Chapter 3 Childhood Shadows, Unshakable

She was indeed hooked on playing a victim.

Ethan snapped, "You wanna play games? Fine, I'll play with you!"

His eyes blazed with fury as he grabbed Ashley's wrist and dragged her to the car.

Ashley fought back. "What are you doing? I'm not getting in your car. It looks so fancy; who knows how many women you've hurt to get it."

She resisted, yelling, "Let go of me, you damn gigolo!"

Didn't this woman watch the news? Couldn't she tell he was the CEO of Yates Group?

For the first time, Ethan was livid. "Didn't you say I was sick? We're heading to the hospital. If I'm not ill, we'll see how long you can keep up this charade. You young women, always attempting to get close to me with these deceitful tactics!"

Ashley was baffled. "What are you even talking about? Let go of me; I'm not getting in your car!"

They were talking past each other.

"Damn it! You need a lesson!"

Ethan hoisted Ashley up and tossed her into the car, slammed the door, got in, and sped off in one smooth motion.

Little did they know, a group of paparazzi was snapping photos nearby, their jaws dropping.

"Holy crap, big news! Yates Group's CEO has been caught in a public love affair! This is huge!"

Ethan drove while Ashley struggled to get out, but he had locked the windows, trapping her inside.

When they reached the hospital, Ashley took a deep breath, her face pale.

Ethan said coldly, "Get out."

A flash of fear crossed Ashley's eyes. She hadn't even entered the hospital but could already smell the strong disinfectant, which she found repulsive.

Seeing her hesitate, Ethan sneered. "What, can't keep up the act?"

Ashley glared at him. She just had a strong fear of hospitals. The thought of needles made her skin crawl.

Ethan looked smug. "Let's see what tricks you can pull."

Ashley found it ridiculous. How could this damn gigolo be so arrogant?

"Fine, I'll go. I'm not afraid of you. If you dare to harm me, I'll sue you!"

Ashley took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.

They went inside for a check-up.

"Stretch out your arm for a blood draw," the nurse said.

Ashley hesitated, her face growing paler.

Seeing her hesitation, Ethan asked, "Are you afraid of needles?"

Ashley shot back. "You're the one who's afraid of needles!"

Reluctantly, she extended her arm. When she saw the nurse preparing to draw her blood, she screamed and grabbed Ethan with her other hand, biting down.

"Ugh..."

Ethan grunted. He should have been angry, but instead, he was intrigued. "Interesting! So you are afraid of needles!"

Ashley's face scrunched up, and as the nurse inserted the needle, she screamed, "Ah, let go of me—"

Her childhood trauma made her face pale and her body tremble.

The woman before him was like a wildcat one moment and soft and weak the next, making her both strange and irresistibly pitiful.

Ethan felt an unexpected pang of sympathy and couldn't help but comfort her, "It's just a shot. How old are you? What's there to be afraid of?"