Alice had seamed Eban had married into the Chen family for their power and influence, not mulizing bad be a kape man. Could the domineering Ethan actually handle being a kept man? Alice highly douded i n raised an eyebrow "You didn''t know? The engagement was set over a year ago."


    I had no idea. He rarely came home and never mentioned it She''d only found out in college, through Chloe, in her past life. Even then, he''d never mentioned being a kept man; probably too ashamed.


    Alice''s lips curled into a sardonic smile. No wonder the Windhams'' business has boomed this past your. Ethan''s been busy, barely home The Chen family''s resources must have fueled his rapid sess. His brothers, Tapec bally the fourth and sixth, had also thrived; it all made sense.


    now.


    Kihan scoffed."What right does a kept man have to threaten you?" Alice had built her sess on her own merit.


    Alice nodded, understanding dawning. She turned to Ethan."Thanks. But how did you get here?" The press conference had been kept strictly confidential, only Jackson knew.


    I happened to see you leaving TG, so I investigated. Heard about the press conference, and decided to watch the show.” Ethan omitted the part about overhearing his mother''s phone call about Alice,


    Alice didn''t suspect anything. She looked at the TG PR team. “Looks like the corporate press


    conference is off."


    Ms. Windham, don''t worry. I''ll see what I can do." Rima was heading back to report to Jackson, to determine the next course of action.


    Ethan, understanding the implication, said to Alice, "The Chens have always controlled the media, even more so than TG. Your brother''s quite the yer, hooking up with the Chens." Not everyone could snag a Chen family meal ticket.


    "I know, but it''s not insurmountable." Alice knew the Windhams'' aggressive actions were to silence her, to prevent her from exposing their secrets. But even if they seeded, if she refused to settle, her brother, Caleb, would still face consequences. The Windhams should be the ones. worried.


    Seeing Alice''s concern, Ethan confidently said, "Don''t worry, things might be resolved by tomorrow." If his brother hadn''t been out of town, the press conference would have gone


    p ahead as nned. But with his mother and the Chens applying pressure...


    Alice looked at Ethan."Thanks for the good luck. I''m heading back to school. Dinner''s on me sometime." She appreciated his help.


    Ethan added, “I''ll drive you. Then we can check out your team''s training. See if you''re worthy opponents."


    “Sounds good. Having you there will motivate them." Alice readily agreed; Ethan as a sparring partner was a rare opportunity.


    Alice and Ethan left together.


    Rima contacted Jackson. "Mr. Wilson, I need to report. Today''s press conference was canceled." "Why?" Jackson frowned. Everything had been set.


    After hearing Rima''s expression, he was shocked by the Chen family''s involvement and the revtion that Ethan was engaged to the Chen daughter.


    He asked, "How''s Alice?"


    to help,


    80 she''s not at


    "She''s doing fine. Ethan''s here


    disadvantage.” After hanging up, Jackson called Garrett. “Is Ethan engaged to the Chen daughter?” “Honestly, I didn''t know. The Chens kept it under wraps. They said they''d make it public after my cousin and her fiancé developed feelings. He continued, “How did you hear about Ethan? That''s


    wild."


    Jackson recounted Alice''s aborted press conference.


    Garrett fell silent. "How did Ethan find out? I didn''t even know."


    "That''s what I want to know. I''ll ask himter."


    "I''ll ask my uncle about the situation with the Chens."


    Garrett was stunned by the coincidence.


    Jackson called Ethan, but he didn''t answer. He texted him, asking how he''d found out about Ethan and the Chen heiress.


    Ethan had just arrived at the school with Alice. He didn''t dare answer, fearing exposure of his brother''s identity.


    When Alice and Ethan appeared at the esports club, the members were stunned, then erupted in screams. Who would expect to see their idol at school?


    Ethan, a top esports yer, had a massive fan base.


    Alice smiled at everyone."He''ll be your sparring partner today. Make the most of it."


    Ethan, before he could reply to his brother, was dragged into a chair and forced to start his "job." He mentally noted to get reimbursed from his brother.


    Back in her office, Alice told Lana Parker, “Buy everyone a bubble tea, my treat.”


    "How did your press conference go? I didn''t see it trending."


    "It didn''t happen."


    Seeing Lana Parker''s worry, Alice quickly exined, "Don''t worry about me. Supervise their training. No stargazing while training."


    After Lana Parker left, Alice''s expression softened slightly. She recalled that Ethan hadn''t been so frantic when Caleb had been in trouble, but he was incredibly worried about Caleb. Apparently, he''d invested heavily in Caleb''s ventures.


    Her phone rang-Caleb. She hung up without answering. The office phone rang; she cautiously answered.


    "Alice, I heard you were going to expose everything."


    Hearing Caleb''s voice, Alice found it strange. He didn''t sound angry.


    She said calmly, “That''s right, but the press conference was stopped. I''ll do a livestream. He can''t


    stop me."


    “Alice, Big Brother is sending Second Brother to Third Brother for treatment, so he can''t testify about the will. Do you really want to watch all that fall into Chloe''s hands?"


    Of course not.


    "Alice, let''s coet"


    "Сооретали I don''t see the need


    Alice was about to hang up.


    "You need to. You know a Pig Pother''s engagement with the Chen freely for cofthen the


    about Garcia family, let alone the Chem. Even with livestream, the Chess can shove yous les tomy own shares in DowSha (vestream tformy"


    Alice sneered. "You''re still lying That''s now why you .ungerer the Yown Colts world''s


    do this.


    Silence stretched on the line before Caleb sighed, his voice tinged with Frardon by Wher''s


    t giving my entertainmentpany to Chloe and nning to make her tops worth that bitch win. I built thatpany with my blood and sweat Pay Prother has no life to fores


    Alice scoffed "So the White Lotus is stealing yourpany, Kossdr


    Of course not.


    "Alice, let''s cooperate."


    "Cooperate? I don''t see the need."


    Alice was about to hang up.


    "You need to. You know about Big Brother''s engagement with the Chen family. You can''t beat the Garcia family, let alone the Chens. Even with a livestream, the Chens can shut you down; they own shares in DouSha (a livestream tform)."


    Alice sneered. "You''re still lying. That''s not why you want to cooperate. She knew Caleb wouldn''t do this. Silence stretched on the line before Caleb sighed, his voice tinged with frustration.“Big Brother is giving my entertainmentpany to Chloe and nning to make her a top star. I won''t let that bitch win. I built thatpany with my blood and sweat. Big Brother has no right to give it away."


    Alice scoffed. So the White Lotus is stealing yourpany. Karma''s a bitch.”