Jane Sullivan also heard Ethan's voice and instinctively pushed against the chest of the man beside her, only to have her hand firmly held down. "Don't move," he said in a deep, unfamiliar accent.
But now was not the time to focus on his voice.
"Sir, the experience I'm talking about isn't what you think," she said in desperation, slipping an unwrapped condom over her hand. "I mean to experience this - to feel its ultra-thinness and durability."
Ethan's expression darkened even more at her words, wishing he could pull Jane away from the situation right then.
"Don't be too hard on the girl, she's just trying to sell a product," intervened Joanne, who was standing beside Ethan. But then, noticing something in Justin's gaze, she tiptoed to whisper in Ethan's ear, "See? Justin seems quite fond of this young lady."
Fond?
For some reason, Ethan felt a surge of displeasure at hearing Justin might like Jane. He strode over, pulling her away from Justin. "I'll buy all of these! Take the products outside and wait, I'll pay in a moment!"
"Thank you, boss!" Jane quickly shouldered her bag and left the room without looking back.
Outside, waiting for Ethan to pay, Jane's heart was in turmoil. She wanted to leave but didn't dare offend Ethan. She needed the money from the sales to prove her worth to her boss.
The wait was excruciating. About ten minutes later, Ethan appeared, his face grim. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into another empty room. "Explain yourself!"
"Uncle Ethan, as you saw, I took a part-time job. There are many couples getting rooms on Christmas Eve, so I became a contraceptive salesperson."
She couldn't dare tell him the truth for fear of his scorn.
Ethan clenched his fist in anger. "A part-time job? Are you that short of money? You could have just asked me!"
"Uncle, you might not know, but Grandpa said that divorcing you means withdrawing the funds invested in my dad's company. Without it, our company is in debt. If the Grayson family takes back their investment, we'll be facing bankruptcy like a year ago. I have to earn money."
His niece's words seemed reasonable.
Ethan pulled out his wallet and wrote a seven-figure check, tossing it at her feet. "Is this enough for your contraceptives?"
Jane picked up the check, trying to hide her humiliation. "Thank you, Uncle. This is more than enough."
She placed her backpack on the table. "If this isn't enough, Uncle, I can ask our boss to send more."
Ethan stood up in anger. "I never use those things. They're uncomfortable."
Jane thought to herself about the implications of his complaint as Ethan walked up to her, lifted her chin, and looked down at her. "Remember, don't let me see you out at night again, or I won't hesitate to send more men your way."
Shivering, Jane nodded. "Don't worry, Uncle. With this million, I won't need to work tomorrow. Have fun tonight. Goodbye."
She left quickly, fearing Ethan might take back the money.
Taking a taxi to the studio, she saw her boss about to leave. "Boss, wait!"
Out of breath, Jane handed him the check. "No need for an IOU. I'll pay the penalty."
Seeing Ethan's signature, the man scoffed, "Little girl, are you really Ethan's wife?"
"No," she firmly denied. "This is from selling contraceptives."
"Do you think I'd believe that?" he asked, not taking the check. "Ethan is generous with women. I don't know if you're his wife or mistress, but I should remind you not to sell yourself for money. I've seen too many actresses ruined by wealthy families. Coincidentally, I like your look. Forget the penalty. Help me shoot an ad sometime, and we'll call it even."
"An ad?" Jane looked troubled.
Guessing her thoughts, he handed her his card. "Don't worry, it's not that kind of ad. What are you afraid of? You're Ethan's woman, I wouldn't dare touch you."
After speaking, he opened his car door. "Come on, I'll drive you. It's not safe here at night."
Jane saw the card read: Director: Ken.
That name? It sounded familiar, as if she'd heard it somewhere.
Arriving at the villa, Jane got out of the car. Ken lit a cigarette, watching her leave with a complicated look. He took out his phone and made a call. "Help me look into someone. I'll send you the name and photo."
Meanwhile, Justin muffled several glasses of wine, all that lingered in his mind was the girl's confident smile as she held the contraceptive/condom.
Going to the restroom with Ethan together, Justin finally spoke up, "You know that girl."
Not a question, but an affirmative tone.
Ethan nodded though his heart was clogged, "Sweetie's classmate and best friend, why? Interested?"
It turned out to be Lu Si-Sweet's best friend.
Justin's heart was happy, the original taut string finally loosened, "How much are those contraceptives/condoms? Give it to me, I'll buy them all."
"Buy them all? Who are you using them with?"
They all know that Justin doesn't touch women among them, but now, he is charmed by Jane Sullivan, whom he has only met once.
"You don't care who I use it with, as long as it's that little cutie, I want it all!" Including people!
Ethan secretly gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes indifferently, "Two million dollars, take it or leave it?"
"Deal!"