144 144- Was She Beautiful? Was She A Blonde? 
Ethan wanted to go for a beach trip to enjoy this unexpected off from the MSin office, but Valerie wasn’t interested so he decided to discover the city himself. 
The weather was humid, but the people were hospitable. 

He was passing through the hotel lobby when he heard someone growling under her breath. Her voice might be low, but her words were sharp. He pecked from the huge vase placed in front of the dining area. 
“Nina Sinclair?” 
She was scolding the girl who used to accompany her usually everywhere. The poor girl wasn’t even trying to defend herself. There was a huge yellow stain of a curry in front of the girl’s dress. It seemed like she spilled some runny food on her dress and was now getting bashed for her clumsiness. 

Poor girl! 
“Nina. I’ll clean it in the bathroom,” She was asking her employer quite timidly. 
But Nina kept hurling insults at her with a venomous hiss. 

How much did Nina own in MSin? Fifteen percent or twenty? Whatever it was. It wasn’t a small 
chunk. 
He quickly moved aside when they passed by without even noticing him. 

“Tomorrow when we go to MSin, will you be doing this careless stuff there too? Who will take you seriously Geena?” 
So, Nina also has a big purpose to enter MSin! He thought to himself. 
In Valerie’s room, he was still thinking about Nina. Instead of taking it lightly, they should be prepared for what was about to come. 

Valerie was lounged on the couch, with eyes glued to the TV. It was David Birmingham’s show, and they usually invite big celebrities to it. 
With a relaxed mind, she was enjoying the show with a nonalcoholic drink. She didn’t want to appear drunk in the office tomorrow. 
Meanwhile, Ethan was sitting by the coffee table working on his laptop. His feet were propped up on the table and his fingers were tapping with lightning speed as he kept working about something online. 

After a few minutes, he stretched his arms letting out a small yawn, “The weather was pretty good today,” he remarked glancing up from his screen, “We could go to the beach.” 
Valerie smiled but her attention stayed on the TV screen, “Yeah. And then get caught together. No thanks. 
(144 144- Was She Beautiful? Was She A Blonde? 

Ever since he accompanied her to Kanderton, she wanted to play it safe. Showing the whole. world that Ethan was with her, meant her chances of getting the money were slim. 
Ethan stood up and walked over to the room fridge to fetch a bottle of water. His room was right next to hers but still, he liked being here with her. 
“Hey, Val. I’ve been thinking about something” he took a sip before continuing, “Your mother–in–law, Nina.” 

Valerie’s smile faded slightly and at last, her eyes flickered towards him, “Oh? What about her?” she muted the volume. 
Ethan returned to his laptop and sat back on his chair, “Why don’t you shake hands with her? 
he then capped back his bottle and placed it on the coffee table, “Just think of the benefits you will get. She is Rafael’s mom and according to you, she tries to control her son all the time. She has connections and can make things easier for you.” 

Valerie frowned and she almost tossed aside the TV remote, “Shake hands with Nina? Trust me. You don’t know what you are talking about. She is a very difficult woman, someone who is impossible to deal with. Urgh.” 
She rolled her eyes and shifted her focus to the screen, but the TV volume was still mute. 
He chuckled while still busy with the laptop, “Think of the bigger picture, darling. Sometimes you need to play games and be in the good books of the people you dislike. This is the number one 

rule of the business. 
“Rafael never followed this rule,” she asked raising her one shoulder carelessly. 
“That’s because he is a business pro. His mind is of higher IQ than many businessmen out there.” 

For some reason Valerie found it funny, “Higher IQ?” she couldn’t control the mirth, “Seriously, Ethan,” she twisted in the couch to look at him, giving him her undivided attention, “and this. higher IQ man couldn’t do a thing when I tried to make him a fool. Hahaha.” 
Ethan got quiet and didn’t say anything. Valerie watched him still playing with his laptop keys and inhaled a long breath. 
Ethan didn’t know anything about her past. The game she played with Nina against Marissa. 

“Nina is a manipulative bitch. I just can’t trust her, Ethan.” 
Ethan looked up, cocking up a brow, “But isn’t that the point? Keep your enemies closer?” 
Valerie started shaking her head. She was aware of what he was trying to tell her but still, she wasn’t convinced, “Believe me, Ethan. Nina is bad news. I would never be involved with her or team up with her.” 

This time Ethan closed his laptop, watching her closely, “I’m not asking you to like her, honey. You are just working with her and treating her as a colleague… who you don’t like much.” 
Valerie’s eyes narrowed, “I don’t understand, Ethan. Why are you so adamant?” her voice was rising slightly, “You don’t know anything about her. It won’t be an easy job to work beside her. 
She is toxic.” 

213 
144 144–Was She Beautiful? Was She A Blonda? 
Ethan sighed closing his laptop. He walked over to the couch and sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder, “I don’t want you to be upset, love. You know that. Right.” 

She didn’t say anything. Why would he bring up something so insignificant while she was watching her favorite show? 
“I just wanted you to thrive because you have never worked…” 
“I know… I know I don’t have any experience in this, Ethan. I have never worked in my life. And…. and I’m ready to learn. But please don’t ask me to work beside her. She will not only destroy me 

but her son too.” 
That g 
got Ethan’s attention like anything. 

“What do you mean?” he glanced down, “she is his mom, and I don’t think…” 
“Oh, you know nothing about her. She is a witch… trust me.” 
Ethan nodded and kept squeezing her shoulder. Valerie switched on the TV but now her mind 

wasn’t on the show. 
Her mind was on the woman Rafael was dating. Was she beautiful? Was she a blonde like her? 
Comment