"You've been acting weird since you woke up, unlike your usual self. Tell me, have you developed a new way to achieve your divorce goal?"
Eve swallowed and let out a nervous laugh. "Who said I wanted a divorce?" Eve flashed him her sweetest smile. "You're my darling husband, and my only goal is to make you happy. And to achieve that, I must make your family happy, especially your grandfather."Ethan looked more confused than ever. His pupils expanded and he looked as if he was going to have a heart attack. The driver lost control and the car almost slammed into the gates. Eve was thrown off balance and the impact made her collide with Ethan's body who wrapped both arms around her protectively. Her heart hammered against her chest and she could also feel Ethan's heartbeat. "Do you want to lose your job?" Ethan said darkly to the driver who had already regained control of the wheel."I– I am so sorry, Young Master. Please forgive my mistake," the driver apologized profusely while his surprised gaze darted now and then to Eve through the rearview mirror. Eve didn't know that her words would scare the driver so much that he'd almost end their lives. She shut her eyes and grimaced, leaning deeper into Ethan's embrace. And her heart fluttered when he didn't release her. His hold only tightened around her, but this time, he held her gently. Fortunately for her, he didn't ask her any further questions. But the way Ethan stared at her when they arrived at the antique store, Eve knew that more questions were soon coming her way. "Ethan, you're very close to your grandfather so you must know his taste better. Do you think he likes antique paintings more or decor?" "He likes both." Ethan's attention was on his phone as they stepped into the store. Then his phone rang and before he answered it, he said, "Pick whatever you want. I'll join you in a moment." Eve smiled in response. After watching his retreating figure, she headed into the store where the attendant received her. "How may I help you, Ma'am? Are you here to purchase a collection or take a look?" The store attendant said after they exchanged greetings. "I'm here to purchase. Can I see your finest paintings, please?" "Sure, please allow me to lead the way." The attendant's eyes lit up. Eve followed her to one of the many sections of the store where the paintings hung. One painting caught her eyes and she walked towards it. "Oh, you've got great eyes, Ma'am. This painting just arrived yesterday and you're the first to admire it. Would you like to know its price?" The attendant's voice bubbled with excitement. "Sure." Eve nodded. She liked the intricacies of the design and the gentle strokes used to carve the beautiful waterfall. The nice blend of the bright atmosphere made the painting feel surreal. "That will be thirty thousand dollars, Ma'am. It is not the most expensive painting in the store, but it's one of the best.""Thirty thousand dollars!" Eve's jaws dropped. That was mind-blowing. "Ma'am." Watching Eve's expression, the attendant's smile faltered. "Are you willing to buy it? Should I package it for you?" Eve would love to take a look at the other paintings. She might find something cheaper or better-looking. But she couldn't waste time here. They must get to the ancestral mansion as fast as they could. "Yes, please. Package it," she replied, shoving a hand into her purse to bring out her credit card."Right away, Ma'am." The attendant's full smile returned. "I will take you to the cashier for the payment." Eve gasped before cursing inside. When she reached for her purse just now, she could only feel her phone. Did she forget to take her credit card?Eve cursed again.The store attendant had already retrieved the painting and given it to one of the staff who would package it. "This way, please, Ma'am." She was about to turn around and lead the way but Eve stopped her. "Erhm, right now I just found out my credit card is missing. Can you please—""What are you trying to say?" The attendant didn't let her finish her words. Eve opened