Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Ethan, You’re So Amazing

When Nina Halloway learned that the masked man had reappeared and nearly kidnapped Jaden, who was now in the hospital, her expression turned anxious.

"Is Jaden okay?"

"He’s been hospitalized," Officer Young said. "Miss Halloway, if it’s convenient, could you come over now?"

"Yes, it’s fine."

After finding out which hospital and room Jaden was in, Nina Halloway hung up. Before she could excuse herself, Leon Grant spoke first. "Jaden? Your ex-fiancé?"

"Yes. He ran into some trouble and is in the hospital."

"You want to go see him?"

"This happened to him because of me. The masked man who kidnapped me is a lunatic. He’s even killed someone..."

Leon Grant’s expression was indifferent. "Alright then. But we didn’t get to finish our dinner tonight. Can you make it up to me next time, Nina?"

Nina Halloway only wanted to leave as soon as possible, so she gave Leon Grant a perfunctory nod.

She backed away toward Ethan Austin, still humoring Leon Grant, and grabbed his arm tightly, signaling that they needed to leave immediately.

He felt her hand trembling violently. Her face was as pale as a sheet, frightened by Leon Grant’s collection of animal specimens, and her fingers were digging into his arm. He immediately pulled his arm free, wrapped it around her slender waist, and lifted her effortlessly. Tucking her under his arm, he carried her off with one hand.

Nina Halloway was a bit dazed. By the time she came to her senses, Ethan Austin had already carried her out of the collection room.

Leon Grant followed behind, a frigid glint in his eyes as he watched Ethan Austin touch Nina Halloway’s body so intimately.

’He wanted to chop off Ethan Austin’s arm.’

’A mere bodyguard... How could he hold my treasure?’

BUZZ BUZZ—

He received a text message.

It was from a subordinate: [Mission failed.]

He silently slipped his phone into his suit pants pocket and looked up at Ethan Austin.

With Nina Halloway tucked under one arm like a sack of rice, the man strode through the restaurant, grabbed her limited-edition handbag off a chair, and left without a backward glance.

Throughout the whole process, Nina Halloway was like a lazy, docile cat, hanging from the bodyguard’s strong, powerful arm, letting him carry her.

’Damn it!’

He pulled the phone from his pocket and dialed his subordinate’s number. "Investigate Nina Halloway’s personal bodyguard for me."

...

Carrying the bag in one hand and Nina Halloway under the other arm, Ethan Austin strode into the elevator before finally setting her down.

She was in high heels and stumbled, falling against him. Her hands instinctively wrapped around his waist, and her cheek pressed against his hard chest.

She looked up at him and giggled. "Ethan, you’re so strong."

’To think he could lift me with just one hand.’

Ethan Austin looked at her playful expression and grew serious. "That Leon Grant doesn’t seem like a good guy."

"I never thought he was a good guy."

’If I hadn’t been so scared of Mandy Halloway’s feather duster, I never would have agreed to meet Leon Grant.’

A few sentences later, the elevator reached the ground floor.

Nina Halloway didn’t let go of Ethan Austin, a grin still on her face. "Ethan, carry me like you just did. It was fun."

Ethan Austin: "..."

He paused for a few seconds, then tightened his arm around her soft waist. Tucking her between his arm and his side, he carried her out of the elevator effortlessly.

Nina Halloway unhurriedly took a mask out of her pocket and put it on, not forgetting to pull the hood of her clothes over her head. Then she stared at her wristwatch.

"Ethan, I’ll time you. Let’s see how long you can carry me."

Ethan Austin rolled his eyes. "Boss, you’re so light I could carry you to outer space."

Nina Halloway tilted her head to look at him. "Call me big sister."

’Why call me boss? It sounds so distant.’

Ethan Austin glanced down at her, noticing that the color was returning to her face, which had gone pale from her scare with Leon Grant. A faint blush now colored her cheeks.

A smile touched his lips. He quickened his pace to the car, opened the passenger door, bundled Nina Halloway inside, and then smoothly buckled her seatbelt for her.

On the way to the hospital, Nina took off her high heels in the passenger seat.

He glanced over and saw that both of her heels were chafed red.

"Are there any other shoes in the car?"

Nina Halloway shook her head.

Her assistant used to bring a pair of flats for her when she was working, but Nina was on leave, and her assistant had taken the opportunity to resign and get married. Plus, Anne wasn’t around.

She herself was scatterbrained and usually didn’t think of these things.

After a drive of more than half an hour, they arrived at the hospital.

She put on her high heels, got out of the car with her bag, and had only taken a couple of steps when Ethan Austin, coming up from behind, grabbed her and hoisted her over his shoulder.

"What floor is the inpatient department on?"

Ethan asked as he walked with her slung over his shoulder.

"The top floor. Room 1002."

After relaying the information, she buried her face, not wanting anyone to recognize her.

The elevators to the inpatient ward were crowded. Unwilling to wait, and not wanting to risk Nina being recognized, Ethan ducked into the stairwell with her.

Carrying his load, the man climbed all ten floors in one go, his breathing only slightly labored.

"Ethan, you’re amazing!"

Nina clapped and exclaimed in amazement.

The praise brought a smile to Ethan’s lips. "That’s not the only thing I’m amazing at."

He walked up to room 1002 and saw through the small window in the door that several people were inside.

He raised a hand to knock, then pushed the door open and walked in, still with Nina Halloway over his shoulder.

"Whoa!"

"What a unique entrance."

Officer Young was completely floored and couldn’t help but mutter to himself.

Evan Ford and Alaric Blackwood were unfazed by the sight, but Jaden, lying in the hospital bed, stared in disbelief.

"What’s wrong with her?"

Ethan entered the room and immediately lowered Nina from his shoulder.

Nina dizzily spun in a small circle. When she saw Jaden staring wide-eyed from the bed, she looked him over from head to toe. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Are *you* okay?"

"I’m fine."

"Then why was that bodyguard carrying you?"

"My feet were a little sore."

Jaden breathed a sigh of relief. "You’re such a handful."

’Carried in like a corpse... I thought something had happened to her.’

"Did they catch the masked man?"

Nina looked at Officer Young.

No sooner had she spoken than Ethan grabbed the only chair in the room and placed it behind her.

He gently pressed on Nina’s shoulders, easing her down into the chair.

She smiled up at him, her eyes crinkling. "Thanks, Ethan."

Jaden: "..."

’Why is she smiling so sweetly at a bodyguard?’

A wave of irritation washed over him.

"Why did you only come out with one bodyguard?"

"Didn’t Alaric send several bodyguards from the company to protect you?"

Nina hummed affirmatively. "I had a date today. It would have been inconvenient to bring so many people. Too conspicuous."

"A date?"

A tightness seized Jaden’s chest. "Who was the date with?"

"Leon Grant. Why?"

"Are you crazy?"

Nina scoffed, "We just had coffee and dinner. What’s the big deal?"

"Leon Grant is a suspect."

Officer Young couldn’t help but correct him. "Don’t make baseless accusations without evidence. You could be sued for slander. And if word gets back to the suspect, it could tip him off."

"Whether there’s evidence or not, Leon Grant is still a prime suspect, isn’t he?"