Chapter 6 A New Date

• Ethan walked right up to her, his voice low but tinged with disappointment.
• “Why are you here at my party? Have you been investigating me secretly? I told you before we started this—this is just a physical and financial arrangement, no mixing of lives. But you’ve broken that promise.”
• His tone was cold, and Avery froze for a moment, unsure if she had misheard or if Ethan really thought this way.
• But she quickly recovered, letting out a scoff. “Sir, please get your facts straight. Lily, your stepdaughter, is my best friend. She invited me to this party. I didn’t investigate you at all!”
• Ethan clearly didn’t buy it. His face darkened further as he stepped closer to Avery and grabbed her chin firmly.
• “You know Lily is my stepdaughter. So from now on, stay away from her and Emma. Keep whatever happened between us to yourself,” Ethan’s eyes were icy. “They can’t know about any of it.”
• Avery met his gaze without fear. “Why? Why can’t I tell them the truth? After all, Lily’s my best friend, and her mom is about to marry you. She has every right to know what’s been going on between us.”
• “…”
• Ethan seemed momentarily taken aback, his patience clearly thinning. He slowly closed his eyes, suppressing his anger, and released her chin with a sharp motion, his expression darkening even further.
• Avery, lying on the couch, couldn’t help but feel a touch of sarcasm rising inside her.
• It was clear Ethan valued his relationship with Emma a lot, or he wouldn’t have come here to ask her to keep their secret.
• Just as the tension between them settled into silence, Avery’s phone rang.
• She glanced at the caller ID before answering immediately, still keeping her eyes on Ethan. “What’s up, Philip?”
• Philip was a young man Avery had met during a trip to Antarctica. They had supported each other throughout the journey, and by the time they parted ways, they discovered they were both heading back to the same destination. Since then, they had kept in touch, occasionally meeting up for meals or fun.
• “Avery, I was wondering if you’re free tomorrow. I rented a yacht and was thinking about taking you for a spin in my private bay.”
• Hearing Philip’s name, Ethan furrowed his brow. His eyes stayed fixed on Avery.
• Without hesitation, Avery responded, “Sounds good, what time tomorrow?”
• Philip’s voice brightened. “How about 10 AM? I’ll pick you up from the bar.”
• “Perfect, I’m looking forward to it.” Avery ended the call, stood up, and looked at Ethan. “Well, you heard that. I’m going on a date tomorrow at 10 AM. Please leave now; I need to get some sleep.”
• Ethan’s muscles visibly tensed as the veins in his arms stood out. He seemed to only hear the part about Avery going on a date.
• His gaze, sharp and cold, drilled into her. Struggling to keep his voice level, he growled, “Found yourself a new sugar daddy already?”
• Avery crossed her arms confidently, “Yep, not just any sugar daddy, though. This one’s young, good-looking, and I’ve already gotten a taste of his energy and boldness in Antarctica.”
• Ethan’s jaw clenched, and his hands visibly tightened.
• He inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, but the anger inside him was still burning. He had come here tonight with one goal: to stop Avery from revealing what had happened between them.
• But now, with her words and the new flame of jealousy rising, he struggled to maintain control.
• Avery, seemingly unaware of his fury, sent Philip a voice message, “Should I bring a swimsuit tomorrow? Can’t wait to see you on the yacht—”
• Before she could finish, Ethan snatched her phone out of her hand. He gripped it so tightly it seemed as though he might crush it.
• He threw the phone onto the couch, his self-control snapping.
• Avery jumped, stunned by his sudden action. After a few seconds, she regained her composure, “What are you doing?! I wasn’t even done recording my message!”
• She moved toward the couch to grab her phone, but before she could reach it, Ethan grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly.