Chapter 34
Curtis‘ heart jolted. How did Ethan know about that incident?
“At that time, Sonya’s mother suddenly got injured. It all happened so fast. I was helping take her to the hospital, so I couldn’t go with my wife to bring back her parents‘ ashes,” Curtis explained.
“Injured? Does twisting an ankle count as a serious injury? It looks like your friend’s mother mattered far more than your wife’s parents,” Ethan said coldly.
Most of the people present were seasoned players. In this circle, who would believe they were “just friends“? It was even harder to believe it since Curtis had deliberately kept his marriage a secret, letting
others think he was a bachelor.
Moreover, the Hughes family was renowned for their devotion to their spouses. Cheating was taboo in
their family.
Naturally, Ethan despised adulterers the most. Now, when people looked at Curtis and Sonya, their gazes
even carried a hint of sympathy.
They knew the two had come here today hoping to build a connection with Ethan. But now, forget forming
a connection–just avoiding his disgust would be a blessing.
Sweat beaded on Curtis‘ forehead. Ethan was clearly younger than him, yet his intense gaze sent a chill down Curtis‘ spine.
“The dead can’t compare to the living,” Luke suddenly chimed in. “It’s not like you need two people to pick up ashes. Sonya’s mother twisted her ankle. Who could’ve known how severe it was? Curtis was just
being kind!”
Ethan’s eyes flashed with a sudden burst of icy light. He stood up abruptly, striding straight to Luke and barking, “What did you just say?”
Still oblivious to the danger looming over him, Luke replied, “I said the dead can’t compare to the living.
Chloe’s parents have been dead for three years now. Why should Curtis have to abandon an injured person just so he can go with Chloe to pick up some ashes-”
Just then, the sharp crack of a slap rang out. Ethan’s blow sent Luke staggering, and he nearly crashed
into the side of the table.
“Mr. Hughes, you’ve gone too far!” Curtis said, stepping in. After all, Luke was his friend.
“Too far?” Ethan’s face was ablaze with fury. “I haven’t even hit him enough yet!”
With that, he kicked Luke hard, sending him sprawling on the floor. Luke struggled to get up, but Ethan stomped viciously on his chest, pinning him there.
Curtis rushed forward. “Mr. Hughes, what are you doing?”
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“What am I doing? Beating a monster! Only a monster would say something like that!” Ethan’s voice was like ice. “Does he think he’s even worthy of talking about Chloe’s parents?”
“W–What’s so wrong with that? We can’t even talk about Chloe’s parents now?” Luke gasped, still struggling. “And what is with Chloe, anyway? She’s been married to Curtis for three years, just lazing
around and wasting away.
“Everyone knows Sonya is the better choice! And Mr. Hughes, you’re not actually letting gossip fool you into sympathizing with Chloe, are you? That woman isn’t worth pitying at all!” Luke spoke desperately, partly to speak up for Curtis and partly to make Curtis feel indebted to him.
After all, his small company had survived only because Green Tech had given him some projects to earn money from.
Ethan laughed in sheer fury. Chloe was of utmost importance to him, and yet, Luke’s words had reduced
her to this.
And what was even more ridiculous was that her own husband, Curtis, hadn’t spoken a single word in her
defense.
“Do you also think your wife isn’t as good as Sonya?” Ethan’s eyes were cold as they locked on Curtis.
Curtis hesitated. “In terms of temperament and ability, Chloe really isn’t as good as Sonya. But no matter what, she’s still my wife. Even if she can’t do much, I don’t mind.”
Ethan lifted his foot off Luke’s chest and turned his frigid gaze on Curtis. “She can’t do much? What do
you even know about her abilities? Without her help, do you think your little company would’ve gone
public in three years?”
“That’s because Curtis had sharp vision, accurate judgment, and outstanding ability,” Sonya interjected.
Ethan fixed his stare on Curtis. Curtis answered with silence, which only showed that he believed the
same.
After all, he’d built his business from scratch. He credited himself for all of his achievements and the
company’s success.
Ethan sneered, “Curtis, you’d be nothing without Chloe. The vision, the ability that you’re so proud of, was all because she was helping you.”
“What?” Curtis was stunned.
“Mr. Hughes, even if you want to speak up for Chloe, you can’t belittle Curtis like that,” Sonya protested.
“Exactly! What kind of ability does Chloe even have to help Curtis?” Luke said, clambering up from the floor. However, after being struck by Ethan earlier, his voice was now much weaker.
“What kind of ability does Chloe have?” Ethan gave a cold snort, his gaze full of contempt for the people before him. “Back in the military, her research achievements upgraded and modernized the security
systems.
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“In the field of drone applications, she was one of the top experts. If she hadn’t retired, who knows how many awards she would already have by now for her work on drones!”
His words left everyone stunned.
Luke’s eyes widened. “Impossible! How could Chloe possibly do all that?”
“What, do you think I’m lying?” Ethan snarled.
Silence fell in the room. As the eldest son of the Hughes family, Ethan had no reason to lie for a woman’s
sake.
Curtis‘ face burned with humiliation. Ethan was basically telling everyone that Green Tech’s success had
been built on Chloe’s back. That Curtis had only become a rising star in the tech industry because of
Chloe.
He wanted to refute it, but when he tried, the words died in his throat.
Scenes of working alongside Chloe flashed in his mind. Whenever he had trouble making a decision,
Chloe had always given him pointers. And more than a few projects the company had landed had been won through her efforts.
He had always thought it was just his good luck that Chloe had been so effective in securing those deals.
But… what if luck had nothing to do with it? What if it had been Chloe all along?
A cold sweat broke out along his back, a creeping chill slowly enveloping him.
“A rising star in tech? What a load of crap!” Ethan spat. “Curtis, you ought to thank Chloe for standing by
you for three years. But she has bad judgment. Imagine sacrificing so much for a man like you.
“And you, the one reaping the benefits -not only do you have no idea, but you actually think it’s actually due to your own abilities.”
And yet, he had no idea how to fight back.
Ethan turned to Wayne. “It looks like I won’t be staying for drinks today. I’ll head out first.”
“Y–Yes, of course,” Wayne answered hastily. At this point, he only hoped that the Miller family hadn’t truly offended this young tyrant.
Just as Ethan was about to step out of the room, he suddenly turned back to Curtis. “Oh, right. The legal quadrumvirate won’t be taking your mother’s and sister’s case. You have my word on that.”
Curtis‘ pupils shrank in an instant.
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