Chapter 84: Taking the Hit for Her

Ethan's POV

I had barely taken a few steps when I heard Olivia's irritating, arrogant tone.

My eyes instantly turned cold, murderous intent radiating as I spun around.

Within seconds, I was in front of her, gripping her chin forcefully, my fingertips turning white from pressure. Olivia trembled from head to toe, her previous haughty demeanor completely vanished.

Luna shrank back in fear beside her, but I couldn't care less about her. At this moment, I only wanted Olivia to listen carefully.

"You want to die?" My voice was low, almost quiet. That made it more terrifying. "Try it and see."

As expected, the waterworks began. Those eyes immediately welled up, her lower lip trembling—the same trick she'd been using since she was five. It used to work on me. Not anymore. Now I only saw the calculation behind it. The manipulation. It was all an act, and I was tired of being her audience.

"Ethan..." Luna cut in, her voice soft and pleading. "Please don't be angry with her. She's your sister. You shouldn't let an... outsider... ruin your sibling relationship."

I turned to look at Luna, who kept fidgeting with her bracelet, her gaze expectant and eager. She's been giving me that look for what, three years now? Like a puppy waiting for a treat. Did she really think I couldn't see through her?

"Don't waste your time on me," I said bluntly, not bothering to be tactful. "Get lost."

Luna's face instantly went pale, as if I'd slapped her hard. Good. Maybe this time she'd understand. The hurt in her eyes had no effect on me—especially when I'd seen how she encouraged Olivia, how she poured gasoline on every fire my sister started.

"How can you speak to Luna that way?" Olivia's voice rose an octave, feigning wounded innocence. "She's always liked you so much, and this is how you treat her?"

I couldn't help but snort. Their toxic friendship, that mean-girls routine—it was truly pathetic. I turned and left without another word.

I could feel Olivia's defiant glare on my back. She had always been this way—a sore loser. Today, that party she had planned for so long, her big opportunity to solidify her position in the socialite circle—all ruined because of my intervention. But why would I care about her trivial social games?

Isabella's POV

I was sitting on my bed flipping through an architecture magazine when the door was suddenly flung open with a loud bang that startled me.

Olivia stood in the doorway, Luna right behind her. Just seeing the expression on Olivia's face, I knew trouble was coming. Her gaze was almost manic, and—my heart sank—she was holding a gleaming pair of scissors in her hand.

"This is all your fault!" she screamed, rushing toward my closet and frantically tearing at my clothes. The scissors moved swiftly through the fabric, shredding the expensive clothes Ethan had bought for me into pieces.

I retreated to the wall in terror, unable to believe what was happening before my eyes. "Olivia, please stop!" My voice sounded so weak against her fury.

She ignored me completely, turning toward my desk. My laptop was violently slammed to the floor, the sound of the screen shattering piercing my heart like needles. Next came my phone, then the skincare products on my dressing table, swept to the ground one after another, glass fragments scattering everywhere.

I wanted to stop her, but there was no one in this house who could help me at the moment. My mother was at the hospital with Jasper, Julian was on hospital duty, and Owen and Juniper had taken the old lady to the medical center. I was completely isolated and helpless.

Luna stood on the sidelines, wearing a façade of feigned sympathy. "Isabella, this is all your fault, you know. You've made all three of her brothers stop caring about her."

I immediately understood her intention—stoking the fire, then enjoying the chaos. Her words had the desired effect; a flash of deeper rage passed through Olivia's eyes.

"You bitch!" Olivia suddenly turned toward me, the scissors cutting a frightening arc through the air. "You homewrecker! You man-stealer!"

She lunged at me like a wild beast, the scissors pointed directly at my face. I instinctively covered my head with my arms, pressing myself against the wall, my heartbeat nearly stopping.

At this critical moment, a dark shadow burst into the room with lightning speed. I felt a warm, solid body shield me against the wall, strong arms blocking the space between Olivia and me.

"Ethan!" "Ethan!"

I opened my eyes to find myself trapped between the wall and a broad chest. That familiar scent, that warmth—it was Ethan. He stood in front of me, becoming my human shield.

I looked up at his face, so close that I could feel his breath. Thin beads of sweat formed on his forehead, his brows tightly knit, appearing to be in pain, but there was a warmth in his eyes I had never seen before.

Then I realized what had happened—the scissors had pierced his back.

"Ethan..." I unconsciously called his name, my heart filled with concern. Hearing my call, a strange light flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth actually curved slightly upward.

The scissors fell to the floor with a crisp "clang," the metal covered in blood. Seeing the blood, Olivia seemed to wake from her frenzy, retreating in horror.

"Ethan, you're hurt!" Luna rushed forward, pretending to be concerned.

I quickly pushed Ethan away, anxiously checking his injury. "We need to go to the hospital!" I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him toward the door.

But Ethan remained motionless, his expression stern.

"Ethan, I didn't mean to, I never wanted to hurt you..." Olivia stammered, her eyes filled with fear.

Luna tried to step forward to support Ethan but was roughly pushed away.

Ethan coldly stared at Olivia, his voice like an ice cellar: "Olivia, you're declaring war on me."

"No, Ethan, I really didn't..." Olivia shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face.

"I accept the challenge," he said, frost in his tone. "Just you wait."

These simple words scared Olivia so much that she collapsed to the floor, sobbing loudly. Luna rushed over and embraced her.

Witnessing this scene, I truly realized how terrifying Ethan could be. If even his own sister feared him to such a degree, one could imagine how intimidating he must be to others.

Suddenly, Ethan took my hand and led me outside. We left the room, passed through the mansion, and headed out.

"Aren't you going to the hospital?" I couldn't help asking.

"This small injury doesn't require a hospital visit," he said as we walked, his voice low but firm. "I know Olivia's personality very well; she won't let you off easily. You shouldn't stay here anymore. Move to my place."

Hearing these words, I was instantly flustered.