Chapter 13. Prejudiced

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The next day.

Ethan packed up the books he had been using and arranged them neatly on the bookshelf in his study. Astrid knocked on the room door where Ethan worked. The woman arrived along with Finnley. Ethan ordered the person behind the door to enter; his eyes snapped open at the arrival of Astrid and Finnley in the same room.

"Are you two ready to go to KG Entertainment?" asked Ethan, walking over to the front of his desk, which now looked empty, with only a few documents, laptops, and other office tools.

Astrid was surprised at how clean Ethan's desk was, unlike yesterday, where piles of books about entrepreneurs and companies were neatly arranged for Ethan to study.

"Why are you putting those books back into the bookshelves?" asked Astrid.

"I don't have time to read those books. Studying them without experiencing them first-hand would make my head fuzzy," Ethan replied, standing up as he leaned against his desk.

"So, you'd rather start living the life of a CEO than learn in detail what it takes to run a company?" asked Finnley.

Ethan was silent. Although he came from a poor family, his thinking ability could not be considered lowly. He understood what the main duties of a CEO were, especially the important things to do first.

"That's right. I'm learning as I go," Ethan replied.

Finnley seemed to smile broadly. His heart felt pleased and relieved to see Ethan's maturity in dealing with the problems that happened to him. He began to praise Ethan's decision and was willing to help the young man get the wheels of Kingsley's company in place.

"So, what will you do now?" asked Finnley, curious.

"Hmm ... I was thinking of inviting all the directors of Kingsley's company to come to this place. However, that option is difficult if done on the spur of the moment," said Ethan.

He returned to the chair behind his desk, opening the desk drawer as his right hand appeared to be taking something from inside. Finnley and Astrid looked curious about the object Ethan would pick up.

Finnley saw Ethan pick up a car key with a smile plastered on his face, the young man's expression making Astrid and Finnley wonder, was Ethan's activity today was to drive around in his fancy car?

"Are you going to spend the day driving around town?" asked Finnley, trying to confirm his guess.

"I don't have time for that. I have to go to the KG Aviation company, that branch of Kingsley's company has been experiencing a persistent profit deficit since the first quarter of this year," Ethan replied.

"KG Aviation? But isn't there an event going on there?" asked Astrid. She remembered that today, KG Aviation was exploring a business deal with another private aviation company and a banquet for important people in both companies who would be working together.

"You're right. I came there to find out what the deal's outcome would be," Ethan replied, snapping his fingers in agreement with Astrid's words.

Ethan opened his wardrobe, grabbed a black suit from the wardrobe and slipped it on to fit his ideal build. Seeing Ethan already wearing a neat suit and shirt made Finnley and Astrid gasp at the prestige of the young boss.

"You go to KG Entertainment," Ethan pleaded, telling the two to leave while he was still straightening his suit.

"And what about you? Are you leaving alone?" Astrid asked.

"Someone is waiting for me. I'll go with her to the place," Ethan replied.

Once everything was in proper order, Ethan walked over to Finnley and Astrid, who were still where they were. Both of their eyes began to take in Ethan's appearance from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. So much did Ethan's transformation really take Astrid by surprise.

The door behind their backs opened to let Hannah arrive and say she was ready. Astrid couldn't hide her surprised expression to find that Ethan was referring to Hannah Kingsley.

"Alright. I'm leaving," Ethan excused himself, walking past Astrid and Finnley, who was still speechless at the change in Ethan's demeanour that was far beyond what they expected.

Ethan walked out of his office and down to the main floor using the elevator. Hannah looked elegant in a suit dress that exposed the area above her breasts. Her appearance was so captivating that Ethan was sure anyone could fall for her charms.

"You look amazing, Hannah," Ethan complimented, standing in the elevator with his head up, looking at the floor number that appeared on the elevator monitor screen.

"Thank you. You look handsome too. I didn't expect such a bullied young man to dress like this," Hannah replied. She knew what had happened to Ethan after her classmates had told her so much about him.

"When are you going to show yourself in front of people on campus, Ethan?" asked Hannah, curious.

"The best revenge is something served cold. It won't be long before I show my true colours," Ethan replied.

The elevator doors opened, and Hannah with Ethan arrived at the main floor. The two stepped together towards the exit as Ethan's right hand held the car keys. He pressed the button on the key until the sound of a car greeted him.

"Are you sure you're going to be my bodyguard this time?" asked Hannah, making sure because she still felt uncomfortable with the situation.

"Sure, if not, they'll suspect me before I introduce myself," Ethan replied.

He stepped near the residence's garage, getting into his black sedan. He sped up the luxury car to arrive in front of the Kingsley residence, right in front of Hannah, who was waiting for him.

Hannah opened the car door and entered gracefully. Ethan again reminded Hannah to focus on her task this time, which was to ask many questions about the prospects of KG Aviation's cooperation with the private company.

"You're the fourth child of the Kingsley family. They must already know who you are, so they'll listen to you more than me," Ethan replied.

Before long, the young man drove his car at a steady pace through the main street of the city to reach the location of KG Aviation. The company's address was quite far from the Kingsley residence but close to the airport and shopping centre.

"There's something I want to ask you, just to make sure," Hannah said, eager to ask but afraid Ethan would get angry at her question.

"Go ahead. What do you want to ask?" said Ethan, prompting Hannah.

"Do you hate my mom?" asked Hannah, looking at Ethan's face, which was focused on the road before him.

Ethan was silent momentarily after Hannah asked that question, not without reason. She had seen the conflict between Ethan and his family several times, either with his mother or Luke and Katherine.

"If you really hate her because of a mistake from my family, then I apologize deeply on behalf of my family," Hannah explained, her voice low as she tried to avoid Ethan's anger.

"The first time I met, you guys were already filled with scorn from Sara and her children. I don't hold a grudge against them. I think it's a natural response to being caught off guard over something that should probably be theirs," Ethan replied.

"I'm just trying to be close to you all, either with Sara or your siblings. I'm sure you're asking because you saw my fight with your brothers, right?" Ethan asked, Hannah nodding as she cleared her throat softly.

"I don't hate them. In fact, I want us to work together to expand the Kingsley company. However, when I see Luke and Katherine's attitude and behaviour, I doubt giving them prestigious positions," Ethan replied.

"That's what made Sara cry, and Luke beat me to a pulp," Ethan continued.

"I see," Hannah said, her heart slightly relieved that her assumptions were incorrect.

"But you don't have to worry. I keep trying to be nice to them, and you can try to persuade them to be nice to me," Ethan pleaded, occasionally turning to Hannah with a wide smile.

"I'll try, Ethan."