Ethan had just pulled out his phone to call an Uber.
Right then, a Rolls-Royce Phantom with elegant lines and a commanding presence quietly glided to a stop in front of him.
A manager in a crisp suit from Marquee quickly got out of the car and respectfully pulled open the rear door:
"Mr. Miller, good evening. Before leaving, our boss specifically mentioned that since you've been drinking tonight and can't drive, he arranged for me to use his car to take you home. As for your Ferrari, if you don't mind, I'll drive it back for you. How does that sound?"
Ethan nodded slightly when he heard this.
Kevin really was someone who thought of everything—thorough as hell.
Ethan didn't play coy and smoothly tossed the Ferrari keys to the manager: "Appreciate it, man."
"My pleasure, Mr. Miller. It's our honor."
The manager caught the keys with both hands, a professional and sincere smile on his face, gesturing politely, "Just tell the driver where you need to go."
Ethan nodded and naturally took Jessica's hand beside him: "Let's go. I'll drop you off first."
Jessica's cheeks flushed slightly as she obediently followed him into the wide and comfortable back seat of the Phantom.
The car doors closed silently, shutting out the bustle and flow of the outside world.
The driver in the front turned his head, looking respectful: "Mr. Miller, where to first?"
"The Courtyard by Marriott first."
"Got it, sir."
The driver responded, then pressed a button on the center console.
A dark privacy partition slowly rose, completely separating the front and rear spaces, ensuring absolute privacy.
Only then did the driver smoothly start the vehicle, and the Phantom merged into the nighttime traffic like a ghost.
In the rearview mirror, the manager also got into the fiery red Ferrari and followed steadily behind.
The cabin was quiet.
Ethan leaned back against the soft leather seat, his eyes turning to the colorful city nightscape outside the window, lost in thought, his profile looking somewhat contemplative under the neon lights streaming through the glass.
Jessica quietly observed his silent silhouette. After hesitating several times, she finally broke the silence softly: "Ethan, are you free tomorrow?"
"Hmm?"
Ethan turned his head, questioning with his eyes.
Jessica raised her hand to tuck the hair behind her ear, smiling with a hint of barely concealed anticipation:
"Didn't you say before that you wanted me to show you around New York? I'm flying the day after tomorrow, but I have tomorrow off. I was thinking, if you're not busy, maybe we could go check out SoHo together? There are a lot of cool shops there."
Her eyes were shining, like a kid sharing a secret.
Ethan looked at her expectant expression, and a genuine smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Sure, I'm free tomorrow."
"Then it's a date!"
Jessica responded happily, her body unconsciously moving closer as she hugged Ethan's arm affectionately and gave it a gentle shake.
The thin layer of ambiguity between the two of them remained unbroken for now, that unspoken understanding flowing in the air.
She was just looking for a good excuse anyway!
"Mr. Miller, we're here."
The driver's voice came from beyond the partition.
Jessica's eyes flashed with a trace of reluctance. She let go of Ethan's arm and said softly: "Okay, I'll head up first! See you tomorrow, and thanks for taking me home."
She reached for the car door handle.
Ethan reached out and gently pressed the back of her hand, his eyes settling on her face with a playful smile: "What about showing some sincerity? A verbal thank you isn't enough."
Jessica instantly understood what Ethan meant. She bit her lip, as if making up her mind, and quickly pressed a soft kiss to the side of Ethan's face.
Just as she was about to pull back, Ethan took advantage of the moment to wrap his arm around her waist and deepened the kiss.
His kiss was assertive with a faint trace of alcohol. Jessica felt her heartbeat suddenly accelerate, her brain going blank. She closed her eyes instinctively, responding awkwardly and clumsily, and the temperature in the cabin seemed to rise instantly.
When Ethan's hand stroked her back with scorching heat, Jessica suddenly snapped back to awareness.
She hurriedly pressed her hands against Ethan's chest, breathing slightly hard, her voice carrying both coquettishness and a hint of panic: "Don't... not here... no!"
Ethan looked at her flushed face and evasive eyes, chuckled lowly, and released his grip, though his eyes remained locked on her: "Not here works... So where does work?"
His tone was obviously teasing.
Jessica lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress, her voice barely above a whisper with a touch of shyness: "Tomorrow... let's talk about it tomorrow..."
This shy and timid appearance was particularly endearing.
Ethan's Adam's apple rolled imperceptibly. He suppressed his surging emotions, let go of her, and regained his composure: "Alright, I'll pick you up tomorrow."
"Okay~"
Jessica seemed like she'd been granted a reprieve. She quickly straightened her wrinkled clothes and slightly messy hair, took a deep breath, then pushed open the car door.
As soon as she got out of the car, her legs felt a bit weak, and that hot touch on her face seemed to linger still.
She didn't dare look at the driver in the front, always feeling like he could guess what had just happened. Keeping her head down like a startled deer, she quickly trotted into the hotel entrance.
After Ethan saw Jessica go inside, he said to the driver: "Take me to the Riverside Plaza Hotel, please."
"Of course, Mr. Miller."
The driver's voice remained smooth and respectful, as if that long wait just now had never happened.
The vehicle started again and drove smoothly toward its destination.
About twenty minutes later, the Phantom stopped steadily in front of the magnificent portico of the Riverside Plaza Hotel.
Ethan got out of the car and casually pulled two thick stacks of cash from his pocket, neatly dividing them into two parts. One he handed directly to the driver who'd already stepped out from the driver's seat and was waiting.
"Mr. Miller, this is..." The driver quickly waved his hand.
"Thanks for your help tonight."
Ethan didn't give him a chance to refuse and stuffed the money into the driver's hand.
Then he walked over to the manager who'd just gotten out of the Ferrari and handed him the other stack: "Here, take this. Sorry to trouble you tonight."
The manager also tried to decline politely: "Mr. Miller, you're too kind! You're the boss's distinguished guest—this is what we should do. I really couldn't accept..."
Ethan's tone was flat but left no room for argument: "Take it. Business is business, and this is from me personally."
Seeing his resolute attitude, the manager had to accept it with both hands respectfully and said gratefully: "Thank you, Mr. Miller! Anytime you come to Marquee in the future, just let me know and I'll definitely reserve the best table for you!"
Ethan nodded: "Thank Mr. Kevin for me. Appreciate him lending his car."
After saying that, he didn't add anything more, turned around and walked toward the hotel's revolving door.
As soon as he entered the lobby, James—dressed in an impeccably tailored suit with his hair meticulously combed—had already stepped forward and bowed slightly to Ethan, just the right amount of respect on his face, his voice steady: "Good evening, Mr. Miller. Your guest is already waiting for you upstairs."
There was no unnecessary inquiry or surprise in his words, as if it were perfectly ordinary for Ethan to bring back any guest. He simply focused on providing the most impeccable service.
"Thanks."
Ethan nodded and walked calmly across the gleaming marble floor toward the private elevator.
The elevator doors slid open silently. He stepped in, and the numbers began to slowly climb, carrying him up to the luxurious space on the top floor.
There are 90 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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