Chapter 162 Ethan’s Double Standard of Doting on His Wife
Upon returning home, Ethan switched off his phone.
No matter how frantically Howard called, Ethan's strategy was to play deaf.
Out of sight, out of mind.
"Mr. Ethan..." Jasmine hesitated.
"It's after hours." Ethan pointed to his wristwatch.
With her head bowed, Jasmine mustered her courage to speak. "Ethan, have you thought about a backup plan?"
"Any bright ideas?" Ethan asked with a smile.
"You need to think of an exit strategy and prepare for the worst-case scenario. If Howard panics and transfers the shares that rightly belong to you to Daniel..." Jasmine wanted him to be ready for the worst.
"Stellar Enterprises is what it is today because of me," Ethan replied with confidence.
If Howard doubted that, he could test the waters.
"As for a backup plan..." Ethan fell silent for a long moment before speaking again. "I promised to protect you, and I won’t let you fall back into the mire."
He always kept his promises to Jasmine.
His rose had to bloom again, and he had the capital and the ability to make it happen.
Shaking her head, Jasmine said she wasn't worried about herself.
Noticing Ethan's reluctance to speak, she guessed that he must have his own exit strategy; it just wasn't the right time to divulge it.
"Should I make pork ribs?" Jasmine asked softly.
"I'm not picky." Ethan removed his watch and loosened his tie before heading to the study room to watch Justin study.
Jasmine paused, nonplussed.
'Not picky? Hadn't Liam spent the whole day explaining how finicky Mr. Ethan was about food? Why is he not fussy all of a sudden?'
...
Daniel stormed into Stellar Enterprises with a dark cloudy expression.
"Mr. Ethan." Branson took advantage of a moment when they were alone to enter the office. "You wanted to see me?"
"Did you see the news about my mother?" Daniel was there to put Branson on notice. “You don’t need to worry about that. My father will soon have it under control. Right now, just focus on competing for the position of deputy CEO," Daniel instructed again.
"Yes, sir." Branson nodded hastily.
It was clear—Clara had something on Branson.
"Mr. Ethan, when do you plan to make your move?" Branson asked.
"Ethan thinks he's exceptional, but unfortunately, he's made too many enemies. The upper echelon is disenchanted with him; everyone's watching him closely. The slightest misstep and it'll be blown way out of proportion..." Daniel leaned on the desk. "The desert project is remote, but it's the department's top priority this year. The approval for the northwest base is still pending. If Ethan's project plans were to leak..."
"Mr. Ethan, are you suggesting hacking into Mr. Ethan's computer?" Branson inhaled sharply before asking.
"That's none of your concern." Daniel was determined.
He had elite hackers at his disposal.
Cracking into Ethan's computer and stealing trade secrets wouldn't be an issue.
"Mr. Ethan, pilfering trade secrets is illegal," Branson reminded Daniel, warning him not to overreach and fail.
"I've got it under control."
Branson nodded. "The immediate priority is the deputy CEO's seat. I am intent on securing it. Eighty percent of the project and investment department are on my side. There's no way Ethan can fire me and choose someone else."
That notion was just wishful thinking.
"Plus, Ethan is bending over backward to have his assistant cozy up to me, aiming to win me over. Little does he know I've been on your and your wife's side for a long time," Branson said with a smile.
Daniel nodded. "Well done."
Ethan would eventually pay for his arrogance and pride.
"Once you're the deputy CEO, gather people on our side and then kick Ethan out," Daniel sneered. "He thinks exposing my mother's affair will make my father feel guilty? He's increasingly losing my father's control. Once I convince my father to reclaim his shares, Ethan will amount to nothing."
"You're absolutely right," Branson said with a smile. "I've always had faith in you. If you were in Ethan's seat, you'd be just as good, if not better. He's been holding you back all these years, keeping you from shining."
"You're at least as capable as Ethan, in my eyes."
Daniel snorted. "What belongs to me, I will take back."
The shares were his, and so was Jasmine.
Branson left the office, and then Henry called Daniel.
Daniel, visibly irritated, massaged his temples and answered the phone.
"Your mother added sulfuric acid to the water to harm Jasmine?" Henry's voice was deep with accusation. "Does your mom want to die?"
"Mr. Henry, this is a misunderstanding," Daniel said, his face darkening.
"A misunderstanding?" Henry scoffed. "Do you take me for a fool? Daniel, tell your mother to stop playing games with me. If she dares to lay a finger on Jasmine again, she'll rue the day," Henry warned Daniel.
Daniel rubbed his temples. "Ethan personally took Jasmine home, claiming she's his girlfriend."
"Is that the best you can do?" Henry's voice was low and laced with restrained anger.
"Jasmine's birth mother is about to be released from prison," Daniel drew in a deep breath. "I know her Achilles' heel."
"You better not make me wait too long," Henry said, expecting Daniel to push Jasmine into a corner once more.
When that happened, he would swoop in, and Jasmine would have no choice but to stay by his side.
A butterfly with broken wings cannot fly and can only plead for its master's protection, begging not to be cast aside.
He was waiting for Jasmine to come to him a second time, begging.
Having succeeded once, he was confident of a second triumph.
Jasmine had to be his.
...
Jasmine bought some fruit and washed it before bringing it to Branson's office. "Mr. Branson, these are cherries I got from the old alley, they're really sweet."
"You are too kind, Jasmine," Branson said with a radiant smile, rising to take the fruit. "Oh dear, I can't believe the CEO's assistant is running errands for me."
"Don't mention it," Jasmine said politely, with a pleasing smile. "Like I said, whatever you need, just ask."
Earlier that day, Branson had added Jasmine to a work group chat and asked her on purpose if she'd pass by the old alley and could bring him some fruit.
The cunning old fox was clearly testing Jasmine.
As Ethan's personal assistant, Jasmine's behavior toward him was essentially a reflection of Ethan's attitude.
For the CEO's personal assistant to buy fruit for a project manager was quite unusual.
However, Jasmine agreed without hesitation, her face alight with eagerness and she didn't even ask for money for the cherries.
"These cherries aren't cheap, you know," Branson said with a meaningful look.
"Mr. Branson, please enjoy them. This little expense is nothing. Just put in a good word for me with Mr. Ethan when you become Vice President," Jasmine said, waving her hand dismissively.
She was, in fact, quite pained about spending three hundred bucks on cherries, at ninety-nine a pound.
Three hundred bucks! It would take forever to earn that much.
"Jasmine, how much are you pulling in a month working for Mr. Ethan?" Branson pushed his luck a little.
He deliberately got closer to Jasmine and made a risque joke to test the waters. "With a body like yours, must cost a pretty penny to take care of, huh? Is your paycheck even enough?"
Jasmine knew Branson was deliberately probing her.
She understood that only by not resisting could she make him completely comfortable, allowing him to do whatever he pleased.
"Obviously, it's not quite enough." Jasmine sighed, her palms were sweaty with anxiety.
She felt disgusted.
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