CHAPTER 10: CHAPTER 10: A KISS ON HIS LIPS

Seraphina turned her face and saw the violin case in his hand. Her eyes lit up.

She jogged over and took the case from his hand.

She opened the lid, took out the violin, and carefully inspected it.

After confirming that the violin was intact and undamaged, she breathed a sigh of relief, holding the violin to her chest. She looked at Ethan with a grateful expression.

Just as she was about to thank him, Ethan beat her to it.

"Now, can we eat breakfast?"

Putting the violin aside, Seraphina sat down next to him, glancing at the breakfast on the table.

Fortune Pavilion’s salted egg yolk buns and red bean congee, her favorite breakfast.

Who would’ve thought, a guy like him also liked these sweet treats.

Seraphina picked up the bowl of congee, scooped a spoonful, and brought it to her mouth.

The sweetness of the jujube mixed with the aroma of beans and rice; it was a familiar taste she hadn’t had in a long time.

Ever since her family fell from grace, she hadn’t been able to afford this place’s breakfast.

The price there was beyond what Seraphina could afford now.

The temperature of the congee was just right, warm but not scalding.

As it warmed her stomach, the discomfort from the hangover seemed to ease a lot.

Holding the bowl of congee, Seraphina turned her face, her tone solemn.

"This time... I owe you one."

They were just in a contract marriage, and he had no obligation to care for her or handle these trivial matters for her.

Ethan glanced up, his dark and intense eyes gave her a deep look.

The man’s gaze was too complex for Seraphina to understand.

But...

Her intuition told her that he seemed a bit unhappy.

Maybe he thought she talked too much?

Not wanting to annoy him, Seraphina picked up the bowl of congee and focused on eating silently.

Ethan picked up a salted egg yolk bun, took just one bite, frowned, and put it back on the plate.

He hadn’t touched the congee on the table at all.

Seraphina noticed this, raising her eyebrows.

He clearly bought it but didn’t eat it. She just couldn’t figure out the minds of these domineering CEOs.

In his pocket, his phone vibrated.

Ethan took out his phone, listened for a few seconds, and hung up.

"There’s something at the company, I need to leave first."

Seeing him about to leave, Seraphina felt a bit relieved.

"Okay."

"Are you that eager for me to leave?"

Seraphina: ...

Was it that obvious?

"Of course... not," Seraphina coughed lightly, telling a little lie, "I just don’t want to interfere with your work."

Ethan saw through her little mind game but didn’t expose her.

Seraphina stood up proactively and saw him to the hallway.

When the door opened, the chilly autumn wind blew in.

Seeing he was only wearing a thin black shirt, she remembered the men’s suit in the trash and hesitated.

"Wait for me a moment."

She turned and quickly went upstairs.

Taking a flower gray cashmere coat from the closet, she jogged back down and handed it to him.

"This coat was originally a gift. It’s cold outside, so if you don’t mind, just wear it for now."

Ethan’s gaze swept over the coat in her hand.

"Was it meant for Adrian Chamberlain?"

Good deeds get misunderstood!

"Suit yourself!"

Seraphina’s face turned sullen as she prepared to take the coat back.

In fact, she bought the coat for her brother.

It was supposed to be his birthday gift.

Now, with Caleb still in prison, he wouldn’t be wearing it anytime soon.

Ethan reached over, took the coat, and put it on.

He was tall and long-legged, a natural clothes hanger.

The coat fit perfectly, complementing his black shirt, as handsome as a fashion magazine model on the street.

Noticing the tag still hanging at the collar, Seraphina took scissors and helped him cut it off.

"There, done."

Before she could step back, Ethan held her by her slender waist.

He bent down, leaning closer to her face.

"Mrs. Sterling, have you forgotten something?"

"What?"

"When a wife sends her husband off, she should give him a goodbye kiss and say, ’Bye, hubby!’"

His tone was part teasing, part carefree.

