CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: SLEEPING TOGETHER

As soon as the words were spoken, Seraphina Redgrave felt a large hand pull her forward from the back of her neck. The next second, her lips were kissed, and the dominating aura of the man quickly entangled her, making it hard for her to breathe.

Ethan Sterling tasted the beer on Seraphina Redgrave’s lips and became even more addicted, unable to stop himself from delving deeper.

This impulsive kiss soon changed its flavor, Ethan Sterling uncontrollably nibbling at her lips, as if he wanted to devour her.

Seraphina Redgrave was drunk beyond measure, dumbstruck, feeling the man’s stormy kiss without knowing how to react.

She reached her hand up to rest on the man’s shoulder, but showed no sign of resistance, merely absorbing his breath and thinking that maybe there was nothing wrong with it.

Moreover, the scent of the man was pleasant, making her reluctant to push him away.

Seraphina Redgrave gently moved her lips, which were wrapped in the man’s kiss, causing him to kiss her even more roughly.

Later, Seraphina Redgrave felt her position was becoming stiff from holding it for too long, causing her to struggle slightly.

Ethan Sterling let her go, sitting beside her and breathing unsteadily, wiping away the glistening moisture on Seraphina Redgrave’s lips while his eyes darkened deeply.

She belonged to him. Ethan Sterling looked at Seraphina Redgrave, with this singular thought occupying his mind.

Seraphina Redgrave’s mind was foggy, unable to think about anything chaotic, and soon she tilted her head to look at him: "As friends, should you say something to me on my birthday?"

"Not friends."

He was clearly her man.

Ethan Sterling felt somewhat unsatisfied.

"Say it if you want, or don’t."

Seraphina Redgrave scoffed lightly, slowly turning her face back to the playground, taking another can of beer from the bag, but found she couldn’t open it.

Ethan Sterling watched Seraphina Redgrave’s puffed-up face and spoke seriously, "Do you want to celebrate your birthday?"

"Yeah."

Seraphina Redgrave bowed her head, replying moodily.

Ethan Sterling watched Seraphina Redgrave’s quickly plummet into a gloomy mood, pondering.

Soon, a burst of horn sounds began to echo around the playground.

Countless luxury cars drove onto the playground, forming a circle on the perimeter, their headlights pointing inward, turning the playground into a massive bright disc.

The bodyguards from the luxury cars opened doors in unison, each holding a large canister of fireworks, placing them on the perimeter.

"Ready, three, two, one."

The man softly spoke into his phone.

"Boom!"

The sound of fireworks exploding suddenly erupted.

The drunken and dazed Seraphina Redgrave was jolted awake by this loud noise, causing her to drop her beer, with a grand and dazzling white light before her eyes.

Seraphina Redgrave stared foolishly at the playground, not fully comprehending what had happened. The next second, fireworks soared into the sky and burst apart at the horizon.

"Boom! Boom!"

One after another, fireworks exploded above Seraphina Redgrave, illuminating the entire playground as if it were daylight.

Seraphina Redgrave couldn’t utter a word, merely staring in amazement.

"Boom!"

The final explosion sounded, forming large letters: "Seraphina Redgrave, Happy Birthday."

This final display lingered for a long time.

Seraphina Redgrave looked up, her eyes filled with flickering lights.

"Is it beautiful?"

Ethan Sterling gazed at the side of Seraphina Redgrave’s face.

"Beautiful," Seraphina Redgrave dutifully replied, "What a coincidence, how someone else is celebrating a birthday today and bears the same name as me."

Seraphina Redgrave in her drunkenness couldn’t gauge distance, failing to see the proximity of the fireworks, assuming someone nearby was setting them off.

"This is for you."

Ethan Sterling looked at the drunken, foolishly happy girl with pity, his sharp side profile softened by the light: "Stay with me, don’t think about running away, anything you want will be yours."

