Vivian comforted herself silently.
There was no choice.
She had been the one to propose the bet.
If she refused now, with Ethan's talent for pushing every inch into a mile, he would probably find an even worse way to collect.
At least this was only one word.
She repeated that logic in her mind until she could barely accept the humiliating reality.
"Mm." Ethan closed his eyes and lifted his head slightly. "Excellent."
The satisfied look on his face made Vivian want to hit him.
"Pervert."
She pushed him away and glared at him.
There was anger in that look.
Embarrassment.
Helplessness.
And a trace of tolerance she had not noticed herself.
Ethan only smiled.
Vivian's cheeks warmed under his gaze, so she quickly looked away and changed the subject.
"Lowe Group. Is it really yours?"
That was the question she most wanted answered.
Graham's kneeling, his fear, and that one absurd word still felt unreal.
"Didn't you just see it?" Ethan said with a shrug.
"If you still don't believe me, I can call Graham back and have him prove it again."
He made as if to leave.
"No. No."
Vivian grabbed his sleeve quickly.
If Graham came back and repeated that scene, she truly would not know where to put her face.
She released him and asked, "Ethan Cole, who exactly are you?"
The question had been in her heart for a long time.
"It's complicated," Ethan said. "Too complicated to explain in a few words."
He stepped closer again, reducing the distance between them.
"You only need to know one thing."
Vivian lifted her eyes and met his.
"I'm on your side."
She parted her lips, wanting to say something, but nothing came.
In the end, she did not press further.
She chose to respect the boundary he had placed.
And she believed him.
He had earned that much with his actions.
"Thank you for today," Vivian said.
This time, the gratitude was sincere.
Without Ethan, the Lowe matter would never have ended so cleanly.
Derek was vicious and vindictive.
Open attacks were easy to guard against.
Hidden ones were not.
And behind him was Graham Lowe, an old fox.
Without Ethan's connection, future cooperation between West Group and Lowe Group would have become a mess.
"Miss West," Ethan said, "for such a big favor, don't you think verbal thanks are a little lacking?"
Vivian blinked.
She bit her lip and looked at the man in front of her with resignation.
She knew it.
This man was never easy to dismiss.
"What do you want this time?"
Ethan did not answer immediately.
He took one step forward.
Less than half a meter separated them.
"We're boyfriend and girlfriend now. A kiss should be reasonable, shouldn't it?"
"A kiss?"
Vivian's eyes widened.
Her face flushed at once.
She had been single all her life.
Her emotional experience was a blank page.
She had barely even held a man's hand properly.
"No."
She refused without thinking.
"We just started. Who moves that fast?"
Her voice was shy, urgent, and a little panicked.
"Fast?" Ethan said. "Some people meet one minute and get married the next."
"They are them. I am me."
Vivian's attitude was firm.
She was beginning to realize that in front of Ethan, the calm and logic she was proud of could be broken far too easily.
Ethan sighed, looking disappointed.
"Fine. Then the cheek. That's not too much, right?"
Retreating on the surface.
Advancing in reality.
Vivian hesitated.
She had kissed his cheek once before in public.
Doing it again should not matter.
Probably.
"Close your eyes," she said softly.
"As you command."
Ethan closed his eyes obediently and turned his cheek slightly.
A victorious smile still touched the corner of his mouth.
Vivian looked at his sharp, handsome profile and felt her heart speed up.
She took a breath and leaned closer.
Just as her lips were about to touch his cheek, Ethan suddenly turned his head.
Vivian's eyes opened wide.
For one still second, time seemed to stop.
Their lips brushed.
Soft.
Brief.
Too brief to count, too real to deny.
Vivian pushed him back with both hands and retreated several steps until her back nearly met the wall.
She covered her mouth and pointed at him, her face red enough to glow.
"Ethan Cole. You are shameless."
Ethan gave her the most innocent smile in the world.
"Accident. Pure accident."
He spread his hands.
"I suddenly remembered something I forgot to tell you. Who knew you were so eager?"
Vivian glared at him.
Her eyes could have carved holes in his suit.
Liar.
"How about this?" Ethan took one step forward, smiling wickedly. "I'll kiss you back as compensation."
"Get lost."
The words came through Vivian's teeth.
...
Since the Lowe issue was resolved, they had no reason to stay.
Outside the building, night had already fallen.
Neon lights glowed across the street, turning the city into a river of color.
"Where are you going next?" Vivian opened the car door. "I'll drive you."
"Can I go to your place?" Ethan asked from the passenger side.
Vivian looked at him without expression.
"What do you think?"
"I think not." Ethan smiled and gave her an address. "Summit Ridge, House One."
Vivian's hand paused on the steering wheel.
She turned to him.
"House One? The House One at Summit Ridge Estate?"
"Yes. Don't believe me?"
Ethan leaned back.
"Want to bet again?"
"No."
Vivian rejected the idea instantly.
She had already lost enough bets today.
If she lost again, who knew what this man would ask for?
Ethan did not insist.
The car started and merged into traffic.
Neither spoke much along the way.
Vivian focused on driving, though her eyes occasionally drifted toward Ethan in the passenger seat.
How many secrets did this man still have?
Terrifying combat skill.
A hundred-billion formula.
Lowe Group.
And now Summit Ridge House One.
That was the highest, most private, most expensive villa in Northbridge.
The mysterious buyer of that estate had long been a legend in business circles.
Unexpectedly, that legend was sitting beside her.
Soon, the car entered Summit Ridge Estate and climbed the mountain road.
Landscape lights illuminated the route.
Every standalone villa along the way was worth a fortune.
At last, the car stopped before House One.
It was a vast modern estate with clean stone walls, dark glass, and a courtyard that opened toward the night view of the entire city.
Vivian stopped the car.
"We're here."
Ethan got out but did not leave immediately.
One hand rested on the car door as he leaned down.
"Since you're already here, come in for a while?"
Vivian hesitated.
It was late.
A man and a woman alone in his house...
Before she could answer, an unpleasant voice came from the side.
"Vivian West? It really is you."
Author's Note:
This story will continue updating here.
If you want to read the full story without waiting, you can unlock it here:
/c/TYMercer
Thank you for reading.