Chapter 5 Hidden Thoughts
"Mr. Levington, we've checked, but haven't found anything unusual."
No abnormalities? It seems she knows nothing. Then why this sudden change in attitude?
"Ethan."
Lost in thought, he heard Kate's voice as she bounced down the stairs and promptly attached herself to him like a koala bear. Ethan quickly ended the call.
He frowned, slightly pained by her proximity.
"Get off me."
When did she become so clingy? Was she like this with Blake too? The thought made Ethan's eyes darken with displeasure.
Kate noticed his apparent annoyance, but something felt off to her. She'd just tested her theory—she could hear Ethan's thoughts when she touched him. Why wasn't it working now?
Confused, Kate tried to press herself even closer. Seeing that she was ignoring his command and actually moving closer, Ethan grabbed her collar and firmly set her aside.
Kate pouted.
Why was he so cold toward her? In her previous life, he hadn't been like this.
Then again, that was her previous life. In this timeline, Ethan clearly harbored feelings for her but hadn't fully opened up yet.
He always hid behind coldness, and she couldn't expect him to be passionately warm. He might be cold, but she could be warm enough for both of them.
"You've vented your anger, but aren't you going back to the Jennings estate? Do you really intend to cut ties with your family?" Ethan asked, his tone neutral and unreadable.
Kate tilted her head, answering without hesitation. "Yes, I absolutely intend to cut ties with them."
Ethan was bewildered.
His confusion deepened. The investigation revealed nothing—Kate seemed unaware of the dirty dealings between her father, Richard, and Blake.
Yet she was inexplicably targeting the Jennings family and Blake. Why? Was she deliberately trying to get close to him? What could she possibly hope to gain that would justify such a sacrifice?
What could it be?
"Kate, I'll give you one more chance to tell me the truth. What exactly are you trying to accomplish by helping Blake? I could perhaps accommodate you if you're honest. If not..."
Kate was genuinely annoyed now. "I'm not doing this for him! I'm telling you the truth—I love you, and I want to be with you!"
She frowned, huffing as she turned to leave.
At the doorway, she paused and looked back. "I don't care what you think. I'm not going back to the Jennings house. I'm staying right here with you, whether you acknowledge it or not. You are my fiancé after all."
She slammed the door of the guest room just as Ethan opened his study door.
Ethan stood puzzled.
How did she know where the guest room was? And why was she angry? Shouldn't he be the one upset if she was using him?
Was this reverse psychology?
Fine, he'd see how long she could keep up this act.
Ethan felt a headache coming on. Today's events had pushed his mental capacity to its limits. He returned to his bedroom, intending to take a shower and clear his mind.
Meanwhile, in the guest room.
Kate sat on the bed, pouting as she stared at the door. She checked her watch repeatedly, growing increasingly frustrated as there was no movement outside.
That cold-hearted man! Ignoring her! Not believing her!
She contemplated marching into his room and seducing him. Once they slept together, he'd have to believe her.
Kate stood up and boldly headed for Ethan's door, but her courage faltered when she reached it.
Well... actually... she...
She muttered to herself, "Kate, what are you hesitating for? You touched him earlier today, now go all in! Yes? All in... but maybe stealthily. What if he catches me and throws me out again?"
Kate decided on a stealthy approach and quietly opened the door. Ethan's bedroom was dark, but light spilled from the bathroom, accompanied by the sound of running water.
He was showering?
Kate blinked, tiptoeing closer, but before she reached the bathroom door, Ethan emerged suddenly and pinned her against the wall.
He had only a towel wrapped around his waist, his hand positioned aggressively at her throat, his gaze fierce.
When he realized it was Kate, his expression returned to its usual coolness.
"Why are you in my bedroom?"
He released her, turning away as he toweled his hair. Kate, however, grabbed his arm, her eyes fixated on his perfectly sculpted muscles and defined abs.
In her previous life, she'd never been obsessed with hot guys.
But now? She definitely was.
Ethan's physique was incredible—so perfect it made her want to touch him. And she did exactly that.
She also asked, her voice soft and inviting, "Ethan, want to kiss?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed, almost laughing in disbelief.
He thought, 'Again? Using the same trick repeatedly. Doesn't she get tired of it?'
What? Trick?
She heard it again.
But at this moment, she was too focused on other matters. She pouted, moving closer to Ethan, who remained still, curious about her next move.
In the next second, Kate pushed him firmly, and he fell back onto the bed. Her gaze was burning with desire.
Ethan recognized her intentions. He frowned with a cold smile, rising up and pulling her forcefully, flipping their positions so she was beneath him. "So eager to sleep with me?"
"Yes, once we sleep together, you'll be mine," Kate replied with a seductive smile, leaning up to kiss him, parting his lips with her own.
Kate's kiss was passionate and impulsive, like a reckless flame crashing into Ethan's cool breath.
Her tongue carried a hint of sweetness. Ethan's hand braced beside her, and though he initially intended to push her away, when his fingertips touched the delicate skin at the nape of her neck, he inexplicably hesitated.
That warmth was like an electric current, traveling through his veins and quietly creeping into his heart, causing it to beat erratically.
"Kate," his voice was hoarse with arousal, filled with ignited desire, "you'd better not regret this."
She didn't respond with words, only arching her neck to meet him with an even more urgent kiss. Moonlight slipped through the curtain gap, falling directly upon them.
Half-removed clothes, kisses that trailed lower, Kate's soft moans, Ethan's large hands igniting desire inch by inch across her skin.
Her eyes clouded with passion, and in that hazy moment, her soft "I love you" was like water.
It made Ethan suddenly stop his movements.
Love?
Didn't she love Blake?
She lied again!
Ethan abruptly came to his senses, feeling inexplicably irritated. He picked Kate up and carried her back to the guest room. His movement was so sudden that by the time Kate regained her clarity, the door had already closed.
With passion still unresolved, Kate felt something clawing at her heart, but mostly she felt resignation.
It couldn't be rushed.
She'd heard his thoughts just now.
Love Blake—words she had once said herself. No wonder he didn't believe she loved him.
But his thoughts—this time she seemed to hear them more clearly. Could it be that the more intimate they were, the more she could hear?
Kate pondered this as she entered the bathroom to shower and calm down. When she emerged, exhaustion took over and she collapsed onto the bed.
She closed her eyes, planning to continue her pursuit of Ethan tomorrow, but suddenly opened them again.
In her focus on declaring her feelings, she'd forgotten something crucial.
How would she explain her relationship with Ethan to the public tomorrow?
In her previous life, with Ethan being a public figure, everyone claimed Ethan and Sophia were childhood sweethearts, a perfect match.
But they had forgotten that she and Ethan were childhood friends too. This time, she had to change people's perceptions.
Kate drifted off to sleep, her mind still working through her plans.