Chapter 245: Chapter 243: As Long as You Live in His Heart, You Are the Winner (11)

Zoe Ellsworth let go and stood up, glaring down at her. "Well, old hag? Tell me. You think I don’t have the guts to hit you?"

Mrs. Marshall’s hair was a total mess, no different from a bird’s nest.

Sitting on the floor, she glared at Jean Grant in a flustered rage. "You just stood there and watched me get hit! What good is a daughter-in-law like you to my son?!"

Jean Grant completely ignored her. "Zoe, come inside and have a seat."

The two of them bypassed her and went into the room.

In truth, all Mrs. Marshall could do was curse to let off steam. She didn’t dare call the police, afraid of the humiliation she’d face if the fact that she had hired a gigolo got out.

**

When Ethan Ellsworth returned to the hotel, Chloe Marshall was still in bed.

He opened the door and saw her lying there, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Get up, you idiot. I brought you breakfast."

Chloe Marshall turned onto her side and watched him set the steaming breakfast on the table. He then sat on the edge of the bed, looking to be in a very good mood.

"Were... were you with Miss Grant last night?"

Ethan Ellsworth raised an eyebrow, not denying it. "That’s right."

Chloe Marshall’s gaze fell. "Why did she suddenly come looking for you?"

"Why so many questions? Just hurry and get up." He stood up again and headed for the bathroom.

Chloe Marshall immediately sat up. Without even putting on her slippers, she shoved the bathroom door open.

It was so sudden.

Ethan was in the middle of using the toilet. He quickly turned to the side, blocking her line of sight.

Startled by her actions, he asked, "What’s gotten into you? You’re acting crazy."

But now, Chloe Marshall couldn’t bring herself to say what she’d wanted to. She pulled the door shut, turned around, and put on her slippers, her mood as gloomy as an overcast sky.

When Ethan came out, he saw that she looked very unhappy.

"Last night, Jean needed me for something. We didn’t sleep together."

Hearing this, Chloe Marshall’s head snapped up. "Really?"

Ethan sat down. "Of course, it’s true. Why would I lie to you?"

Her previously gloomy face lit up like a child who had just been given candy, and a smile instantly bloomed. "Boss Ellsworth, I couldn’t sleep at all last night. All I could think about was you—your smile, your temper, all your expressions. I think I’ve been poisoned, and I’m beyond saving."

Her voice was tinged with a wistful ache. She had never been willing to lay her heart bare before, but ever since they kissed at the airport, she no longer wanted to hide her feelings. She wanted him to know.

Ethan was both amused and exasperated. "Is that so? That’s very good."

Chloe Marshall threw her arms around his neck, her face just inches from his. She asked nervously, "What do you mean, ’very good’?"

He looked at her, his expression gentle. "’Very good’ means I’m giving you permission to think about me that way."

She abruptly peppered his face with kisses, but he caught the back of her head, turned, and pressed her down onto the bed. It was a passionate kiss that moved them both.

When he finally let her go, he pulled her to her feet. "Hurry up and get ready. Your breakfast is getting cold."

Instantly full of life, Chloe Marshall bounced off the bed, gave him a grin, and disappeared into the bathroom.

The smile on Ethan Ellsworth’s face slowly faded, replaced by a quiet pensiveness.

*

When Nora Ainsworth returned, she didn’t go to her hotel room but went directly to the makeup room instead.

When she came back after finishing her scenes for the day, she found a crowd of reporters gathered at her door.

Startled, she hurried forward. "What’s going on?"

When the reporters saw her return, they all swarmed around her. "Nora Ainsworth, are you living with your fiancé, Leon Lynch?"

"Is this true?"

"How long have you been together?"

"Nora Ainsworth, please answer our question."

"Nora Ainsworth—"

The crowd of people jostled Nora Ainsworth until she could barely keep her footing.

A forest of microphones was thrust in her face, and the cacophony of voices was overwhelming. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Zeke Marshall tried to hold back the mob of reporters, who seemed to have gone mad. "Everyone, please be quiet!"

But it was useless. No one stopped.

That is, until a dark figure pushed through the crowd and pulled Nora Ainsworth into his arms. He removed his sunglasses with one hand, and the scene fell so silent it was as if you could hear a pin drop.

None of the reporters had ever imagined they would see him here so easily.

There wasn’t a single reporter present who didn’t recognize him.

He was the legend of Alveria, the world-famous, eligible bachelor—Quentin Grant.

Any news article about him had to be personally reviewed before publication, so there was almost never any negative press.

That was because no reporter from any media outlet dared to recklessly write falsehoods about him.

This was a man whose influence was so vast he could shake the entire world with a single stomp. Who would dare cross him?

But now, he had suddenly appeared and was holding Nora Ainsworth—

’Could it be... that he and she...?’

All eyes were fixed on him, not missing the slightest change in his expression.

Quentin Grant lowered his head, his eyes meeting Nora Ainsworth’s.

Then, his voice cut through the air. "I’ll answer that question for you. She broke off her engagement with Leon Lynch long ago, so there’s no possibility of them ’being together.’ That’s because she is my woman."

The reporters exchanged stunned glances, then, growing bold, they all started talking at once, firing off questions.

"President Grant, how long have you two been dating?"

"President Grant, she’s your former fiancée’s sister. Did you call off your engagement because of her?"

"President Grant, did Nora Ainsworth land her role in this movie because of you?"

"President Grant—"

The chaotic clamor assaulted Quentin Grant’s ears. His eyes cold, he raised a hand and clearly enunciated a single word, "Quiet."

As soon as the word was spoken, the crowd became unbelievably quiet.

Quentin Grant held Nora Ainsworth tightly, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "If you want a story, I will make an exception right now and personally speak about my private life. However—"

He paused. "I will be reading every article that comes out of this. If any of you dare to misquote me, I will personally hold you responsible."

Seeing that no one spoke, Quentin Grant continued, "We only began dating after my engagement to Sharon Ainsworth was called off. As for Nora joining Zenith Corporation, it wasn’t through any back-door dealing; she earned her place on her own merit, which I’m sure is plain for all to see. The reason I’m telling you all this today is because I don’t want to see any more of you fabricating baseless reports."

At his words, the reporters in attendance all nodded in agreement.

His words were heavy with warning. He then laced his fingers with Nora’s. "In the future, I don’t want to see any more malicious slander in the papers. If you all know what you should be writing, then I suppose I don’t mind you taking a few photos."

"Don’t worry, President Grant. We absolutely won’t write anything inappropriate."

"Yes, President Grant! In that case, could we ask you and Miss Ainsworth to stand together for a few photos?"

The reporters immediately began encouraging them to pose for pictures.

Quentin Grant didn’t seem to mind. Still holding her hand, he broke into a rare smile. The reporters scrambled to capture the moment, their cameras flashing as they took several shots.