Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph
Chapter 157 Good Men Are All Henpecked Husbands

I felt like I was frozen, just staring at him, unable to move.

He smirked at me. "What? You don't believe me?"

"Spell it out," I demanded.

Richard leaned against the elevator wall, arms crossed, looking at me with that indifferent gaze.

Usually, he looked like a mischievous kid. But in that suit, he seemed a bit more grown-up. Still, arrogance was just part of who he was.

"He took down Silent Grove Village. I didn't wrong him, did I? Victor once promised me Silent Grove Village, but he wrecked it. Shouldn't I get something in return?"

If Silent Grove Village really went under, it was because Ethan gave Faris the neighboring land, letting him build a cemetery there.

Richard suddenly smirked again, all cocky. "But Faris did a good job. I heard that place was cursed, and I didn't want it anyway."

The elevator dinged, and he strolled out with his hands in his pockets, whistling like he didn't have a care in the world.

The doors closed again. I took a deep breath and looked at my reflection in the elevator wall. The smooth surface twisted my shadow. When I got to the top floor, I walked into Ethan's office.

He looked up from his work, a bit surprised to see me.

"What brings you here?"

"I miss you," I said straight up.

Ethan's lips curved into a smile, and a gentle look spread across his handsome face.

"Why'd you let Richard work here?" I asked.

He thought for a moment and then said calmly, "He wanted in, so I let him. Richard won't get the pressure and responsibility of being a general manager unless he experiences it himself."

I clutched my handbag, swallowed hard, and asked, "But he said you owe him. He also said he went to jail because of you. What's that about?"

Ethan put down his pen, lit a cigarette, and leaned back in his chair.

"Richard can say that. But in the end, it's his own mess."

Ethan always seemed so calm, never rattled by anything.

I stayed quiet, waiting for him to go on.

"He couldn't even get into a regular college, so we paid for him to go to a lower-tier one, but he got kicked out soon after. He wasted his time and wanted everything handed to him. When I offered him the management of Silent Grove Village, he wasn't interested. But he was all about the general manager spot at Skyline International Corporation. I told him, nothing I have today was handed to me; I earned it all myself. If he wants a good life, he's got to fight for it. So, out of spite, he tried. But I didn't expect him to go down the wrong path."

So, it was all Richard's fault, but he pinned everything on Ethan.

"Leadership sets the tone for everyone. Can he really handle being the general manager with his current skills?"

I had zero faith in Richard running Skyline International Corporation.

Ethan gave a tired smile. "He thinks being a general manager is all about sipping coffee and enjoying the AC. He'll get it once he's in the thick of it."

People only see the glitz and glam of success but have no clue about the sacrifices behind it.

Ethan stubbed out his cigarette, moved the mouse, and clicked twice. Soothing music started playing from the small speakers on his desk.

He always had a serious work attitude, so I was puzzled why he suddenly played music.

He stood up, walked over to me, and gently wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Come on, let's dance."

I was stunned, wondering what had gotten into Ethan.

"I don't know how," I admitted.

He lowered his head, a gentle smile spreading across his lips.

"I know. So I'll teach you."

He guided one of my hands to his shoulder, held my other hand tightly, and started moving his feet, leading the dance.

Even though there was no audience, I was nervous because I had never danced before.

Especially since I clumsily stepped on his feet several times, making me even more embarrassed and unable to control my legs.

Ethan probably sensed my nervousness and teased me with a smile. "Just step on me. My shoes and feet are tough."

After dancing for a while, I finally got the hang of it.

"Very good, not bad." He praised me generously.

I felt a bit embarrassed and asked softly, "Why did you suddenly think of teaching me to dance? We're in the office."

He smiled and replied, "At the party the other day, I noticed you were unhappy. I didn't dance with you because I knew you couldn't. If I had pulled you to dance, it would have been a trap, right?" So Ethan had seen through my thoughts.

"Now that you've learned, I'll have a dance partner in the future." He added.

As one song ended, another particularly sentimental one began.

We danced slowly, and Ethan gradually lowered his head, resting his chin gently on my shoulder, and slowly wrapped his arms around me.

In the end, we just held each other tightly, moving slowly to the music.

Ethan's breaths were right by my ear, each one heavy and long. Mixed with the music, I could hear a sense of fatigue in his breathing.

A lot has gone down lately, especially the mess with Oliver. Ethan must be feeling pretty rough about it.

