Chapter 288
“I never said I hate you.”
Charlotte blinked, her expression softening into something almost innocent—but her voice lacked conviction. Even she seemed aware of how weak it sounded.
Ethan studied her for a moment.
Last night, she had looked ready to call the police the moment she saw him. Now she was standing here inviting him to dinner.
His lips curved slightly as he leaned in.
“Charlotte,” he said lazily, his voice low and teasing, “what exactly are you trying to do?”
“I…” She instinctively leaned back, but his hand came up and gently cupped her face, stopping her retreat.
His presence closed in—tall, effortless, overwhelming. His breath brushed near her ear as he added, almost amused, “Or… is it that I did something to you last night while I was drunk? Something you can’t forget?”
“Don’t say that!” Charlotte’s face turned instantly red. She pushed against his chest. “I just… I’m returning a favor from before. After this meal, we’re even.”
Her words grew smaller toward the end, eyes darting away as though even she didn’t believe them.
Ethan watched her quietly.
She had walked up to him on her own.
That alone was unusual enough to catch his attention.
And today, he had no patience for anything complicated. If she wanted to play whatever this was, he might as well see how far she’d go.
He chose a private Japanese restaurant near Morrison Group. Quiet, exclusive—and expensive enough that one meal could equal half of Charlotte’s monthly salary.
She didn’t protest. In fact, she let him decide everything.
Inside the private room, Charlotte kept sneaking glances at him. Subtle at first, then more frequent.
Ethan noticed.
After a while, he set down his chopsticks and looked at her.
“Am I that good-looking?”
Charlotte immediately lowered her gaze.
A beat passed.
Ethan leaned back slightly. “I asked you a question. Look at me. Am I good-looking or not?”
“I was just thinking—” she started.
“I didn’t ask what you were thinking,” he cut in. A faint smile touched his lips, though his eyes remained sharp. “I asked if I’m good-looking.”
The lighting from the window fell across his face, sharpening his features—strong jawline, composed expression, an almost careless attractiveness that made it hard to ignore.
But Charlotte wasn’t easily swayed by looks.
If anything, she preferred someone steadier. Someone like Nick—calm, restrained, reliable.
Ethan, on the other hand, had an edge to him. Even when he smiled, there was something unreadable underneath—like he was always calculating something.
After a long pause, Charlotte finally gave in.
“…You’re good-looking,” she said, awkward but sincere enough.
It wasn’t enthusiastic. It wasn’t warm.
Just a reluctant truth.
Ethan’s expression paused.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, but the amusement in his eyes faded.
He set his utensils down. The table full of food suddenly felt meaningless.
“Enough,” he said flatly. “Let’s stop pretending.”
He wiped his hands with a napkin.
“All this—what is it really about? Khloe?”
Charlotte hesitated.
“It’s a thank-you meal,” she said quietly.
Ethan let out a short laugh. “Thank me? For what? I’m not drunk today.”
But the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes.
He leaned back, finally losing interest in the food entirely.
Then, as if remembering something, he added in a calmer tone, “I’m on temporary suspension from the company.”
Charlotte looked up.
“The company handled it properly. No misunderstanding, no trouble for you or Khloe.” He shrugged slightly. “So you don’t need to worry about me doing anything.”
His voice was casual—but there was something restrained underneath it, as if even he didn’t fully like the arrangement.
For a moment, the room fell quiet again.