Who is this man?

Claire froze, standing there for a long moment without moving.

Ethan turned his head, raised an eyebrow slightly, and walked toward her.

Only then did Claire snap back to her senses.

“Why are you here?"

“To pick you up from work, he replied calmly. “it's too dark. It's not safe!"

Something seemed to strike Claire straight in the heart, leaving behind a bittersweet feeling.

In the past, no matter how late she worked overtime, she always went home alone.

No one had ever worried about her safety enough to come pick her up.

Ethan was the first.

Even though she knew he was probably still influenced by the plot and liked the original owner of this body, Claire still felt touched.

Thinking about how she had deliberately stayed at the company to avoid close contact with him, she suddenly felt a little guilty.

"Thank you. Let's go!"

Ethan nodded.

They had only taken two steps when a black Maybach suddenly puled up beside them.

A tall, thin man stepped out of the car and walked straight toward Claire .

“Claire, get in. I'll drive you home.”

Claire immediately racked her brain and recognized him.

Noah Payne.

The abusive man the original owner had set her sights on.

A wealthy second-generation heir from City A.

From their first blind date, he had shown intense interest in the original owner, showering her with attention.

Over the past two days, he had sent countless messages that she hadn't replied to, and he had called several times, which she also ignored.

Claire instinctively glanced at Ethan.

His expression was calm, but his eyes held a cold glint as he looked at Noah.

Claire quickly distanced herself.“There's no need. We're not close!”

Noah frowned slightly, “Claire, you've been acting strange these past few days. I've sent you so many messages, and you never replied. I called you, and you didn't answer. Why are you suddenly so cold to me?”

“Don't talk nonsense. Were not close, Please don't bother me again!"

Claire was inwardly panicking

She didn't even dare look at Ethan's face.

It felt as if she had been caught cheating by her husband.

The original owner had truly left her with a mess.

Noah looked puzzled.

“Claire, you seemed to have feelings for me before. Why the sudden change?"

“Don't talk nonsense. I didn't!”

“Claire…"

Claire interrupted him immediately, “You must have misunderstood. I don't have feelings for you. Don't spread rumors."

Noah then turned his attention to Ethan .

He had already sensed that this man's aura was anything but ordinary.

Claire's sudden change in attitude toward him must be related to this man.

“Claire… ", Noah asked slowly, “who is this man?"

Without hesitation, Claire grabbed Ethan 's arm and lifted her chin slightly.

“My husband!"

Noah froze for a moment before laughing,“You're joking, right?”

“I'm not joking, I'm married. Please don't bother me again!" 

Noah still didn't believe it.

They hadn't seen each other for only a few days. How could Claire suddenly be married?

“Claire, even if you want to reiect me, you should at least come up with a better excuse”

Claire was just about to respond when Ethan suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

His gesture was unmistakably possessive.

“What reason does my wife need," he said coldly, “ to reject you?”

Noah's expression changed instantly.

Ethan didn't bother saying anything more. He simply led Claire away.

Standing by the roadside, he took out his phone to call a taxi.

Claire quickly stopped him.

“let's take the subway!" 

A taxi from here would cost more than a hundred yuan.

Sure enough, although Ethan had already placed the order, the industrial park was too remote, and no drivers accepted it.

After waiting for a moment, he canceled the ride.

Together, the two borrowed a shared bicycle and rode toward the subway station.

Noah's Maybach caught up from behind. He rolled down the window and called out loudly.

“Claire, get in the car. I'll take you home. Riding a bike is tiring, and it's cold outside.”

Ethan's grip on the handlebars tightened, his face turning stiff.

Claire glared at Noah.

"Get lost! Who wants to ride in your car? Just because you have a car doesn't make you special. I like riding a bicycle!" 

Noah persisted.

"Whether you're married or not, I can't stand seeing you suffer like this. Get in!"

Claire almost wanted to slap this arrogant jerk.

He had nearly ruined her entire future.

Turning around, she shouted angrily, “Are you crazy? Get lost and leave me alone!”

“Claire, get in. It hurts me to see you like this!"

Ethan suddenly stopped his bicycle.

He took out his phone and calmly dialed a number.

“I'd like to report harassment. Someone is harassing my wife!”

Noah's expression instantly darkened.

Without another word, he slammed the gas pedal and sped away.

The wind from the passing car nearly knocked Claire off balance.

What a lunatic.

She cursed inwardly before turning to look at Ethan.

His face remained expressionless, his lips pressed tightly together.

Was he angıy?

He must be.

Another man openly flirting with his wife right in front of him-how could he not be angıy?

If it were her, she would be furious too.

Ethan put away his phone and continued riding.

Claire quickly caught up.

“You didn't really call the police, did you?”

Ethan glanced at her,

“What? Are you afraid I'l have him arested?”

Claire waved her hands quickly.

“Of course not. You should call the police. Someone that self-righteous deserves to be taught a lesson!"

Ethan studied her quietly for a moment but said nothing more.

When they reached the subway station, they returned the shared bike.

Claire followed him into the station.

While waiting for the train, she edged closer to him.

“Are you angry?" she asked softly.

Ethan turned to face her, his gaze sharp.

“What do you think?"

Claire laughed awkwardly.

“It's understandable if you're angry!"

“But don't listen to that guy's nonsense. I don't even know him well"

“Really?" 

“...Of course!"

“I saw you accept flowers from him!”

Claire was stunned.

“When?"

But Ethan didn't answer.

Just then, the train arrived.

The two boarded and managed to find empty seats.

Claire immediately stood in front of him.

“it was all a misunderstanding," she explained quickly, “l accepted the flowers and threw them away right afterward!"

Ethan merely glanced at her without speaking.

Claire had no idea whether he believed her.

After all, the original owner of this body had secretly registered on a dating website, gone on multiple blind dates, eaten out with Noah twice, and even accepted flowers from him.

If Ethan ever found out about those things...

Would he strangle her?

Oh no!

She absolutely couldn't let him find out.

Ethan looked at her for a moment before shifting his gaze to the advertising screen above.

Claire's heart pounded.

Suddenly, the train jolted.

Claire lost her balance and stumbled to the side.

A middle-aged man stood beside her. Just as she was about to collide with him, a hand reached out and pulled her back. 

Claire looked up

“Thank you…”

Ethan released her and turned his head away.

When they returned to the apartment, Ethan took his clothes to the bathroom to shower.

Claire sat on the small sofa, staring at the bathroom door.

Soon, Ethan came out wearing gray pajamas, his hair still damp.

He didn't look at her, simply taking the washed underwear to the balcony to hang it up.

Just as he came back inside, his phone rang.

He answered it while standing by the window.

Left with nothing to do, Claire went to take a shower.

After she finished drying her hair, she saw Ethan sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book.

She walked over, lifted the covers, and slipped into bed.

After hesitating for a moment, she said softly, “Don't be angry!"

Ethan closed the book and lay down."Go to sleep!"

Claire bit her lip, turned off the light, and lay down.

Was Ethan really not going to forgive her?

If she put herself in his place. ..

She probably wouldn't forgive him either.