?Chapter 1488:


    Biting her lip, she turned on her heel and walked away.


    Ethan, soothing Brenna, said, “Someone like her is bound to learn the hard way. Don’t waste your energy on her—she doesn’t see what is in her best interest. In time, she’ll rue her choices and realize we only meant to help.”


    His voice carried, each wordnding like a stone in the ears of Sandra and Andres, who were within earshot.


    Andres, far from offended, felt a spark of smug satisfaction. Unable to resist, he sauntered over to Ethan, his swagger unmistakable.


    “Mr. Mitchell, you may intimidate others, and even my father might tip his hat to you, but I see nothing extraordinary about you. A few extra coins in your pocket don’t give you the right to meddle in our lives. What makes you think you can judge me as a bad person?”


    Ethan remained unfazed, refusing to stoop to a quarrel. Yet he was determined not to let Andres get too smug. “Do you know that the Imperial Bar is my establishment?” he said.


    Andres’s eyes widened in astonishment. He hadn’t anticipated that Shirie’s most opulent and impably managed bar belonged to Ethan.


    A wave of unease washed over him as he reflected on his behavior in the bar. Had Ethan uncovered every detail of his conduct?


    Swiftly regaining hisposure, Andres retorted, “So what if you own that ce? I’m a paying customer. You can’t simply bar me from your premises, can you?”


    Despite his words, he silently vowed never to cross the threshold of the Imperial Bar again. He felt utterly exposed now, as though his every secret had been stripped bare.


    “What if I choose to deny you entry?” Ethan replied, his toneced with disdain for such brazen provocation.


    With a deft motion, he presented Andres with a photograph capturing him in thepany of several women.


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    Andres’s temper red instantly. “Even if the Imperial Bar is yours, you have no right to spy on your customers! Aren’t you worried about alienating your clientele, Mr. Mitchell?”


    Ethan’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Care to guess who sent me this photo?”


    “Get lost!” Ethan uttered, his tone cold and unyielding.


    Andres caught the steely glint in Ethan’s eyes, a shiver of apprehension running through him. He was all too aware that his family’s influence paled inparison to Ethan’s. Persisting in defiance could spell trouble not only for him but also for his entire family.


    With a heavy heart, he turned away, his mind racing with questions about who might have covertly sent those photos of him to Ethan, betraying his trust.


    Back at his table, he noticed Sandra’s mood had soured once more. The box of premium lipsticksy untouched, and the extravagant bouquet of roses failed to draw even a fleeting nce from her. Her expression was one of cold fury.


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