Chapter 172
[ 481 words ]
Chapter 172:
Our eyes locked, and the tension between us flared instantly.
Panicked, I immediately closed my eyes again and kept pretending to sleep.
A quiet laugh drifted down from above, carrying a trace of fondness.
He lightly tousled my hair, his voice low and rough. “Caught you. Just sleep. I won’t do anything.”
At that moment, my heart gave a painful, complicated flutter.
The next morning, Ethan was already dressed and ready by the time I woke up. He was sitting at the dining table with a newspaper and a cup of black coffee, obviously waiting for me.
After breakfast, we went to the company together as we usually did.
Around noon, he unexpectedly sent me a message. “Come take a nap in my office after lunch. You look pale.”
I really was feeling drowsy, so I went without arguing.
𝖢𝘩i𝘯e𝗌e no𝗏𝘦𝗹𝘀 t𝗿𝘢𝗇ѕ𝗹𝖺𝘵𝗲𝖽 о𝘯 𝗴𝖺𝗅ոo𝘃е𝘭𝗌.𝗰о𝗆
Not long before work resumed, I was stirred awake by faint voices outside.
It was Nancy.
“Ethan, it’s my birthday today, and the department dinner is tonight. Everyone really wants you to come.” Nancy’s voice was cloyingly sweet. “You already said you’d join us for the birthday celebration.”
“Alright, I’ll be there on time.” Ethan’s tone was completely unreadable.
After Nancy left, I pushed open the lounge door.
Ethan came over and slipped an arm around my waist as naturally as breathing, then asked, “You’re awake? It’s Nancy’s birthday dinner tonight. Do you want to come with me?”
“I’m not going,” I answered without hesitation. “Nancy and I don’t get along. If I go, I’ll only ruin the atmosphere.”
Ethan lifted a brow, clearly not surprised by my refusal. If anything, there was a trace of amusement in his voice. “You’re really not going? Then in what capacity are you turning me down? As my employee, or as my mate?”
Ethan’s POV:
“Hardly anyone knows I’m your mate. And besides, there’s already plenty of gossip about us in the company. I don’t want to give people even more to talk about.” Lianne looked up, her eyes clear and bright. “You should go. Enjoy yourself.”
An inexplicable anger suddenly rose in my chest. I lowered my mouth closer to her ear and spoke in a taunting voice. “Aren’t you worried Nancy might like me? She’s the birthday girl tonight. If she drinks too much, she might try something with me.”
Lianne let out a quiet laugh. She lifted a hand and gently straightened my slightly rumpled collar, her touch soft but distant. “I trust you, Ethan.”
Hearing that, I felt nothing but disheartened.
Maybe it wasn’t trust born of love at all, but indifference, because she no longer cared enough to even feel jealous over me.
Forcing down the sharp frustration inside me, I gave a cold snort. “Then wait for me at home.”
The dinner was arranged at an extremely upscale Italian restaurant.
Once I sat down, the rest of the staff took their seats one after another.
As the center of the evening, Nancy naturally took the seat on my right.
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