“I’m not nervous, okay?” Kylie denied his accusation and returned his stare.

Ethan pushed her hair behind her ears. The soft, casual movement quickened her heart; she felt a spark when his fingertips touched her face.

He moved closer to her and whispered: “Kylie, I wonder if someone ever told you that your hands shake when you’re nervous?”

Kylie gaped at him unbelievably. How could she never have known this about herself?

Taylor Parker felt that the situation was uncomfortable, so she stepped out among them. “Aiden, Nicole—Ethan is your uncle. What are you guys waiting for?”

Listening to his mother, Aiden could do nothing but apologize. “I’m sorry, uncle. It’s my fault that I didn’t recognize you immediately.”

It was hard to tell if Ethan simply did not hear or chose not to acknowledge his nephew, but he remained silent and gently looked at Kylie—which made her feel ill at ease.

Nicole was so young and felt the need to ask questions when she was uncomfortable. “Uncle, you’ve been abroad for a long time. Is that when you met Kylie?”

His beautiful eyes moved about the room, but his face stayed still. He replied coldly: “It’s none of your business.”

Nicole felt too awkward to say anything more. But she stared at Kylie, with hatred in her eyes.

Kylie wrapped her arm around Ethan’s waist, teasing him. Good job, she thought, anger them! Kylie felt so good.

After these brief introductions, Khloe gently pulled at Aiden’s sleeve.

Even though she didn’t yet wear a wedding ring, their engagement was still a public truth. It was a rare chance to meet Aiden’s uncle since he returned home so seldom.

Aiden pulled her in front of him and addressed Ethan with a foxy smile: “This is my fiancee, Khloe.”

Ethan looked into Khloe’s eyes when they were introduced. Before this, he hadn’t even acknowledged Aiden’s presence.

“So, you’re Khloe?”

Khloe’s face turned red, and she couldn’t prevent her heart from beating quickly. She could never have hoped that he had already heard of her.

She stared at him as seductively as possible, and said: “Uncle, you’ve heard of me before?”

“Well...” he answered softly and nodded.

The women around him looked envious. How could Lord Ethan know her name, and not theirs?

Khloe couldn’t help feeling proud. After all, the Finch family was also famous. And since becoming attached to the entertainment industry, she has done some good work.

But this man was so perfect, and there’s no way she could have forgotten him if they had met before. She had attended so many dinners full of bald men with beer bellies.

Before she could say anything more, Ethan stopped her. “My girl mentioned you before.”

Then, he held Kylie closer and lifted her little chin towards him. The man’s eyes rested on Kylie’s bewildered face. Without averting his gaze, he continued to talk to Khloe: “My girl said that you’re willing to rob someone else’s boyfriend.”

Kylie wished she could throttle this man. Didn’t he notice all the people envying her? Plus, she had never told him that Khloe was such a bitch. Now, she was going to be a scapegoat.

But, on second thought, all Ethan did was embarrass Khloe.

Kylie suddenly smiled, and, as a gift, blew Ethan a kiss. Then she turned to Khloe, and said: “It’s true.”

The crowd became quiet.

Khloe’s face contorted. She clenched her lips, and tears welled up in her eyes. She looked just like a poor, ugly duckling.

Aiden felt bad for Khloe and held her in his arms. He stared at Kylie and looked like he was about to say something, but Taylor stopped him before he could.

The moment Aiden had realized who Ethan was, he’d known his accusations had been false. Yet Ethan hadn’t punished him with respect for his brother, Matthew. So, Aiden decided to let his treatment of Khloe go unpunished.

Ethan was the proud Lord Parker, the only man who could terrify Matthew Parker. It was not wise to offend him.

When the people around them kept silent, Ethan said: “Show your respect.”

Kylie looked at Ethan in confusion. Then she turned around and addressed the man who was coming closer: “Uncle Parker.”

But Ethan spoke, rather unhappily: “Wrong.”

What did he mean? She always called Matthew ‘Uncle Parker.’

Taylor Parker guessed what Ethan meant. She softly said: “It’s okay. Kylie is part of our family.”

“True,” Ethan replied. “She’s my wife.” He puffed at a cigar and slowly blew out the smoke.

Everyone was shocked!

But what he did was provide Kylie with a reason for being there. Nobody would question her about it anymore.

Instantly, all the women in the room began to reconsider Kylie. Some were admiring, some envious. Of course, most of them hated her.

Kylie’s heart stopped beating the moment Ethan spoke the words: “She’s my wife.”

