Chapter 12 Nervous Much?

• "Who? Ethan?"
• Claudia couldn't help but laugh. "Leah, did you get enough sleep last night? You seem a bit off."
• "That's Lincoln, though. Doesn't quite match his look, right?"
• "If he could afford a Lincoln, why would he stick around here instead of heading out?"
• Leah looked confused for a moment, her forehead creasing.
• "Maybe I got it wrong."
• Leah laughed at herself, admitting she was still feeling the late hours from the night before, which kept her up until the wee hours, hence her tired eyes.
• "It looks like we're getting some weird looks today," observed Claudia, glancing around.
• They caught several disdainful stares from the crowd of well-dressed people.
• Leah just shook her head with a smile. "It's because I submitted the cooperation proposal online first. They must think I'm too straightforward."
• That process was formal and inconvenient. Still, everyone else preferred to rely on connections and under-the-table tactics.
• "But it's okay. Let them think as they like. I'll stay honest."
• Leah, holding the proposal tightly, walked toward the investment area.
• "Sorry, Miss, only one person can go through." A staff member stopped Claudia.
• "We're together; We have entry passes," Leah explained.
• "It's the rules!" the staff member insisted coldly.
• "It's alright, Leah. We'll go the normal way and catch up later." Claudia ended up in line with her assistant.
• Meanwhile, Ethan and Heather made their way into the villa.
• "Boss, the business meeting's ongoing, and there's a dinner at ten. I'll take you to the VIP room first."
• Ethan gestured offhandedly. "No need, you've been getting calls non-stop, see to them. I'll be fine."
• He was still trying to get used to having a personal maid.
• "I'll go and get my uncle then." Heather left with a bow.
• Ethan wandered off by himself.
• "Hey, you there. I need you to help move some stuff!"
• Out of nowhere, a worker called out to Ethan.
• Amid everyone in formal wear, Ethan was in his casual outfit, sticking out among the crew.
• Ethan, surprised, responded, "Me?"
• "Who else would I be talking to ... "
• An unexpected voice cut in before the worker could even finish his sentence.
• "Ethan? Why are you here?"
• Claudia quickly walked up, catching Ethan chatting with the workers. She couldn't help but mock.
• "You're really hopeless, huh? Can't seem to make it on your own, always hanging around us.
• "Trying to blend in as a worker and sneak in, that's pretty funny."
• "Uh ... " Ethan was at a loss for words. "I was actually invited here."
• "Enough, enough, enough!" Claudia quickly interrupted, shaking her head. "No need to try and smooth-talk your way out of this one.
• "Please, just go!
• "Stop annoying us, or I'll get someone to handle you! Pointless!"
• "Miss, we should head out. It's about time," the assistant suggested urgently.
• Claudia gave Ethan a sharp look as a final warning before they left.
• "Hahaha!"
• After Claudia had left, Ethan was greeted by derisive laughter.
• When he turned, he saw it was Riley from the Lewis and her cheerful husband, Alfred!
• "Ah, isn't it Mr. Bennett? Got kicked out by the Kings? Why were you being scolded like a misbehaving pet by them?" Riley walked up, her tone dripping with mockery, evidently in the loop about the recent happenings.
• "Last time, you showed up at my wedding acting all high and mighty with the backing of the Kings, and now here you are, pretending once more, you imposter!"
• The two of them were clearly enjoying themselves. "You're beyond help."
• Ptui! Riley spat on the ground. "This is a reward I gave you. If you kneel and lick it like a dog to make me happy, I'll let you go.
• "Otherwise, we'll expose your background, have the people from Oakridge Villa break your legs, or even chop you up to feed the dogs."
• They now had a superior attitude, thinking they had caught Ethan by the throat.
• Ethan just glanced at them coolly and said, "Beat it!"
• Alfred was seething angrily. "You insolent kid, acting all high and mighty without the Kings' shield over you?
• "You should thank your stars. We're in Oakridge Villa. If not, that 'get lost' of yours would have earned you a slap to oblivion ... "
• Smack!
• Before he could finish speaking, Ethan slapped him hard across the face.
• Gurgle, gurgle!
• With a single slap, the overweight Alfred, resembling a pig, was knocked to the ground, rolling several times before finally stopping, leaving a few bloody teeth behind.
• With no change in his expression, Ethan grabbed a nearby tissue and cleaned his hands, murmuring, "Ugh, so greasy!"
• The loud room went quiet following the slap.
• Nobody thought anyone would actually slap someone else at such a significant event.
• Wasn't that a direct insult to the owner of Oakridge Villa, the Heather Group, and the famous business magnate, David?
• In a state of shock, Riley pointed at Ethan, exclaiming, "You lowlife, how dare you ... "
• Before she could finish, Ethan cut her off with another slap, asking, "Were you eager for another one?"
• Disdainfully wiping his hands afterwards, he complained, "Ugh, all that powder!"
• They tried to regain their composure, their eyes burning with anger.
• Today was supposed to be their day to shine at the banquet, not become the butt of jokes!
• "Who do you think you are, causing a scene here?" one of the guests challenged.
• The villa's security team was on them in no time, visibly furious.
• Hosting such an esteemed event, they were under strict orders to ensure everything went smoothly. Now, this outbreak of violence was threatening that.
• And the instigator seemed no different from any ordinary labourer!
• Unbeknownst to the guards, Heather brought Ethan in, making his presence virtually untouchable for them.
• Alfred shouted, "I'm Alfred, the nephew of your boss. This guy crashed the party without an invite to stir up trouble."
• "Get on your knees, now!" a guard demanded of Ethan.
• Raising an eyebrow, Ethan countered, "They're the troublemakers, and you're telling me to kneel?"
• "We've got guests here, and you're just a nobody. Kneel!" the head guard insisted, his tone filled with anger.
• Alfred and Riley mocked, "See, that's the difference between us. You belong in the trash!"
• Ethan eyed the guards coolly. "And what if I refuse?"
• "That's asking for trouble!" The guards, enraged, lunged at him.
• But Ethan effortlessly dispatched them with a series of slaps, leaving them groaning on the ground.
• This turn of events caught the entire crowd off guard.
• Alfred and Riley were astounded to see Ethan single-handedly take down several guards.
• Standing over the lead guard, Ethan challenged, "Talking about discrimination now?
• "And who said I wasn't a guest here?"
• A confused voice cut through the tension. "Ethan?"
• Leah pushed through the crowd to him, asking, "Was that really you, just now, causing all this commotion?"