Ethan Yu's brows drew together in an obvious scowl.
"I said, go change."
"I said no." Hailey Tang picked up her bag from the coffee table, fully prepared to walk out.
Ethan abruptly stood and grabbed her wrist. "I'll say it again—go change."
Hailey raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "Are you hard of hearing? I said I'm not changing."
She shook off his hand with a sharp motion and headed toward the door—but his voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Hailey Tang, what are you being so stubborn about? My assistant went out of her way to buy you those dresses. The least you can do is put one on. Why are you being so childish?"
Ah.
So that was what this was about. Not her, not the coffee-stained dress—just Lin Xin'er's hard work.
Figures.
For a moment, she thought he might actually care how she looked in public. But no—he just didn't want Lin Xin'er's effort to go to waste.
Hailey turned around slowly, her smile cold.
"I'm being childish? I think you're the one overstepping. I don't want to wear it. What, are you going to make me?"
Ethan's expression darkened. "Watch your tone."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hailey said sarcastically. "Let me rephrase that: Back off."
She spun around again, heading for the door—but this time, Ethan's voice came sharp and commanding.
"Stop right there."
In a flash, he was beside her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her back to face him. His eyes burned into hers.
"Don't you know how to appreciate kindness? Those dresses were bought for you. You think rejecting them like this makes you look strong? You're just insulting someone's goodwill."
What he meant, of course, was his goodwill.
But Hailey didn't hear it that way.
She thought he meant Lin Xin'er.
And honestly? She still hadn't forgiven that woman—not in this lifetime.
Sure, she had no intention of picking a fight with Lin Xin'er anymore. But that didn't mean she had to like her. Or accept her handouts. Or wear her stupid dresses.
Nope.
Not happening.
Hailey didn't even look angry anymore. She just gave him a look of pure contempt and said flatly,
"That kind of 'kindness'? Yeah, I don't want it. Whoever bought it can wear it themselves. I'm not putting it on. Not now, not ever."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. He suddenly understood what she was really upset about.
"It's because Lin Xin'er bought them, isn't it?" he asked.
Hailey shrugged. "Yeah. She bought them, so I'm not wearing them. Pretty simple logic, don't you think?"
Ethan's gaze turned cold and calculating. So all this had been about Lin Xin'er?
All her recent coldness, the sudden emotional distance—it all came back to that?
He let out a low breath and said, "She was just trying to help. You're blowing this way out of proportion. She's just my assistant, Hailey. That's all."
"And I don't care," Hailey replied with a dry laugh. "Let's get one thing straight—my dislike for her has nothing to do with you."
Ethan let out a sharp chuckle, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, sure. That's the story you're going with? You expect anyone to believe that?"
He had already made up his mind. She was jealous. Jealous and petty.
Hailey, meanwhile, had zero interest in explaining herself further.
"Believe whatever you want. I'm still not wearing it. Now let go—I'm going home."
Ethan didn't move. He kept his grip firm.
Her expression shifted. One eyebrow arched high.
"Mr. Yu," she said crisply, "could you kindly remove your hand from me?"
Ethan smirked. "We're not divorced yet, Hailey. You might want to adjust how you address me."
Hailey looked at him like he was an idiot. "Just practicing. We'll be divorced soon enough."
That one hit harder than he'd expected.
He wasn't even sure why it bothered him. Maybe it was the way she said it—so casually, like she couldn't wait to be rid of him.
But ever since Hailey started acting like he was a thorn in her side, he'd been feeling this weird… itch. Like something was off.
Annoyed. Yeah, that was the word. Her disinterest was annoying.
Scratch that—it was infuriating.
He, Ethan Yu, was the one being rejected here. Dismissed like some forgettable ex.
She was supposed to be the one clinging, regretting, chasing after him.
But instead?
She looked at him like he was nothing more than a bad memory.
And that?
That made him very uncomfortable…