This was the man she had just met. He confused her by keeping her secret. Is it possible that he simply wanted to help her attend Aiden’s engagement party? But why would he do that?

Before she could figure it out, Nicole stepped up. Though she still felt displeased, she managed to say: “Aunt Kylie.”

Before, when Ethan had said: “Show your respect,” he had not meant for Kylie to greet Matthew, but for the younger Parkers to show their respect to his new bride.

Aiden’s face contorted, and he said in a low voice: “Aunt Kylie.”

Matthew Parker realized that Ethan was protecting Kylie. So, he immediately changed his attitude. He said to Kylie: “Why don’t we have a drink together?”

Taylor forced a smile. “Sister, have a seat.”

Kylie was not so stupid as to sit down with them, so she excused herself and went to the washroom.

***

“Kylie, how could you be such a bitch? How could you turn to Ethan just because Aiden dumped you?” Khloe stopped Kylie in the washroom. Her eyes were red from crying.

Khloe was so envious, and she could go insane.

Alice Davis stood by her daughter and kept offering her tissues. She stared at Kylie and said: “Don’t let it go to your head! Lord Ethan doesn’t love you—you’re just a toy for him.”

Kylie washed her hands and looked at the sink. The smile on her face seemed to overflow. “Well, it’s a good thing Lord Ethan is willing to be with me, even if I’m just his toy. What about you? Did he even bother to look at you?”

Alice Davis was so angry she wanted to strike Kylie across the face. But the moment she raised her hand, someone else opened the door to the washroom.

Alice Davis checked her raised hand and looked towards the door. Her expression made her look like a frog.

A lady came to the sink next to Kylie. She turned the tap and spoke to Alice: “You dare to bully the weak.”

Kylie lifted her head. From her reflection in the mirror, she recognized the lady from before: she was wearing a white princess dress.

This lady had baby-soft skin. Her fine hair was swept back in a ponytail. She looked so beautiful, like a doll.

Alice Davis tried to show her enthusiasm the moment she noticed the lady. She said: “Dear Miss Bass, it’s an honor to have you at my daughter’s engagement party.”

Miss Bass?

Kylie remembered that when she had pretended to be close to Ethan, that lady had appeared angry. She had assumed Miss Bass must be Ethan’s ex-girlfriend.

And this assumption turned out to be correct.

Kylie smiled and pointed at Khloe, then at herself. “Miss Bass, I don’t know if you’re talking about her or me...” Kylie said.

Before Kylie could finish her sentence, the lady splashed water all over Kylie’s face. Drops fell from her chin.

“You bitch! How dare you try to seduce Lord Ethan!” Fannie Bass stared at Kylie with anger, one hand on her hip.

Alice Davis laughed happily. She knew of Lady Fannie Bass—she was the youngest sister in the Bass family, and loved her three older brothers. And she was raised obstinately because of her distinguished background.

Fannie was offended, but she did an unexpected thing:

She pushed back her hair and gestured towards her face. “I splashed you, so now it’s your turn to splash me. I’ll never bully the weak.”

Kylie was shocked by this suggestion. She had fought with Khloe every day, and this was the first time someone had ever suggested fair play.

After the initial moment of shock, she splashed Fannie in the face with water.

“Well done! Now tell me which postures you do when you make love to Lord Ethan.”

Kylie was completely shocked to hear this, and so were Khloe and Alice.

Facing such a great lady, Kylie wiped her brow and said: “How about we make up first?”

“Correct! I need to make up too!”

Then, Fannie ignored Khloe, who still stood by, looking shocked. She simply led Kylie out of the washroom, hand in hand.

In a private box on the second floor, they sat down face to face.

“Now, can you tell me how you caught Lord Ethan?”

Watching her curious face, Kylie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why do you laugh?” asked Miss Bass.

Kylie lay down on the sofa. “Miss Bass, you must be the most special girl I’ve ever met. Have you ever fallen in love?”

“Nope, what about you?” Fannie asked, taking a large gulp of her sweet wine.

“This is my ex-boyfriend’s party,” Kylie replied.

“Does Lord Ethan enjoy having a secondhand girlfriend?”

Kylie took off her heels and rubbed her sore feet. She had to admit that she liked this cute, honest girl.

“Miss Bass, I have no idea how to explain the relationship between Lord Ethan and me. But it’s not what you think.”

Fannie was silent for a while. She stared at Kylie with a questioning look. Then she took another sip of her wine, and said: “Do you know how many ladies want to kill you since Lord Ethan announced that you’re his wife?”

