Chapter 63: Chapter 63

Her hands weren’t dirty either.

Could it be that Young Master Sterling doesn’t even want others to support his female companion? But that doesn’t seem right?

The staff looked at her work dress and fell into contemplation. Could it be that her gender features are not obvious?

Seraphina Redgrave obediently leaned on Ethan Sterling’s chest, letting out a sigh of relief, thankful she wasn’t discovered.

Once the organizers finish settling accounts, she’ll have her money.

Mia Redgrave and Jonathan Redgrave have managed to ruin their reputation once again.

As they reached the entrance of the art gallery, she heard Jonathan Redgrave desperately trying to clarify things with the media. Seraphina once again allowed a slight smile to play across her lips.

Are you feeling scared? Don’t worry, there’s more interesting ahead.

Inside Hibiscus Garden.

The family doctor couldn’t understand why Seraphina Redgrave looked so pained. He could only tentatively say, "It might be a gastrointestinal cold due to catching a chill. Just rest and avoid cold foods."

After the doctor left, Seraphina lay drowsily on the bed with her eyes half-closed and furrowed brows, looking like she was still uncomfortable.

Ethan Sterling stood by the window, looking at Seraphina without expression.

Why does he keep staring at her?

Could it be that he discovered her identity? It shouldn’t be, Ethan was so focused on the painting at the time, how could he have had the time to observe her?

If he really discovered she was the little fry, it would have been exposed on the spot.

After figuring this out, Seraphina no longer paid attention to Ethan. He could look all he wanted; she was going to sleep.

"Young Master Sterling, someone from the art gallery has delivered the painting."

Nathan Ayers called out loudly from the door.

Before Seraphina could close her eyes, she turned to the sound, only to see the "Snow Woman" painting placed at the door.

Even Seraphina herself hadn’t expected, after much turning and returning, it would appear before her again.

Ethan Sterling’s gaze shifted to the painting.

"Understood, Young Master Sterling."

Nathan Ayers placed the painting on the bookshelf just inside the door and respectfully said, "Nanny Lynch has just made some nourishing chicken soup for Miss. Would you like her to drink it now?"

"Yes." Ethan still showed no expression, which left Seraphina momentarily wondering if he even knew what Nathan had just said.

Nathan nodded, and Nanny Lynch entered with a bowl of chicken soup.

Seraphina immediately sat up. Because Nanny Lynch and Granny Coleman had made her skip two meals to fit into that short skirt without looking bloated, the mere scent of food made her salivate, her eyes involuntarily glued to the bowl of chicken soup.

Nanny Lynch walked in with the chicken soup, explaining as she went, "Miss, I’ve been stewing this chicken soup since you left with the gentleman. It’s just the right time to drink it now. Come and have some food, or else it’ll only be more uncomfortable with an empty stomach later."

Hurry, hurry, she’s craving it!

As Seraphina was about to get up from the bed, she heard Ethan’s deep voice, "Bring it over and then leave."

Though there was no emotion, it carried an absolute authority.

Nanny Lynch was a bit flustered, "The chicken soup is still hot, what if Miss accidentally spills it..."

Ethan stood by the bedside, a trace of impatience flashing in his eyes, "You dare disobey my orders now?"

His voice carried an irresistible pressure.

Nanny Lynch shuddered, unsure of what she thought of, her hands trembling as she placed the chicken soup on the bedside table and quickly turned to leave the room.

Nathan followed her out, closing the door behind him. The room instantly fell into silence, leaving only the soft breathing of Seraphina and Ethan.

Seraphina, starving as she was, couldn’t understand what Ethan wanted to do. Just as she was wondering, Ethan abruptly pulled her out from under the covers, "Sit up."

He possessed naturally high body temperature and great strength.

Seraphina felt like some ornament, being casually manipulated by him.

She obediently sat on the bed, and suddenly, Ethan sat beside her, holding the bowl of chicken soup.

He stirred the boiling soup leisurely.

Ethan was so close to her, yet Seraphina didn’t sense the aroma of the food but rather Ethan’s presence.

