<b>Chapter </b><b>33 </b>A p <b>in </b><b>the </b><b>Face </b>
Curtis froze. “That man is…”
“He’s Ethan Hughes, one of Corvessia’s most notorious tyrants. He recently returned to the country. He’s well–connected andes from a powerful family, so you don’t want to mess with him.
“But if you manage to befriend him, you could throw your weight around in Corvessia, and no one would dare oppose you,” Sonya exined.
Curtis‘ heart stirred at her words.
“Isn’t yourpany short on funds right now? If Ethan is willing to help, getting a loan from the bank
would just be a matter of him saying the word,” she added.
Curtis instantly felt eager.
Beside him, Luke couldn’t help clicking his tongue. “He’s already that impressive at his age!”
“Some people are just born lucky because of the family they’re born into.” Sonya sniffed, her tone carrying
a faint trace of envy and disdain.
Ethan was the only son of the Hughes family. His father was Corvessia’s top leader, and his mother was
an academician. The Hughes family was a long–standing military household, and his mother came from a
family of prominentwyers. Such a strong alliance made Ethan exceptional by nature.
It was the opposite of her. Although she could im to be a daughter of the Miller family, the Miller family’s fortune and powery primarily with her eldest uncle’s side of the family.
Her own family only survived on whatever scraps they could scavenge. <fn65a4> The rightful source is Find[F]ovel</fn65a4>
Sonya had wed her way upward and finally be a female captain, earning a ce of her own in the Miller family.
But it wasn’t enough. Being a female captain gave her a reputation, but it didn’t bring her real wealth.
That was why she needed to secure Curtis.
Green Tech was a legend in the tech industry. In just three short years, it had gone from a tiny startup to a sessful listedpany. Its future achievements were boundless, and it was very likely to surpass even Miller Group.
That gave her hope. If she could lock Curtis down, no one in the Miller family would dare look down on her again.
With that thought, Sonya looped her arm through Curtis‘ and led him toward Wayne’s private room.
Luke trailed after them with a grin. “Who knows, maybe Mr. Hughes will take a liking to me, and we’ll be friends!”
Chapter 33 A p in the Face
Sonya smiled faintly, though inwardly she sneered.
Luke was nothing more than Curtis‘ broke buddy. If Curtis hadn’t given him some business to handle and thrown him a bit of money, he would probably still be a car mechanic.
It was ridiculous for someone like him to even think about befriending Ethan.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the private room Wayne and Ethan had just <i>gone </i>into.
“Uncle Wayne, I saw you and Mr. Hughese in, so I brought Curtis and his <i>friend </i>over to greet you,” Sonya said with a bright smile.
“Ah, Sonya.” Wayne chuckled. “Mr. Hughes, this is the niece I mentioned earlier. She’s AeroQuest Airlines‘ first female captain. Perhaps one day, when you fly with AeroQuest, Sonya will be the <i>one </i>piloting the
ne.”
The people around them chimed in with praise.
“Ms. Miller is truly remarkable to be AeroQuest Airlines‘ first female captain.”
“The Miller family’s daughter is naturally a cut above ordinary women.”
Sonya basked in theirpliments. To her, this was the best reward for the hardships she’d endured to earn her captaincy.
“Not at all,” she said, feigning humility. “I was just lucky to be AeroQuest Airlines‘ first female
captain.”
“You were indeed lucky.” Azy voice rose.
Ethan was staring straight at Sonya. “I heard that back when you were still just a regr pilot, you were sent overseas to deliver relief supplies. Your co–pilot died in an ident abroad, and you assisted the captain in bringing many of our people home.
“That’s the only reason you were promoted to co–pilot. Otherwise, with your qualifications, it would’ve been impossible <i>to </i>move up so quickly.”
Sonya’s expression shifted instantly.
That meant Ethan had investigated her. But why? She’d never had any dealings with him before.
“Not everyone can earn such merits.” Someone tried to smooth things over. “And back then, Ms. Miller went into a war–torn country to provide aid. That courage is something few women could match.”
Ethan sneered. “Then you clearly haven’t seen many women.”
The man who’d spoken up instantly fell silent.
Sonya tilted her chin, displeased. She knew that Ethan wasn’t someone she could afford to offend, but she couldn’t stomach having her hard–won achievements dismissed with a few casual words.
Chapter 33 A p in the Face
“Mr. Hughes, while I admit luck yed a role in me bing a captain, not every woman could seize that opportunity. Many women, even with the same luck, still couldn’t be captains,” Sonya replied.
“So, is bing a captain such a big deal?” Ethan asked with a mocking smile. “There are plenty of women in the military who can fly nes.
“Before I met you, Ms. Miller, I thought you were a self–reliant woman. But <i>now </i>it seems you think you’re extraordinary just because you can fly a ne.”
But he’d seen truly extraordinary people.
Women who piloted fighter jets through clouds of artillery fire, charging forward without hesitation to save civilians and fellow soldiers. Women who were ready to sacrifice themselves at any moment.
As he thought of Chloe, Ethan’s heart warmed unconsciously:
Sonya’s face flushed red and then paled. Ethan’s words were like a sharp p across her face.
The others fell into awkward silence, not daring to speak further.
Fortunately, Curtis broke in to cut the tension. “Mr. Hughes, hello. I’m Curtis Green from Green Tech. It’s a
pleasure to meet you today.”
Wayne hurriedly added, “Mr. Hughes, you’ve just returned to the country, so you may not know. Curtis is a
rising star in the tech world. In just three years, hispany went from a small firm to apany that
went public sessfully.
“I hope in the future we’ll have the chance to work together,” Curtis said.
“Mr. Green, you’re young and promising. You will surely have opportunities to coborate with Mr. Hughes,
“Wayne said.
Since Sonya was close with Curtis, Wayne figured helping Curtis would be beneficial to the Miller family
as well.
“Young and promising?” Ethan let out a derisiveugh. “Mr. Miller, are you kidding? You’re calling
someone who cheated on his wife ‘young and promising“?”
At once, everyone’s expressions changed, and all eyes turned toward Sonya and Curtis.
After all, the scandal at that banquet had already spread like wildfire among the upper circles. The big screen has exposed Helen and Joanne scheming to frame Chloe just to force them to divorce and have Curtis marry Sonya.
Curtis‘ and Sonya’s faces both flushed scarlet.
Wayne quickly tried to exin, “It’s a misunderstanding, Mr. Hughes. It was all just a misunderstanding.”
“Yeah, Sonya and I are just friends,” Curtis added.
“Friends? You two seem like pretty close friends, I’d say. I heard thatst month, while your wife went
Chapter 33 A p in the Face
alone to collect the ashes of her parents who died abroad, you were busy apanying this friend of
yours.” Ethan’s words were loaded with meaning.
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