Kylie lifted her eyebrows. She really liked Fannie’s personality: brutally honest.

She shrugged, and said, smiling: “It’s not the first time I’m somebody’s imaginary enemy. But honestly, I'm just Lord Ethan today...I helped him out, so he owes me.”

Maybe it was Kylie’s peaceful tone, or perhaps it was her honest gaze, but Fannie immediately believed her.

After a moment of silence, Fannie responded: “Don’t ever call me Miss Bass; just call me Fannie. The splashing was just a thing I learned from ebooks. I hope it didn’t bother you too much.”

After a while of chatting like this, they both felt comfortable and familiar. Fannie suddenly took Kylie’s hand and said: “I’m gonna tell you a secret about Lord Ethan...”

***

Later on, Fannie was a little drunk, and she was driven home. Kylie accompanied her partway but got out to buy some crayfish and beer before going home. She had eaten nothing at the party and had been starving for a long time.

She peeled the crayfish and drank the beer, which made all her unhappiness disappear. But as she was peacefully eating, she suddenly heard somebody knock at her door.

Only the Finches knew where she lived. There’s no way I’m going to argue with them now, she thought.

While considering this, Kylie opened the door. She was surprised to see the man standing outside. In the shadow cast by the streetlamp, there stood a tall figure, smoking a cigarette, with a chocolate lab at his feet. One of his hands was hidden in his pocket.

He simply stood there and smoked. I was so weird.

“Lord Ethan?” Kylie said, a bit nervous. “How did you get my address? And what do you want with me at such an hour?”

“Our deal,” he replied.

What the hell? Had he come all this way with his dog for that?

“Well...Lord Ethan...” Kylie didn’t want him coming into her room. But he stepped past her, after extinguishing his cigarette.

The lab followed its master into the room, wagging its tail.

Kylie had no choice but to follow them both inside. “Have a seat, please. I only have a beer...I don’t know if you like it.”

“Alright.” Ethan glanced at the table and nodded.

Kylie opened a bottle of beer for Ethan. The little sofa didn’t seem suitable for such a tall man. The dog sat down and stayed quiet.

“What about him?” Kylie indicated the lab, asking Ethan for direction. Both guests simply stared at her. She looked from man to dog but eventually started staring at the crayfish on the table. It was so awkward, and nobody spoke.

Kylie sat on the stool and felt like crying. What the fuck...did he want to do?

There was no sound in the room, besides the evaporation of the beer, and the wind, and a small sound coming from someone’s stomach.

Kylie took a deep breath and raised her head. “Lord Ethan, have you eaten already, or would you like to try some of the spicy crayfish?”

Ethan nodded and said: “Please peel.” And the dog yelped.

Come on, she thought. Who did Ethan think she was, ordering her about like this? And the dog! Damn it—it can’t eat the crayfish!

Wearing her disposable gloves, Kylie begins to peel, and asks again: “Are you sure you wanna eat the crayfish I peel for you? Are you okay with the lack of cleanliness?”

“In fact, I would prefer it if you were unclothed,” Ethan responded. The dog yelped once more.

This dog must be here to threaten me, Kylie thought.

Ethan ate gracefully. He ate the crayfish as though it were lobster. And his dog, after having a taste, couldn’t stop eating.

Kylie was a little worried. “Is it okay for your dog to eat this spicy food?”

But honestly, she didn’t want to take the crayfish away, and risk offending this lab.

Let alone offend Ethan...

"It's fine." Ethan didn't seem to care at all. Though he said it was fine, she didn't dare give the dog any extra crayfish.

"Well, what about your audition today?" The silent man suddenly asks.

Kylie puts the crayfish into her mouth and says: "Well, I did it. I mean, I hadn't expected that."

Ethan raised his bottle and congratulated her. Kylie glowed with sudden congratulations. She drank the whole bottle of beer. "Thanks!"

The smile on her face was accompanied by tears in her eyes, which made Ethan feel awkward and confused.

Kylie looked at the dog and asked: "What kind is it?"

"He's a lab—we call him Pupu," he responded, after a swig of beer.

Kylie thought it was a strange name for a dog. But Pupu liked Kylie—he stepped around her, sniffing and licking her feet. This tickled her, so she lifted her feet, laughing.

Ethan got up and went to the toilet. Meanwhile, Kylie squatted and stared into the dog's eyes. The dog stared back at her. Pupu's eyes shined with seeming emotion, which Kylie couldn't quite understand. Its tail swayed back and forth in contentment.