her mouth to repeat what she said but the attendant held up her hand, shutting her up. "You mean you're not here with your credit card? What kind of dumb person buys that? If you can't afford the painting, why waste my time?"The lady raised her voice so high that people gathered around them. The crowd whispered and Eve breathed out a helpless sigh. "You don't have to react this way. I promise I can afford this painting.""Then show me the money!" Snapped the lady. "I knew right from the start that you're a scam." She eyed Eve from head to toe and scoffed, "I bet you've never even seen such money your whole life."Eve followed the lady's gaze, staring at her faded jeans and a simple blouse. Damn her fashion sense. She should have known that someday it could put her in trouble. "Look here, Miss." She brought her attention back to the lady. "Just because I'm dressed this way doesn't mean you should underestimate me.""But your appearance tells me you're nothing but a bum," said the lady. "And luckily, I am well experienced when it comes to dealing with people like you.""Get me the security!" She yelled at one of the staff who was standing among the crowd. The staff scurried off and in a few seconds, he returned with a burly man dressed in a security uniform. "I am sure this woman has ulterior motives. Ransack her this instant and give her a great beating.""What!?" Eve exclaimed. "Come on, Miss. Aren't you taking things too far?""You brought it upon yourself, Scammer. Next time, you'll think twice before walking into stores like this."The burly man snatched Eve's purse and shoved all its content on the floor. And the crowd's murmur increased when they saw that the only thing inside her purse was her phone. Some of the people had even brought out their phones and were recording the moment. Due to the impact of the tiled floor, Eve's phone screen was now broken beyond repair. And when the burly man grabbed Eve's arm and raised one of his huge hands in the air to hit her, a hard voice broke out of the crowd. "Is this how you treat people around here?"On hearing the voice, Eve was stunned for a few seconds. The burly man's hand stopped mid-air. "I should believe that you're not trying to harass this lady. Otherwise, I'll be forced to get the authorities," that voice continued. It was none other than Cole. Eve gulped and slowly turned around, her gaze landing on the young man with a gentle smile on his face. The last expression she'd seen on Cole's face was an evil smile as he and Mia revealed all their plans to her before leaving her to her misery. Seeing him now, Eve was forced to recall that memory. "It is not what you are thinking, Sir." Taking in Cole's appearance, the attendant's bitter expression transformed into a friendly smile. "You see, this lady here is a scam. She entered this store not with the intention of buying anything, but to waste our time and make a scene. That is why we are dealing with her." "How much is the painting?" Cole smiled, slipping both hands into his pockets. "Ahh, are you trying to save
The car arrived at the ancestral mansion and Eve jumped out with the painting in her hands. Ethan also left the car and a servant approached them. After greeting them, the servant told them Ethan's grandfather was in the garden behind the mansion, soaking up the morning's atmosphere. "The garden is this way, where are you going?" As Eve was about to dash into the house, Ethan said in confusion. Eve stopped walking and held tight to the painting. She must replace this gift with the one she'd presented last night fast. As the mansion seemed calm and the servants worked in harmony, it meant the old man hadn't opened her gift yet. "Ethan, Darling." She turned around and put on her best smile, holding her stomach. "You can go see Grandpa first. I'm pressed and must use the washroom immediately." Ethan frowned and glanced at the painting. "I'll hold it for you. Be fast." "N–No no no." Eve shooked her head. "Since this gift is from me to Grandpa, I must give it to him hand to hand.