What does he want anyway?

Seraphina stared at Ethan blankly, suddenly noticing him bring the spoonful of soup to her lips.

He can’t possibly intend to feed her personally?

There’s no need, is there? Isn’t Nanny Lynch and Granny Coleman free?

Seraphina was momentarily dumbfounded, but Ethan furrowed his brow, "What, you look down on the chicken soup fed by me, Ethan?"

Looking at Ethan’s indifferent face, she had the sneaking suspicion that truly saying "yes" might end very badly for her.

Seraphina drank the chicken soup, satisfaction causing her eyes to narrow. Nanny Lynch’s cooking skills had improved.

Seeing Seraphina contentedly swallow the chicken soup, Ethan’s expression softened, and he continued to feed her spoonful by spoonful.

Seraphina obediently took nourishment with Ethan’s hand guiding her.

Unfortunately, this peaceful atmosphere didn’t last. Ethan spoke.

He looked at the demure Seraphina, inhaling her chicken soup, and sighed: "My sister died at twenty, buried in a heavy snowfall."

Seraphina swallowed the chicken soup, blinked, and recalled Ethan’s disbelief when he had seen the "Snow Woman" painting during the competition.

"That winter was unbearably cold. She stood among the roses, plunged a dagger into her chest."

Ethan put down the soup bowl, gazing out the window. "I watched her slowly lose her breath, collapse among the mass of roses, and no matter how I pushed or called her, she had no consciousness."

He recounted these memories without expression, as though he wasn’t narrating his own past experiences.

Seraphina diverted her gaze, starting to fiddle with her fingers, pretending not to understand, but heard his voice again: "Meeting you in the forbidden zone, I thought I saw her shadow in you, but after spending time together, it turns out I was mistaken back then." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novᴇlfire.net

Ethan had never seen her true face.

So how could he be sure she didn’t carry a resemblance of his sister?

Seraphina idly thought while playing with her fingers, Ethan studying the crown of her head, began to speak slowly: "You’re stronger than she was."

"From the moment I can remember, I’ve been sent to Hibiscus Garden by that father of mine. Mother left early; Father had a new wife. My sister and I were unwanted children. My sister was much older, gentle and quiet, always enduring bullying, but I was raised under her protection. Though our living was less than ideal, we survived."

Seraphina’s heart froze.

That Ethan had such a past. He was the renowned Young Master Sterling; how could he have faced such things?

"When I was eight, almost beaten to death by a servant. She had a breakdown. I finally understood how she suppressed her illness in such an environment. She killed all the servants involved in that assault, and once she came to, took her own life." Ethan’s voice turned icy, as if cold was seeping from him, "Since then, no one dared to do anything to me again, yet I lost the person who doted on me the most."

His sister exchanged her life for his lifetime of peace and safety.

Ethan realized then that merely enduring would only embolden the bullies. If he didn’t become ruthless, he too would die under their abuse, just like his sister did.

Seraphina listened quietly.

So his abnormal behavior during the competition was because he saw his sister’s fate in the painting.

When she created "Snow Woman," she was actually thinking about her days in the forbidden zone.

Little did she know, by coincidence, she depicted his past.

"Ever since, I’ve never been willing to live according to the rules. No matter what, I must stand at the top, watching everyone bow to me."

Ethan spoke softly, but his voice carried an undeniable cruelty: "Everyone says I’m ruthless and cold-hearted, that I can even act against my own father. They’re not wrong. I’ve killed many people along the way just because they blocked my path, but because of that, I can securely hold my place here."

As he spoke the most ruthless words, Ethan gently petted Seraphina’s hair.

Experiencing such events before his sense of right and wrong had formed, it was no surprise he turned out this way.

Seraphina inwardly sighed, suddenly realizing, why is he telling her all this?

She was pondering when he lifted her chin, making her look up.

Seraphina, puzzled, raised her head, meeting his icy eyes. Ethan, watching her, slowly curled his lips into a smile: "Do you want to know why I’m telling you all this?"