Chapter 2 Let's Settle This Separately Chapter 2 Let's Settle This Separately The manager's office was spacious , but the air felt suffocatingly thin . Ethan struggled to breathe , staring in shock at the girl who had him by the ear . +5 Free Coins She was stunning - her eyes that sparkled when she smiled but turned fiery when she was angry . And right now , they were practically shooting flames . That look always terrified him But today , his fear was drowned out by disbelief . This can't be real . Zoe , meanwhile , was also gasping for his eyes bulging like Saucers . This woman has a death wish ! Who does she think she is , grabbing Mr. Ethan's ear ?! " Let go of Mr. Ethan ! " he shouted , reaching out to yank Stella away . But before he could touch her , a cold voice cut through the air like a blade " Get out " Zoe froze , pointing at himself . " Gel .. Out ? Me ? Tina barely stifled a laugh as she dragged him away . " Yes , you . Move ! " She knew the CEO needed to talk to this girl alone . And if I'm not mistaken , this girl is the sister Mr. Ethan had mentioned only once , years ago , Back when I was still an intern , I'd driven a drunk Ethan home . He'd pointed at a photo on his nightstand , his eyes red . " This is my sister . Beautiful , right ? But she … died a long time ago . " So this situation was beyond bizarre . But I'm not about to ask questions . The security guard , still panting from the chase , gaped as Zoe was the one kicked out. What kind of upside - down world is this ?! Once the door closed , the pain in Ethan's ear sharpened . His eyes reddened , voice trembling . " … Stella ? " My sister , dead for 11 years , is standing in front of me ? Is this craft Her voice had sounded familiar on the phone , but I hadn't dwelled on it . Who would believe someone could come back after a decade ? Stella finally released his ear and plopped into the CEO's chair like she owned it and started her order . " Gel me some water . I'm exhausted ! " After Ethan hung up on me . I'd had no choice but to hunt down the office myself . The guard refused to tell me where it was , so I sprinted 1/4 Р Р Chapter 2 Let's Settle This Separately through the mall , floor by floor , until I found it . And now , here she was - bossing around the ruthless CEO who made entire industries tremble . Yet Ethan , as if programmed , immediately fetched her water . They had different last names - Stella took their mother's - but they were full siblings . +5 Free Coins Seeing her forehead glistening with sweat , he instinctively grabbed a folder and fanned her , even though the office was air- conditioned . Stella gulped the water down and slammed the cup on the desk . " Oh , and cancel the mall shutdown . Now , Ethan's cold eyes shimmered . " Stella . is it really you ? " She answered by smacking him upside the head . " Do it ! " The slap confirmed it . This is her . My sister is back . She's alive ! His brain short - circuited from sheer cuphoria . No time to question how . He strode to the door , yanked it open , and barked at Zoe , " Cancel the shutdown . Reopen . " Before Zoe could even process Ethan's red - rimmed eyes , the door slammed shut again . Blinking , he turned to Tina . " Did Mr. Ethan just … cry ? " Tina kept a straight face . " You saw wrong just reopen the mall ! " Zoe scrambled to notify security while Ethan returned to Stella , still fanning her absently . His black bracelet swayed with each motion . " So you're saying you time - traveled from 11 years ago ? " Stella sighed . No point hiding it - I looked exactly as I had the day I died . " Yep Notice my outfit ? Same one I died in . " Ethan's gaze darkened . The black dress you wore for your date with Lucas I'd never forget that day . She'd tried on countless outfits , asking which I liked best . The idea of her dating made me bristle , so I muttered , " They all suck ! " She'd smacked me , I caved and picked the black one If Lucas had asked her out , she wouldn't have been on that road . Wouldn't have died . That's why I'd loathed the man for over a decade . At the mention of Lucas , Stella's expression soured . Back in Ashford High , She'd been the campus queen , with admirers everywhere . Lucas , the carefree rich kid , had pursued her relentlessly since freshman year . 2/4 755 AM P P Chapter 2 Let's Settle This Separately +5 From Coins She hadn't been impressed at first , but after four years - and a few incidents that changed her perspective - She'd agreed to dates . At the graduation party , he made a grand confession to her . She'd said yes , mostly out of curiosity . Did she love him ? Not really . Just figured , why not try dating after grinding for grades ! According to her dream , Lucas had become a superstar - and a serial heartbreaker - until meeting Hannah , the female lead . Their on - screen romance bled into real life , but when Hannah learned about his " dead high school sweetheart , " she'd demanded . " Who do you love more ? " His two - second hesitation sparked a breakup . The arrogant actor , used to fangirls swooning over him , hadn't groveled immediately . To provoke him , Hannah had cozied up to Ethan - even starring in his film . Now Lucas was losing his mind , begging for her back while she played hard to get . In the end , Ethan and Stella were just pawns in their drama ! " Let's not dwell on the past , " Stella said abruptly . " I'm starving . Lunch ? " Ethan studied her grimace . She must've heard about Lucas's playboy reputation . To her , he's still her boyfriend . This has to hurt . Suppressing his own irritation , he stood . " What do you want to eat ? " " Steak , " she said instantly . Ethan trailed behind Stella like a lost puppy as they left the office . The icy CEO , reduced to a meek follower by an eighteen - year - old girl . The power of sibling hierarchy . Tina mused , keeping her professionalism intact . " Mr. Ethan , she greeted , then extended a hand to Stella . " I'm Tina Carter , Mr. Ethan's assistant , Just Tina is fine ." Tina was tall , poised , and sharp in her tailored suit . Stella thought she was really beautiful . She beamed . " Tina ! I'm Stella . Think of me as your little sister ! " Ethan blinked , glancing between them . His elder sister was eighteen now , and Tina was a year younger than he… …. Noticing his frown , Tina tactfully said , " We can be friends as well ." Stella knew Tina had stuck by Ethan through everything - even his downfall . She probably knows about me . Don't worry ," Stella chirped . " But I only have three brothers . I really want a sister . Can we just be sisters ! " Tina and Ethan were both speechless . Ethan had objections . But he kept them to himself , fingers tightening around his bracelet . 3/4 755 AM Chapter 2 Let's Settle This Separately D " Let's eat . " Tina had already dismissed Zoe . The CEO's privacy was paramount I'll stay here , " she offered . Stella grabbed her wrist . " Nope ! The more , the merrier !? Tina hesitated , eyeing Ethan for approval . He gave a curt nod . No need to exclude his most trusted assistant . The mall was bustling again . Good . Money over pride , always They walked into a steakhouse . Just as they sat , Ethan's phone buzzed . A message from Hannah : " I'm here . But it's still crowded ? I thought you were clearing the place ."