Don't Be a Tease, Mr. Blackwood

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Do You Love Your Husband?

"Wouldn’t it be better to just hire a new housekeeper?"

Sophie Shaw shook her head. "No, I want Lawson to come back."

"You like Lawson that much?"

"She’s a good cook."

"Alright, I’ll have her come back."

"Honey, you’re the best."

Sophie Shaw smiled sweetly at the camera.

"Since I’m so good to you, do you like me?"

"I do."

A faint smile touched Alaric Blackwood’s lips. Just as he was about to warn her not to drink too much, he saw her head loll to the side before she slumped onto the table.

He was left speechless. ’Did she only say "I do" because she’s drunk and talking nonsense?’

The video call was still ongoing, and another face slowly appeared on the screen.

It was Anne.

Her face was also flushed from drinking. She gave Alaric Blackwood a goofy grin. "Mr. Blackwood, don’t worry. Sophie Shaw’s staying at my place tonight. I won’t let her drive home alone."

"She had a fever last night. How could you let her drink?"

"I’m innocent!"

"It wasn’t me! Sophie Shaw wanted a drink herself. She said hot pot and beer are the perfect match."

Alaric Blackwood: "..."

"Mr. Blackwood, if that’s all, I’ll be signing off."

The video call was cut off.

Anne planted her hands on her hips, looking at the drunken Sophie Shaw. She could feel a headache coming on.

Using every ounce of her strength, she half-dragged, half-carried Sophie Shaw and finally managed to get her into the guest room.

"Honey... hold me..."

Anne laughed in exasperation. "You silly girl, I’m not your husband."

She pulled the covers over Sophie Shaw. Then, remembering she was on leave, she wondered what Nina Halloway had done for dinner. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she dialed Ethan Austin’s number.

Ethan Austin was driving at that moment. Seeing the call from his sister, he put on his Bluetooth headset to answer.

"What did Nina have for dinner tonight?"

"French."

Anne was taken aback. "Huh?"

"French food."

"Who made it?"

"A three-star Michelin chef."

"Did you hire someone to cook at the house?"

"No."

"Then you made it?"

"There’s no way I could make that."

’I can handle simple, home-cooked meals, but not French cuisine.’

"Then Nina made it?"

"Are you getting old and forgetful? Leon Grant invited the boss over to his place for dinner."

"Oh, right. How could I have forgotten about that?"

"Was there something you needed? I’m driving."

Ethan Austin could feel the tense atmosphere in the car.

Ever since Jaden slapped her hand away, Nina Halloway had been in a total funk.

She was sitting in the passenger seat, completely silent, her eyes red, looking as though she’d suffered some terrible injustice.

He glanced over at the passenger seat, just in time to see Nina Halloway’s head leaning against the window as she raised a hand to wipe away a tear.

’There’s no reason to cry over a scumbag like Jaden.’

"Sis, did you need something or not?"

Anne: "Nothing important, I was just worried you’d let our cash cow starve."

"She won’t starve. I’m hanging up."

Ending the call, Ethan Austin stepped on the gas and drove into the underground parking garage of The Metropolis.

The moment the car stopped, he heard the woman in the passenger seat say listlessly, "Ethan, my feet hurt. Carry me."

"Alright."

He got out of the car, walked over to the passenger side, pulled open the door, and squatted down with his back to Nina Halloway.

She hung her purse around Ethan’s neck, draped herself over the man’s back, and commanded, "Onward."

Ethan Austin: "..."

He hooked his arms under Nina Halloway’s knees, lifting her securely onto his back, and headed straight for the elevator.

GRROWL...

The stomach of the woman on his back let out a piteous wail.

"Didn’t get enough to eat at dinner?"

Nina Halloway, resting on his shoulder, mumbled quietly, "How could anyone get full on such a tiny portion?"

"Should we order takeout when we get back then?"

"I don’t want takeout. It’s too greasy."

"Then how about I make you some noodles?"

Nina Halloway nodded, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

Her warm breath, carrying a faint, sweet scent, enveloped Ethan Austin.

