Ethan's frustration mounted with each passing thought. In the past, he hadn't given a mere few ten thousand yuan a second glance, but now, he found himself plagued by worries over such an amount. It was only now that he truly comprehended the significance of money.
All of this was Alex's fault, and he vowed not to let it go unpunished.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Tian Tian entered, carrying a thermos.
"Ethan Keller, I made you some chicken soup. Drink it while it's hot." She sat beside Ethan and ladled out a bowl, feeding him with a spoon.
"I can do it myself," Ethan said, reaching for the bowl and taking a sip.
"Is it good?"
"Mm," Ethan nodded, looking at her. "Thank you."
"Why thank me?" Tian Tian's voice trembled with emotion. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten beaten up like this by Miss Andra."
"It's not your fault," Ethan's expression stiffened, a hint of displeasure creeping into his voice. Being beaten by Alex was a humiliating experience, and Tian Tian's words only served to bruise his pride further. Yet, unaware of her misstep, Tian Tian continued, her heart heavy with concern. "I can't imagine how Miss Andra could be so ruthless. Does she not love you anymore?"
Ethan's heart seemed to be wrenched by an invisible force, a sudden pang of fear gripping him. Did she really not love him anymore?
"Ethan Keller, are you alright?" Tian Tian's eyes reddened as she saw Ethan's distant gaze. "Do you still love Miss Andra? That's why you're upset by what I said?"
"No, don't think like that," Ethan quickly denied. "I love you, and only you. I'll be with you for the rest of my life."
Tian Tian's heart wasn't at ease, even after hearing Ethan's words. She leaned her head gently on his shoulder and amended, "Ethan Keller, don't take what I said earlier to heart. Miss Andra must still love you."
"..."
"Actually, Miss Andra is quite pitiful. She hurt you just to get your attention.She must be hurting inside too." Tian Tian sighed, her face etched with sympathy.
Ethan's voice was stern as he replied, "That's her business. No matter what she does, I won't love her."
"But how can that be? Miss Andra is so accomplished and beautiful. Haven't you ever been tempted, Ethan Keller?" Tian Tian probed, her tone cautious.
"Don't talk nonsense. I love only you. No matter how good she is, I won't fall for her."
"Really?"
"Of course." Ethan replied without hesitation, yet he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was speaking against his true feelings.
Could it be that he did love her?
Why did he suddenly feel nostalgic for their past together?
This wasn't right.
He loved Tian Tian. It was all that woman's fault, making him think such thoughts. He couldn't let her meddle in his mind any longer.
Wrapping his arms around Tian Tian, Ethan rested his chin on her hair, inhaling her familiar, subtle fragrance. Yet, his troubled heart remained unsettled.
In the evening, as Alex finished her bath and lay down on the bed, her phone chimed.
Picking it up, she saw a message from Sheng Xiangdong: Remember, you owe me a meal.
Alex ignored the message, setting her phone aside. She had never promised to treat him to dinner.
The next afternoon, Mrs. Andra returned home, her face beaming with excitement as she grasped Alex's hand. "Baby, I have good news to share with you."
Curious, Alex asked, "Mom, what makes you so happy?"
"Guess, dear," Mrs. Andra teased.
"I can't," Alex replied honestly.
"Oh, come on, try to guess." Mrs. Andra pleaded.
"Mom, I really can't. Just tell me," Alex urged.
"Alright, since you can't guess, I'll tell you," Mrs. Andra said, seeing Alex's earnest expression. "You know Aunt Jiang, right?"
"Yes, she's the friend you met yesterday," Alex replied, wondering what connection this had to Mrs. Andra's news.
"That's right. They've been living abroad for years, and we rarely see each other. I met her son when he was just a kid, but now he's grown into a tall, handsome young man, talented and good-looking, not a bit inferior to that Keller boy."
"Mom, you're not trying to set me up with Aunt Jiang's son, are you?" Alex asked, her expression be reluctant to.
"Why not?" Mrs. Andra asked sincerely. "Even Aunt Jiang thinks you'd be a good match."
"But I met Aunt Jiang years ago, when I was just a teenager. How could she know we'd be compatible?" Alex felt exasperated.
"My daughter is so beautiful and accomplished. Why wouldn't you be?" Mrs. Andra said matter-of-factly.
"Mom, please, I'm not ready to accept anyone into my life yet. I just want to focus on helping Grandpa manage the company," Alex said sincerely, thinking to herself that the idea of dating Sheng Xiangdong was out of the question.
"Alright, I won't push you, but he really is a great guy. You should consider it," Mrs. Andra said reluctantly.
"I understand, Mom," Alex nodded, her tone perfunctory.
When Andra's grandpa returned in the evening, Alex informed him of her decision to return to work the next day. Observing her for these past few days, Andra's grandpa sensed that Alex had regained her composure and agreed.
Back at the company, Alex threw herself into her work wholeheartedly, hoping to gain Andra's grandpa further recognition before her and Tian Tian's true identities were revealed, thus highlighting Tian Tian's incompetence.
Additionally, she aimed to revamp her approach to people, addressing the 'Tyrant' nickname she had earned for her harsh treatment of employees over minor issues.
She intended to mend relationships with her staff, wielding both kindness and authority to establish her authority.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Without looking up from her papers, Alex said, "Come in."
"Assistant, I've compiled the financial reports for the past few years as you requested," said Chen Hong, the Financial Manager, as she entered and placed the reports in front of Alex.
"Thank you for your hard work," Alex said, looking up at Chen Manager politely.
Surprised, Chen Manager stammered, "It's nothing, it's my job."
"Sorting through so much information in just a day must have been exhausting," Alex said, her tone genuine. "As a long-time employee of our company, I'll have to rely on your expertise in the future."