Seraphina Redgrave’s ears were ringing, unable to hear a single word: "She’s so lucky, not someone’s substitute, doesn’t have to die for Mia Redgrave, still able to celebrate her own birthday."

Seraphina Redgrave’s eyes were full of envy.

Ethan Sterling did not bother to explain further, quietly sitting next to Seraphina Redgrave, watching the fireworks with her.

Uncertain how much time had passed, the girl beside him stopped moving.

Ethan Sterling turned his head, seeing Seraphina Redgrave leaning back in her seat, with shallow breathing, her beautiful eyes peacefully closed.

Expert footsteps sounded from the staircase, and within a second, Nathan Ayers and several bodyguards appeared at the stairwell.

"Young Master Sterling, returning to Hibiscus Garden?"

Nathan Ayers respectfully lowered his head to ask.

"Yes."

Ethan Sterling stood up, gently picking up the already asleep Seraphina Redgrave, signaling Nathan Ayers with a look.

Nathan Ayers was at a loss for words, still not forgetting to hand the coat prepared for Ethan Sterling over to him.

Ethan Sterling swiftly draped the coat over Seraphina Redgrave.

Nathan Ayers followed behind Ethan Sterling, unable to refrain from observing the two ahead.

Is this really our President? When did the Sovereign’s ruthless Reaper become so gentle?

The curtains at the Hibiscus Garden had excellent light-blocking properties; even though it was already daylight outside, no light filtered through inside.

Mmm.

It feels uncomfortable.

Seraphina Redgrave squirmed slightly, slowly opening her eyes, finding herself on a soft bed, covered by an even softer quilt.

She looked groggily up at the chandelier, somewhat unable to remember what had happened.

She shouldn’t have gotten so drunk, especially under Ethan Sterling’s watchful eyes—what if something was exposed?

Seraphina Redgrave struggled to emerge from the quilt, recalling she was at the sports field last night. How did she return?

Seraphina Redgrave turned her head stiffly, seeing a man lying beside her, his firm side features softened, still asleep, barely stirring, as if still in a dream.

Ethan Sterling.

How did they end up sharing a bed?

Seraphina Redgrave quickly turned her head, intending to leap out of bed, only to be pulled back into the quilt by Ethan Sterling, who had awoken unnoticed. His unclad arms wrapped around Seraphina Redgrave, his leg resting unsteadily on hers, treating her like a pillow.

"Where are you going?"

Ethan Sterling slowly opened his eyes, his amber gaze lazily watching Seraphina Redgrave, a smile tugging at his lips, looking at Seraphina Redgrave as if she were his prey.

Like some dangerous beast.

Seraphina Redgrave’s mind raced trying to recall the events of last night, but she couldn’t.

Ethan Sterling witnessed Seraphina Redgrave’s tension-induced stiffness, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on her tender lips. His voice had the distinctive hoarseness of dawn: "Daring to disobey and randomly leave Hibiscus Garden, you’re not worried for your life?"

Seraphina Redgrave froze on the spot.

This was it; she was going to perish by his hand today.

She began to tense her muscles, contemplating whether she could break free from Ethan Sterling if she made a break for it, but Ethan Sterling chuckled softly: "Oh, I forgot you aren’t thinking straight."

Huh?

He hadn’t noticed anything amiss?

"If you’re rested, get up."

Ethan Sterling sat up, saying nothing more.

Seraphina Redgrave was eventually led out of the bedroom by Ethan Sterling, dressed in an oversized nightdress, following behind Ethan like a docile neighborhood girl.

It was already noon.

The living room was noisy, and Seraphina Redgrave couldn’t help but perk up her ears to listen.

"Did you even pay attention to what the master said, how could you not know the miss ran away last night? If I hadn’t happened to pass by the sports field and found the miss sipping wine she picked up from who knows where, could you still be standing here alive today?"

Nanny Lynch and Granny Coleman were trembling, appearing as if they might collapse at any moment.