CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: HE SAID, FROM NOW ON THERE WILL ONLY BE ME

I rubbed my ear and said, "I really shouldn’t have waited for you outside, you’re as noisy as a crow!"

Not only did Ethan Xavier not get angry, but he laughed even more and said to me, "You don’t have to be so stubborn. From today’s events, it shows that you actually care about me."

I was too lazy to pay attention to this narcissistic man and instead asked for his home address, wanting to quickly send him back to his mother’s side.

But I didn’t expect him to give the address of the neighborhood where I live.

"Ethan Xavier! I won’t let you into my house!"

I was a bit annoyed, as if I was back in school, when this guy used to pester me endlessly, truly giving me a headache!

Ethan Xavier touched his nose and seriously said, "What? Did you buy the whole neighborhood? You can live there, but I can’t?"

I looked at him incredulously.

He explained to me, "The owner of the unit above yours is now me, Ethan Xavier. From now on, we’re neighbors, one floor apart."

"What?"

My head buzzed.

It wasn’t until we got on the elevator that I realized he wasn’t joking with me.

Katherine Sheldon had already moved into the unit upstairs, and Ethan Xavier, claiming to be a filial son, said he would live with his mother in the future.

Seeing us return, Katherine said gently, "Zoe, you’ve been troubled today. I’ve just made dinner, stay and have a meal with us. Ethan’s dad will be back shortly too, you haven’t seen each other for a while, right?"

Ethan Xavier’s dad, who is also Timothy Xavier’s dad, was my father-in-law.

Such an awkward relationship, I thought, forget it!

"No need, Auntie Katherine."

I politely smiled at her and said, "Ethan helped me yesterday, so saving him today was something I should do. I have work tonight, so I’ll head back first."

Ethan Xavier originally wanted to keep pestering me, but his mom directly pulled him into the house.

...

When I got home, I quickly took a shower to wash away the bad luck.

Then I cooked a bowl of instant noodles for myself, adding tomatoes and ham, and ate it in big mouthfuls.

People probably have to go through some pain to become more easily satisfied.

While I was eating, my bank account suddenly chimed with a notification.

I didn’t expect it to be my manuscript fee.

Altogether, it was 100,000 yuan, which truly amazed me.

But I’ve only been writing for just over a month!

Perhaps this is like the saying, "When the East doesn’t shine, the West will."

Although work has been unsatisfactory, this manuscript fee gave me great confidence to resign.

Jobs can be found slowly, but if I continue working with someone like Victoria Monroe, Serena Sawyer will sooner or later get rid of me through her.

So that night, I sent my resignation letter to Victoria Monroe’s email.

Then, I continued updating my novel.

Perhaps because too much has happened in the past few days, I have actually forgotten about the constant nausea and delayed period I’ve been having.

...

A few days passed, but I hadn’t heard anything about my resignation letter from the company, nor did I receive any response from them.

I’m not in a hurry, anyway, as long as I continue not going to work, eventually they’ll dismiss me for ’unexcused absences.’

In these past few days, I took Mr. Sinclair’s coat to be dry-cleaned.

The dry cleaners said the coat was a high-end, custom-made luxury from Valeria, and dry-cleaning alone cost me over five thousand.

It made my heart ache terribly.

After cleaning, I went upstairs to find Ethan Xavier, hoping he would help me return the cleaned coat to Mr. Sinclair.

"If I help you deliver it, what will I get in return?"

He stared at me intently, not hiding his flirtation.

I held back my temper and said, "Can you stop being so childish? I’m asking you for a favor, okay?"

Ethan Xavier suddenly laughed and said, "How about this? You hand it to him yourself and thank him in person."

I shook my head and said, "Since you said he’s a famous lawyer, he should be quite busy, probably without time to hear my thanks."

Ethan Xavier snorted coldly, "I’ve always said you have no appreciation, and you still don’t admit it! If it weren’t for me and him the other day, you’d have been eaten alive. Now you’re unwilling to thank him face-to-face!"

"But I honestly don’t even have the chance to see him! Moreover, going out of my way to meet someone just to say thank you seems rather odd, doesn’t it?"

I explained tirelessly.

Ethan Xavier winked at me and said, "Tonight, Madam Sinclair is hosting a charity gala, inviting Veridia’s elite. As her grandson, he will definitely attend. Think about the favor of saving your life and weigh it yourself!"

I sighed and said, "The Sinclair Family didn’t send me an invitation. At such events, without an invitation, security won’t let you in."

At this point, Ethan Xavier took out an invitation and said, "I have one! My mom has one too! My mom doesn’t want to go tonight, so you can use hers."

