Chapter 151 Is He For Real?
"No."
Ethan's response was immediate and unequivocal.
Technically, he wasn't lying. He hadn't formally gotten engaged to anyone else. Not yet, anyway.
"Okay," she said, her voice firm. "I believe you."
"Look, Olivia," Ethan said, leaning forward. "I might not be a saint, but I'm not the monster you think I am. If I was really engaged to someone else, I'd be straight with you and end things."
"Okay, that I believe," she said. "But then why are you—"
"You don't need to know why," he interrupted, his expression closing off again. "Just know that whatever I'm doing, it's for your own good."
For my own good. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face, though it held no warmth. "For my own good, but I don't get a say in it. That's some kind of—" She caught herself before finishing. "Never mind. You're busy. I'll go make a steak."
She wanted to ask if they were equals in this relationship. But the question itself was laughable. How could they be equals when Ethan Bennett's name alone commanded respect and fear throughout Los Angeles?
They had never been equals. Not once.
Yes, he cared for her—in his way. But his "care" felt more like the possessive control of a man accustomed to owning whatever he desired. It wasn't the mutual respect and support that should exist between partners.
She stood up, releasing a long breath, and headed for the kitchen. The refrigerator hummed softly as she opened it and grabbed two steaks from the shelf.
She turned to Sarah with a smile. "Adding one more dish—I'll cook these steaks."
Sarah blinked at her. "Do you know how to cook them?"
"I guarantee they'll be fully cooked!" Olivia declared with mock seriousness.
Sarah laughed, her eyes crinkling. "I can cook them well too—extra well done!"
Olivia handed her one of the packages. "Let's each cook our own and see who makes the more terrible one."
Sarah playfully nudged her shoulder. "Who says that? People normally compete to see who cooks better, not worse!"
Olivia shrugged as she unwrapped her steak. "Well, we both know we're terrible cooks, so we might as well embrace it and see who's the worst."
They chatted and laughed as they cooked, both distracted enough that their steaks ended up not just well-done but bordering on charred. Despite that, the meat still smelled good—quality beef can withstand a lot of mistreatment and still taste decent.
Olivia sat down to eat her creation, proudly giving herself a thumbs up. "Looks like we're both pretty decent cooks after all."
Sarah was sipping tomato vegetable soup when Olivia said this and nearly choked.
Olivia burst out laughing but immediately started coughing as a piece of steak caught in her throat. She clutched her chest, coughing desperately.
Sarah quickly moved behind her, patting her back. "No wonder Mr. Bennett doesn't let you talk while eating. His strict rules make sense sometimes."
Between coughs, Olivia managed to swat her arm. "Whose—cough—side are you on? His military-style management—cough, cough—who could stand that?"
Sarah gave her an honest shrug. "Mentally I'm on your side, but for my paycheck, I have to side with Mr. Bennett. What if he fires me?"
"...Fair point," Olivia conceded, still coughing.
The awkward silence that followed was broken by her phone ringing. She grabbed it quickly, seeing Daisy's name on the screen, and answered.
"Hey girl! What's up? Missing me already?" she tried to sound cheerful.
Daisy's voice came through hesitant and uncertain. "What are you doing right now?"
Olivia smiled, still recovering from her coughing fit. "Eating dinner. Have you eaten?"
Daisy didn't answer her question. "Are you with Mr. Bennett?"
"No, he's still out handling business. Hasn't come home for dinner. I'm with Sarah."
Daisy knew about Sarah—Ethan's specifically hired housekeeper for Olivia.
"So... what's going on?" Olivia asked. "Did you come back to LA?"
"Not yet. I'll be back in a few days."
"I thought you were already back. I was going to ask if you wanted to hang out," she said, disappointed.
"Olivia." Daisy's voice suddenly rose.
Olivia held the phone away from her ear, laughing. "I can hear you—you don't need to shout."
Daisy's voice softened. "Are you... are you really okay with everything?"
Olivia's smile faded as she sensed her serious tone. "Do you have something you want to tell me?"
"Did you see the internet this after—"
The call abruptly cut off. When she tried calling back, it went straight to "The number you have reached is out of service area."
She tried several more times with the same result. The internet this afternoon? What was Daisy talking about?
Her heart thumped painfully. What was Ethan hiding from her?
She picked up her phone, finger hovering over Ethan's name, then set it back down. She'd just called him earlier and promised to trust him. Calling again would make her seem fickle and distrustful.
She decided to wait. If he wouldn't come clean voluntarily, there was no point forcing it. She would wait and see what he had to say for himself.
---
The black Maybach glided through the gates of Oakwood Estate. Once parked, Ethan didn't immediately exit the vehicle. His sharp eyes narrowed beneath his severe brows, his voice carrying an icy edge.
"You think your career at Bennett Enterprises is coming to an end? Is that why you're screwing up this badly?"
His secretary quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, sir. It was completely my mistake. It won't happen again."
Ethan's voice remained cold. "Make sure it doesn't."
If not for the monitoring software he'd instructed the IT department to install on Olivia's phone, today's situation would have spiraled out of control.
Ethan called Harry. "Get two men to accompany Chase to Pacifica," he ordered.
Chase Lincoln was Bennett Enterprises' legal director and one of Los Angeles' most prominent attorneys.
"Understood," Harry replied without hesitation.
Justin, standing nearby, frowned as Harry ended the call. "You shouldn't have agreed to that."
Harry's expression remained serious. "When the boss gives an order, I follow it."
Justin stood up, shaking his head with a wry smile. "I think I'll apply for a transfer to handle our European markets. I don't want to work with a big idiot like you anymore. I might get caught in your mess someday."
Harry didn't consider himself foolish. This was absolute loyalty, which was exactly what Ethan demanded!
Justin saw through Harry's thoughts and laughed. "What he wants, you're actually pushing away. When he realizes it, he'll want to kill you."
Harry's usually expressionless face showed a flash of confusion.
Justin sighed. "Look, I'll go to Pacifica with Chase. Don't tell Ethan. Whatever happens, I promise he won't take it out on you."
After a moment's hesitation, Harry asked: "Is Ethan... serious about her?"
"What do you think?"
Harry remained silent, uncertain.
Justin clapped him on the shoulder. "You've been with Ethan for years. When have you ever seen him care this much about any woman?"