For some reason, his heart began to beat a little faster.

After taking the elevator upstairs and entering the apartment, he placed Nina Halloway on the living room sofa, took off her coat and high heels, and brought over a pair of slippers, setting them by her feet.

Then he went into the kitchen, washed his hands, took some ingredients from the fridge, and prepared to make the noodles.

As the man’s tall frame moved methodically around the kitchen, Nina Halloway rested her head on the arm of the sofa, her eyes fixed on him.

"Ethan."

The man glanced over his shoulder. "Any orders?"

"Will you be my boyfriend?"

Ethan Austin’s hand shook, and the knife slipped, slicing his finger.

The knife slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor with a CLANG.

Nina Halloway leaped up nervously and sprinted to his side.

Seeing his finger was bleeding, she quickly turned on the faucet and pulled his hand under the running water to rinse it.

"Did what I just said scare you?"

She didn’t look up at him, her red-rimmed eyes focused on his bleeding finger. "I was just kidding. I hope I didn’t actually scare you."

While speaking, she grabbed a paper towel, turned off the faucet, and wrapped it around Ethan Austin’s finger. Then she led him to the living room, sat him down on the sofa, and turned to grab the first-aid kit.

She sat down next to Ethan Austin, opened the first-aid kit, and carefully disinfected and bandaged his finger.

Ethan Austin said nothing, just watched her quietly. ’She’s even more beautiful in person than on TV,’ he thought.

’She’s a little high-maintenance, but she’s got a very direct personality. She’s a good person, doesn’t sweat the small stuff, and has none of the airs of a spoiled heiress.’

"All patched up."

Nina Halloway looked at Ethan Austin’s finger, which was now wrapped up like a mummy, and was very pleased with her handiwork.

"You can’t get that wet now. I’ll make dinner."

"?"

Before Ethan Austin could even process what was happening, Nina Halloway had already rolled up her sleeves and marched into the kitchen.

A cacophony of clattering and banging erupted from the kitchen, and Ethan Austin’s brow slowly furrowed. ’I wonder if anything this girl is making will even be edible.’

"Noodles are ready! Savory fried chicken noodles!"

Nina Halloway placed two bowls of noodles on the dining table and waved at Ethan Austin. "Hurry up, it’s time to eat!"

Ethan Austin walked over apprehensively. He saw that she had added some of the ingredients he’d already chopped to the two bowls of noodles, along with an egg and the fried chicken his sister had made yesterday.

’It looks... edible, I guess.’

He pulled out a chair, sat down, and picked up his chopsticks to taste it.

"Is it good?"

"Er..."

Ethan Austin didn’t know what to say.

It seemed Nina Halloway had forgotten to add any salt or seasoning to the broth. It was completely bland.

"It’s a little bland."

After tasting it herself, Nina Halloway ran to the kitchen and came back with the salt shaker.

After she added salt to her bowl, he added some to his own. With the rich variety of ingredients, the bowl of noodles was now barely edible.

However, not long after he finished eating, his stomach started to feel upset. He spent the rest of the night practically living in the bathroom, unable to leave.

"Ethan, are you okay?"

Nina Halloway waited outside the bathroom door, pacing back and forth anxiously.

"It’s nothing, I’m perfectly fine."

"Should I call a doctor?"

"No need, it’s just a bit of an upset stomach."

"You must have eaten something bad earlier today."

"Heh heh..."

’Simply amazing.’

He ate the noodles Nina Halloway cooked and ended up with a terrible stomachache, yet she was perfectly fine.

’Does she have a stomach of steel?’

When the pain finally subsided, he walked out of the bathroom, clutching his stomach, only to see Nina Halloway emerge from the kitchen with a glass of warm water and a box of stomach medicine, which she waved at him.

"If you’re not feeling well, take some medicine. If you still feel sick, I’ll take you to the hospital." Nina Halloway helped him to the sofa, took out the medicine from the box, popped four pills out according to the instructions, and had him take them with the warm water.

A few minutes later, he collapsed on the sofa, foaming at the mouth...