Chapter 2 2

Upon arriving at the hospital, Olivia found Ethan’s ward and rushed straight inside. Following his treatment, Ethan had regained consciousness, and the medical staff had already cleared the room.

"You’re here..."

Ethan spoke as he saw Olivia push through the door, a wave of warmth washing over his heart.

Though they were a couple by contract, after living together for over two years, Ethan realized in his subconscious that he had actually fallen for this woman. Truth be told, Olivia was undeniably beautiful, radiating an aura of intellectual elegance—serene like a white lily.

Olivia had only been thinking about the accident and had forgotten that it was raining outside. She hadn't even brought an umbrella, rushing straight to him. Seeing her hair and clothes soaked by the rain, Ethan felt another surge of warmth.

Looking at Ethan’s pale face as he lay in bed, Olivia asked breathlessly, "What happened? How did you end up like this?"

"Oh... it was dark and raining, and I was in a rush to get home," Ethan replied with an air of indifference. "I ended up getting hit by a car."

"Why didn't it just hit you hard enough to kill you?!" Olivia’s expression turned cold the moment she saw his annoying, nonchalant attitude.

"Uh..." Ethan’s brow furrowed with a bitter smile. "If I died, wouldn't you be without a husband? Who would protect you then?"

"Shut your mouth! Don't forget that there is a contract between us! If it weren't for that contract, I wouldn't care if you were dead or alive!" She paused, then added sharply, "Besides, the contract hasn't expired yet, and there’s plenty of housework waiting for you at home!"

As she spoke, her beautiful eyes scanned the ward. This was the hospital’s most luxurious VIP suite, equipped with every possible amenity, which naturally sparked suspicion in her mind.

When Ethan first agreed to sign the contract, it was entirely for the one million dollars she had offered him. Over the past two years, he had likely spent it all. A ward like this cost at least ten thousand dollars a night—where did he get that kind of money?

"Don't worry, I won't end up disabled. I’ll still do the housework," Ethan said with a grin, interrupting her thoughts.

Olivia’s face darkened. "Don't you dare joke with me. Let me ask you: a night in this ward costs a fortune. Not even we, the Vance family, could afford to stay here if we were sick. How do you have the money to stay in a place like this?!"

"Uh..." Ethan stammered. "Ah... it's like this: the driver who hit me arranged everything. He seemed to be very wealthy."

Even Olivia didn't believe that, and Ethan hardly believed his own lie. It was one thing for a driver to bring him to the hospital, but to arrange such a luxury suite? Only a fool would believe that!

Just as Olivia was about to press further, the ward door was pushed open. Clara was standing there. She swept a look of utter disdain over Ethan; the mere sight of him filled her with deep loathing. If it weren't for Ethan, Olivia would never have struggled so much within the family. As her best friend, Clara felt she had to stand up for Olivia and use every means necessary to drive Ethan away.

"Ethan, if you have any shred of dignity left, you’ll be sensible enough to leave the Vance family and leave Olivia. Look at what you’ve done to her!"

Ethan was speechless and didn't even want to glance at her, so he simply ignored her.

"If you ask me, you’re just a waste of oxygen while you’re alive and a waste of land when you’re dead!" Seeing that Ethan remained silent, Clara mocked him again with a look of fury.

"Clara, I’ve never done anything to offend you. Why must you be so sharp-tongued and cruel?" Even a man as patient as Ethan had his limits, and being insulted like this prompted him to snap back.

"Shut up!" Olivia barked, seeing Ethan’s attitude toward Clara.

"Because Olivia and I are like sisters, I cannot sit by and watch her stay in this hellhole without doing something," Clara continued passionately. "Because of you, Olivia was demoted from Vice Chair of the family’s main corporation to General Manager of a lowly subsidiary. The granddaughter the Old Master Vance once valued most is now the most disregarded!"

"Because of you, the people who used to follow her every move are now sidelining her at every turn. Because of you, the golden girl of the Vance family has become a laughingstock, mocked and bullied by the relatives. Even her parents have been dragged down with her, losing all status in the family!"

"Ethan, even a dog understands gratitude. If you have any conscience at all, hurry up and divorce Olivia. If you keep this up, you’ll only drag her down to her grave!" Clara finished her tirade with reddened eyes, showing just how close her bond with Olivia truly was.

"Clara, that’s enough!" Olivia intervened. She knew that for over two years, people had consistently left or betrayed her, but Clara had always stayed by her side. That friendship was beyond question, but now was not the time for this.

"Fine, I’ll stop. I truly don't get you. Why are you protecting this failure who is clearly destroying you!" Clara then turned back to Olivia. "Fine, I’m leaving. But don't forget, there’s an important meeting at the company tomorrow. This is a big deal that determines whether you can continue managing the cosmetics company."

A shadow of gloom crossed Olivia’s face. "I know. Thank you."

"Also, in three days, the international pop star Ivy is invited to perform here in Royal Port. We’re going together!" Clara suddenly remembered before leaving.

"Really?" Olivia’s eyes lit up with excitement.

"Of course. But I heard the tickets are incredibly expensive. Even the standing room is over a thousand dollars, and the front row is eighteen thousand..."

"That much?" Olivia’s brow furrowed as she let out a bitter smile. "Never mind then. You know my situation in the family. With my current salary, I can't even afford a standing ticket."

"Olivia, let me tell you, Ivy’s concert in Royal Port is sponsored by the Jade Jewelry Group!" Speaking of the Jade Group, it was the largest jewelry corporation in the city, with explosive growth in recent years and a goal to become the top jewelry group in the country. They had spent a fortune to bring in Ivy to create hype for their new products.

"So what?"

"Don't forget that Stephen has been chasing you. I heard he’s on excellent terms with the young heir of the Jade Group. Getting two tickets would be a breeze for him!" Clara’s words were clearly meant for Ethan to hear.

"Alright, Clara, stop it. It’s late, you should go home!" Olivia glanced quietly at Ethan, who was lying in bed with his eyes closed as if he had fallen asleep.

"Fine, I’m off." Seeing Olivia’s impatience, Clara finally left.

"Alright, you can stop pretending to be asleep now!" After Clara left, Olivia looked at Ethan and spoke in a cold tone.

"Hehe, I never imagined that the first time we’d 'sleep' in the same room would be in a hospital ward..."

"Go to hell, you idiot! I only stayed because I was afraid you’d die here!" Olivia gritted her teeth in anger at his roguish behavior.

"Am I wrong though?" Ethan asked softly.

"Right or wrong, don't forget that we only have a contract relationship. Once that contract is up, we both reg

ain our freedom!"

"Is it just a contract relationship?" Ethan asked back faintly.