Chapter 44: I Like You More
Although Ethaniel stood up for her by drenching Violet in water, Kayla still couldn’t cheer up.
Ethaniel was just too attractive to women. Linda, Violet, Aria-all of them were her rivals in love.
Comparing their looks, families, education, assets, and professions, Kayla felt she was the most inferior.
While she was feeling down, the phone in the traffic booth rang. Kayla picked it up and heard the chief’s voice, “Kayla, orders from above. You’ve been transferred back to the North District Serious Crimes Unit. Report back immediately!”
“… ” Kayla felt like she was on a whirlwind tour.
She had just been transferred from the Anti-Vice Squad to here in the morning, worked half a day as a traffic cop, and now she was being transferred back.
Back at the Serious Crimes Unit, Mick handed her the transfer order to sign and couldn’t help but ask, “You and Ethaniel…?”
Kayla’s eyes widened-since when did even the captain become so gossipy?
Mick said calmly, “Just a reminder, the International Financial Conference is over, and the subsequent Investment Summit is about to conclude.”
“… Huh?” Kayla didn’t get it-why the sudden topic change?
Seeing how sharp she was about others’affairs but so slow about her own, Mick sighed, “Once the Financial Conference ends, Ethaniel will return to Tandoria. Surely you know where Goldenshore Group’s headquarters is?”
Kayla’s puzzled expression suddenly froze, and she lowered her eyelashes, muttering softly, “… He said I owe him a million. He won’t leave until I repay it.”
Mick was at his wit’s end with this silly girl. “Do you really think he’s hanging around you just for that measly million? Ethaniel’s net worth is immeasurable; a million might not even be enough for him to buy a drink!”
As an outsider, Mick saw it clearly. Given Ethaniel’s status, why would he approach a police officer for a mere million?
Even though Kayla was sometimes silly, always acting before thinking, and always getting into trouble, she had a certain charm that made people like her.
A man as deep as Ethaniel must have seen something unique in her, stirring different feelings!
“But, he’s just an ordinary guy,” Kayla defended. “You say a million isn’t enough for a drink, but I’ve never seen him drink that expensively. He even cooks at home. His son, Oliver, also eats takeout with me… He’s very low-key and never uses power to oppress people. Why do you all think he’s so scary?”
“It’s not that we imagine him as scary; it’s that we worry you’ll get hurt, and there are bound to be people accusing you of gold-digging!”
“I’ve never taken his money!” Kayla retorted confidently, then mumbled, “He’s always squeezing me dry…”
Her debt of a million wasn’t even paid, and now her salary card was taken over a meal.
She must be the most unsuccessful gold-digger in the world!
“This isn’t about money!” Mick knew Kayla’s character well. The problem was that Kayla had given her heart, and if Ethaniel left, she’d be abandoned.
Ethaniel and she belonged to different worlds; forcing a union wouldn’t end well.
Kayla didn’t think as deeply as Mick. She secretly glanced at him, “First you say it’s about money, then you say it’s not. I don’t understand what you mean. Now, I have to get to work.”
“You…” Mick watched Kayla’s departing figure and sighed deeply.
Kayla didn’t dwell on Mick’s words. She chose to trust Ethaniel.
She believed Ethaniel wouldn’t toy with her feelings. Whatever happened next, she’d deal with it when it came. What was the use of overthinking now?
By the time Kayla finished dealing with the backlog of work from her absence in the Serious Crimes Unit, it was long past quitting time.
Seeing the nearly empty office, Kayla stretched her stiff neck and checked her phone: fifteen missed calls, three from Ethaniel, the rest from unknown numbers.
Frowning, Kayla called back Ethaniel first.
“Hello?” Through the phone, Nathaniel’s voice became even more magnetic, so good-sounding that it made people want to commit crimes. Kayla rubbed her ears and asked in a deliberately cold tone, “What’s up? I’m working overtime.”
Who said she was clinging to Ethaniel?
In her relationship with Ethaniel, she was the one in control!
Ethaniel didn’t get angry at her attitude, instead laughing softly, “When are you off? I’ll come get you.”
“No need, I’ll go home myself.” Kayla maintained her aloofness.
“Hmm?” His voice lilted and continued to laugh, “What do you want for dinner? I’ll cook.”
“… No need, I’ll eat at home.” Despite her verbal refusal, Kayla was actually tempted when Nathaniel asked that question.
Ethaniel chuckled at her unconvincing refusal.
“What are you laughing at!” Kayla blushed, yelling, “Don’t think you’re so great just because you can cook. I don’t care!”
“Yes, you don’t care,” Ethaniel softened his tone, “But I care. Not only do I care about cooking for you, I care about you…”
Kayla’s face burned, and she quickly glanced around to make sure no one else was listening.
Ethaniel’s low laughter continued, “You get back to work. I’ll pick you up in half an hour. How about fish for dinner?”
“No way!” Kayla grumbled, “I’m going home to be with my mom. No time for your fish!”
“Okay, so would you like it sweet and sour or braised?”
“Braised.”
Kayla answered instinctively, then, realizing her mistake, furiously hung up amidst Ethaniel’s laughter.
Ethaniel was such a scoundrel. Ever since that time, he’d often entangled with her late into the night, leaving her exhausted and falling asleep directly. When she wakes up the next morning, she realizes she’s spent the night at his mansion again.
Her mother has woken up in the middle of the night a few times, unable to find her and crying out of worry. She couldn’t always trouble Viola either.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
So today, she resolutely decided not to go to the villa. Grabbing her car keys, she headed home.
Shortly after Kayla left, Ethaniel arrived.
Pushing through the heavy glass doors, he didn’t see Kayla but ran into Mick coming out of the captain’s office.
Ethaniel, as usual, was aloof. Even though Mick was Jack’s brother, he only nodded slightly as a greeting.
“Mr. Han, please wait.” Mick called out from behind him.
Ethaniel paused, turning back with a raised brow, “Yes?”
“The International Financial Conference will eventually end, and no matter how long you stay in Seatowne, you’ll have to return. Kayla is my person and a talent in the Seatowne police. She’s my junior from the police academy and has never been in a relationship. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
Mick spoke bluntly, but Ethaniel only caught one piece of information, “Your person…?”
Muttering this, he looked at Mick, a cold smile playing on his lips, “Mind your words. I don’t like the way you said that.”
Mick, irritated by Ethaniel’s attitude, sneered, “I thought you were a gentleman. As Kayla’s superior, referring to her as my officer is perfectly appropriate, isn’t it?”
“My courtesy is reserved for when it’s due. Kayla likes being a cop, so I let her be one, making you her superior. If she ever stops being a cop, who are you then?”
Mick’s brow twitched, “Ethaniel, do you want to ruin Kayla?”
“Of course not,” Ethaniel’s gaze was cold and indifferent, “But let me remind you, Robins family members are smart. Don’t do anything or say anything you’ll regret.”
Watching Ethaniel’s retreating figure, Mick wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or worried for Kayla.