Ivan Horne?

Not only was Ethan Aibileen extremely surprised, but even the lovestruck girl was utterly shocked. Before Ethan Aibileen could speak, she exclaimed, "So you’re the eldest son of the Horne Family! No wonder you’re so handsome and cool, a dream guy!"

Ethan Aibileen glared at his female companion. Even though he was just playing around with this woman, her openly swooning over another man right in front of him was a blatant slap to his face. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Ivan didn’t even want to look at the lovestruck girl, but he maintained his smile, a demeanor Ethan Aibileen couldn’t match.

"Mr. Horne, this is a private matter between Lia and me. I hope you won’t interfere." Ethan Aibileen was jealous of Ivan’s excellence, yet didn’t dare to offend him. Despite Ivan being from T City and Ethan from River City—the cities were far apart—in the business world, boundaries are non-existent. Who knows when Ivan might extend his reach to River City?

Isn’t the Aiken Family currently seeking cooperation with Valence?

"Oh? Your private matters?" Ivan turned to ask Lia Aiken, "Miss Aiken, do you have any unresolved private issues with Mr. Aibileen?"

Lia coldly replied, "I have no issues with him whatsoever."

"Lia, your dad said he wants you to marry me." Ethan Aibileen was either recklessly confident or unwilling to yield to Ivan, but didn’t dare to genuinely confront him. Not only does Ivan have many people backing him, but even Ivan himself is someone Ethan lacks the confidence to defeat.

Who doesn’t know that the eldest son of the Horne Family is the young master of the Inferno Gate, and Ivan Horne, the successor of Valence, also has decent martial arts skills?

Though Ethan Aibileen might look tall and robust, his indulgence weakens him, just a show without substance. He probably can’t even withstand a punch from Ivan.

He didn’t dare act out physically, could only resort to words, anyway, Mr. Aiken has already said he wants to marry Lia to him.

The whole River City knows about this.

Lia’s expression turned colder, "That’s what my dad wants, not what I want. My marriage is my decision; no one else has the right. If my dad promised this, you can go ask him to marry you himself."

Ivan’s alluring lips couldn’t help but curl up; Lia was indeed quite interesting.

"Mr. Horne, just ignore him. Your time is precious, unlike his, spent on womanizing; he’ll die by a woman one day. Mr. Horne, you should get busy." After retorting Ethan Aibileen, Lia suggested Ivan not argue further with him.

She felt that a man of Ivan’s caliber discussing matters with Ethan Aibileen was beneath Ivan’s dignity; Ethan wasn’t qualified to speak with Ivan at all.

Ivan looked at Ethan, his gaze gradually turning cold, staring him down icily. Because he faced away from Lia, she couldn’t see his expression, unaware that within a minute he transformed into a devil from hell.

Ethan could only endure Ivan’s cold, sharp gaze for a moment before turning his face away, and even the lovestruck girl felt a chill of fear.

Lia only heard Ivan speak solemnly, "Mr. Aibileen, your hearing isn’t impaired, is it? Let me tell you once, Lia is my sister’s senior. My sister entrusted me yesterday to take care of Lia. Since yesterday, she’s someone I intend to protect. Without my permission, I won’t allow anyone to harm a single strand of her hair or touch her even slightly. Anyone who does becomes an enemy of Ivan Horne."

Ivan Horne didn’t know what life Lia Aiken was leading in River City, but from her interaction with Ethan Aibileen, he knew Mr. Aiken wanted Lia to marry Ethan, and this Ethan gave Ivan the impression of a sleaze.

Lia deserves better; since entrusted by his sister, Ivan was determined to handle this matter, ensuring Ethan wouldn’t disturb Lia again.

Ethan Aibileen opened his mouth to retort Ivan, but as soon as he met Ivan’s icy demeanor, his words stuck in his throat and wouldn’t come out.

He didn’t dare confront Ivan; he couldn’t win!

Having spoken, Ivan turned back to Lia, towering over her slightly, his gaze locked on her delicate features, speaking gently, "Miss Aiken, I’ve arranged for someone to take you home."

Whether Lia agreed or not, Ivan instructed the man who picked her up from the airport yesterday to accompany her for her outing, and told them not to leave her side unless she returned to the Valence Hotel, effectively assigning her a bodyguard.

"Mr. Horne, there’s no need, I..."

"Miss Aiken wouldn’t want to see me commit a crime, right?" Ivan interrupted her, "If he harasses you again, I might remove his hands, committing intentional assault."

Lia: ...

"Thank you, Mr. Horne." Lia could only thank him.

Ivan smiled, "Miss Aiken, don’t feel burdened; I’m merely fulfilling a request. Enjoy your day, I’ll get back to work." With that, he nodded slightly to Lia, then walked past her.

His people immediately followed.

The cars had long been arranged, waiting nearby.

Ivan didn’t look back, and as he reached the car, someone opened the door for him, elegantly entering.

Soon, those cars drove away.

Lia watched the receding vehicles, once again marveling at how Ivan was hailed as a dream guy by the women of T City; it’s truly justified, he’s extremely competent and charming.

With Ivan arranging someone to accompany her, Lia didn’t need to hail a taxi herself. She left Valence Hotel in a private car. Meanwhile, due to Ivan’s simple instruction, despite offering a high price, Ethan Aibileen couldn’t check into Valence Hotel, one of G City’s premium hotels.

Furious, Ethan stomped in frustration yet helpless, knowing Ivan was Valence’s boss.

On his way back to the company, Ivan received a call from Lena. Upon answering, Lena cheerfully asked, "Brother, did you take good care of my senior?"

"Little girl, I dare not defy your orders. Rest assured, with me here, no one can harm a hair on your senior."

Lena laughed, "Brother, you’re exaggerating. It makes little sister anxious. I’m merely concerned my beautiful senior might encounter creeps, and her horrid dad. If she leaves River City, her dad sends people to drag her back, threatening her with her mother’s desecrated grave if they can’t."

Ivan had been speaking with a smile, but upon hearing this, he couldn’t help furrowing his brows, asking his sister, "Her dad treats her poorly?"

"I don’t know, maybe. Brother, I haven’t had breakfast yet; I’ll go eat now." Lena feigned to say half, then as Ivan showed interest, she swiftly stopped, hurriedly hanging up before Ivan could reply.

As the phone emitted the disconnect tone, Ivan moved the phone from his ear, chuckling to himself, "I really fell for the bait little sister tossed out."

Yesterday at the airport, when Ivan met Aiken father and daughter, he sensed their relationship wasn’t good, yet didn’t realize Mr. Aiken treated Lia so harshly, using her late mother to threaten her.