Chapter 6

Ethan Sinclair stood at the hospital entrance, squinting against the harsh sunlight. Tomorrow, he would fly overseas. He pulled out his phone and sent party invitations to his childhood friends.

Inside the KTV private room, the guys were belting out songs at the top of their lungs. Ethan leaned back on the couch, watching their antics with a faint smile.

Dinner was at their usual Sichuan restaurant, the spice making them sweat. Later, they moved to a café, chatting until the city lights flickered to life before finally parting ways.

As Ethan paid the bill, the server mentioned another tab from the neighboring room. Remembering his forgotten bag, he turned back.

Then he froze mid-step at the sound of a shrill voice through the half-open door.

"Who does Ethan Sinclair think he is?" The words cut like glass. "Chasing after Victoria Montgomery for years, only to lose to our Lucas in the end."

"Did you see the way he forced a smile while filming Lucas’ proposal? Priceless. Should’ve made it a meme."

Ethan’s fingers tightened unconsciously. Through the gap, he saw Lucas Whitmore lounging with crossed legs, a victor’s smirk on his face.

"Don’t compare him to me," Lucas scoffed, swirling his coffee cup. "He’s not even in my league."

Silently, Ethan pulled out his phone and hit record. The mockery continued.

"The Sinclairs’ fortune is pocket change next to the Montgomery Group. Victoria only has eyes for Lucas. Where does Ethan rank?"

Someone suddenly lowered their voice. "Hey, Lucas, about that blood transfusion after your car accident—"

Lucas cut them off lazily. "Victoria called him. Who knows what she promised." His smile turned icy. "Next time I need blood, I’ll have her summon him. If he gets in my way, I’ll just ‘accidentally’ get hurt more often. Drain him dry."

A chill shot down Ethan’s spine. So those "accidents" in his past life were deliberate murders.

He bit his lip until copper flooded his mouth. His nails dug into his palms, but he felt no pain.

A phone rang abruptly. Lucas stood and walked out. Ethan ducked behind a pillar, catching a muffled mention of an "ex-girlfriend" from inside.

Instinct made him follow.

In the fire escape stairwell, Lucas was grappling with a short-haired girl.

"Sophia Reynolds, I told you to stay away!"

"You’re getting married? To Victoria?" Her voice trembled. "We grew up together, and you’re dumping me to climb the social ladder?"

Lucas sneered. "Victoria is the Montgomery heiress. And you? Broke as a joke. If you loved me, you’d let me go."

"Let you go?" Her pitch spiked. "Does she know you’ve been two-timing? That you were in my bed last night?"

Ethan’s breath hitched. His phone slipped from his fingers, clattering loudly in the silent hallway.