Chapter 196

Lucy White almost laughed in disbelief.

Was this woman out of her mind? Instead of confronting the man who rejected her, she chose to take it out on another woman? What kind of logic was that?

Turning around, Lucy crossed her arms, her red lips curling into a smirk. "Me, guilty? You're the one who should be ashamed."

She hadn’t even settled the score with this woman over the last online scandal.

If Ethan Smith hadn’t stepped in to uncover the truth and applied pressure behind the scenes, who knew what other schemes she might have cooked up?

Ethan’s expression darkened dangerously. "Jessica Chase, it seems my last warning wasn’t harsh enough."

He pulled out his phone, ready to make a call.

Jessica paled instantly. "Ethan, after all these years of waiting for you, is this how you treat me?"

This time, she didn’t dare call him "Ethan" affectionately.

From the moment she first laid eyes on him, she had been obsessed with this strikingly handsome man. Ivy League-educated, a self-made entrepreneur, from a prestigious family—she believed she was the only woman worthy of him.

But before she could even make her move, she heard Ethan had broken his own rules to join a reality show—for some actress.

It felt like a slap in the face.

Ethan was beyond exasperated. "When did I ever ask you to wait? A year ago, when your family proposed an arranged marriage, I refused on the spot."

"Besides, we barely know each other. My attitude toward you is perfectly justified."

This explanation was mostly for Lucy’s benefit—he didn’t want any misunderstandings.

"If you’re sick, go get treatment. Don’t throw a tantrum here."

Jessica staggered as if struck by lightning, unable to believe Ethan would speak to her like this.

"Ethan, have you no regard for our families’ friendship?"

He scoffed. "If it weren’t for that friendship, do you think simply being sent abroad would’ve been the end of it?"

Done with the conversation, he dialed Jason Chase’s number. "Control your sister, or I won’t hold back."

A reply came swiftly from the other end. "Don’t worry. She snuck out—the bodyguards are on their way."

Ethan’s voice was icy. "Send her to Africa. She’ll fit in better there."

Anyone who dared target Lucy would pay the price.

After a brief pause, the response came: "Understood."

Soon, several black-suited bodyguards appeared and forcibly escorted Jessica away.

In the car, Jessica wept dramatically and called her second brother.

"Julian, someone stole my fiancé!"

A playful voice answered. "Who’s bold enough to do that?"

Jessica embellished the story with venomous details.

"I’ll deal with it when I get back," Julian Chase said with a light laugh. "Just some actress—I have plenty of ways to handle her."

Jessica sniffled. "You’re the best, Julian! Ethan told Jason to send me to Africa..."

"Stay there for a while. I’ll find a way to bring you back," Julian reassured her. "As for that Lucy White..."

He smirked. "I’ll seduce her. Once she’s mine, Ethan will naturally return to you."

Jessica giggled through her tears. "Don’t actually fall for her!"

"Relax. No woman is worth my sincerity," Julian said confidently. "I’ll have her wrapped up by next month."

Back at the inn, Lucy remained unaware she had just become someone’s target.

Ethan looked at her apologetically. "I’m sorry. I promise this won’t happen again."