Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO

Chapter 299 - 196: Date Tomorrow Night, Ethan Scott Stirring Up Trouble

For Nora Scott, whose acting skills have always been criticized, the condition proposed by Katherine Collins was quite tempting.

However, she didn’t rush into accepting this deal.

Firstly, she rarely paid attention to the entertainment industry and hadn’t seen Katherine Collins’ works, so she didn’t know how capable she really was.

Secondly, although this girl’s polite and enthusiastic attitude easily won people over, she was sharp and quick to understand, not the type to be simply naive, which made Nora somewhat wary.

Thirdly... she had some plans lately and had no free time.

Even though she was a bit interested in the documentary Katherine mentioned, it wasn’t enough to make her change her plans at the last minute.

Despite this, the delicious, aromatic dishes on the table still made a good impression on Nora about Katherine.

"I’ll take care of the dishes."

Seeing Nora put down her chopsticks, Katherine stood up promptly and readily.

Nora touched her nose with her hand.

She hadn’t intended to do it herself anyway.

Luckily, Katherine didn’t notice, and with a warm and shallow smile, she took the empty bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen, looking quite cheerful.

"Ding-dong—"

"Ding-dong—"

The phone Katherine left on the table suddenly chimed twice, the screen lighting up in response.

Without deliberately peeking, Nora was merely drawn by the sound and glanced over, noticing as she was sitting close to Katherine, she could clearly see the WeChat message on the phone screen.

[Master Pedro]: Hurry back to your place after eating.

[Master Pedro]: Best let your husband pick you up.

Even through the screen, one could sense a strong "clear boundary" vibe.

Nora glanced at the slender figure in the kitchen and, for some reason, the corners of her lips lightly curved.

However, Nora didn’t wait for the arrival of Katherine’s husband. After chatting for a bit, she headed back home.

*

Not long after, Nora received a call from Pedro Langley.

"Finished eating?"

"Hmm."

"She’s a friend I grew up with. She’s married now," Pedro explained succinctly, then added reassuringly, "She just occasionally stays at Cloudwater Haven for a few days."

"Oh."

Nora responded indifferently, without much emotion.

Pedro had just started to feel at ease when he heard Nora drag out her reply lazily, "Childhood sweetheart, huh?"

"..." There was a moment of silence before Pedro suddenly laughed, "Do I detect some jealousy?"

Nora clicked her tongue.

"Honestly, even Miguel Smith knows your house’s password," Pedro leisurely pointed out, "And you told it to him yourself."

Nora snorted, "Does it embarrass you that I secretly remembered the password?"

"A bit."

"......"

Such frank admission left Nora momentarily speechless.

However, Pedro was right, quite a few people could freely enter her house, and most of her somewhat close friends knew her password.

A low chuckle filled the line, softly echoing in her ears, feeling a bit tingly.

Nora unconsciously switched ears, just about to ask what’s wrong with him when Pedro spoke, "By the way, those hundred books you have, they’re all hers."

Startled, Nora slightly frowned, "Why didn’t you say earlier?"

"I was going to say it, but you hung up the phone."

"..."

Nora had no retort.

"Besides," Pedro suddenly changed the subject, asking, "why were you looking for me?"

He switched topics so quickly that Nora paused, trying to remember why she called him, failing to reply right away.

After a moment’s thought, she said, "When are you free? I still owe you a meal."

You’ve freeloaded from me, I’ve freeloaded from you, neither knows how many meals we’ve shared.

Owing a meal is something that should’ve been settled already; I just brought it up without a clear excuse.

"If it’s a meal invitation, I’m free anytime."

"..." Nora lightly pressed a side of her temple, "I’m going to Anchel the day after tomorrow, let’s meet tomorrow night. I’ll let you know about the location."

"Alright."

Pedro agreed readily.

*

Castle River Hospital.

"Bang—"

"Clang—"

"Crash—"

A variety of smashing sounds emanated from a VIP ward, clear and piercing even through the door, prompting patients and medical staff passing by to quicken their pace.

Inside the ward, Ethan Scott had thrown everything within arm’s reach and finally stopped.

Ouyang Qiu was stunned by his fierce and irritable demeanor, standing dumbfounded in the corner of the room, not knowing what to do.

Ethan Scott gave a vicious look at the phone that was the first to be smashed on the ground and asked angrily, "Who started the online rumors?!"

The sudden question made Ouyang Qiu’s body tremble slightly before she recovered.

After Ethan’s failed showcase of his work at the birthday banquet and subsequent hospitalization from a beating, he unexpectedly became a laughingstock within the circle, so he had been in a foul mood. Therefore, Ouyang Qiu had agreed with the Scott family to temporarily hide the online rumors from Ethan.

