Chapter 131 Ethan's Drink Was Drugged
"I also hit it off with Mr. Otis. I'll be joining in your car," Ethan said with a convivial smile, stepping forward to open the passenger door for Otis Phelps.
Otis Phelps was speechless for a moment and was utterly confused. How did the roles reverse?
Jasmine stole a glance at Ethan. Was it her imagination, or did Ethan's smile have a sly, almost foxlike cunning to it?
Before Otis Phelps could gather his wits, Ethan's forthright approach of opening the car door had him taking the passenger seat more out of reflex than choice.
Ethan, after closing the passenger door, opened the backseat door, signaling for Jasmine to hop in with his eyes.
Jasmie was clearly baffled as looked at her CEO. It seemed that he could have mistaken himself as the host.
When Mr. Douglas, with a smile laden with unspoken threats, gestured for her to get in the car quickly, Jasmine felt an intense intimidation.
Shivering slightly, she climbed in and instinctively huddled at the edge.
Harper, somewhat frantic, wanted to speak, but Ethan had already gotten into the car and closed the door.
From the outset, she was shown no mercy.
"Driver, you can start driving. Take it easy on the road; my little assistant here gets car sick," Ethan said coolly, taking charge in a way that bordered on audacious.
Harper was dumbfounded. She stood by the roadside, watching Otis Phelps' car drive away, seething with frustration.
"Harper, shall we head out?" her secretary called, driving up to escort Harper away.
Her eyes brimming with tears, Harper gripped the wine box in her hands tightly. "Is everything ready?"
The secretary nodded. "The right bottle has been spiked. Mr. Douglas won't touch spirits or liquor; he only sips a little red wine, and Mr. Otis isn't fond of it, so we've prepared alternatives. You needn't worry."
Harper took a deep breath and clenched her fists. "Let's go."
Arriving at their destination, Harper reminded in a serious tone, "Don't forget to have the reporters wait at the hotel tonight."
She had waited six years, thinking she had no more ties with Ethan, only for him to suddenly appear and question her about that night six years ago.
Indeed, six years prior, she had bribed the hotel staff, pretending to be drunk and entering Ethan's room early, but Ethan never returned to his room that night.
Yet, six years later, Ethan had actively come looking for her, probing about the person he'd been with that night in the hotel room, if it was indeed her.
Of course, she confessed because the person who slept in his room until dawn was her.
But thinking about it now, if Ethan hadn't returned to his room, who really slept with him at the hotel?
Who else's room had he entered?
Seeing Ethan's attitude toward her now, he clearly didn’t know the truth; he was just bothered by the fact that someone had played him back then.
Although Harper had explained how she got into his room, Ethan obviously didn't believe her.
Harper didn’t have any illusions about Ethan having feelings for her. She had to secure this man first, marry now, and find love later.
She was confident that after they were married, she would make Ethan fall in love with her.
"Could you check for me who stayed at the Silverlight City Bellagio Hotel during the Chamber of Commerce gala dinner six years ago?" Harper phoned her private investigator.
Now feeling a bit anxious, she feared that one day Ethan would uncover the truth.
She had to find that woman first, buy her off or make her disappear...
...
In the private room of the exclusive club, Ethan talked about anything but work throughout the evening, leaving a very good impression on Otis Phelps.
Jasmine wasn't much of a talker, responding only when Otis Phelps asked her something directly.
"Jasmine, I heard you finished all your credits by sophomore year and planned on double majoring. Did you end up studying business management later on?" Otis Phelps was curious about Jasmine's subsequent pursuits.
"I..." Jasmine took a deep breath, opting not to conceal the truth. "Mr. Otis, you might not be aware, but some things happened, and I didn't complete my studies."
Harper sat beside Jasmine, affectionately holding her hand. "Bro, stop asking. Jasmine really buckled down while she was in prison, and after getting out she's been trying to turn her life around. She's working hard now, and it breaks one’s heart to see it."
Otis Phelps paused, apparently clueless about Jasmine's stint in prison.
Jasmine gripped her fingers tightly, subtly withdrawing her hand, saying nothing.
Everything Harper said was true, beyond Jasmine's ability to dispute.
"Jasmine, now that you're out, you've got to put in the work. Anything you want, you've got to earn with your own skills and hard work. You can't go back to your old ways. There's no such thing as a free lunch. You've enjoyed twenty years of wealth without earning it, but eventually, you have to pay back what you owe," Harper exhaled deeply, her face wearing an expression of 'I'm saying this for your own good.'
"We're all friends here. I'm really fond of you."
Jasmine remained silent, saying nothing.
Otis Phelps with a glass in hand, turned his gaze toward Ethan.
After all, Jasmine was his assistant.
"When someone's life gets switched at birth, they can hardly be capable to stop it. If you got hit by a pie falling from the sky while walking down the street, is it the fault of the pie or the who threw it? The person who gets hit is innocent, right?" Ethan put down his glass, casting a sidelong glance at Harper. "Harper really needs to brush up on his legal knowledge. He seems to be lacking common sense."
Harper was rendered speechless by Ethan's rebuff, his face reddening as he opened and shut his mouth without a word.
She was smarter than Serena, smart enough to know when to hold back.
"I heard about the true and false heiress case too, but didn't pry into the details. Jasmine is such an outstanding girl; I thought the Wilson family would've kept her close out of affection... It's a pity," Otis Phelps remarked with regret. "Jasmine, why didn't you reach out to me back then? I would have definitely helped you if I could."
"Life is full of regrets, and in that, I share Mr. Otis's sentiment. I regret not knowing her then, not being in a position to help," Ethan raised his glass again, taking a sip to steer the conversation elsewhere. "This wine is good; Wonton has a keen eye for picking wine, but like people, you need to taste it for yourself. Can't rely on hearsay."
Jasmine looked up at Ethan, her eyes brimming with intense redness.
Sniffling, Jasmine looked up and offered Otis Phelps a smile. "Mr. Otis, let's put the past behind us and look forward to a long-lasting collaboration in the future."
There were things Ethan doesn't say because of the bigger picture, but as an assistant, she felt she had to mention them.
Otis Phelps sighed, a mix of regret and pity in his eyes. "Mr. Douglas's abilities are well recognized in the industry, Jasmine. Make sure you learn well under Mr. Douglas, and if you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to give me a call."
Ethan half-propped his head up and gave Jasmine a smile.
Jasmine returned a smile.
That smile was no longer the cautious, insincere one she often wore; instead, it emanated genuine warmth from within.
It was a smile meant only for Ethan.
Ethan felt a tightness in his chest and quickly looked away with a cough.
‘Is there something wrong with the wine? Why does it seem like Jasmine's smile... looks even better than if it had been remodified?’
Harper took a deep breath, her fingers tightly clutched.
She had thought she would be the star of this meeting, but somehow Jasmine had managed to steal the spotlight.
But it didn't matter—Ethan had drunk quite a bit of red wine.
...
After reaching an initial consensus on their collaboration, Otis Phelps personally walked Ethan out of the club.
Once in the car, Ethan rubbed his temples, troubled by the realization that something was off.
‘Was there something wrong with the wine?’
"Jasmine, Ethan is quite sensitive to alcohol. Go buy some pills that can ease the alcohol; we'll wait for you here," Harper said, seizing the opportunity to send Jasmine away to buy the medicine.
Seeing Ethan in discomfort, Jasmine quickly nodded and dashed to the pharmacy.
But after purchasing the medicine, she came out only to find Ethan's car had already left.
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