His dark eyes curved slightly in a smile, especially alluring.

Wanting nothing more than to send him off quickly, Seraphina raised her face, intending to give him a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.

Ethan turned his face, and her lips landed precisely on the corner of his.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Seraphina escaped his embrace in a fluster, retreating to the doorway, and closed the door.

"Goodbye!"

Outside, Ethan twirled the car keys in his fingers, smiling as he turned and walked down the steps.

Seraphina stood inside the door, her heart still racing.

Knock knock knock!

The door was knocked on again.

Thinking Ethan had returned, Seraphina opened the door impatiently.

"Are you done yet?!"

Outside stood Ivy Langley, her childhood best friend.

"What, not happy to see me?"

"No, I thought it was another salesman," Seraphina covered up, letting her into the hallway, "Ivy, I’m going to trouble you again this time."

"What, being formal with me now?" Ivy rolled her eyes, tossing her bag onto the couch, "Where’s your stuff?"

"Upstairs, I’ve packed everything."

The bank was about to seize the house today, and Seraphina had decided to move into the school dormitory.

It would save money and be convenient for classes.

However, with so many records and things, there wasn’t enough space in the dorm.

She had no choice but to ask Ivy for help, temporarily storing them at her place.

The two of them went upstairs together, moved the packed things downstairs, and loaded them into Ivy’s utility vehicle.

With over a dozen big boxes, the two girls were covered in sweat.

Seraphina opened the fridge, wanting to get a drink for her, only to find it empty.

She’d been so busy with trivialities recently that she hadn’t even had time to shop.

"No worries, I’ve got water in the car."

Ivy grabbed a couple of drinks from the car, opened one, and handed it to Seraphina.

"Why don’t you just come stay at my place?"

"No need, I’ll stay in the school dorm, it’s convenient for classes and meals."

"Alright," Ivy nodded, "but Adrian Chamberlain that jerk won’t bother you again, right?"

"No worries," Seraphina shook her head, "I’ve already called off the marriage with the Chamberlain Family."

Not wanting Ivy to worry, Seraphina didn’t mention anything about Ethan.

Ivy’s dad had recently brought his mistress and illegitimate child back home.

The Langley Family had their own troubles, and Seraphina didn’t want her good friend to be worried over her issues as well.

With what Ivy was dealing with, there wasn’t much she could do to help Seraphina either.

Bringing it up would only cause unnecessary stress.

"Well, that’s good. That jerk..." Ivy looked angry, "He was never good enough for you anyway!"

Not wanting to dwell on unpleasant topics, Ivy quickly changed the subject.

"Did you hear about Ronald Grayson... the guy who used to write you love letters in school? He got beaten up."

Seraphina was surprised, "When did this happen?"

"Just last night, I heard he was ambushed after getting out of jail, and got a leg broken. Compound fracture, and when it heals, it’ll probably leave him with a disability."

"Who did it?"

"Who knows? That scumbag, relying on his family’s money, bullying the weak and doing whatever he wanted. He must’ve pissed off some big shot this time," Ivy said with satisfaction, "If I knew who did it, I’d buy them a drink to thank them for removing a menace from our society!"

Seraphina briefly thought of Ethan’s face, but quickly dismissed the thought.

How could he possibly stick up for her?

"Oh, right!" Ivy suddenly grabbed her arm tightly, "I overheard some talk last night, Ethan Sterling, the little devil from the Sterling Family, is back from abroad for business in Jadeston. You better watch out."

Back then, the fight between Ethan and Adrian Chamberlain.

Not only did it rock the school, but it also caused quite a stir in Jadeston City’s high society.

Ivy was naturally worried that because of her past with Adrian, Ethan might take it out on Seraphina.

Especially since the Seraphina of today isn’t the same as she once was.

Hide?

Seraphina bitterly smiled.

Ivy probably couldn’t imagine that she was already Mrs. Sterling.