The mastermind behind the manipulation of public opinion is truly adept at controlling human hearts.

They just throw out bait and provide evidence, and netizens spontaneously lead the discourse.

The Scott family spends money to hire paid posters and remove trending topics, but just when they’ve suppressed public opinion a bit, the other side appropriately releases some new information, and more than once, it suddenly becomes a trending topic. All the well-known marketing accounts post simultaneously, and the popularity surges immediately.

And so, it repeats over and over.

Now, the public opinion about Ethan Scott online is beyond terrible.

There are even venomous curses and photoshopped obituaries.

The Scott family tried to hide it for a few days, but unexpectedly, Ethan realized something was wrong and somehow got a phone, eventually learning the truth.

"We can’t trace the exact source." Ouyang Qiu said with a stern expression, "But your dad guesses, there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance it’s Pedro Langley."

"Pedro Langley?"

Hearing this name, Ethan couldn’t stop his stomach from hurting.

Because of that kick from Pedro Langley, he suffered internal injuries and broke two ribs. He’s still lying in a hospital bed, unable to move freely.

A businessman who’s strategic in the marketplace, how could he strike... no, kick so hard?

"He’s someone in the entertainment industry, very skilled at manipulating public opinion." Ouyang Qiu continued, "Moreover, his company has a very capable public relations department. Your dad hired someone to analyze it, and the way it’s been done matches their style."

"..."

Ethan’s expression was dark, and he remained silent.

Pedro Langley...

He’s heard a little about this person’s way of doing things.

Rarely seen in the high circles of Fenton City, he generally doesn’t get involved in matters, but he’s a tough character. He hasn’t interacted with him privately and doesn’t know him well, but judging from the thriving companies he currently manages, his abilities should not be underestimated.

Furthermore, Pedro Langley’s friends are exceptionally remarkable, with backgrounds involving military and political circles.

In the circles of his personal connections, everyone tends to steer clear of Pedro Langley and Camilo Nogueira’s group, avoiding any trouble with them unless necessary.

How could someone like him get involved with Nora Scott?

And he even seems to protect her.

Beautiful women, indeed, have an allure wherever they go...

Thinking irritably, Ethan suppressed his emotions and asked, "How’s the situation at home?"

"Business is declining rapidly, your grandpa and dad are trying to figure something out." Ouyang Qiu replied heavily.

The rumors don’t matter much, being ridiculed isn’t damaging, but the business of the two companies... that’s a real loss.

No one knows what kind of leverage Biel Hall has, but ever since word got out from Biel Hall, families who used to work with them have cut ties. Besides that, the online public opinion has also had a significant impact on their business.

From inside to outside, there’s nothing that offers peace.

If it continues like this, no matter how strong the family foundation is, they won’t be able to withstand it, and the entire family’s heritage might be exhausted.

"I understand."

Ethan deeply furrowed his brow, pressing his fingers to his forehead.

After a long pause, he said, "I need a new phone."

"But those things online..." Ouyang Qiu hesitated, "I’m worried it might affect your mood."

Ethan didn’t explain but lifted his head; his eyes were cold and dangerous. The look made Ouyang Qiu freeze instantly, feeling a chill from her feet upwards.

Only at this moment did Ouyang Qiu seem to realize—

The son she’d raised for so many years seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

Thinking back, she never knew Ethan’s sexual orientation was...

"I know."

Ouyang Qiu shivered suddenly and didn’t argue with Ethan anymore.

After finishing her words, she glanced at the mess in the hospital room, lowered her head, and hurried out of the room.

*

Half an hour later.

The chaotic hospital room was tidied up neatly by a caregiver, and Ethan also got the new phone.

Ouyang Qiu wasn’t there.

Ethan waved a hand, signaling the caregiver to leave.

Leaning against the headboard, Ethan inserted the old SIM card into the phone, quickly found a number in the contacts, and dialed it.

"Master Scott?"

After three rings, Egbert Vaughn’s voice came through.

Ethan called out in a deep voice, "Vaughn."

"How are things with you lately?"

Hearing this, Ethan narrowed his eyes.

Egbert Vaughn wasn’t part of their social circle, but evidently, the various scandals of the Scott family had reached his ears too.

Given the circumstances, Ethan didn’t care, "No problem. I need a group of people to help me with something... Can you?"

"Just say it."

Egbert Vaughn quickly agreed.

Ethan then instructed a few things.

"Okay, no problem."

Egbert Vaughn agreed readily.

At the end of the conversation, Ethan suddenly asked, "By the way, how’s Glenn Flynn doing lately?"

"I don’t know. But I’ve heard he’s taken a leave of absence recently and isn’t in Fenton City."

"...Oh."

Ethan furrowed his brows.