Despite their years together as a couple, Crystal Liu knew her husband Nathan Lou well enough to recognize his current expressionless look—it was his way of suppressing intense anger. In his youth, Nathan had a hot temper, but as his business grew, he had learned to control it.
"What... what's wrong, honey?" Crystal asked nervously.
She had no idea what the "pretty boy" had whispered to Nathan, but whatever it was had clearly shaken him. Everyone around was equally puzzled. Just moments earlier, Nathan had seemed ready to explode, yet now his demeanor had shifted into an unsettling calm, as if something monumental had just been revealed.
"Where were you yesterday afternoon?" Nathan asked, his tone neutral, betraying no emotion.
"I... I was at the office," Crystal replied, but her hesitation was obvious, making Nathan's eye twitch with suspicion. "I was in the office all afternoon with my cousin, discussing marketing strategies. Honey, why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"
In ordinary circumstances, most people wouldn't add so much detail in response to such a simple question. Her nervous response sounded more like an excuse than an answer. Nathan pressed further.
"So, you and your cousin were in the office all afternoon?"
"Yes, we didn't leave the office at all. If you don't believe me, ask my cousin," Crystal insisted.
"I already did. I asked him casually this morning," Nathan said, watching her reaction closely. "He said you both left the office to meet a client in the afternoon."
This response struck terror into Crystal, who was now visibly shaking. Nathan hadn't actually spoken to her cousin, but he had taken Ethan's advice to test her reaction.
In truth, Nathan wanted to believe his wife's explanation. He didn't want to trust what Ethan had whispered in his ear moments before. After all, where had Ethan suddenly appeared from, claiming to be Isabella Li's boyfriend? But given the mounting suspicions he had long harbored about his wife and her supposed cousin, he couldn't ignore the need for answers.
"Ah… is that so?" Crystal stammered, her face blanching. "He must have made a mistake. I did leave for a short while, but I was back by 3 PM, and we stayed in the office discussing marketing."
Nathan's forehead began to throb, the veins barely visible but pulsing.
"Honey, why are you asking me this? That guy insulted me! He said terrible things! Don't you care? Do you even love me and our son?" Crystal exclaimed, attempting to divert attention by pointing an accusatory finger at Ethan.
SLAP!
The sound of the slap echoed through the restaurant, so sharp and resonant that it seemed to make everyone in the room flinch. Crystal was flung two meters away, crashing into a decorative planter and slumping to the ground with blood trickling down her forehead and from the corner of her mouth. A red, hand-shaped welt began to swell on her cheek.
Crystal lay there in shock, completely stunned, as were the onlookers, who could barely believe their eyes. Nathan's reputation for being overly indulgent with his wife was well-known—so why would he slap her, and so violently at that? Even Isabella was taken aback, remembering the numerous times Nathan had apologized on his wife's behalf, trying to convince her not to take Crystal's provocations seriously.
Now, she shot a sideways glance at Ethan, wondering just what he had whispered to Nathan.
"Take her home," Nathan ordered his bodyguards in a cold, detached voice. "Make sure she doesn't leave the house and tell her to reflect on her behavior."
"Yes, sir," replied the bodyguards as they stepped forward to lift the stunned and injured Crystal off the ground, guiding her out of the restaurant.
Nathan then turned to Ethan, his face finally softening somewhat, as he looked around the restaurant and bowed slightly in apology. "I apologize for disturbing everyone's evening. My wife has been spoiled by my indulgence. Please, everyone, accept my apologies. I'm sorry."
Nathan, a man renowned for his charisma and status, handled the situation deftly. His composed apology, accompanied by an offer to cover everyone's bill, helped mitigate the awkwardness in the air. Patrons who had witnessed the scene expressed their understanding, assuring him there was no harm done.
After making his round of apologies, Nathan turned his attention back to his clients—a small group of five or six, led by a distinguished, bespectacled older man who seemed to be around sixty. They had watched the drama unfold in silence, curious yet polite.
"Thank you for your patience, everyone," Nathan said, addressing his client. "I apologize for the disruption."
He then exchanged a quiet word with the older man before turning to his assistant. "Take everyone upstairs and ensure they're comfortable. I'll join you shortly."
Once his clients were out of earshot, Nathan approached Ethan, who still sat at his table, savoring his drink.
"What are you staring at?" Ethan asked Isabella with a smirk, noticing her scrutinizing gaze.
"You," she replied coolly, tilting her head as if trying to decipher a hidden code on his face.
By this time, Nathan had returned and gave Isabella a polite nod. "I'm truly sorry for my wife's behavior, Miss Li," he said, adding in a slightly louder voice so those nearby could hear, "I've warned her countless times about her conduct."
Turning back to Ethan, Nathan gave a respectful nod. "Shall we step outside for a chat?" he suggested.
Ethan didn't hesitate. "Of course."
As they made their way to the restaurant entrance, Isabella watched them with a mix of curiosity and surprise. Nathan was an influential figure known for his carefully managed social connections, and yet here he was, voluntarily speaking to Ethan as an equal. The question nagged at her—what had Ethan told him to gain his trust so swiftly?
And now, what else did he plan to say to Nathan that was important enough to require privacy? Isabella wasn't usually driven by curiosity, but right now, she felt an insatiable urge to know.
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