Chapter 94 Ethan and Jasmine Took Wedding Photos
"Um, are you two really here to take wedding photos for your marriage certificate?" The photographer taking their wedding photos asked cautiously.
Because this marriage was only a cooperation, Liam told all the people involved in the process that they needed to keep it hush-hush.
Jasmine sat nervously on the side, gripping her clothes tightly with both hands.
Surprisingly, Ethan leaned towards Jasmine voluntarily.
"Miss, could you give us a smile?" The photographer said to Jasmine.
Jasmine glanced nervously at Ethan and forced a stiff smile.
The photographer sighed helplessly, clearly not entirely satisfied.
"Richard said Justin used to run around naked as a child until he got stung by a bee and realized he should wear pants when going out," Ethan said, looking at Jasmine with a smile. "Is that true?"
After looking at Ethan's smiling eyes, Jasmine's heart skipped a beat.
Ethan wasn't someone who smiled often, yet here he was trying to make her laugh.
Picturing Justin naked and crying after being stung, Jasmine couldn't help but laugh.
Richard once told her about it during her time in prison.
Back then, everything related to Justin was her only source of light.
The photographer took the opportunity and called out to them, catching Jasmine's attention and pressing the shutter.
Jasmine realized a bit late. She suddenly felt like her ears were burning hot.
When she received the marriage certificate, it felt like a dream to Jasmine.
Ethan was...her husband.
In the past, she couldn't even dream of having any connection with Ethan one day, let alone getting married to him.
"For safety reasons, I'll keep your marriage certificate with me," Liam said, reaching for the certificate.
He was worried Jasmine might show it off.
Ethan frowned, snatched the certificate from Liam's hand, and placed it in Jasmine's hand. "Keep it safe."
Liam was taken aback; he was just trying to keep Mr. Douglas’s reputation clean.
Jasmine was stunned for a moment and nervously looked up at Ethan.
Was it really okay for her to keep the marriage certificate? Wasn't he afraid she might use it against him?
"Since this is a partnership, trust comes first," Ethan said calmly.
Jasmine looked at Ethan for a long time, then lowered her head without saying a word.
Liam drove Jasmine to Ethan's residence.
"Since we are partners now, we need to take care of each other in the future," Ethan got out of the car and opened the door for Jasmine.
Jasmine looked at Ethan in confusion. "Do... Do we have to live together?"
"The marriage certificate is for the notary public to see. If we don't live together, the notary public won't believe it," Ethan said, seeing no need to hide it from Jasmine.
Jasmine actually appreciated Ethan's straightforward nature. At least there were no conspiracies or deceptions with him. Everything was laid out in the open.
"Understood, Mr. Douglas," Jasmine said, lowering her head.
"Tomorrow, you'll start at the company. You can call me Mr. Douglas in public, but not at home," Ethan said, leading Jasmine to the front door for facial recognition and fingerprint scanning.
"This card is for your living expenses for the next three years. Your salary will be separate," Ethan handed Jasmine a card.
Jasmine took a deep breath. "I... I don't need the money."
"Since this is a partnership, and you're someone who helped me secure shares, this is what you deserve. If I were to collaborate with a female celebrity, it would cost me more than ten times this amount," Ethan felt like he was getting a good deal.
Jasmine's mouth fell open in shock.
Indeed, working with a female star would have cost him a lot more.
She took the card obediently, thinking that as long as she didn't spend recklessly, she could help Ethan save money.
"As my future secretary, there's a lot you need to learn. You can discuss training and requirements with Liam," Ethan glanced at Liam.
Liam nodded quickly.
"There's a daily cleaning service here, so just choose a room you like. Also, you don't need to bring anything in. Let Liam take you to buy new things," Ethan had a strong obsession with cleanliness, but he was already showing enough respect for Jasmine.
Jasmine nodded.
"By the way, the study room in Mr. Douglas's house is off-limits. You cannot enter," Liam added.
Ethan glanced at Liam, then spoke expressionlessly, "There are no restricted areas in the house. Feel free to move around, but I prefer not to be disturbed when I'm working."
Jasmine quickly nodded.
Liam internally complained. How come the study room was off-limits just when he was there?
"Every morning at 7:30, a chef will come to make breakfast. Let the housekeeper know a day in advance if you have any preferences," Ethan glanced at Jasmine. "Take care of your health; being my secretary will be tiring."
Jasmine nodded repeatedly, She was still very nervous, even her palms were sweaty.
"If you need anything, let me know in advance," Ethan glanced at the time, realizing there was nothing more to say.
His phone kept ringing. It was Howard on the line.
"Rest well; you'll start work next Monday," Ethan glanced at Jasmine before turning to answer the call and leaving.
Jasmine nervously watched Ethan leave.
Only after he got into the car and drove away did she breathe a sigh of relief cautiously.
His presence was truly overpowering. Every time she was around him, she felt like she couldn't catch her breath.
She turned around and looked at Ethan's mansion carefully, slowly releasing her tightly held fingers.
Would she have to live here with Ethan for three years?
Liam mentioned that Ethan's schedule was unpredictable, so he might not come home every day.
But as Ethan's secretary, she would undoubtedly have to be with him at all times.
Ethan's home was immaculate, clean to the point where not a speck of dust tainted the air, giving Jasmine the feeling that her mere presence and breath would pollute it.
Sitting awkwardly on the sofa, Jasmine remained quiet.
It seemed like Ethan had urgent matters to attend to.
Although he said she could choose a room she liked, Jasmine felt she should wait for Ethan to return.
…
In the car.
"Mr. Douglas, did Mr. Howard call you?" Liam had already guessed.
Howard couldn't wait.
"Take me to the Douglas family home," Ethan sneered.
Carmen was trending, and Daniel’s crimes were still being talked about. Some media outlets had even started digging into the truth behind Ethan's mother's death.
This was a sensitive topic for Carmen and Howard.
Whether Daniel went to jail or not could be put aside; they couldn’t let the media delve deep into that matter.
"Mr. Howard had people suppress the trending topics. Anything related to Auntie is all blocked from search results," Liam frowned, speaking softly.
"He's feeling guilty," Ethan's voice was low.
Liam tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
In fact, anyone with keen insight knew that Ethan's mother's death was very suspicious. If it was just an allergy back then, how could she have suddenly died so tragically?
Ethan requested an autopsy, but, as her husband, Howard disagreed.
Back then, Ethan was not yet of legal age and couldn't shake Howard's authority.
Since Ethan wasn’t married, he never received the shares left by Mr. Douglas Sr. and his mother, so Howard never truly realized how distant and independent Ethan was.
But now, Howard had to face the grim truth.
Daniel had been taken away by the police, and Carmen was now being talked about as a homewrecker.
Ethan had absolute control.
"Mr. Douglas, you've returned. Ms. Carmen is furious; she's so angry she needs oxygen. Mr. Howard also looks grim. You should go in quickly," the butler was waiting at the door.
Ethan walked indifferently into the living room, gazing at Howard, who was sitting on the sofa waiting for him.
It seemed there was no other way.
"Today, I had someone go to the hospital to find Jasmine. She has been discharged. Did you take her away?" Howard spoke sternly; it was like he was interrogating his own son.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
