Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph
Chapter 75 Three-Day Deadline

I could totally tell Victor's whole nice-guy act was just that-an act.

The stench from his cigarettes was rank. Even a few steps away, I felt like hacking up a lung. But I sucked it up, even held my breath.

"Ms. Russell, you're bad news. Before you showed up, Ethan and Skyline International were smooth sailing. All the drama started when you came into the picture. I remember you left with your head held high. So, why can't you stay away from Ethan now? Don't worry, I'll make sure you do."

The plate I was holding slipped and shattered.

Victor was sharp, no doubt about it. He picked the perfect time to corner me, with Ethan and Jason out of the picture, laying it all out there, no sugar-coating. But I can't just walk away from Ethan.

I knew no matter how much I tried to explain that I wasn't after Ethan's money or had any hidden agenda, Victor wouldn't buy it.

"Ms. Russell, don't kid yourself. Ethan's my son, and I know him better than you. He's driven, more than his peers, more than most people twice his age."

Victor had a point. Ethan and I were worlds apart.

"He's already killing it. He needs a woman who can keep up. Ms. Russell, what can you offer him?"

I couldn't help Ethan with anything. I was more of a burden than a help.

"Don't give me that 'I love him' speech. I believe in love, but not that it lasts forever. 'Forever' is built on something more solid." Victor was ruthless, tearing down my romantic notions right in front of me.

I had no comeback. It felt true. I was a jinx, always bringing bad luck. And I had nothing special to offer.

I used to be okay with being ordinary, finding joy in my simple life. But now, I hated it. I wanted to be someone worthy of Ethan.

I don't know how long I stood there, but eventually, I was alone in the kitchen.

I squatted down to pick up the broken pieces, my legs stiff from standing.

Suddenly, a familiar pair of shoes appeared, and someone pulled me up.

"What's up?" Ethan's brows were furrowed.

I apologized, "Don't be mad. I broke the plate while washing it."

"It's just a plate," Ethan said, grabbing a broom to clean up.

I went back to washing the dishes, trying to sound casual, "Why'd you come back? She just got her license, it's not safe for her to drive alone." "Jason's with her, it's fine," he said from behind me.

After finishing the dishes, I walked out. Victor was on the couch, watching TV like he hadn't moved.

Seeing him, I quickened my pace and hurried out with Ethan. As soon as we stepped outside, I spotted the new car.

Both windows were down, and Lacey, behind the wheel, looked thrilled. She was chatting with Jason, laughing now and then.

Women who drive always seem so cool. And Lacey had that classy vibe. A beautiful woman in a nice car-quite the sight.

Lacey's driving skills were impressive. She handled turns and U-turns like a pro.

"I want to get a driver's license," I blurted out.

My voice was low, but Ethan, right next to me, heard it. He smiled, looking amused. "A woman who's too scared isn't cut out for driving."

I looked at him, feeling down. "You think I'm useless too, don't you?"

Ethan put his arm around my shoulder, leaning close to my ear, his voice teasing. "I think you're pretty good in bed."

His dirty talk always caught me off guard, but this time, I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts to react.

On the way back, I didn't say a word. But inside, I was a mess.

I really felt like a jinx. Because of me, Arthur demanded $7 million, giving me just three days. I had no idea how to fix this.

"What's wrong?" Ethan reached out and touched my head, his gesture gentle.

Lost in my own head, I jumped a bit and shook my head. "Just feeling a bit off."

"Want to hit up the hospital?" Ethan asked.

"Nah, no need. Just tired," I replied.

"Then get some rest," he said.

I nodded.

Back at the beach house, I crashed early.

With my eyes shut, Ethan probably thought I was out cold. He moved super quietly getting into bed, but I was too wired to sleep.

I didn't want to think about it, but I couldn't stop. How the hell was I gonna fix this mess?

Day one of Arthur's three-day deadline was gone, and I was running out of time.

By midday on the second day, the pressure was crushing me. Should I tell Ethan? Should I take Arthur's sleazy offer of $1,500 per hookup? I even had a crazy thought of offing him. I felt like I was losing it. In the afternoon, it started pouring. We stayed in, just watching TV.

Ethan must've noticed how off I'd been. He suddenly sat next to me, pulled me close, and pressed his forehead to mine. "You sure you're not sick? Need a doc?"

Looking into his worried eyes, guilt hit me hard. I realized I was wrong. I shouldn't have tried to handle this solo. I couldn't fix it.

I decided to spill the beans, at least to prep him for the chance Arthur might leak those nudes. I licked my dry lips, ready to talk, when his phone rang.

That call blew my chance to confess. After he took it, Ethan left and didn't come back by evening.

On non-holidays, the beach area was pretty dead, making the beach house feel extra quiet.

The silence was driving me nuts. I called Ethan a bunch of times, but his phone was off, making me even more anxious.

Around nine at night, I heard a car and got my hopes up, running outside. But it wasn't Ethan's car. Jason stepped out. Jason walked up to me and said, "Ethan was worried you'd be freaked out alone, so he sent me to bring you back." "Where is he?" I asked.

"He probably has some work stuff at the company. Don't stress," Jason tried to reassure me.

I wasn't scared of being alone, but my mind would go into overdrive, especially staring out at the dark night through the window and hearing the waves crash. It made my thoughts go haywire.

I went back to the villa with Jason. He whipped up some food, and I forced myself to eat a bit, not wanting to be rude.

Afterward, he suggested I hit the sack early. I wasn't tired, so I just sat in the living room with the TV on, but my mind was elsewhere.

Jason sat beside me, keeping me company.

"You should get some sleep. You've got work tomorrow," I said.

Jason gave a small smile. "It's cool, I'm used to it."

It was already eleven, and Ethan still hadn't shown up. His phone was still off, making me even more anxious.

It wasn't until after midnight that I finally heard a car. I quickly put on my slippers and rushed to the door. Ethan got out of the car after parking.

"Why aren't you asleep yet? Can't sleep without me?" Ethan teased, acting like everything was fine. But as he walked into the living room, I noticed his shirt was dirty, and his hand had a scrape. "What happened to you?" I asked, confused.

Ethan glanced at me. "Don't laugh, but I took a spill."

He didn't smell like booze, so the whole "I fell" story seemed sketchy.

"Is it serious? Did you hurt anywhere else?" I asked.

He took off his jacket and sat on the sofa, pulling me close. "It did hurt. You can comfort me later," he whispered in my ear.

"It's late. You two should wash up and hit the hay," Jason suddenly stood up and said, heading upstairs.

We followed him up.

After showering, Ethan came out naked. I didn't even have time to blush; I was too busy checking him over. Luckily, no other visible injuries.

He pushed me onto the bed, his eyes locking onto my lips, his gaze darkening as he leaned in. But I wasn't feeling it and turned my head away. "Where did you go today? What really happened?" I asked.

Ethan stopped, looked at me for a moment, then lay down beside me. "Don't you trust me?"

His words made it clear he didn't want to spill, so I didn't push it.

My question seemed to kill the mood. He didn't try anything else, just held me as we fell asleep.

Little did I know, we were in for some serious trouble the next day.