Ethan Wu had actually been standing at the fourth-floor staircase corner for quite a while. His walking style had been practiced, allowing for quiet investigation and infiltration, making hardly any noise. If he moved slowly enough, especially when not going upstairs, there would be no sound at all.
He had overheard some of Chloe Mu and Wannie's conversation and already understood the situation.
The heavy footsteps were something Ethan made on purpose to alert them of his return.
Ethan continued upstairs.
When he reached the landing between the fourth and fifth floors, he stopped again and looked up at Chloe Mu and Wannie, who had just stood up at the top of the stairs. Smiling, he said, "You're both here."
This greeting felt somewhat odd.
It was as if Ethan not only knew Chloe Mu but also recognized Wannie.
Of course, he knew Wannie, but only through the thousand-year loop. His knowledge of her was less comprehensive than that of Chloe Mu, as Wannie was mostly a "side character" in his many investigations.
Her looks were average and didn't meet Ethan's standards even with makeup—she was at most a 6.5 out of 10, whereas he set a threshold at 7. However, due to her billionaire father, her close friendship with Chloe Mu, and her numerous ex-boyfriends, Ethan still had some information on her.
Ethan's impression of her… wasn't entirely bad.
Although Wannie's private life was rather chaotic, much more so than Chloe Mu's, it had nothing to do with Ethan. He had no interest in sleeping with her.
In other respects, Wannie was a good friend to Chloe Mu!
"Is this him?" Wannie tilted her head and whispered to Chloe, who looked a bit unnatural.
"Yes…" Chloe's expression was awkward.
"Greasy and flashy—doesn't look like anything good! Wow, he's wearing such a nice suit! Where did he buy this knockoff? Who's he tricking now, some poor girl? You scumbag liar!" Wannie's voice grew louder, directly aiming her insults at Ethan.
Ethan glanced at the small electric baton in Wannie's hand, smiled, and continued slowly up the stairs, taking one step at a time as he said, "If you think I'm a scam artist, you two young girls, showing up here so recklessly, aren't you afraid I'll grab you both and do something? After all, I'm a grown man, taller than both of you."
"You… you don't scare us! Do you know who my father is? If you dare—" Wannie's tone clearly revealed her insecurity.
Indeed, it was poorly thought out.
Moreover, Ethan could see that she was holding an electric baton but still advancing one step at a time without any hesitation, which made her nervous.
When faced with trouble, confidence was key!
Ethan's calm ascent showed great composure and presence.
Although Wannie was the daughter of a billionaire, she was still young, and as a girl, she hadn't been exposed to the inner workings of her family. Despite her background, she was just a rebellious high school girl.
"Your father is Nathan Lou. I know, no need to mention it," Ethan cut her off with a faint smile. "I know your family is rich, but no matter how much money you have, it can't save you from immediate danger. Who's going to fly over here and save you now, right?"
Ethan grinned, showing his white teeth, which, in the dim hallway light, made Wannie's hair stand on end.
"You… what are you going to do? I warn you, stay away from us!" Wannie pulled Chloe Mu back, raising her baton to fend him off.
"I didn't ask you to come looking for me. You came here on your own," Ethan replied, still grinning.
He had reached the fifth floor now.
Wannie had already pulled Chloe Mu up a few steps higher, as if Ethan was about to do something, forcing them to retreat further up.
"You! Don't come any closer, or I'll shout! I'm warning you—I've had training! One zap from this baton, and you'll be out cold!" Wannie pushed Chloe behind her, waving the baton in front of her.
She stopped mid-sentence.
Because she saw Ethan pull out… a key to his apartment.
"Are you fighting with thin air here? I'm just coming home. Look how scared you are," Ethan said while unlocking the door.
With his back turned to them, he added as he unlocked, "Instead of worrying about whether I'm a scam artist, why don't you care more about yourself? Do you really think you're Wally Hu's only girlfriend?"
"Wannie, don't…" Chloe suddenly exclaimed.
But Wannie had already rushed towards Ethan's back, raising the baton to jab him in the neck.
Then, she froze.
Because Ethan mentioned a name—Wally Hu!
He was Wannie's current boyfriend, who had just returned yesterday.
Ethan opened the door and turned back, looking at Wannie, who had stopped a meter away. She was so frightened that she stepped back, almost tripping on the stairs, but Chloe steadied her.
"No need to be so flustered, right?" Ethan smiled.
"What did you just say about Wally Hu? How do you know him?" Wannie asked, alarmed.
"It's well known that the wealthy Miss Lou switches boyfriends as often as outfits, and they never last beyond three months. So, do you really think someone would date you if it wasn't for your youth, money, and easy-going nature?"
"You son of a…" Wannie almost cursed as Ethan's words stung.
"Wally Hu came back to Sea City four days ago," Ethan continued with a smirk. "First, he visited his girlfriend in Apartment 201, Block 3, 19 Fuyuan Road. Then he spent two days at a KTV bathhouse with his gang. He only came to see you last night because he ran out of money."
"You're full of it! You… you…"
"Why don't you call and ask him? How long have you and Chloe been here? Do you think he's home now? Do you think he'll be with another girl once you're gone? And this time, didn't he ask for money from you again before you parted?"
A barrage of questions—a true interrogation!
Ethan didn't actually know if Wally would go out after Wannie left, but it was likely!
That's what he had done before!
Wally Hu was a silver-tongued man without a steady job who specialized in wooing rich girls.
"You, just wait! How dare you badmouth Wally! Chloe, watch, I'll expose his lies right now so you'll know he's a big liar!" Wannie handed Chloe the baton, quickly took out her phone, and dialed Wally's number, putting it on speaker.
"Hey, Wally, are you home?" Wannie asked, referring to her own luxury apartment as "home."
"Yes, baby, are you coming back? What would you like to eat? I'll go downstairs and get it for you," a gentle, doting male voice came from the phone.
"Good boy, Wally. I'm not coming back. I'm with Chloe right now," Wannie said sweetly, casting a provocative look at Ethan. Then she spoke softly to Wally on the phone, "Go to the bedroom and check the drawer of the vanity table. There's $10,000 there. Tell me the serial number on the first bill."
"What? $10,000? Um… is there money in the drawer?" Wally's tone suddenly became tense.
"Yes, there is. Go check. Hurry, Chloe and I made a bet," Wannie insisted.
"Um… I'm in the bathroom. You'll have to wait a bit…" Wally's voice trailed off, and Wannie's expression changed.
She wasn't stupid.
"F*** you, Wally Hu! You're not home?! You dare lie to me? Which little slut are you fooling around with?" Wannie shouted furiously.
"...beep beep beep." The other side hung up.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]