Chapter 138 Ethan Tricks Jasmine into Taking the Initiative...
Back in the hotel, Jasmine woke up feeling groggy; the warmth beside her was comforting.
Instinctively, she snuggled closer to the warmth, only to snap awake abruptly.
Looking up, she bumped right into Ethan's chin.
"Mmm..." Ethan winced in pain, his jaw turning a shade of red.
Jasmine was terrified and instinctively cupped Ethan's cheek. "Ethan, Ethan… Mr. Douglas, I'm so, so sorry."
Ethan reluctantly looked down at Jasmine; their posture was undeniably suggestive.
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to; I don't know how I…" Tears were about to spill from Jasmine's eyes; she had no idea how she had ended up in Ethan's embrace while asleep.
"We're legally married now; didn't we also share a bed last night?" Ethan pointed out directly, his breath growing hotter.
In the past, he never had such a strong urge toward women; he had even thought his rationality could conquer his hormones.
To his surprise, once having a taste, he found himself irresistibly drawn to it.
"I..." Jasmine was so scared she tried to sit up, but since Ethan was holding her, she didn't dare move.
Ethan knew it was her last night, not Harper.
Jasmine wondered if he had always known.
Her eyes rimmed red; Jasmine anxiously looked at Ethan. "Mr. Douglas, last night, it wasn't intentional…"
She was on the verge of crying, unsure how to explain herself, afraid that Ethan would misunderstand or dislike her.
"I heard that if a husband doesn't sleep with his wife after getting a marriage license, it‘s considered domestic abuse and a neglect of his duties. That is against the law,” Ethan explained seriously to Jasmine.
Jasmine shrank back. "Ah?"
"Mhm." Ethan nodded.
"So…" Jasmine bit the corner of her lip, wondering if they were obligated to fulfill their marital duties. "Is that mentioned in the prenup?"
"It isn't." Ethan coughed slightly, careful not to rush and scare her. "Let's get up; it's time to go."
Jasmine looked down, feeling a little panicked.
Ethan was a normal man, never lacking women's company; if Harper could manipulate him once, twice, there could be a third time.
"Can I...?" Jasmine feared Ethan might disdain her for feeling valueless or think she was tainted.
"Mhm?" Ethan looked down at Jasmine.
With tears in her eyes, Jasmine timidly grasped Ethan's shirt collar. "Can you...not be with other women? Whatever they can do, I... I can do too."
What if Ethan rejected her because of this, feeling she had no value?
Whether it was the Browns, Wilsons, or Daniel and Clara, any of them could easily crush her.
Emily was right; she needed to cling tightly to Ethan's coattails.
"I... I'm not dirty. I’m really not dirty," Jasmine recalled showing her medical report to Ethan.
Back then, Ethan had rejected her.
The memory of Ethan's attitude at that time sent Jasmine into a panic, and she quickly waved her hands. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I'm sorry."
"What do you mean?" Ethan asked with a smile, propping up his arm and looking at Jasmine.
With her lip corner firmly bitten, Jasmine took a long time to speak. "I showed my medical report to you before, and you didn't...didn't agree."
It was then Ethan remembered that Jasmine had once actively offered herself to him.
His brow furrowed, and Ethan's face fell.
He was clearly regretting whether he had a lapse of judgment back then.
"Mr. Douglas..." Seeing Ethan's changed expression, Jasmine broke into tears, chokingly clutching the hem of Ethan's shirt, frantically explaining. "I really, really am not dirty..."
If only he could just ignore the rumors.
Ethan took a deep breath, grabbed Jasmine's chin, and kissed her.
Jasmine tensed up, looking at Ethan, momentarily forgetting to breathe.
Ethan scooped Jasmine into his arms. "Do you plan to suffocate yourself?"
Jasmine's breaths were frantic, and she panic-strickenly tried to escape.
"What can you do?" Ethan's breathing was also heated, who knew what he was holding back.
Jasmine bit her lip corner hard, her hands trembling as she reached to undo Ethan's shirt buttons.
"I don't force people." Ethan held onto Jasmine's hands.
Jasmine shook her head in distress. "No, it's not force, I just... just... can't control the shaking."
Jasmine's voice was tearful as she desperately tried to explain.
She didn't dislike Ethan; it was just because of her past experiences and depression that her body would react uncontrollably when she was agitated.
"I'm doing this willingly; I'll try hard to learn..." Jasmine wiped her tears. She might not know how to please a man, but she was willing to learn.
Emily was about to come to Silverlight City, and she said she could teach her...
Thinking of the ways to please a man that Emily mentioned on the phone made Jasmine's face uncontrollably flush.
Ethan leaned back against the bed, releasing Jasmine's hands, signaling her to continue.
With her head lowered, Jasmine's face was so red it almost seemed aflame.
Just as she reached out to undo Ethan's shirt, a knock came from the door. "Mr. Douglas, it’s almost time; please get ready.”
Ethan's face was thunderous; he was seriously considering skipping out on his own project bidding.
Now, he understood how those ancient kings like Davis could be beguiled by enchantresses into ignoring their royal duties.
There was Jasmine, her eyes red, her demeanor so vulnerable—it was just...
Taking a deep breath, Ethan sat up straight and spoke in a hushed tone, "Let's head to the venue, we'll continue later tonight."
Jasmine's ears flushed crimson; she hung her head low, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. She had actually tried to seduce Ethan.
She was going crazy, truly crazy.
She was no different from those other women.
Clutching her fingers tightly, Jasmine stood up and escaped into the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water.
She really had lost her mind.
She was willing to sell her body just to keep Ethan from getting tired of her, to protect herself when Zelda came back.
What would Ethan think of her? Would he see her as cheap?
She didn’t know what to do.
...
Down in the hotel lobby, Liam was arranging project materials when he looked up directly into Ethan's grim face.
Shivering, Liam spoke softly, "Mr. Douglas, did you not sleep well?"
Ethan's gaze was predatory.
Liam felt a chill down his spine and swallowed hard.
Jasmine was trailing behind Ethan, looking like she wanted to burrow into the ground, her ears glowing red.
Liam wondered what happened.
"Liam, which position are you interested in?" Ethan was desperate to shoo Liam away.
Liam looked embarrassed. "Mr. Douglas, are you...letting me go?"
Ethan let out a cold laugh, restraining himself.
"Mr. Douglas, after we deal with Branson, let me move to the investment department," Liam pleaded, not wanting to leave Ethan's side and eager to secure a significant role.
Branson position was bound to open up, and Liam saw it as a perfect fit.
Ethan had this in mind too; he turned to Jasmine. "Once we're back in Silverlight City, deal with Branson promptly."
"Understood, Mr. Douglas.” Jasmine nodded, following Ethan.
She thought Ethan was just urging her to eliminate a potential threat. Ethan was actually looking to get rid of Liam, the third wheel.
He was too much of an eyesore.
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