Eve's lips twitched slightly. She released his arm and sighed inside. If she could remember correctly in her past life, Matt and his other bad friends would end up in jail just a few months from now. They would be caught by the authorities in drug trafficking and money laundering. That incident made headlines in the city, tainting the family's name and bringing down its reputation. Although Matt had always been a troublemaker, no one expected that he'd go to that extreme. It was also at that time that the family found out he hung out with bad company. However, it was too late as the authorities didn't take the situation lightly. No amount of money and connection could bail him out. The incident affected his grandfather so much that he ended up on his deathbed earlier than anticipated. Matt confessed that he was manipulated into the act by his friends due to his rich background and wild ways. He'd always lived in his brother's shadows and felt useless in the family. All his ac
Lunch was already prepared by the time Eve got home and she ate her food dejectedly. Wishing that Ethan would come back home with her was like asking for the impossible. Their relationship was so sour that he rarely spent his days at home and he spent most of his nights at the company. "M–Ms. Maxwell— I mean, Madam, Isn't the food to your liking?" Elena said, looking worried. Eve looked sideways at the house stewardess. She could also see fear in the woman's eyes. Blowing out a sigh, she shook her head. "The food is great, Elena, thank you. And when will you start calling me by my name? Do you want me to remind you again and again?""My apologies, M–Ms. — Madam. I'll do whatever you say.""Oh, don't force yourself." Eve finished her food and sighed again. "You can call me by my name whenever you're comfortable with it. But from now on, you can't call me Ms. Maxwell."Without waiting for the woman's reply, she left the dining area and wandered all day at home. Her fears came true in
Eve sprang to her feet, the earlier anticipation returning to her heart."Ethan." She hurried up to him. "Ethan, you're back. How could you spend the night at the company? Don't you know that you're making me feel like a bad wife?" The irritation on Ethan's face when he saw Mia disappeared, and now he was studying Eve like a foreign object. "Eve! What is the meaning of this!?" Mia was almost yelling at her. She looked more confused than Ethan. In fact, she looked lost. "Have you lost your head, Eve? The person standing in front of you Isn't Cole but Ethan Anderson.""So what if he's Ethan?" Eve gave her a furtive glance before returning her eyes to Ethan. "Isn't he my husband? Why do you look so surprised, Mia?""Eve!" From the corner of her eyes, Eve could see Mia's fists clenching. "Are you even alright, have you lost your mind? Why are you acting weird?"Eve could feel Ethan's anger like the smoke of boiling lava. She could feel his anger toward Mia. And she knew he was only hold
Ethan was already out of his bedroom by the time Eve decided to join him upstairs. He was now in his study room, and Eve knew better not to disturb him. In the past, she would use this opportunity to interrupt his work and rain insults on him all day. Those were some of the few times she'd seen Ethan's real anger. If there was something Ethan was most punctual about, it literally was his work. And Eve never stopped angering him whenever he was home. She had a strong feeling that she was the reason why Ethan became so disoriented that he even lost his company in her past life. At that time, his brother was already arrested, and his grandfather was on his deathbed. The family fell apart and so was the family's fortune. Eve turned around and headed back downstairs. There was not much to do in the house, she also never interacted much with the servants. And now she regretted it. Eve was already thirteen when her grandfather found her and brought her to the city. While she was growin
That night, Eve was slightly mad at Ethan. She paced in her room, wondering what she would have to do to make him believe her. Ethan didn't even come down for dinner, and this time, Eve didn't pressure the Stewardess to let her take the food to him. She was afraid Ethan would not eat the food, just like he did with lunch. The next morning, she looked around the house and Ethan was nowhere to be found. She checked his study room, his bedroom, and everywhere she could think of. It was still the weekend. Was he avoiding her so much that he would just slip away? Why had the tables turned? "Please get me the telephone and dial the ancestral mansion," Eve ordered one of the maids. Even if she still had her phone with her, Ethan might probably not pick up her calls with his current attitude. "Here it is, Madam." The servants had gotten comfortable with calling her Madam, and that made her happy. She placed the telephone on her ear and after ringing for a while, the call disconnected.
Cole looked shocked for a few seconds before a big frown formed on his forehead. "What are you talking about, Eve?" He took her hands and asked in confusion. "Why are you suddenly saying this? Is there something that is bothering you? Tell me, what did Mr. Anderson threaten you with?""Urgh! Nothing is wrong with me." Eve shook his hands off. "Cole, see. There's no need to keep pretending anymore. I know you don't really like me, you're doing all this because Mia put you up to it."As if caught red-handed committing a crime, Cole stepped back and opened his mouth then closed it. "So if you will excuse me, Mr. Nathan. Stop wasting your time, because I'm done listening to your lies." "How could you say such things, Eve?" Cole quickly retained his calm look. "Since when did you get this idea into your head? Remember the years we have spent together, remember our promises to each other. You can't just wake up one morning and declare our relationship is over."Eve could very well rememb