Ethan Xavier kept persuading me, refusing to help me pass the coat to Mr. Sinclair.

Left with no choice, I had to go with him to the charity event hosted by The Sinclair Family, with my main goal being to return the luxury coat I had spent heavily on for dry cleaning.

The coat is frighteningly expensive; it must be returned!

As we were leaving, Ethan Xavier noticed my beige cashmere coat and frowned, "Are you really wearing that to the gala? Did Timothy Xavier make you stupid? Back then, every time you attended such events, you always dressed to impress."

His reminder left me a bit melancholic.

In the past, it was because ’a girl dresses up for her beloved,’ I wanted Timothy Xavier to see me at my best.

But now, there’s no one left to admire me.

Ethan Xavier, as if realizing something, took my hand and said, "Come with me!"

By the time he took me to the styling salon, it was already past four in the afternoon.

He said, "You have one hour to make her look as stunning as possible!"

"Yes, Young Master Xavier."

The stylist, who was familiar with Ethan Xavier, smiled playfully and said, "Another new lady for Young Master Xavier this time?"

I looked at Ethan Xavier with a hint of melancholy.

A bit embarrassed, Ethan Xavier scratched his nose and said to me, "It’ll just be you from now on!"

I looked at him disdainfully and said, "Can you not involve me? We have nothing to do with each other, okay?"

"Alright, alright, whatever you say is right!"

He agreed good-naturedly, and the stylist behind him gave a knowing smile.

While Ethan Xavier sat on the sofa reading a magazine, the stylist whispered to me, "Young Master Xavier treats you differently! Usually, all the ladies who pursue him try their best to please him. But this time, he’s the one trying to please you."

"Sorry, I really don’t have anything to do with him."

I awkwardly explained once again.

Soon, the stylist finished my makeup.

Looking at my radiant self in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile.

During the four years of my secret marriage with Timothy Xavier, I hadn’t attended such an event once, as if a layer of dust had covered a flower vase.

At this moment, Ethan Xavier walked behind me, bent slightly to look in the mirror, and said, "You’re stunning!"

The stylist laughed and said, "Yes, Miss Ellison’s makeup is actually not difficult. She has a great foundation, and with just a bit of touch-up, you can achieve an amazing effect."

Ethan Xavier nodded with satisfaction and said, "I just saw a dress, have her try it."

I followed his gaze and saw the only dress in the cabinet, a champagne-colored mermaid gown, radiating a breathtaking luster, like a river of stars flowing over the body.

It truly was beautiful.

The stylist hesitated and said, "Sorry, Young Master Xavier, but this dress is reserved for a client. It was just shipped from abroad today."

"How much is it, I’ll pay ten times, just give us the dress."

Ethan Xavier seemed ready to spend big money.

The stylist said, "The dress is priced at six million. But it’s not just about the money, it’s mainly about the owner of this dress..."

When I heard the price, ten times that would be sixty million?

I quickly stopped Ethan Xavier and said, "Forget it, there are so many dresses in the store, why take someone else’s favorite?"

"Do you like it?"

Ethan Xavier looked at me seriously and said, "As long as you like it, sixty million is fine."

I was caught between crying and laughing, and said word by word, "I. Do. Not. Like. It."

At this moment, the stylist suddenly looked towards the door and eagerly called out, "President Xavier, Miss Sawyer!"

Ethan and I turned around simultaneously.

Serena Sawyer and Timothy Xavier entered the store one after the other.

When they saw us, their faces showed clear astonishment.

Especially Timothy, his gaze complex as he stared at me for a long time.

Serena smiled slightly and said, "What a coincidence, Miss Ellison, you’re here too? Is this... your boyfriend?"

Before I could speak, Ethan suddenly put his arm around my waist and said, "That’s right, Miss Sawyer has a good eye."

Then he leaned down and asked me affectionately, "Darling, shall we buy that dress for tonight, hmm?"

The stylist was in a dilemma and said to Serena, "Miss Sawyer, Young Master Xavier is willing to pay ten times the price for this dress, what do you think..."

An unusual look flashed across Serena’s face, seemingly surprised at how generous Ethan was, willing to spend a fortune on me.

She then looked at Timothy pitifully and said, "Timothy, since Miss Ellison likes it, let’s give it to her. Honestly, I don’t care about what I wear."

The man, watching coldly from the side, finally spoke up, "No."

Just those two words fully displayed his dominance.

He then spoke with an authoritative tone to the stylist, "Take Serena to change the dress, don’t waste time."

