Chapter 2 From Enemies to Fiancés

"Is she really ending her engagement? To marry her sworn enemy?"

"How incredibly bold! She's actually pursuing Mr. Levington? Does she have a death wish? Besides, why would someone like him even glance her way?"

Ethan Levington was the heir to the Levington empire and Amberhaven's most distinguished bachelor—a man every woman secretly desired but feared for his cold indifference.

For years, countless women had tried to approach him, only to fail miserably.

It was common knowledge that Ethan had no interest in women.

Yet Kate dared to do what others wouldn't.

Everyone eagerly anticipated the dramatic scene about to unfold—even Kate's own family.

"Are you certain?" Ethan asked.

"I am," Kate answered, her voice hoarse but resolute. Ethan looked down, studying her face, seemingly searching for something in her expression. Meanwhile, tears were already welling in Kate's eyes.

Ethan's brow immediately furrowed, his chest tightening.

But he said nothing. Instinctively, he raised his hand and wiped away Kate's tears. Feeling his warm touch, Kate cried harder.

"Stop crying. If you just want to get engaged, I accept."

Ethan thought she was simply being mercurial, not realizing that Kate, having witnessed his death in her previous life, couldn't bear the feeling of him being alive, warm, and real.

His hand was so warm, so comforting.

Kate clutched his hand tightly, pressing it against her cheek. Ethan grew increasingly bewildered by her behavior. What was she trying to do? Seeing her tears flow more heavily, he felt an inexplicable irritation rising within him.

Had Blake mistreated her? Or was she just putting on an act?

Ethan raised his hand, intending to pull away, but Kate thought he was rejecting her and held him even tighter.

"Kate! Let go."

Ethan could barely breathe in her tight embrace, but instead of complying, Kate clung to him even more desperately.

"I won't let go. I won't."

She feared that if she released him, she would lose him again.

In her previous life, after today, Ethan had vanished from her world, and they had become bitter enemies because of her cruel words.

Yet, Ethan had always yielded to her, showing infinite patience—something she had never recognized as love.

This time, she absolutely wouldn't let him go.

Kate buried her face against his chest, shaking her head vigorously. Ethan's irritation gradually subsided, replaced by resignation. "Kate, what exactly do you want?"

"To get engaged to you."

"I already agreed, didn't I? I'll arrange the engagement party immediately, tomorrow."

Ethan tried to create some distance between them, but Kate wouldn't budge. Without loosening her grip, she slightly lifted her head and spoke before he could finish.

"Not tomorrow. Now."

She knew he carried a ring.

Today, he had originally intended to take her away, but in her previous life, she had refused.

Her eyes burned with intense fervor. Ethan stared at Kate's serious face, his gaze darkening as confusion washed over him.

He had thought her talk of engagement was just a joke.

But her urgent words now left him momentarily speechless.

For Kate, Ethan's brief silence was agonizing.

Finally, a soft laugh escaped his throat, tinged with barely perceptible indulgence.

"Alright. Let's go now."

Before he finished speaking, he reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a velvet box.

When he opened it, a blood-red ruby sparkled in the light. It was his mother's engagement ring, renowned throughout Amberhaven.

Richard's face turned pale at the sight of the ring. He stepped forward to intervene. "Ethan, this isn't appropriate."

"Since when have my engagement decisions required anyone's approval?"

Ethan's icy glance swept over Richard, the pressure of his gaze immediately silencing any further protest.

He took Kate's hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.

"From this moment, Kate is Ethan's fiancée."

He announced this loudly, then bent down to lift Kate into his arms, completely ignoring the guests' surprised gasps as he carried her directly to his car.

Even as they arrived at the Jennings family mansion, Kate still refused to let go.

Ethan spoke calmly. "We've arrived at your home. You can get out now."

Kate looked at Ethan intently, as if trying to memorize every subtle expression on his face.

"I don't want to go home."

Ethan looked at her. "Where do you want to go, then?"

"I'm your fiancée now. I want to be with you. Take me to your place."

Kate clung to Ethan like a gentle koala, occasionally leaning in closer. Ethan frowned, his tone becoming cold and distant.

"Kate, haven't you played enough games?"

Games?

Kate froze momentarily before understanding. She pressed her lips together and raised her hand in a solemn oath: "I'm not joking."

Kate's tone was sincere, but Ethan's expression remained unchanged as he just stared at her, his eyes filled with doubt.

Suddenly overwhelmed by defiance, Kate straddled Ethan's lap. His body instantly tensed. A second later, he turned his head, and the driver promptly raised the partition. Ethan's expression darkened, turning ice-cold.

"There are others present. Have you no shame at all?"

"None. I don't care. You're my fiancé—isn't it normal for me to sit on your lap?"

Her straightforward answer caught him off guard.

Ethan laughed coldly, suddenly remembering something. He reached out and pulled her closer. The unexpected proximity made Kate blush, her previous boldness instantly vanishing as she shyly averted her gaze. Ethan's smile grew colder.

"Can't keep up the act? I heard Blake is participating in the new airline uniform design competition next week. Are you trying to learn about his designs, or just gathering intelligence?"

With each accusation, Ethan moved closer. Kate felt confused—she hadn't said anything, yet his anger seemed to appear from nowhere. Seeing her silent, Ethan assumed she was confirming his suspicions, and his irritation became more evident.

"Risking your reputation to help him? Kate, you're truly foolish."

Ethan grew increasingly agitated, his headache intensifying. He pushed Kate away to make her sit properly, but she immediately lunged forward again.

Before he could react, the soft sensation of her lips on his left him completely stunned.

Ethan firmly pulled her away.

"Kate, you—!"

"Ethan, I know you don't fully trust me yet. I'll prove myself through my actions. Please believe me for now."

Ethan thought: "Believe her? Certainly not! She's kissing me to help Blake? Didn't she once say that even touching me would disgust her?"

Wait... had she said that? Kate tried to remember, vaguely recalling it might have been something from long ago. She hadn't realized Ethan still remembered.

Kate bit her lip, wishing she could take those words back.

But suddenly, she noticed something strange.

Had Ethan actually spoken just now? His lips hadn't moved.

Was this some aftereffect of her rebirth—auditory hallucinations?