Suddenly, there was clapping at the door, and I turned around.

Richard was leaning against the doorframe, lazily watching us and clapping slowly.

"Dancing in the office, huh? Quite the vibe!"

Ethan slowly straightened up.

Richard strolled in, spun the chair in front of the desk, and plopped down, crossing his legs.

"You were looking for me?" Richard asked, looking at Ethan.

Ethan adjusted his clothes, walked back to his chair, and sat down, his expression already serious again.

He placed a stack of documents in front of Richard. "These are the basics of our company. You have three days to read them. As the general manager, you need to know this stuff inside out." Richard flipped through the documents casually and sneered. "So much? It's like a teacher assigning homework. What does it matter if I get it or not? The company ran just fine without me, didn't it?" Ethan paused in his work and looked at Richard with a blank expression.

"You're right. The company ran just fine without you. So, do you think you have no value here?" Richard was momentarily speechless, scratched his head, and picked up the stack of documents. "Fine, I'll read them, okay?"

As he turned to leave, he glanced at me, then stopped at the door and looked around the office.

"This office is too big. Mine is, at most, half the size. Shouldn't you give me a bigger one? In case I get the urge to dance in the office, I'll have the space."

Ethan didn't look up, writing with his pen as he said, "That's not an unreasonable request. When your abilities match your position, I'll consider it."

Richard stood at the door for a moment, then patted the documents in his hand and left, whistling.

"Tomorrow, Faye's crew will be in Starlight City for a promotional event. There will be a new show press conference. Are you going?" Ethan suddenly asked me.

I wasn't dumb; of course, I had to go. Not going would give Faye an opportunity.

I remembered that Nora had mentioned this event too.

"Can I bring someone with me?" I asked.

Ethan looked at me questioningly, and I explained, "A classmate of mine is interested in this kind of event."

He nodded. "Sure."

When I told Nora she could attend the press conference, she was thrilled and kept asking me questions.

"Emily, you're amazing! How did you get the tickets? I heard that even money can't always get you into these events. I didn't know you had such connections. Tell me, do you know someone important? Oh, I remember. You're friends with Faye, aren't you? Did she give you the tickets? I'm so jealous. I wish I could be friends with her too."

I looked at her, exasperated. "Nora, celebrities are just regular people. They don't have extra eyes or noses. Don't make a big deal out of it. And please, don't embarrass me with your fangirl fantasies, or I'll pretend I don't know you." Nora stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "Okay, I won't. I'll be low-key, I promise."

The press conference was mainly for promoting the new show. Besides the production team, investors, and a few important guests, most attendees were media personnel.

After the trailer was shown, it was time for media interviews and photos.

Faye even performed a song live. When she started singing, I was momentarily dazed because Faye was singing Fiona's song. As she walked off the stage, her outfit, demeanor, and Fiona-like face made her look like Fiona reborn. Faye sang beautifully, and despite her young age, she conveyed a sense of world-weariness, showing that she must have practiced a lot for this performance.

I turned to look at Ethan. His gaze was on the stage, his expression calm, with no significant reaction.

After the performance, Nora seized the opportunity to get autographs and photos with a few of the main actors.

Having fulfilled her wish, Nora was so excited she almost jumped up and down.

I looked at her, speechless, and she grinned at me, linking her arm with mine.

"Emily, you're making me nervous with that look. You enjoy yourself. I won't stick around to embarrass you. I'm leaving." Nora left before the banquet started.

As the banquet began, people moved around, toasting each other.

When someone came to toast Ethan, I said he wasn't feeling well and couldn't drink.

Ethan smiled and said, "The boss doesn't allow it, so I have to listen to her."

The person joked. "I didn't expect Mr. Windsor to be a henpecked husband."

Ethan's smile didn't fade. "Of course, it's a compliment. All good men are henpecked husbands."

Ethan took the opportunity to praise himself!

I glanced at him, and he smiled at me innocently, as if he hadn't just been bragging.

Later, someone invited Ethan to another table.

I was bored and instinctively looked over at Faye's table.

Besides her crew, there seemed to be other industry directors at the table.

Despite her young age, Faye was very good at socializing, constantly toasting them.

I went to the restroom, and as I reached the corner of the hallway, I heard voices, low and somewhat secretive.

I stopped and heard a man say, "Give this drink to that star who sang earlier. Don't mess it up."