Chapter 12 Nervous Much?

"Who? Ethan?" Claudia couldn't help but laugh. "Leah, did you get enough sleep last night? You seem a bit off." "That's Lincoln, though. Doesn't quite match his look, right?" "If he could afford a Lincoln, why would he stick around here instead of heading out?" Leah looked confused for a moment, her forehead creasing. "Maybe I got it wrong." Leah laughed at herself, admitting she was still feeling the late hours from the night before, which kept her up until the wee hours, hence her tired eyes. "It looks like we're getting some weird looks today," observed Claudia, glancing around. They caught several disdainful stares from the crowd of well-dressed people. Leah just shook her head with a smile. "It's because I submitted the cooperation proposal online first. They must think I'm too straightforward." That process was formal and inconvenient. Still, everyone else preferred to rely on connections and under-the-table tactics. "But it's okay. Let them think as they like. I'll stay honest." Leah, holding the proposal tightly, walked toward the investment area. "Sorry, Miss, only one person can go through." A staff member stopped Claudia. "We're together; We have entry passes," Leah explained. "It's the rules!" the staff member insisted coldly. "It's alright, Leah. We'll go the normal way and catch up later." Claudia ended up in line with her assistant. Meanwhile, Ethan and Heather made their way into the villa. "Boss, the business meeting's ongoing, and there's a dinner at ten. I'll take you to the VIP room first." Ethan gestured offhandedly. "No need, you've been getting calls non-stop, see to them. I'll be fine." He was still trying to get used to having a personal maid. "I'll go and get my uncle then." Heather left with a bow. Ethan wandered off by himself. "Hey, you there. I need you to help move some stuff!" Out of nowhere, a worker called out to Ethan. Amid everyone in formal wear, Ethan was in his casual outfit, sticking out among the crew. Ethan, surprised, responded, "Me?" "Who else would I be talking to ... " An unexpected voice cut in before the worker could even finish his sentence. "Ethan? Why are you here?" Claudia quickly walked up, catching Ethan chatting with the workers. She couldn't help but mock. "You're really hopeless, huh? Can't seem to make it on your own, always hanging around us. "Trying to blend in as a worker and sneak in, that's pretty funny." "Uh ... " Ethan was at a loss for words. "I was actually invited here." "Enough, enough, enough!" Claudia quickly interrupted, shaking her head. "No need to try and smooth-talk your way out of this one. "Please, just go! "Stop annoying us, or I'll get someone to handle you! Pointless!" "Miss, we should head out. It's about time," the assistant suggested urgently. Claudia gave Ethan a sharp look as a final warning before they left. "Hahaha!" After Claudia had left, Ethan was greeted by derisive laughter. When he turned, he saw it was Riley from the Lewis and her cheerful husband, Alfred! "Ah, isn't it Mr. Bennett? Got kicked out by the Kings? Why were you being scolded like a misbehaving pet by them?" Riley walked up, her tone dripping with mockery, evidently in the loop about the recent happenings. "Last time, you showed up at my wedding acting all high and mighty with the backing of the Kings, and now here you are, pretending once more, you imposter!" The two of them were clearly enjoying themselves. "You're beyond help." Ptui! Riley spat on the ground. "This is a reward I gave you. If you kneel and lick it like a dog to make me happy, I'll let you go. "Otherwise, we'll expose your background, have the people from Oakridge Villa break your legs, or even chop you up to feed the dogs." They now had a superior attitude, thinking they had caught Ethan by the throat. Ethan just glanced at them coolly and said, "Beat it!" Alfred was seething angrily. "You insolent kid, acting all high and mighty without the Kings' shield over you? "You should thank your stars. We're in Oakridge Villa. If not, that 'get lost' of yours would have earned you a slap to oblivion ... " Smack! Before he could finish speaking, Ethan slapped him hard across the face. Gurgle, gurgle! With a single slap, the overweight Alfred, resembling a pig, was knocked to the ground, rolling several times before finally stopping, leaving a few bloody teeth behind. With no change in his expression, Ethan grabbed a nearby tissue and cleaned his hands, murmuring, "Ugh, so greasy!" The loud room went quiet following the slap. Nobody thought anyone would actually slap someone else at such a significant event. Wasn't that a direct insult to the owner of Oakridge Villa, the Heather Group, and the famous business magnate, David? In a state of shock, Riley pointed at Ethan, exclaiming, "You lowlife, how dare you ... " Before she could finish, Ethan cut her off with another slap, asking, "Were you eager for another one?" Disdainfully wiping his hands afterwards, he complained, "Ugh, all that powder!" They tried to regain their composure, their eyes burning with anger. Today was supposed to be their day to shine at the banquet, not become the butt of jokes! "Who do you think you are, causing a scene here?" one of the guests challenged. The villa's security team was on them in no time, visibly furious. Hosting such an esteemed event, they were under strict orders to ensure everything went smoothly. Now, this outbreak of violence was threatening that. And the instigator seemed no different from any ordinary labourer! Unbeknownst to the guards, Heather brought Ethan in, making his presence virtually untouchable for them. Alfred shouted, "I'm Alfred, the nephew of your boss. This guy crashed the party without an invite to stir up trouble." "Get on your knees, now!" a guard demanded of Ethan. Raising an eyebrow, Ethan countered, "They're the troublemakers, and you're telling me to kneel?" "We've got guests here, and you're just a nobody. Kneel!" the head guard insisted, his tone filled with anger. Alfred and Riley mocked, "See, that's the difference between us. You belong in the trash!" Ethan eyed the guards coolly. "And what if I refuse?" "That's asking for trouble!" The guards, enraged, lunged at him. But Ethan effortlessly dispatched them with a series of slaps, leaving them groaning on the ground. This turn of events caught the entire crowd off guard. Alfred and Riley were astounded to see Ethan single-handedly take down several guards. Standing over the lead guard, Ethan challenged, "Talking about discrimination now? "And who said I wasn't a guest here?" A confused voice cut through the tension. "Ethan?" Leah pushed through the crowd to him, asking, "Was that really you, just now, causing all this commotion?"