Chapter 6 No Sleeping Here And now he owned her family's old villa . Fate was weirdly persistent . Wonder how he was doing these days ? Probably amazing . She exited WhatsApp and opened her browser , typing in " Nathan ." +5 Free Co Coins His handsome face appeared on screen instantly . Still wore those silver - framed glasses . Still had that tiny brown mole on his nose that made him oddly attractive . He'd lost the boyish vibe from high school . Now he looked like a man - refined , restrained , and powerful . She clicked his bio . Of course . He was now the head of Succeed Capital , the largest investment firm in Asia . Succeed Capital had started as a tech company and evolved into a financial powerhouse . Nearly every profitable company in the region had its backing .. Stella wasn't that surprised . Nathan had stolen her top rank in school more than once . With that brain , he'd have succeeded at anything . So here he was at twenty - nine , worth billions . And she , at eighteen , had nothing to her name . Stella let out a bitter laugh . " If melancholy were a superpower … Still , after all these years , maybe he didn't hate her anymore . A small villa like that probably meant nothing to a man like him . Maybe he'd agree to sell , She wasn't sure . But one thing at a time . First : catch the paparazzo , Then go see if Nathan was willing to sell . At 7:30 p.m. , outside Serenity Restaurant- The paparazzo grinned as he crouched behind a hedge . He'd wanted to shoot from his car , but Hannah insisted car shots were too blurry - she wanted high - res glamour pics . So here he was , hiding in the bushes . Yesterday , Ethan had supposedly found someone new . Tonight , he was on a romantic dinner with Hannah . Definitely hot gossip . No - brainer trending topic . When the black Bentley pulled up , Ethan stepped out in a tailored black suit , bracelet on his wrist . The paparazzo raised his camera- And someone tapped his shoulder . " Hey ! No sleeping here ! " The paparazzo flinched so hard his camera nearly slipped from his hands . He turned and saw a girl in a mask and baseball cap crouched beside him , holding a camera of her own . " Photographer ?" he asked , frowning . The girl grinned . " Yup , Scoot over , let me hide too . He rarely saw female paparazzi - mostly crazy fangirls . But whatever . " Nope . Go hide somewhere else . " She shot him a few annoyed glances . " Don't tell me … Hannah called you too ? " He froze . " What ? She called you ? What the hell - why would she hire two paparazzi ? " +5 Free Coins The girl squatted down , her eyes sparkling . " You're the one who got that mall shot yesterday , right ? I should've stayed . I regret leaving . He was ever even more stunned . " You were there yesterday too ? What's Hannah trying to pull ? " If two separate paparazzi got shots , it wouldn't be exclusive - less explosive . The girl smiled slyly . " As long as I get paid , I don't care . How much did she offer you tonight ? " Now he was just mad . " Thirty grand ." That was just a base rate - future engagement would pay more . The girl's eyes widened , then she muttered , " Oh He narrowed his eyes . " What's that supposed to mean ? How much did she give you ? " She smirked . " Obviously more than you . Guess you don't cut it ." No man takes that insult lying down . He shot to his feet . " She said I don't cut it ? " She shrugged . " I got a hundred grand . " That felt like a slap in the face . Just then , Hannah stepped out of her vàn The man stormed toward her , fuming . Stella , job well done , slipped out and messaged Ethan on WhatsApp . Come out front . I've got a surprise for you ! This was a high - end , trendy restaurant . As Hannah got out of the van , she looked around . Only a few cars were parked nearby . She smiled to herself . Private bookings really hit different . Her heels clicked softly as she walked forward gracefully . The evening breeze lifted her long hair as she subtly tilted her chin upward That angle would get her best side on camera . The paparazzi had to be here by now . All that worry last night had been for nothing - it was Ethan's sister after all . Probably not a real sister either . He never mentioned having one . She just knew Ethan adored her . 1/3 P Chapter 7 Has Ethan Gone Ruthless ? Suddenly , a figure jumped in front of her . Hannah flinched . " Who are you ? " +5 Free Coins The paparazzo was livid , camera clutched tightly . " I'm one of the photographers you hired today ! Why'd you give me thirty grand and the other girl a hundred ?! " Hannah's brows furrowed slightly . " What are you talking about ? My assistant would never hire two . " " Caught you red - handed and you still won't admit it ? That chick's right over - wait , where'd she go ? " He looked back toward the bushes . No one there . But at the restaurant entrance stood a tall figure radiating authority . Hannah quickly spotted him too . Her heart skipped . She glared at the photographer and hurried over in quick , delicate steps . " Ethan ! You're here ? " Ethan stood stiffly , face dark . The moment she got close , she could feel it - his aura had shifted . Something was off . She lowered her voice . " That guy just asked for directions . I don't know him . " Ethan had come out after getting Stella's message . And the first thing he saw was Hannah talking to a man in a cap with a camera . He knew that getup well . Paparazzo . He wasn't in the entertainment industry , but lately , it sure felt like it . Cameras were always on him . He'd assumed the guy was trailing Hannah . Never expected it was Hannah who'd invited him . Ethan didn't say a word . Just stared at her with cold eyes . The black bracelet on his wrist caught the warm glow of the restaurant lights . Hannah felt the pressure - her scalp tingled . " Ethan , He must've overheard the conversation . How could he have such bad timing ? She bit her lip , big eyes filled with unshed tears . " Ethan , okay , yes - the papalazzo was my idea . I just … I wanted some buzz . It helps me land better roles . I used you . I'm sorry . " Just a girl trying to build her career . Ethan's icy demeanor softened slightly . He was just about to say something when his phone buzzed . It was Stella . She just wants to piss off Lucas . Stella was still nearby ? Ethan looked around . No one in sight . Until he tilted his head and caught a glimpse of a pale face peeking out from behind a crooked tree at the edge of the lot . His jaw twitched , then he looked down and typed : Stella … really ? You think so ? " Up in the tree , Stella rolled her eyes . She had to admit - Hannah really was pretty . Dressed in a soft white dress , petite and delicate . The kind that made you wan 755AMP P Chapter 7 Has Ethan Gone Ruthless ? to protect her , Ethan messaged again : " Why are you here ? " No way she was going to say she came on purpose . " I was just out for a walk . Gotta go . Bye ! " +5 Free Coins Fixing a lovesick man wasn't as easy as it looked . Stella had learned her lesson . Ethan frowned . " What do you mean go ? Come eat with us ." " Do I look like a third wheel to you ? I've got plans . " " What plans ? " I'm going to the old villa . I found out who owns it now . Gonna see if they'll sell ." Tll go with you . Meanwhile , Hannah's tears were nearly Niagara Falls , but no one was even paying attention to her scene han was just staring at his phone the whole time ! Who is he texting ? She snuck a peek and saw the contact name : " Fourth Marriage . " Seriously ? She wiped her tears , forced a sweet smile . " Ethan ? " He finally looked up . " Got it . Let's end things here tonight . I've got to go . " Her eyes widened , voice rising . " What ? Again ? You're leaving again ? " Ethan's brows knit slightly . She swallowed and corrected herself . " I mean , aren't you having dinner ? Skipping dinner is bad for your stomach . " He got the hint - she was trying to be caring . His cold expression thawed slightly . " If you're hungry , go ahead and eat . I'm not His sister's sleep issues had to be dealt with immediately . Ethan turned and walked away , like a man who'd just made up his mind . Hannah stood frozen . The paparazzo nearby was just as stunned . Ethan used to be totally into her . Had she suddenly gone full ruthless mode ?