Ethan couldn’t stand Jesse, but he was acutely aware of the situation. He was in the office of Clara’s best friend, and considering Clara’s future role as the deputy president of this company, it wouldn’t be wise to escalate things here. Taking a deep breath, Ethan kept his voice calm. “If you don’t believe me, feel free to ask Miss Weston after the live stream ends.” Jesse sneered, not missing a beat. “Oh, we don’t need to wait that long,” he shot back with cold defiance. “I’ll handle it right now.” With that, Jesse snatched up four phones and quickly sent the same question through different accounts on the live stream. “May I ask, does Miss Walport Clara have a boyfriend?” With over 10,000 viewers tuning in, most of whom were real, Jesse’s question didn’t take long to attract attention. Within moments, more than twenty comments flooded the screen, all asking the same thing. Meanwhile, Clara, sitting in the adjacent room, saw the question and felt a slight urge to respond he

"Do you believe it now, kid?" Ethan asked with a smug smile, his arms casually folded as he glanced sideways at Jesse. Jesse’s face darkened. He let out a low growl of frustration before muttering under his breath, "Ugh, what an eyesore. Just looking at you is ruining my appetite." Ethan just smirked wider, clearly enjoying Jesse’s reaction. Vanessa stepped in before things escalated. With her usual cheerful tone, she said, “Alright, enough of that. It’s almost noon already, and Clara, since you and Ethan just arrived in New York today, I insist on welcoming you properly. You’re my guests, and I’m not letting you leave without at least one good meal on me. Let’s go, my treat!” They soon headed off—Vanessa and Jesse in one sleek black car, while Clara and Ethan followed behind in a more modest vehicle. The four of them arrived shortly after at a stylish Italian restaurant named 365, nestled by the waterfront. It was a top-tier spot, known not only for its authentic cuisine but for

Ethan gave a small, calm smile as he accepted the incoming video call. Almost instantly, the screen lit up with the image of an older gentleman—clearly past his prime, with silver-streaked hair and a relaxed demeanor. “Hey, Mr. Harris...” Ethan greeted respectfully, his tone warm. Harris was the man’s first name, or at least the one Ethan always used when speaking to him—an informal familiarity that hinted at their past relationship. “Ethan, my boy! It’s been ages since we last saw each other.” Harris smiled fondly, then added apologetically, “I’m so sorry—I dozed off earlier and missed your call. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” Ethan responded with polite sincerity, “No worries at all, sir. I shouldn’t have called so late—I didn’t mean to interrupt your rest.” “Come on now,” Harris waved it off with a chuckle, “don’t be so formal. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you, kid! Haha, it’s good to see your face again.” Ethan laughed along with him. “I’ve missed you too, Mr. Ha

Laughing and chatting, Ethan and Clara stepped out of their newly purchased villa, their mood light and joyful. Together, they drove to the Poltrona Frau showroom in New York City. Poltrona Frau was no ordinary furniture store—it was a world-renowned Italian luxury brand with a prestigious legacy. Known for crafting exquisite pieces for the Italian royal family over a century ago, it had since become the go-to choice for European royalty and elites. Clara’s new villa had been designed in a classic European style, making Poltrona Frau the perfect match. Beyond just aesthetics, Clara’s ambitions ran deep—she wasn’t just here to live; she was here to rise. She dreamed of building her empire in New York, of becoming a powerful figure in the business world. Choosing such a brand—handpicked by Ethan—reflected not only her taste but also her aspirations. The beds in the showroom ranged from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, each offering exceptional comfort, craftsmanship,

Although Renee hadn’t mentioned any names directly, it was painfully obvious to everyone that her biting remark was aimed squarely at Ethan. Ethan was about to leave with Clara, but those words stopped him cold. He turned slightly, his expression darkening. To him, Renee was just stirring up trouble. Maya was barely two months pregnant—the baby wasn’t due for several more months. It simply wasn’t time yet to buy a crib, and anyone with common sense would know that. But Maya, ever eager to provoke him, shot him a frosty glare and added sarcastically, “What more could I expect from someone who’s always mooching off others? A man like him won’t lift a finger. Hmph! Cayden will take care of our child. He’ll buy the crib, won’t you, honey?” Cayden responded promptly, “Of course I will.” Then Maya turned to him sweetly and asked, “Are there baby cribs on the upper floor? Let’s go check them out. After that, we can come back down and pick out a bed for ourselves.” Cayden nodded and quic