Chapter 205: Chapter 203: As long as I want you, you are mine (9)

Chloe Marshall was in high spirits. "Let’s go!" she replied with a beaming smile.

The two of them hurried downstairs.

It was the first time Cecelia Willow had ever been threatened so openly, and she was furious. She backhanded Ryan across the face. "Bastard! If it weren’t for you, I never would have been humiliated like this!"

Ryan was seething inwardly but didn’t dare let it show. "Cecelia, Ethan Ellsworth won’t tell anyone."

"And what could I do to him if he did? Use your head! I’m freezing to death in here!" Cecelia Willow spun around and stomped downstairs. Ryan scrambled after her, murmuring appeasements as they went.

Back in the room, Ethan Ellsworth pulled up the video and roared with laughter.

"These two idiots were so caught up in their little tryst. How could they be so completely careless?"

Chloe Marshall watched for a few moments before asking, "Boss Ellsworth, do you think the director will secretly send someone to assassinate us?"

Ethan Ellsworth shot her a sidelong glance. "Been watching too many dramas? Assassinate me? She wouldn’t dare, not even if she grew ten sets of guts. You, on the other hand... that’s a definite possibility."

At his words, Chloe Marshall’s face fell. "Boss Ellsworth, what should I do?"

Ethan Ellsworth chuckled lightly. "Either you don’t leave my side for a second, or you wait to be assassinated."

"Then I choose the first option."

Ethan Ellsworth praised her, "Mm, not bad. Took you long enough to have a smart idea."

All that night, he felt exceptionally smug. Chloe Marshall clung to him the entire time, not letting go and not daring to even budge.

「The next day.」

Nora Ainsworth checked the news. Sure enough, there were no new stories about her online.

She breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

When Cecelia Willow arrived on set, she announced to all the staff with a beaming smile.

"The series is now in post-production, but we won’t be waiting until filming is finished to air it. The first episode will officially premiere next Saturday at 8:10 PM on Orion TV. We’ll be airing it as we film. Therefore, this week, in addition to shooting your scenes, we will also officially enter the promotional month. The specifics will be handled according to each of your company’s schedules."

After she finished, she looked at Nora Ainsworth. "Nora, we’ll finish filming your scenes this morning. At noon, you can head back to the city with Ellsworth to attend the event your company has arranged. You can come back tomorrow morning."

Nora Ainsworth was a little confused by this, but she still smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Director."

Cecelia Willow smiled back at her, her attitude a complete one-eighty from before.

As for the reason behind Cecelia’s sudden change, Chloe Marshall filled her in on what had happened the previous night on their way back to the city at noon.

After hearing the story, Nora Ainsworth understood completely. "I see. Leverage is always a person’s greatest weakness."

"Nora, you and Zeke head back to the company first. Chloe and I are going home for a meal. We’ll meet up with you at the company afterward."

"Okay."

"Huh? How come I haven’t seen your Lynch Group shadow these last couple of days?" Ethan Ellsworth asked. "Doesn’t he normally follow you around every day?"

"Leon? He went home," Nora Ainsworth said simply. "He’s a grown man; he can’t be by my side all the time."

Chloe Marshall blurted out, "Actually, Nora, I think Leon Lynch is a great catch. He’s handsome, rich, devoted, faithful, and gentle. Marrying him would be wonderful."

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, because Ethan Ellsworth shot her a fierce glare. "What nonsense are you spouting? What’s so great about him? Is he better than me?"

Chloe Marshall muttered, "Of course he can’t compare to you, Boss Ellsworth—"

"Good, as long as you know that."

"But Leon Lynch is the best at telling jokes! He’s always searching for jokes online to cheer Nora up. Boss Ellsworth, I have to admit, you really can’t compete with him on that."

Ethan Ellsworth pulled out his phone. "What’s the big deal? I can find a joke online for you guys, too."

He swiped his finger across the screen again and again. After a good while, he finally said, "Is my standard for comedy too high or something? None of these are funny."

"See? That’s why I said you’re not as good as—"

Before she could finish, he clamped a hand over her mouth. "Don’t talk."

The hand on her lips instantly silenced Chloe Marshall.

"Listen to me."

He dropped his hand and stuffed his phone into his pocket. "It’s just a joke. I can do that."

Three pairs of eyes immediately fixed on him, unblinking.

After a moment’s thought, Ethan Ellsworth began, "Trevor Donovan returned to the First Dynasty after retrieving the sacred scriptures. A friend asked him, ’Why did you only accept such ugly disciples?’ Trevor Donovan laughed and said, ’Are you dense? My disciples are all young. If they were also handsome and dashing, would there have been any of the good stuff left for me on our journey?’"

The three of them continued to stare at him. A corner of Ethan Ellsworth’s mouth twitched. "Not funny?"

Nora Ainsworth asked blankly, "Have you ever watched *Journey to the West*?"

Ethan Ellsworth shook his head. "No."

"Then do you know why Trevor Donovan would say that?"

Ethan Ellsworth thought for a moment. "It must be because he’s handsome, so all the beautiful women flock to him."

Nora Ainsworth nodded. "Yes, Trevor Donovan is handsome. It’s just that the beautiful women who flock to him aren’t interested in his looks. They want to eat his flesh to gain eternal life."

Chloe Marshall, however, was perplexed. "Boss Ellsworth, *Journey to the West* was one of our favorite shows when we were kids. How have you never seen it?"

Ethan Ellsworth rubbed his nose. "Was I required to watch it or something?"

Chloe Marshall shook her head. "I just really recommend you watch it."

He huffed. "Sounds boring. I’m not watching that."

Upon arriving at the entrance to Zenith Corporation, Nora Ainsworth and Zeke Marshall got out of the car. Chloe Marshall and Ethan Ellsworth continued on to the Ellsworth residence.

They arrived just as the meal was ready, perfect timing. Mrs. Ellsworth quickly pulled out a chair. "Chloe, come sit here next to me."

Chloe Marshall nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Mom."

Ethan Ellsworth looked at Herman Hawthorne, who was sitting opposite him. "Hey, brother-in-law. We see each other and you don’t even greet your big brother? Not cool."

Herman Hawthorne sneered. "I’d call you that if you could handle the honor."

"Where are you planning on buying a house? You’re getting married soon. Have you decorated it yet?"

"Zoe wants to live in an upscale neighborhood, close to Jean and Young Master Grant. I’m fine with that. It’s not a bad thing for all of us to be nearby."

Hearing that, Ethan Ellsworth thought it was a fine idea. "Not bad. Moving your lair over there would be even better. Haven’t you seen how much of a badass Young Master Grant is? His whole setup is over there."

"That’s a good suggestion. With everyone living close by, it’ll certainly be much more convenient."

All in all, the home-cooked meal was a pleasant and cozy affair.

After dinner, Herman Hawthorne and Ethan Ellsworth sat in chairs out in the courtyard, facing each other.

"Getting cold feet? If you are, Young Master Grant and I can help you work through it."

Herman Hawthorne’s thoughts were a jumble. "I just feel like I’m shortchanging Zoe."

"As long as you treat her well, Zoe is easy to please. As her brother, Young Master Hawthorne, my only hope is that you never mistreat her. If you dare make her cry, I won’t be so courteous to you."

"On that, you have my word. I can do that, without a doubt."

"Good. As long as you can."

He raised his glass, and the two clinked them together. They had been good friends for years, and soon, they would be family.

Nora Ainsworth had just returned to her office when Zeke Marshall brought over the work schedule.