The Underestimated Tycoon

Chapter 4

“Don’t act innocent. You must have been following me to find out where I live.” Aria scoffed, crossing her arms indignantly.

“I didn’t follow you here. I’m here for business.” Ethan replied calmly.

“Bullshit! What business could you possibly have here?” Aria sneered.

“So I was right! You did wanna blackmail me!”

"Sleeping with a girl like me must be the highlight of your life, huh?"

Ethan took a deep breath, his patience thinning.

“Are you a narcissist?” Ethan said in a gritted voice, “I’m not blackmailing you, nor am I here for you.”

Aria let out a mocking laugh at Ethan’s reply, and without bothering to reply to him anymore, she stormed inside the villa.

Ethan paused, a flicker of confusion appearing on his face.

He brought out his phone and double-checked the address on the screen.

There was no mistake. He was at the right place.

After confirming that he had the right address, any trace of hesitation in his mind disappeared.

Aria stormed inside the villa, her heels clacking angrily against the polished marble floor. She had enough of Ethan’s ridiculous lies and smug attitude.

However, just as she turned to close the door, her eyes widened when she saw Ethan casually walking inside the villa just behind her.

“Are you insane?! What do you think you are doing right now?!” 

“Are you going to keep up your stalker activities here?!” 

Ethan stopped walking and stared at Aria with annoyed expression on his face. He always prided himself on being calm, but with the constant barrage of accusations from Aria, even he could not help but lose his patience.

“I’ve told you already, I’m not a stalker, and I’m here to meet someone.” Ethan replied angrily.

“Oh? And who exactly are you here to meet?” Aria instantly crossed her arms, glaring at him.

“My fiancée, who lived in this address.”

The words hit Aria like a sledgehammer, and her jaw dropped. 

"I’m the only child in this family! I’ve never heard of any fiancé!" 

"Is this some kind of new scam?" Aria stared at him suspiciously. "Explain yourself! What's going on?"

Ethan also looked completely stunned.

"Are you sure? You don’t have any… half-sisters or anything?"

"Of course, I’m sure!" Aria looked both angry and shocked.

"How is that possible…" Ethan muttered to himself.

The arrogant girl he spent the night with last night...

Could she really be his fiancée?? 

"I don't believe a word from you!" Aria said firmly, "I'm going to kick you out!"

Just as Ethan was about to respond and Aria was preparing to shout for security, a new voice broke the stillness.

“Ah, there you are!” An elderly man, dressed in a fine red suit, entered the room with a warm smile.

“Ethan! You’ve arrived just as expected.”

Aria turned her attention toward the elderly man in shock.

“Grandfather? You know this man?” Aria asked in disbelief.

Henry Whitman, the elderly man, smiled at his granddaughter, then turned his full attention to Ethan.

“Your father told me you’d be here today, so I’m glad to see you’ve found your way in. Welcome, Ethan.”

Ethan gave a polite nod to the elder, his calm demeanour never faltering, despite the amount of shock he was feeling at the moment.

“Thank you, Mr…” Ethan trailed off, as he did not know the name of the elderly man.

“Henry Whitman, but you can call me Henry.” Henry smiled as he extended his hand for a handshake.

Ethan accepted his stretched hand and gave him a firm handshake, putting a smile on Henry’s face.

“Well, this is a happy day! I cannot begin to express my joy! After all, the engagement between you and Aria is what you would term a match made in heaven!”

Henry clapped his hands together, completely oblivious to the tension in the air.

Aria’s heart sank as her grandfather’s words echoed in her ears, and the gravity of the situation she was in dawned on her.

“Grandfather, wait! There’s been some kind of mistake! There’s no way—”

“No, no, Aria,” Henry interrupted, smiling as though he hadn’t heard her.

“Today’s an important day for both of you. I want you to inform your parents that the engagement is officially happening.”

“Grandfather, you can’t be serious,” Aria protested, panic rising in her chest. 

“Aria, this is what’s best for you. For the family.” Henry said, his warm expression hardening slightly.

Years ago, the leader of the Blackwell family, Ethan's father, personally arranged this marriage with Henry.

Although the reason behind it was never disclosed to Henry, it was enough to make him ecstatic.

The Blackwell family had always been low-key, and even Henry didn’t know the full extent of their power and influence.

But even with the little he knew, it was clear that if the Blackwell family ever decided to wipe out a city, it would be as easy as a single command.

This, clearly, was the greatest advantage for the Whitman family’s resurgence.

Just one premise—He need to keep the secret safe.

Aria bit her lip, the irritation and anger she felt towards Ethan rising.

She could see the determination in her grandfather’s eyes, and it was the same stubbornness she had inherited.

What he had told her was not a suggestion; it was a command.

In her despair, Aria's thoughts were spinning rapidly.

She absolutely had to find a way out of this.

This engagement couldn’t happen! There was no way she was going to be engaged to such a poor person like Ethan!

Ethan, on the other hand, remained silent, watching the entire exchange with an unreadable expression.

He didn’t want this engagement any more than Aria did. 

But after all, his fiancée, Aria Whitman, was tied to the truth behind his mother’s death.

He couldn’t call off the engagement now either.