Revenge After Betrayed

Chapter.5

Chapter 5

Maria had sensed something was wrong from the very beginning.

This meeting… felt far too unusual.

Ethan Arthur was a big name, someone constantly sought after. Dozens of well-established companies were willing to spend astronomical sums just to secure a partnership with him. They promised insane profits, things no small company like Elio’s could ever hope to compete with.

And yet, the reality was this: she was the one sitting in this room.

An ordinary employee. A wife whose own husband never even acknowledged her existence.

Maria looked at Ethan from across the table. The man gave no clear answers, as if deliberately leaving the question hanging in the air. His gaze remained sharp, but this time it seemed to be studying Maria more deeply, as though he wanted to read her mind.

“Many people are wondering,” Maria finally gathered her courage to speak, “why you chose us. I’m sure there are dozens of bigger companies far more deserving to compete for this project.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. A faint smile appeared on his lips. “I have my own reasons.”

“Reasons?” Maria frowned. “Is it because of the price? Or is there another factor I don’t know about?”

Ethan stared at her for a long time—so long that Maria’s heartbeat doubled its pace. Then he spoke softly, in a mysterious tone,

“It’s not about price. Not about profit. I chose… whoever was brave enough to sit at this table. And it turns out, only you.”

The blatant lie coming out of Ethan’s mouth left his staff stunned. Some even choked on their own saliva.

His words made Maria’s skin prickle. There was something behind them, something far beyond business.

The meeting did not end immediately. Instead of signing the contract right away, Ethan deliberately slowed the entire process. He leaned back in his chair, watching Maria with an expression impossible to decipher.

“So…” Ethan spoke again, his tone lighter this time, “what do you usually do every morning before going to work?”

Maria almost lost her words. The question was far too simple, even meaningless. The beautiful woman smiled faintly. “Uh… I usually make breakfast. Coffee, toast… sometimes an omelet.”

Ethan gave a small nod, as though he were truly paying attention to that detail. “Black coffee or sweet?”

Maria swallowed. “Black. No sugar.” That was the same coffee she always made for Elio.

A faint smile touched Ethan’s lips. “Just like me.”

The staff in the room exchanged bewildered glances. Ethan Arthur—the man known for never wasting time with small talk—was suddenly talking about… coffee?

And it didn’t stop there. Ethan asked again, this time with an even stranger question.

“When you have free time, what do you enjoy the most? Reading? Walking? Or… sleeping?”

Maria grew more confused, but she still answered politely. “I like reading… mostly biographies.”

Ethan raised his eyebrows, his eyes filled with a curiosity he could no longer hide. “Biographies, huh? Interesting. That means you prefer studying real lives over fairy tales.”

The staff were more shocked than ever. None dared to speak. They all knew Ethan had never asked such trivial questions to anyone. Everyone who had ever sat across from him knew his time was far too valuable to waste on casual chatter.

Yet the small talk continued, making the meeting feel increasingly strange. Maria tried to answer each question, though in her heart she wondered what Ethan was truly after.

When the atmosphere began to ease, one of the staff tried to cut in, “Mr. Arthur, the contract—”

But Ethan immediately raised his hand to silence him. His eyes remained fixed on Maria. “The contract can wait. I want to discuss this further, in a more relaxed way. Considering how big this project is.”

Maria frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ethan leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on the table. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he said,

“Lunch together. You and me. We can continue the discussion there.”

The room instantly fell silent. The staff exchanged stunned glances, some nearly dropping their pens. No one dared to speak, but their astonishment was written all over their faces.

One secretary nervously spoke up, “M-Mr. Arthur… usually you never—”

Ethan’s sharp gaze shut her down at once. She lowered her head immediately, her face pale.

Maria froze in place. Her heart pounded, unable to believe the invitation she just heard.

“Sir… is that necessary?” she asked softly, still trying to maintain formality.

Ethan’s eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. “Yes. Very necessary. If you want this project to succeed, Miss Maria, then you must be prepared to spend more time with me.”

Maria fell silent, then finally nodded. “Yes, I agree.”

After that series of strange small talk, Ethan finally reached for the pen before him. His movement was calm, though his eyes remained fixed on Maria, as if to make absolutely sure of something one last time.

“Alright,” he said shortly. “Let’s not drag this out. I’ll sign the contract.”

Maria was surprised, but quickly masked it with a professional smile. She handed him the document, her hand trembling slightly. The scratching sound of the pen against paper echoed clearly in the silent room, marking a major decision.

Everyone held their breath. Ethan had always been known as the man who could reject even the most lucrative offers in mere seconds. But this time… he signed a contract with a small company. That alone was enough to leave many in disbelief.

When he was done, Ethan closed the folder firmly and handed it back to Maria. “Congratulations, Miss Maria. You just achieved what many others couldn’t.”

Maria nodded politely, though her chest thundered inside. “Thank you, Mr. Arthur. I’ll do my very best.”

Ethan leaned back, interlacing his fingers once more. His tone was cold again, but heavy with authority.

“I want you to prepare a work plan. Detailed. Including risks, targets, and long-term evaluations. Once it’s ready… bring it to me.”

Maria swallowed. “Alright. And… when should I deliver it?”

Ethan stared at her for a long moment, then his lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile. “Immediately. I don’t like waiting.” He paused briefly, then added, “Come to me directly. Not your staff. I want to see how you work… up close.”

Once again, silence filled the room. The staff exchanged bewildered looks, none daring to comment. But they all knew one thing: Ethan Arthur was paying unusual attention to Maria.

Maria herself could only nod. “Alright, Mr. Arthur.”

***