Chapter 23 I Want You to Beg Me

After an unknown period of time, Ava opened her eyes groggily, feeling a splitting headache. She abruptly remembered something and quickly checked herself, only to find that her clothes were not the same as yesterday, and her body was covered with various red marks.

But this movement immediately drew a soft chuckle. "You've already slept with a man, so why pretend to be pure?"

Ava instantly raised her head, then turned her face away embarrassedly. "Why is it you again?"

This sentence clearly provoked Ethan. He strode over, his fingers smelling of tobacco as he lifted her chin. "So, you rejected me just to seduce those scoundrels?"

Ava answered, "I don't understand what you're talking about. I went to see Mr. Garrett only for business."

Ethan asked, "Business? Since when does business involve getting a hotel room?"

"That's none of your business!" Ava retorted in a low voice, clearly feeling guilty.

Ethan leaned down, pressing her body against his firm chest. "Ethan, don't mess around."

"A mere preliminary competition is worth you sacrificing yourself for. I helped you reclaim the Smith family, but you turned cold-hearted in an instant. Ava, what do you take me for?" His voice was soft but gritty, filled with sand-like texture.

Ava said, "That's my own business. But as for you, you did this without my consent, which could be... considered rape."

"Say that again?" His face turned dark, the chill in his black eyes akin to ancient ice.

Ava said, "None of your business."

Ethan sneered and reached for his belt.

Ava immediately tensed up, clutching the blanket as a threat. "Ethan, if you touch me again, I'll... I'll..."

Ethan said, "What will you do? If you beg me nicely, maybe I'll help you with the competition."

Ava least wanted to have anything to do with this man again, because she had already tasted the consequences. Involving Ethan meant losing her freedom forever.

"What happened last night was like being bitten by a dog on the street. I don't want any further involvement with you." With that, she quickly straightened out her clothes and rushed out of the room.

But in the hallway, there was a hint of relief in her heart.

She thought, ‘At least the person last night wasn't Mr. Garret’.

Olivia warned her that Wade wasn't a good person. She thought she could handle it, but almost being taken advantage of by him on the first try made her realize she needed another plan.

However, before she could come up with a solution, she received a call from the company. "Miss, please come to the company. Several suppliers refuse to provide goods unless the funds are in place."

She had already paid the down payment, and winning the competition would revive the company.

While she was at a loss, Jeremy sent her a message. [Do you want to go rock climbing?]

Ava contemplated, ‘Jeremy is Ethan's cousin, so he should have some influence. This small favor should be no problem.’

She replied: [No, I can't. I've encountered some trouble recently.]

Jeremy's call came directly after. "What trouble has the lovely Miss Smith encountered? Your dude is here to help."

The playful voice came through the phone.

Ava asked, "Do you know about Prosperity Group?"

Jeremy asked, "I do. They're currently hosting a perfume competition, and my cousin has a collaboration with them."

Ava thought, ‘It is Ethan again.’

She took a deep breath. "I was supposed to participate in the competition, but because I encountered the wrong person, I was unlucky and got disqualified. Could you see if you can..."

Jeremy said, "Oh, that's it? No big deal."

Ava said, "Thank you."

"Wait for me. It's just a matter of one phone call, and then we'll go rock climbing." Jeremy confidently hung up the phone. He thought it would be easy, but after making several calls, either the person didn't answer or said they were not available.

As he was fretting, a call came in that almost made him drop his phone.