Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up The notification snapped Ethan back to reality . Right . That's why I'm here today . My long - dead sister's sudden reappearance had short - circuited my brain , making me completely forget about Hannah . His brow furrowed as his fingers absently twisted the black bracelet around his wrist .. Tina knew that look . Furrowed brows plus bracelet fiddling mean that Ethan is deep in thought . I'd heard the notification too . Hannah's special alert tone . And since they were seated side by side , she'd caught a glimpse of the message . Is he figuring out how to tell Stella he needs to leave ! Hannah could always shop somewhere else . This was the first time Hannah had ever asked Ethan to go shopping with her - a golden opportunity . Meanwhile , Stella , blissfully unaware , was busy ordering food . " Ethan , what do you want ? " she asked , finally looking up . Before he could answer , Tina cut in , " I'll order Mr. Ethan's … occupied ." " Occupied with what ? " Stella frowned . Ethan shook his head , typing a reply : " Couldn't clear the mall . Something carne up . Next time . " J'll let Stella know about the whole thing between me and Hannah later Once she gets to know her , she'll love Hannah too , Tina's eyes widened . He's choosing Stella over Hannah ?! So , he puts family first . There's hope for him yet ! Inside her idling van , Hannah stared at her phone in disbelief . He was spamming me an hour ago asking when I'd arrive ! I'd even tipped off paparazzi to snap pics of the " romantic shopping date - surefire bait to make Lucas lose it . He's already begging for me back , but I won't make it easy . He needs to suffer Gritting her teeth , she sent another text : " Ehan , are you mad ? I fell asleep in the car and missed your messages ! Not ignoring you ! " sad cat emoji / " The extended notification tone blared twice . Stella's fork paused mid - air . " Who's blowing up your phone ? " +5 Free Coins 1/4 P P · Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up +5 Free Coins Ethan dunked a slice of tripe into the boiling broth - her favorite - without glancing at his screen . " Nothing important . " Tina nearly choked . Since when does he ignore Hannah ?! Ethan noticed her stare . " What ? Does my face have something to eat ? " " Oh ! Sorry , I was just … zoning out , Tina muttered , grabbing her own fork . This is my first time seeing him eat leisurely . For years , meals are just fuel between meetings . Stella kind of takes the chill out of him . I'd watched him rebuild Starlight Group from a failing real estate firm into a conglomerate in four years , after sending his embezzling uncle to prison without blinking . The business world called him the " King of Hell in Business . And until today , I'd only seen too modes , workaholic zombie or Hannah - obsessed simp This relared , human Ethan ? Unprecedented After fifteen minutes of radio silence , Hannah's manicured nails dug into her palms . How dare he ?! Just a simp , and even dare leave me alone ?! Her assistant's phone buzzed - the paparazzi were getting antsy . " Let's go , " Hannah snapped . " Tell the paps to scrap it . If he wants to stand me up , fine ! But she fired off one last text : I'm leaving since you're busy . Won't disturb you ! This time , he replied instantly : " Sorry , just something came up . " What a simp !" she said as they left the steakhouse . Ethan blinked . " What ? " Stella patted his shoulder - too kindly - and marched ahead Should've borrowed cash from security for a belt . Ethan turned to Tina . " What's that word ? " The all - knowing Tina coughed . " Imagine a guy holding an umbrella over a girl who's texting another guy … " " So 2/4 7.56 AM P P · Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up +5 Free Coins Ethan dunked a slice of tripe into the boiling broth - her favorite - without glancing at his screen . " Nothing important . " Tina nearly choked . Since when does he ignore Hannak ?! Ethan noticed her stare . " What ? Does my face have something to eat ? " Oh ! Sorry . I was just … zoning out , Tina muttered , grabbing her own fork . This is my first time seeing him eat leisurely . For years , meals are just fuel between meetings . Stella kind of takes the chill out of him . I'd watched him rebuild Starlight Group from a failing real estate firm into a conglomerate in four years , after sending his embezzling uncle to prison without blinking . The business world called him the " King of Hell in Business , " And until today . I'd only seen two modes , workaholic zombie or Hannah - obsessed simp This relaxed , human Ethan ? Unprecedented . After fifteen minutes of radio silence , Hannah's manicured nails dug into her palms .. How dare hef ! Just a simp , and even dare leave me alone ?! Her assistant's phone buzzed - the paparazzi were getting antsy . " Let's go ." Hannah snapped . "Tell the paps to scrap it . If he wants to stand me up , fine ! " But she fired off one last text : " I'm leaving since you're busy , Won't disturb you This time , he replied instantly " Sorry , just something came up . " she said as they left the steakhouse . Ethan blinked . " What ? " Stella patted his shoulder - too kindly - and marched ahead . Should've borrowed cash from security for a belt . Ethan turned to Tina , " What's that word ? " The all - knowing Tina coughed . " Imagine a guy holding an umbrella over a girl who's texting another guy… " " So ? " 2/4 7.56 AM PP . Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up Tina smiled . " You're like the guy holding an umbrella , and Hannah is like the girl … Then she bolted after Stella before his glare could freeze her solid . " Stella , wait for me ! " Ethan , left behind , muttered . I'm not …… This misunderstanding is ridiculous Fueled by " if I don't spend his money Hannah will logic , Stella raided the mall . Top - tier smartphone ? Check . Designer boutiques ? Check . By the time their arms were stacked with bags , her mood had marginally improved . Unbeknownst to her , the paparazzi Hannah had hired were still lurking . Sporting Ethan with another girl , the cameraman went berserk . Clickalickclick- Ethan was very popular online - handsome , hot , wealthy , and dangerous . His rumored fling with rising star Hannah had fans swooning . But seasoned paparazzi knew drama outsold fluff any day . Ethan Dumps Hannah for Mystery Woman " is a viral goldmine . Disguised as a janitor , the paparazzi nearly wept with joy . Unfortunately , Ethan's proximity to the girl - plus Tina's constant presence - blocked clear shots . Only blurred side profiles and back views made the cut . Yet by 7 PM , they detonated online : EthanSpotsMysteryBeauty #EthanHannahOver #EthanNewFlame In a custom gray Rolls Royce , Ryan King scrolled through the headlines and sighed . " Mr. Foster, Ethan's at it again . Ethan's been possessed by some horny ghost lately . " Should we dial back Starlight investments ? Their Qa profits are dipping He couldn't fathom why his boss had bankrolled Ethan's empire for years . From the right scat , a man in a white suit adjusted his silver - framed glasses . +5 Free Coins With his ethereal beauty and aloof aura , Nathan Foster resembled an untouchable deity - until the streetlights caught the tea- colored mole on his nose , adding a sinful contrast , Exhausted , he removed his glasses , pinching the bridge . " Which actress this time ?" Ryan zoomed in on the grainy photos . " No ID yet . But look at that figure - total bombshell . " Nathan's gaze flicked to the screen . Three figures , Ethan laden with bags , his tall assistant , and between them- A girl . 3/4 750 AMP P Chapter 3 Just Something Came Up Just a sliver of her profile , hair cascading over slender shoulders , porcelain skin glowing . No distinctive features . Yet the world screeched to a halt . Thud . Thud . Thud . Ryan yelped as his phone was snatched away . He turned - and his jaw dropped . +5 Free Coins Nathan , the man who never showed an ounce of vulnerability , was staring at the screen with ravenous , almost desperate intensity .