Chapter 28: I Am Not Your Brother

Kaysen was taken aback. He hadn't expected Ethan to reject the idea so bluntly, and in front of Vivian, no less!

His normally cheerful face darkened instantly, and he let his chopsticks fall to the table with a clatter before stealthily kicking Ethan under the table.

"Are you out of your mind?" Kaysen hissed, trying to keep his voice down. "Didn't we agree that you'd treat Vivian as if she were your sister and look out for her? Are you worried about losing face? The gossip, both true and false, is already circulating. If you just bring her to the charity dinner, it'll shut everyone up and put an end to their wild speculations."

Ethan frowned and put down his utensils abruptly. "Grandpa, I've already said she's not suitable. I can go without a date, but I won't take her. I'm done eating. Take your time."

Without another word, Ethan left the dining room. He didn't even glance at Vivian the entire time.

Vivian was upset. There had always been basic civility between them, but now not only was he ignoring her, he was also blatantly showing his disdain.

"Was it Mr. Smith who had out of his mind? No, it must have been Ethan."　　

She gnawed on her chopsticks, trying to quell her anger after Ethan had left.

"Grandpa, what's gotten into Mr. Handsome? Is he upset?"

"Here, Vivian, have some food. Don't mind him. Maybe he hit his head on the way out. You like chicken wings, right? Here, have some."

"Thank you, Grandpa. You're the best!"

Ethan, that jerk, how dare he snub her so openly? She'd have a word or two with him on the way back.

Ethan drove fast, as he had no intention of spending the night at Lakeside Mansion. After dropping off little simpleton, he planned to head straight back to his apartment in the city center.

Vivian realized his intentions when he told the driver to go to Lakeside Mansion first, which implied he had to go somewhere else after.

Since that was the case, certain things had to be settled in the car.

The car he had chosen that day was a business Rolls-Royce, with a partition between the front and back seats, and separate seats in the back.

Vivian and Ethan were sitting on opposite sides. After watching him for a while, she noticed he was resting with his eyes closed.

So she moved closer, knelt down and wrapped her arms around his legs, her eyes glistening as she softly asked, "Mr. Handsome, what's wrong? Are you mad at Vivian? You haven't spoken to me at all. Please, don't be mad. Vivian misses you, Mr. Handsome."

Ethan was aware the moment his legs were embraced, but he kept his eyes closed, his forehead creasing.

In fact, since the day before, he had started planning to see that woman. He had always known that the woman wasn't dead, that it was just a trick played by Kaysen.

She had said, give her five years to prove that she could achieve her dreams without relying on a man or a wealthy family.

He also knew that during the time he pretended to be a vegetable, she had tried to contact him, wanting to come back and see him.

Sophia Harrison, the only woman who had ever made his heart flutter. Even now, the thought of her still stirred something within him.

He had been planning a business trip to Yondora since yesterday, as he knew she was there. He was ready to see her.

Because he had to shatter all his desires and possessiveness towards little simpleton.

Just like Kaysen had said, to treat her like a sister.

But now, here she was, clinging to his leg like a puppy abandoned, her voice weak. Her eyes must be brimming with tears. He didn't dare look.

But the more he resisted, the more determined Vivian became.

Playing asleep, was he? She didn't believe she couldn't stir a living man!

"Mr. Handsome, please don't ignore Vivian. Vivian's not naughty," Vivian said, crawling onto Ethan's lap.

Vivian now decided to step up her game. Instead of clinging to his legs, she decided to wrap her arms around his head.

"Mr. Handsome, have you passed away? Why are you not speaking? Please don't die. Vivian is scared. I'll give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation." With that, she cupped Ethan's face in her hands, positioned her lips over his and began to blow.

Ethan thought he was going mad. Was this little simpleton sent by destiny to torment him? Or did he owe her something from a past life?

How could she just climb onto him and start kissing without any consideration of his feelings? She seemed so naive and unaware of everything, but he was a normal man.

If she were a child, it would be one thing, but she had the body of a grown woman!

"Little simpleton!" Ethan suddenly opened his eyes and grasped Vivian's throat.

His words were gritted between his teeth, his eyes filled with bloodshot streaks, "Stop coming over here, simpleton! I am not your brother. I never was!"

He didn't grip her too tightly, just enough to keep her in place without hurting her.

Yet, Vivian didn't like being choked like this. What was wrong with this man today?

In the next instant, he lifted her up and they switched places. Now, she was lying back in the seat, with Ethan on top of her.

"Do you want to know why I've been ignoring you?" he asked.

Vivian nodded in response.

"Because I fear it might upset someone," he said.

Vivian blinked her eyes in confusion, "Why would someone else be upset?"

"Because she is my woman, and if I get too close to other women, she might get jealous," Ethan explained.

Vivian was taken aback. When did he acquire another woman? Wasn't he always playing the role of a vegetable? Was he using telepathy to flirt?

“You should familiarize yourself with her face. I’ll bring her to the old mansion for dinner at some point. When that happens, try not to stick to me like glue,” Ethan instructed.

He took out his phone and showed Vivian a photo of Sophia Harrison. The image was as much a reminder for himself as it was for Vivian.

He needed to convince himself that he, Ethan, needed a true woman, who saw him as a man, not some godforsaken brother figure.

“See? Her name is Sophia Harrison. I knew her even before you showed up. She’ll be my partner at the upcoming charity event.”

Vivian fell silent. She did recognize the woman named Sophia Harrison from the Benton family files. She was Ethan's ex-girlfriend, alright, but wasn't she supposed to be dead?

Was Ethan caught up in some unresolved emotions? Or was it that Sophia Harrison wasn’t dead after all?

On returning to the mansion, Vivian immediately contacted Nathaniel, "You invited me to be your partner for the charitable event this afternoon. I accept."

It was just a charity event. Did he think that without him, she would have no way to attend?