's jaw dropped. He looked between Zara and Ethan like he'd just uncovered the juiciest plot twist in a romance novel.
He knew both of them well—Zara's fire and Ethan's icy persistence. And the fact that this wasn't their first round of push and pull? It made way too much sense. Still, he couldn't help but sigh and shake his head helplessly. These two… what a storm.
Ethan, meanwhile, was entirely unbothered. He looked at Zara with the same warmth and patience that only surfaced around her. "Not a problem, Lia," he said softly, almost fondly. "We still have a long way to go. Besides… our engagement can't be undone."
Zara didn't respond immediately—but there was the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
And Marcus? He just groaned dramatically, throwing his hands up."Great. I'm watching a live drama unfold. Someone get me popcorn."