"Pupu?" Kylie tried to communicate with him and stroked his head. But Pupu avoided her hands; he was still a little wary. But eventually, he licked her hand, just as she was about to give up.

This small act inspired Kylie. She hadn't known a large dog before, but he was so kind and gentle. He was also very quiet and just lay down on the floor. They were already like old friends.

"Pupu, have we already met?" Pupu stared back and made a small noise.

Ethan's steps approached. Kylie sat upright and pretended that nothing had happened.

Ethan looked from Pupu to Kylie, his eyes shining. She continued to eat while he sipped at his beer.

When she finished eating, she looked up at Ethan and asked him whether it was time for him to return home.

"You have two options: come home with me, or let me stay here." His answer shocked Kylie.

"Well, Lord Ethan, about the things we discussed today...it was just a joke."

Ethan's face froze. "I was serious," he replied.

Kylie sat back in her seat, stripped of all power. She didn't want to admit it. "Why me?" she asked.

"Don't you want revenge against Aiden?" Ethan asked, beginning to remove his clothes. "Marry me! That means he'll have to call you' Aunt.' Isn't that what you want?"

Kylie held her chin, and asked: "But isn't he, your nephew...you'd want to do this to him?"

Ethan answered without looking her in the face. "My own happiness matters more than him."

Kylie looked him up and down and finally nodded as if she had just realized something. "So, you want me to cooperate with you, to anger him?" Seeing him nod, Kylie continued: "That's why you brought me to the party?"

Before Ethan could respond, Kylie spoke up again: "I got it!"

She finally understood what Fannie had told her. Miss Bass had said that Ethan never touched women.

So, when he had come back from the army, he'd heard about his nephew's troubles with Kylie. In fact, he'd just needed her to hide his secret, under the illusion of helping her! Kylie thought herself so clever for figuring this out!

"You like men!"

Ethan lifted her against the wall while she laughed. "Kylie, don't try to offend me!"

He was so close that Kylie felt dizzy. She was so scared that she pushed her hand against his chest. "No, please don't do this. I just heard that you don't like women."

It wasn't her fault; Fannie had told her this secret. Her face turned red, under Ethan's shadow. She felt awkward and licked her lips.

But Ethan simply got closer and closer. His breath was like a net, encircling her face. Her back was against the wall, and she had no way to escape and no place to hide.

Jesus, she thought, he's going to kill because I know his secret! I'm only twenty-one, and just starting out my life. I don't wanna die yet!

"Wait!" she roared. "You know I'm an actress—I can't marry at such a young age."

Ethan's frozen stare was terrifying. So, Kylie felt like she had to submit a little. "Well, I can promise that I'll cooperate with you in public. And if you need a company for any parties or activities, I can be with you. Deal?"

Ethan finally agreed, and unhappily let her go. Kylie took a deep breath. She wouldn't say yes to a fuck with that dog watching, anyway.

Her apartment was just a one-bedroom. The small space drove Kylie crazy.

"Well, maybe you can stay in my room, and I can sleep on the sofa," she suggested.

"I'll sleep in the living room," the man responded, without hesitation.

Kylie looked at the sofa. She didn't think he could fit on it—he was too tall to lie straight out on it, anyway.

After showering, she finally found two quilts, and placed them on the floor, to offer him a better place to sleep.

"Goodnight, and see ya tomorrow," she said.

"Well," Ethan responded. His eyes looked over her clean body; they were shining as though he were hiding a secret power.

Kylie had long hair. His skin shone and seemed so clear and white once all the makeup was removed. It was hot, but she still wore a lot of clothes to cover herself up in the presence of this man.

Ethan lay down on the floor and got a quilt over the lower half of his body. He had a hard time keeping calm the moment he saw her showered body.

While Kylie was lying in bed, she received a message.

"Kylie, all the treasures you lost will be paid back in another way. From Star."

Kylie knew this person on the internet. It had been a damned year: she had lost her mother, and she had had insomnia. Then, Star appeared.

A man meant a lot in her life.

Every time she was unhappy, every time she fought with others, or argued with some bitches...

Whatever emotion she felt, she would message him, and he would delight her, even though she had never met him, and didn't know his real name.

On the internet, Star's presence was just like that of the real stars in the sky, which spent many nights with her. The message he sent her today comforted her immensely.

Kylie replied: "The news never arrives until the old goes away."

Star replied: "Why don't you go to bed?"

She looked at her watch; it was two a.m. No wonder, he asked.

Kylie's eyes went soft when facing Star. She changed the topic: "When can we meet in person?"