Chapter 45

Ethan barged in and saw Mel on the floor with the hefty man approaching her. "Who the hell are you?" Ethan demanded angrily.

The man looked up and sneered at Ethan. "None of your business, pal. Just a little misunderstanding with this pretty little thing," he said, gesturing towards Mel. "Now why don't you just turn around and mind your own business?"

Mel scrambled to her feet, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger. "He's lying," she said to Ethan, ignoring the man standing huge before her "He mistook me for someone else and wouldn't let me leave. I was trying to get away from him."

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he took in the situation. He didn't like the way the man was leering at Mel, from the way the man talked, Ethan could tell the nature of the person he was already. One that saw himself high above others with little or no regard for them as far as he pleased himself. "She's not your slave," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Let her go, now."

The man laughed as if he found Ethan's threat amusing. "You're a funny guy," he said, taking a step closer to Mel. "But I don't take orders from nobody. Now why don't you just turn around and go back to your room, before things get ugly?"

Ethan didn't back down. He stood his ground, his hand clenching into a fist beside him "I'm not leaving without her," he said, his voice firm.

The man sneered again, but he seemed to be weighing his options. After a few tense moments, he stepped back and held up his hands. "Fine," he said. "Take her. But don't think this is over yet" he said turning to lay a seductive gaze on Mel.

Not minding the man's words, Ethan turned to Mel and stretched out his hand as she took it and he helped her up.

As he led her out of the room, Mel breathed a sigh of relief feeling grateful for Ethan's timely appearance. She had never been in a situation like that before and she didn't know what would have happened if Ethan hadn't come to her rescue. As they walked down the hallway, she couldn't help but steal glances at him. He was still holding her hands

As they walked, Ethan could feel Mel's hand trembling in his. He knew she was still shaken up from the encounter. "Are you okay?" he asked softly placing his gaze on her.

Mel nodded, but her voice was shaky. "Thank you," she said, looking up at him with a appreciation in her eyes. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."

Ethan gave her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to thank me," he said. "I'm just glad you didn't get harmed.

Mel expressed her gratitude with another nod, and they walked in silence for a few more moments until they reached room 10. Ethan entered first, followed by Mel, who took a seat on the bed. Ethan noticed that Mel still looked a bit frightened, likely due to her encounter with the man earlier. He wanted to make sure she felt safe and protected, so he squatted down next to her.

Trying to ease her tension, he asked, "Do you want anything to drink? Water, maybe?"

Mel shook her head. "No, I'm okay," she said. "I'm just...a little bit shocked as it's my first time experiencing something like this. That man was so...so scary."

"Sorry about that Mel, can you tell me what happened exactly," he said, his voice softening as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Mel took a deep breath and sat down next to him. She told him about how she had accidentally entered the wrong room, and how the man inside mistook her for someone else. She told him about how he had blocked her way out and refused to let her leave, and how she had been too scared to fight back but still managed to resist him.

Ethan listened intently, his eyes never leaving Mel's face. When she finished, he put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry that happened to you," he said, his voice full of sympathy. "But you're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you."

Mel felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been so scared, but Ethan's presence was now making her feel safe. For a moment, she leaned into him, grateful for his comfort.

For a few moments, they sat in silence, Mel resting her head on Ethan's shoulder. She felt his arm wrap around her, and she felt a warmth spread through her body.

But then the moment was broken by the sound of someone knocking on the door. Ethan tensed up, and Mel sat up straight. "Who is it?" Ethan called out.

"It's Lisa," came the reply from the other side of the door.

Ethan groaned, his face displaying how displeased he was by the interruption and Mel could feel his body stiffen. "Just a minute," he said, his voice clipped.

Mel started to tell Ethan what she had experienced with the man before he showed up but then the was a knock at the door. Ethan sighed, not wanting any interruptions. He walked over to the door and opened it, only to be surprised to see Lisa standing there.

"What are you doing here at Kilton?" Ethan asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"I came to represent my dad," Lisa replied, her eyes darting around trying to see if there was anybody else there, but Ethan's broad shoulders stood in the way and so she didn't see anything well.

"Ethan, I came here so we could talk before the dinner party" Lisa tried to explain but Ethan shook his head in the negative. "Lisa, I'm sorry, but that won't be possible, I'm busy with something else now, I don't have the time to hold up a chat now He said trying to tone down his annoyance that his moment with Mel was interrupted.

Seeing how resolute Ethan was, Lisa felt bad that he was treating her this way, her eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly composed herself. "Sure, no problem," she said, turning to leave.

After leaving, she returned to her room feeling restless. She paced back and forth for a few minutes before going to her wardrobe and selecting a sparkling red evening gown she had purchased for the upcoming occasion. She intentionally chose this colour as it was eye-catching and would undoubtedly draw people's attention, particularly Ethan's.

Meanwhile, Ethan's phone rang, prompting him to step outside. A few minutes later, he was outside the Kilton building with some of the security personnel he had contacted about the man who had harassed Mel. Ethan could immediately tell that the man was no ordinary figure, but he wanted to confirm this with the security agents present as he knew they would have firsthand information.

"His name is Brook, and he is a successful business tycoon both domestically and internationally, with businesses in Jenovia and overseas." one of the personnel standing with Ethan said.

Another agent interjected, "This isn't his first time being caught in such an act. He's associated with a certain Madame who trades young girls with him and offers them up as slaves. Most of the time, these girls end up being forced to tend to his immoral desires. He's known for being brutal too."

"Business tycoon?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What company, group, or label does he head?"

"He presides over the JJ Group here in Jenovia, but we're not sure of the name of his company overseas," replied the agent. "There are rumours that he is involved in a lot of immoral and degrading activities over there, but unfortunately, his victims have never been able to make him pay for his sins. He has a well-connected father who helps clean up after him each time."

As they spoke, Ethan nodded, grateful for the information, but it became clear to him that whoever this Brook person was, he was practically untouchable. Ethan had hoped to apprehend him or make him pay for what he tried to do to Mel, but it seemed like it would be a waste of time. In light of this, he decided to let it go and focus on the other issues he and Mel had to deal with after the Kilton dinner. He didn't expect them to cross paths with Brook again after leaving Kilton, but it turned out that he was wrong about that assumption

****

Mel was called to the reception to pick up a package. Lost in thought while admiring the artwork on the walls, she bumped into someone. It turned out to be Lisa, who was clearly surprised to see Mel again. "Watch where you're going," the irritated woman said.

"I'm sorry," Mel replied as they both stared at each other. "Youuuu," they both exclaimed in unison, surprised to meet again. "Why do you keep going to the same places I go to? Are you doing this deliberately?" Lisa began to rant.

"Why would I? It's not like I knew you before that day when you rudely addressed me at the spa. I don't have attachment issues to the extent of following rude people wherever they go," Mel snapped back. "If you didn't follow me here, then don't tell me you're a business tycoon like me to be present at the dinner because you don't look like one," Lisa bragged, feeling her shoulders high.

"Business tycoon, you say? I've never seen you on any channel, never heard of you either. Did your brand lose popularity, or are you living on past glory?" Mel asked savagely, keeping a straight face.

"I'm not living on any fucking past glory. I'm here to represent my parents' company. They are top in town," Lisa uttered but regretted immediately that she had to use her parents' position as a counter to Mel's statement.

Mel wasn't impressed by Lisa's response. "So, you're claiming your dad's success, huh? Well, I'm not a business tycoon either. I'm here as a date with my boyfriend for the business dinner," Mel said bluntly. Lisa paused for a moment, her suspicion piqued. "And who might your boyfriend be?" she asked, trying to hide her curiosity.