Chapter 4 The Confrontation
Ethan stood with three buttons of his shirt still undone, while Kate's blouse had slipped off one shoulder. They stood side by side, with Ethan casually draping his arm around Kate's shoulders.
Almost deliberately, he smirked and brushed his fingers against Kate's delicate skin.
Blake's face turned darkened with rage.
"Kate, don't you have anything to explain?" he hissed through clenched teeth, his fists tightly balled. Not far behind him, Sophia leaned against her car. She had arrived with Blake, but now her face had visibly paled, her expression murderous.
How could this be happening? How could Ethan be touching Kate?
Sophia approached slowly, her face darkening as she observed the scene.
"Not going to say anything? You were just professing your love for me earlier. What's wrong? Too intimidated by him to speak now?"
Ethan turned his head and caressed Kate's cheek, his voice casual yet probing.
His palm was warm against her skin, and Kate was enjoying the sensation immensely.
"I'm not intimidated at all," she replied sweetly. "I don't even waste my words on jerks."
She nuzzled against his hand, her eyes gleaming with affection. This response caught Ethan off guard.
'It's not even spring, yet Kate's acting like she's in heat. Was she drugged?' Ethan thought.
He frowned, placing his hand on her forehead to check her temperature.
Not hot. She didn't appear to be under the influence of anything.
Their every move seemed to ignore everyone else's presence. Blake's face tightened with tension, his teeth nearly grinding together.
"Kate! You're calling me a jerk?" he spat.
Kate turned her head, leaning slightly against Ethan. "Yes, and not just you. The lady behind you too. See? I'm being fair—insulting both of you equally."
She raised an eyebrow, her smile radiant.
Her words nearly made both Blake and Sophia collapse with fury.
Beside her, Ethan remained silent, simply observing her. He was analyzing, trying to understand Kate's intentions.
He knew Kate was using him to provoke Blake.
But calling Blake a jerk seemed excessive. Wasn't she worried about having a complete falling out with them?
As if sensing his thoughts, Kate stood on her tiptoes and leaned closer. Her smile deepened mischievously.
The next moment, her soft lips touched his, making Ethan freeze momentarily, his mind going blank.
Blake was practically apoplectic with rage.
She was openly cheating on him!
She must have a death wish!
Blake clenched his fists and stepped forward, grabbing Kate roughly. He wanted to curse her out, but remembering the fortune she was set to inherit, he restrained himself.
"Kate, tell me, are you being coerced?" he asked with forced patience. "If you're being forced, I'll help you. Don't worry."
He offered her an excuse, hoping she would take the lifeline and back down.
Instead, Kate shoved him away and threw her tea in his face.
Ethan frowned, his hand that had moved to protect her slowly retreating. He stood watching, curious to see what she would do next.
"Help me? I need a jerk to help me?" Kate scoffed. "Blake, I am Ethan's fiancée. I love him and I'm going to marry him. As for you, get as far away from me as possible. Understand?"
She linked her arm through Ethan's, giving him a playful wink, as if seeking his approval for her performance.
Kate seemed to be seeking his approval. Ethan studied her face, his thoughts somewhat chaotic.
He hadn't expected her to actually say those things.
'Could she have discovered something?' Ethan thought.
What? Discovered what?
Kate turned her head, now certain she'd heard Ethan's thoughts. But why couldn't she hear them consistently?
"Kate."
Breaking into her thoughts, Sophia finally emerged from behind Blake, her voice soft as she called out. Kate didn't give her a chance to continue.
In her previous life, Sophia had been in love with Ethan.
It wasn't hard to guess she was about to switch on her sweet-innocent act. Without hesitation, Kate threw another cup of tea at her.
Then she raised her hand, closed the door, and completed the sequence in one fluid motion.
"Go tell that old bastard I'm no longer part of the Jennings family."
Outside the door, Blake and Sophia stood stunned.
They exchanged glances, both bewildered and harboring their own schemes.
Sophia spoke first. "Kate seems to be under some kind of shock. She—"
"Shock, my ass. She's just asking for trouble," Blake interrupted. "But knowing her personality, this sudden change isn't normal. Someone must have influenced her. Ethan—yes, it must be him."
Ethan, this isn't over between us!
Blake stormed off in anger while Sophia lingered at the door, reluctant to leave. Unable to enter, she could only lower her gaze and clench her fists.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, on the sofa.
Ethan shifted slightly away, and Kate immediately moved closer. He moved, she followed, practically pushing him to the edge of the sofa.
Ethan turned his head, his brow deeply furrowed.
"Kate, you—"
"Ethan, do you sense my sincerity now? I truly love you," Kate interrupted, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her eyes sparkled with life, like a child seeking praise and candy.
Ethan looked at her, his gaze softening slightly, but he still didn't believe her words. He gently removed her from his person.
Kate simply clung to him again, holding his arm.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Milan had arrived.
Milan had indeed brought a psychic with him, which left Kate feeling slightly exasperated.
Ethan thought, 'Since they're already here, maybe we should let the psychic examine Kate? Perhaps...'
She heard it again!
This arrogant man really thought she was possessed!
Kate pouted, releasing his arm with a huff. But the moment she let go, Ethan's thoughts vanished.
What was happening?
Before she could figure it out, her wrist was suddenly grabbed and she was pulled toward the staircase.
'Forget it, the supernatural is unreliable. I should just send her upstairs for now, before she acts out again.' Ethan wondered.
She could hear his thoughts again?
Kate looked down at her wrist in his grasp, suddenly understanding. She immediately hugged Ethan tightly.
Ethan thought, 'She's being weird again?'
When she released him, the thoughts disappeared.
So that was it!
"I need to speak with Milan," Ethan said.
"Don't worry, I won't eavesdrop," Kate replied with a grin, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before running upstairs. Milan stood watching, his jaw nearly hitting the floor in shock.
Wait, something wasn't right. Had Kate taken the wrong medication? If he remembered correctly, just yesterday Kate had accidentally run into Ethan and had looked at him with disgust.
"Milan. Investigate what happened before Kate's engagement. If you find anything unusual, report to me immediately."
Ethan touched his cheek with a sigh as Milan quickly left to carry out his orders.
Soon after, Milan's call came through.
Ethan drummed his fingers lightly on the armrest. "Well? Did you find anything?"