Chapter 3

I was very satisfied with Ethan.

So satisfied that I even thought he was the exception.

But sometimes, reality slapped you in the face far too quickly.

At the company’s charity gala, I went looking for him.

He was standing shoulder to shoulder with Claire, holding a glass of champagne and taking a sip.

Then Claire lowered her head and pressed her lips to the rim of the glass he had just touched.

After she drank, Ethan took another sip without the slightest hesitation.

My mind went blank with a loud buzz.

Ethan looked up and saw me, freezing for a moment.

Following my gaze, he also looked at the rim of the glass.

“Claire was curious and wanted to try it. It’s just a glass of wine, so don’t read too much into it.”

He told me not to read too much into it.

They had practically kissed right in front of me, and he was telling me not to read too much into it.

Claire folded her arms and walked toward me with a smile.

“Your boyfriend is such a blockhead. No matter how much I flirt with him, he doesn’t react.”

“This time, you finally picked the right one.”

She walked away in her high heels, her back just as arrogant as before.

I stood there, my heart pounding.

I knew that look of absolute certainty in her eyes far too well.

Ethan noticed that something was wrong with my expression and reached out to hold me.

“Sweetheart, don’t overthink it.”

“She helped Hartwell Group with a project analysis a few days ago. I can’t refuse to return the favor.”

I nodded and leaned against his shoulder.

“Do you know that Claire seems to really like my boyfriends? She stole all my previous ones. I’m afraid you might…”

He pulled me tightly into his arms.

“Don’t worry. You’ll always be the woman I love.”

The moment he finished speaking, his phone rang.

I glanced at it and saw a message from Claire.

He took a quick look, then released me.

“I need to go take care of something. I’ll come find you later.”

I watched his back as he walked away, and my heart sank little by little.

I thought Ethan would be different, but it had only taken a week for him to add her on Snapchat.

Over the next few days, Ethan clearly noticed that I was in a low mood.

To cheer me up, he said he would take me out on his yacht and introduce me to a few of his closest friends.

I decided to give him one more chance.

The yacht was huge, with champagne and delicate pastries spread across the deck.

Ethan introduced me to everyone.

“This is my girlfriend, Nora.”

Several of the guys greeted me with smiles, and the atmosphere was fairly relaxed.

After chatting for a while, the conversation shifted to the Hartwell family’s latest project.

“How’s the launch of your new fund going?”

Ethan frowned.

“There’s one critical stage we still can’t get past. If only we could contact Mr. Robert Hayes, the former financial regulator’s auditor. Otherwise, if this drags on, all our initial investment will go down the drain.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice cut in.

“Mr. Hayes?”

Claire walked over with a bright smile.

“I know him. My aunt has some connections in finance and has had dinner with Mr. Hayes a few times. If you want to arrange a meeting, I can help you.”

Ethan looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

I stood beside them, slowly tightening my fingers.

All of Ethan’s attention had been drawn to Claire.

While they chatted enthusiastically, I quietly picked up my phone and sent a message to an unlisted number.

“The fish is almost on the hook. Proceed according to plan.”