- 17.
Ethan had punched Alex. They’d both attended
an industry event. They weren’t at the same
<
table. Alex probably hadn’t seen him. Someone
brought up my family’s downfall. Alex,
apparently showing off, had said, “Mr. Evans
has a daughter, Maya. Gorgeous girl! Used to
be impossible to get a date with, but now?
Easy. Her family’s drowning in debt, right? I offered to pay it off, and she’s all over me.
Worth every penny, even if it’s just to buy her
and take her home…” Ethan’s fist connected
with Alex’s face before he could finish the
sentence. He’d punched the rich kid from the
Hayes family in front of everyone. Outside the
emergency room, Ashley lashed out at me.
“Ethan has no powerful family backing him. He
built everything himself, and now, because of
you, he’s making enemies.” She continued, her
voice rising, “If you can’t help him, at least don’t
ruin him, Maya!” Ruin him? “Ashley, what right
do you have to say that to me?” Ashley
flinched. “You and Ethan have a business
arrangement. You agreed not to interfere in
each other’s personal lives, didn’t you?” “He
told you about that…?” Ashley looked
く
devastated. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Maya,
even though it was a business arrangement, I…
I really like him. You’ve been gone for so long.
Just… stay gone. Leave him to me. Please.”
“You like him?” “Yes.” This surprised me.
Because… “Weren’t you the one who started
those rumors about Ethan in college?” Ashley’s
face paled.
