"No need!" Jane Sullivan pressed his hand back in panic, "Uncle Ethan, I won't pretend to be obedient anymore."
Ethan didn't persist. He withdrew his hand, casually pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, his gaze indifferent. "Remember, you can be wild like a cat, but one thing is clear: I hate it when others touch what's mine."
With that, he threw the handkerchief into a trash can and walked towards the main building.
His thing?
Jane Sullivan glanced at the trash can with a bitter smile. In his heart, she was just an object, perhaps even less than his dog, Suancai, who had been with him for eight years and held an important place in his heart. Sometimes Ethan only came back to the marital home to see Suancai.
She wanted to say: her life was even worse than a dog's...
Not dwelling on it for too long, fearing to provoke Ethan again, Jane quickly followed him.
Reaching the hall, panting, Jane Sullivan steadied her breath. She noticed everyone's eyes on her and instinctively took Ethan's arm, relieved he didn't push her away.
While feeling fortunate, Jane greeted the Lu family members.
"Hello, big sister-in-law."
"Hello, third sister-in-law."
"Hello, auntie."
...
Finally, she made an excuse to go to the restroom to avoid further pleasantries.
In the restroom, just as she entered, the door opened again. Jane turned to find Sophia entering, her eyes sharp with purpose.
"Quite the act, Auntie," Sophia said sarcastically, locking the door and glaring at Jane. "One face in public and another behind closed doors."
Jane could hear the mockery in Sophia's voice and noticed her haughty demeanor, a far cry from the pitiable woman she was moments ago.
Jane chuckled lightly, "Niece, you're too kind. As for acting, I'm no match for you."
"Niece?" Sophia sneered. "You really think you're something special? Everyone in North City knows how fickle Uncle Ethan is with women. Do you really think you can be the one to change him?"
"I don't know about that," Jane replied, "you should ask Uncle Ethan himself. He's the one who knows best."
"You're talking back now, you little—"
Sophia, enraged and humiliated, stepped forward to slap Jane, who quickly grabbed her wrist. "As for being despicable, I can't compete with you, niece. At least I never climbed into a man's bed while he was drunk."
Sophia's face turned pale.
Jane had just wanted to bluff Sophia. She recalled Adrian's letter apologizing, saying he was drunk and mistook Sophia for her. Jane hadn't believed it, but Sophia's panicked expression gave her the answer.
Disgusted, Jane pushed Sophia away.
Sophia stumbled and fell, looking up at Jane with fury, "How dare you push me!?"
"I dare a lot of things now!"
Jane glanced at her and walked to the door. Just as she touched the handle, there was a knock.
"Who locked the door? Is someone inside? Open up."
Sophia recognized the voice as Aunt Gene and, seeing Jane about to open the door, threw herself against the sink.
"Ah—"
Jane opened the door to see Sophia with blood on her forehead, immediately realizing what she was up to.
"What's going on?" Aunt Gene entered, seeing Sophia's bleeding head. "Sophia, your head!"
Tears streaming down her face, Sophia pointed at Jane, "Auntie, she... she pushed me!"
Sophia's crying drew a crowd, including Ethan and Frank, who were upstairs. Noticing the commotion, Ethan set down his drink and descended.
As he approached, he heard Sophia's accusations and Jane's indignant response, then watched Jane walk away, not caring about the onlookers.
Ethan saw a hint of despair in Jane's eyes as she turned, noticing Adrian comforting Sophia. The whispers about Jane ceased with Ethan's presence.
Sophia, feeling the silence, looked up to see Ethan and continued her act, "Uncle Ethan, I'm not lying. She pushed me, Aunt Gene saw it."
Aunt Gene frowned, caught off guard by Sophia's claim. She hadn't seen the push but couldn't publicly contradict Sophia.
Ethan, after a glance at Aunt Gene, bluntly said, "You missed your calling as an actress, Sophia. If I ever fund a movie, you'll be the star."
Despite being exposed, Sophia kept up her act, "Uncle Ethan, you're clearly biased towards her! If she didn't push me, why would I lie?"
"Whether you're lying or not, you know best!" Ethan replied and left.
The crowd watched Sophia with curious eyes.
Jane Sullivan left the Lu mansion through the back door.
As she walked down the street, hugging herself in the cold night air, Adrian's handsome face haunted her thoughts. Tears started falling, stinging her face in the chilly wind.
Suddenly, a black Bentley screeched to a halt near her. Ethan had seen her in his rearview mirror.
Hearing the brakes, Jane looked up to see Ethan stepping out of the car, his face dark with anger. Instinctively, she ran, but Ethan quickly caught her arm. "Am I a ghost to you? Why run?"
"You're scarier than a ghost!"
Jane struggled, her nose red from the cold and her face wet with tears. "Did you bring me to the Lu mansion today just to see your niece humiliate me? Are you satisfied now?"