Chapter 116 Target Practice
Olivia changed into fresh clothes, pulling her long hair into a high ponytail that gave her a youthful, collegiate appearance.
Ethan wrapped his arm around her waist as they prepared to leave the room. Just before opening the door, he turned his head slightly and pressed his lips against the corner of her mouth.
"What are you doing?" Olivia shot him a playfully reproachful glance.
"Kissing you," Ethan replied simply.
Olivia rolled her eyes and pulled the door open without responding.
As they descended the stairs together, Ethan's hand firmly holding hers, his expression underwent a dramatic transformation. The moment his gaze shifted toward the main hall, every trace of tenderness vanished from his eyes, replaced by cold detachment and ruthless intensity.
Alexander pushed Tiffany's back gently, whispering urgently in her ear: "Go apologize to Olivia. Now."
Alexander had planned to let his nephew take the blame—not entirely a lie since the boy did fire the shot. Despite being angry at Tiffany, he couldn't stand to see her face Ethan's wrath.
His logic was simple: the kid was just playing around and accidentally hit Olivia's leg. Ethan, no matter how angry, wouldn't seriously punish a child.
What Alexander hadn't anticipated was Tiffany stepping forward to confess, and with such revealing words.
The revelation had stunned Alexander momentarily.
He hadn't realized Tiffany harbored feelings for Ethan, though it quickly began to make sense.
Most people are drawn to power. A man like Ethan Bennett naturally attracted women, and even men couldn't resist gravitating toward him.
Whether for status or advantage, despite knowing his cold, ruthless temperament and difficult personality, people still clamored for his attention.
Everyone understood that aligning with Ethan meant efficiency and success. His protection ensured smooth sailing; with him backing you, projects proceeded unhindered, free from interference.
So Tiffany's attraction to him wasn't surprising at all.
But with a man like Ethan, unless he took interest in you, no amount of admiration would matter—it would only bring heartache.
Ethan was cold and arrogant, confident and imperious. What he wanted and didn't want had always been his decision alone; no one could dictate his choices.
If he developed feelings for someone, that person would become his whether they reciprocated or not—as Olivia had discovered.
And if he wasn't interested, no amount of family background or personal excellence mattered. He wouldn't spare you even a glance—as Victoria had learned.
Victoria came from a better family than Tiffany or Alexander, rivaling the Bennetts themselves.
Moreover, Victoria was exceptionally accomplished—5'9" with elegant poise, a graduate of Imperial College London who, at just twenty, had already earned her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering.
After returning to America, Victoria had established her own medical equipment research company, focusing on biomedical research projects.
Despite all this, Ethan remained completely indifferent to Victoria, refusing even to meet with her.
If someone like Victoria couldn't capture Ethan's interest, Tiffany certainly stood no chance.
Had Alexander noticed Tiffany's feelings earlier, he would have counseled her against such hopeless longing.
Seeing Tiffany standing defiantly immobile, Alexander slapped her back harder, his voice sharpening: "Go apologize. Now!"
Tiffany stared at Ethan and Olivia's intertwined fingers, their intimate closeness igniting something in her chest—a burning, fiery sensation that reddened her eyes.
She let out a cold snort and turned to flee.
"Where do you think you're going, Ms. Morgan?" Ethan's voice cut through the air like ice.
Tiffany hesitated momentarily, then continued her escape.
Ethan cast a frigid glance at Alexander. "Fuller, if you can't stop her, I'll have my men do it. My security staff aren't gentle—if they break an arm or leg, don't come complaining to me." After a pause, he added, "Complain and you might join her."
Alexander had no choice. He rushed after Tiffany, grabbed her arm, and dragged her back to the hall.
Tiffany finally broke down, tears streaming down her face.
Olivia observed the scene, immediately understanding the situation.
This Morgan heiress had instructed someone to shoot Olivia's leg with a slingshot, causing her to fall into the lake.
What Olivia couldn't comprehend was why Tiffany harbored such intense hostility toward her.
If Tiffany merely looked down on her, surely she wouldn't hate her this vehemently.
Simple contempt would lead to dismissal, not targeted harm.
That left only one logical explanation—the most reasonable one: Tiffany was in love with Ethan.
Having pieced this together, Olivia turned her head slightly, giving Ethan a half-playful, half-reproachful look. "This is all your fault," she whispered.
Ethan chuckled softly, his hand on her waist giving a firm squeeze as he leaned to her ear, his voice a husky whisper: "Mmm, my fault entirely. I'll make it up to you properly tonight."
Olivia's ears instantly reddened. She jabbed her elbow into his chest. "Let go of me."
What nonsense about making it up to her—he was clearly just after what he wanted.
Ethan stopped teasing her. As they passed Tiffany, he paused, giving her a sideways glance: "Who's worthy of me and who isn't isn't for Ms. Morgan to decide."
With that, he led Olivia outside.
Alexander quickly pulled Tiffany along behind them.
After a brief hesitation, the others followed too. Everyone knew that when Ethan Bennett didn't dismiss you, staying was the safer option.
Ethan guided Olivia to the center of the courtyard, not far from the lake's edge. He instructed someone to bring the slingshot—the very one the boy had used to shoot Olivia.
"Watch, like this." Ethan casually gathered a few small stones, bent slightly, and positioned himself behind Olivia. His right hand gripped the frame while his left fingers pinched the leather pouch, pulling it back forcefully. As he stretched the elastic, he subtly pressed forward against her, his lips brushing her ear as he explained in a husky voice, "Pull until you can't pull anymore before releasing—that's how you test your maximum distance."
Olivia felt like her back was pressed against a blazing furnace. Worse, that furnace was molded tightly against her, heating her to distraction.
She glanced at the people around them, noticing their focused attention on her and Ethan. Her back felt even hotter, and she awkwardly shifted forward slightly.
But as soon as she moved, Ethan's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her firmly back against him. He took her delicate white hand, placed the slingshot in it, and inserted a small stone.
"Try it," Ethan encouraged, gently squeezing her hand. "It's simple. You'll get the hang of it after a few attempts."
Olivia pressed her lips together, then said quietly, "Step back a bit. I can't concentrate with you standing behind me."
Ethan laughed softly and moved away.
Olivia followed Ethan's instructions, though lacking his strength, her stones didn't travel far.
"Try again," Ethan encouraged.
Olivia made another attempt, and Ethan urged her to continue.
After Olivia had shot seven or eight stones, Ethan approached her, patting her shoulder approvingly: "You did great, baby."
Then, turning to face Tiffany, his expression hardened. "Care to step forward yourself, Ms. Morgan, or should I have my guys bring you?"