"Sure, Miss Sawyer, please."

As Serena followed the stylist into the dressing room, she glanced back at me meaningfully.

The smile on her lips seemed to mock me silently.

After she went in, Timothy slowly walked over to where Ethan and I were, stopping in front of us.

His gaze, cold and dark, fell on Ethan’s hand at my waist, and his voice was extremely gloomy, "I advise you not to dig your own grave."

Ethan’s hand tightened around my waist as he said with a faint smile, "Dear brother, are you perhaps jealous?"

Timothy’s black eyes were like daggers dipped in ice, ready to slice Ethan’s throat at any moment.

My heart skipped a beat.

Timothy was not jealous; he simply saw me as his possession.

If he didn’t want it, it would sit there, yet he wouldn’t allow others to take it.

I remembered once when the Xavier Group’s business was snatched by a rival, he had the same look in his eyes.

In just two days, without leaving home in his pajamas, Timothy caused the rival company’s stocks to plummet using only his phone.

He was ruthless, and the day after his rival company went bankrupt, its owner jumped off a building with his entire family.

When I saw the news, my heart was pounding, but Timothy was calmly playing with the Buddha Beads, not even frowning.

"Ethan, I really don’t like that dress."

I quickly changed the subject, casually pointing to a purple dress, saying, "That one looks nice, I want that one!"

Even though I had done nothing wrong, I couldn’t look Timothy in the eye and pulled Ethan away a bit.

Afraid he might further provoke Timothy.

Just like that, I swiftly changed into the purple dress and pulled Ethan out of the store.

In the car, Ethan grumbled discontentedly, "Zoe Ellison, who exactly is having an affair here? Why do you look like we’re the guilty parties!"

I said seriously and solemnly, "Ethan, when have you ever won a fight against Timothy? Now if he wants to deal with you, he won’t use his fists. But he would take your life! You better believe me."

"That... is so frightening..."

Ethan mumbled in doubt, then looked at me and asked, "If he really gets me killed, would you cry at my grave?"

Annoyed, I took a deep breath and turned my face to the window, not wanting to pay him any attention.

Although Ethan and I left that store first, by the time we reached The Sinclair Family villa, Timothy’s car was already there.

Ethan gritted his teeth in annoyance, "Timothy really wants to be first in everything! Even in this, he has to win."

"It doesn’t matter."

I said speechlessly, "I came here just to return the dress."

As Serena stepped out, her arm linked with Timothy’s.

In her expensive champagne-colored shimmering gown paired with Timothy’s black tailored suit, they immediately caused a stir.

The surrounding guests exclaimed:

"Wow, the celebrity and President Xavier make a perfect match! We don’t stand a chance!"

"Look at her dress, it’s a limited edition from a top luxury brand, I think it’s the only one in the country! It’s truly stunning!"

"Isn’t it said that President Xavier practices Buddhism? Yet he spoils his wife so much! This contrast is so appealing!"

"..."

Serena walked ahead, her back straight, proud as a swan.

Ethan said, "Zoe, hold onto me. Believe me, you’re more beautiful than Serena."

"I don’t want to compete with her in beauty."

I replied coldly.

But Ethan insisted on hooking my hand onto his arm, saying, "Even so, you have to hold onto me!"

Just like that, after Serena and Timothy went in, we also slowly entered the villa.

The luxury of The Sinclair Family villa was on par with, if not greater than, The Xavier Manor.

The entire downstairs hall could be used for events.

As we stepped into the banquet hall, a wave of gasps startled me.

"Who is that? Her looks and demeanor are stunning! She’s no less than Serena!"

"Indeed, even though her dress isn’t as expensive as Serena’s, it makes her skin look so fair and soft."

"..."

The surrounding chatter made my face a bit red.

Not attending these events for four years, I was certainly a bit out of practice.

But Ethan led me, introducing to everyone, "This is my date, the daughter of The Ellison Family."

Though he wanted to tell everyone that my family background was no lesser than Serena’s.

But since The Ellison Family isn’t notable in Veridia’s high society, Madam Sinclair didn’t even invite them to the gathering of Veridia’s elites.

So many people didn’t remember which Ellison Family it was?

At that moment, my mother-in-law, Sophia Kendall, walked in with another woman of a similar age.

They openly eyed me with contempt.

Sophia chuckled and said, "The Ellison family’s daughter... really matches well with a bastard child."

I couldn’t resist retorting, "Yes, these days it’s common for bastard sons and daughters, isn’t it?"

I deliberately emphasized the words ’bastard daughter’ heavily.