The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 181: Jealousy

When Victoria first opened her dessert shop, the two had met briefly. But Ryan was in a hurry, and Ethan hadn't noticed him. 

Seeing them alone together today, Ethan became alert. Could it be that she liked the type who looked young and could play the pity card? 

Completely different from his own style. Did she think he was too old? 

Ethan suddenly asked, "How old are you?"

Ryan glanced at him, puzzled. "Nineteen. How about you?" 

From their handshake earlier, he knew this man liked Victoria too. 

There was a certain noble quality about him and Victoria—they both seemed to come from privileged backgrounds. They might have even grown up together.

But since they hadn't gotten together despite knowing each other for so long, he still had a chance. Plus, he and Victoria were both hackers, giving them common ground.

"Twenty," Ethan replied, relaxing a bit. Only a year's difference. 

He turned to Victoria and asked, "What were you two talking about?"

Victoria's eyes flickered, and she quickly pocketed the USB drive. "Nothing much, just chatting."

Just then, Mira arrived with the desserts. "Victoria, here's your favorite tiramisu." 

The tray held two pieces of tiramisu, dusted with coffee powder. 

Victoria naturally pushed one piece towards Ryan. They both loved it, and thinking of how Ryan always ordered tiramisu with an Americano brought a faint smile to her face.

Ethan's expression grew colder. They had secrets, and they were keeping them from him. They even ate the same cake, excluding him, making him feel like the outsider. 

Mira noticed Ethan's cold demeanor and took a step back, awkwardly smiling. "Ethan, this is what they ordered earlier. What would you like? I'll bring it right over."

Hearing "they" made Ethan even more displeased. He looked down and shot Mira a cold glance. 

Frightened, Mira wanted to turn and run. She bit her lip and looked to Victoria for help. 

She had always been a bit scared of Ethan. Despite his handsome and tall appearance, he had an intimidating presence. 

The rumors about him at school were enough to keep people from crossing him. It was said that someone who offended him once got expelled. 

Mira had only seen Ethan with Victoria, and he seemed more approachable then. But after a winter break, his aura was even more daunting.

Victoria glared at Ethan. "If you're in a bad mood, you should stay home. Why come to my shop and scare people?"

Ethan's breath hitched, and he gritted his teeth. "I'm not." 

He had been in a good mood when he left home, excited to finally have time to see Victoria. 

But she hadn't replied to his messages, which had already put him in a bad mood. Seeing her with Ryan made him genuinely angry. 

Had she been meeting this guy often while he was busy training for her? If she didn't notice his efforts, did they even matter?

Victoria pouted, not wanting to pry further. "I remember you like Geisha coffee beans. I just got a new batch. How about a hand-brewed cup? And a lemon tart to go with it since you don't like things too sweet."

Ethan looked up sharply. So she did notice his preferences. Their travels together had some use after all. 

His expression softened, and he nodded lightly.

Victoria thought Ethan could be very mature and steady at times, but other times he was as childish as a kid. Fortunately, he was easy to appease. 

She put down her teaspoon and stood up. "I'll make it myself today." 

Victoria was in a good mood, having just obtained evidence against Ella, and decided to personally brew the coffee to test the quality of the new Geisha beans.

Ethan's eyes flickered as he looked at her, his tone gentle. "Okay." This was the first time she was making coffee for him herself. 

As Victoria went to the counter, he looked at Ryan challengingly. "Has she ever made coffee for you?"

Ryan shook his head. "No, but we've had afternoon tea together three times." He held up three fingers, waving them in front of Ethan.

Ethan retorted, "We traveled together for a month."

Ryan countered, "Not alone, right? I heard her brother took her on that trip, and you just tagged along. She and I have spent time alone. She appreciates me." 

Ryan was surprised at his own eloquence, leaving Ethan speechless.

When Victoria returned with the coffee, she saw the two men ignoring each other, one looking out the window and the other at his plate. 

The fragrant floral and fruity aroma of the Geisha coffee wafted through the air. Ethan, who had been looking out the window, turned back and smiled at Victoria. "I didn't expect your coffee-making skills to be this good."

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "You haven't even tasted it yet. Are you just trying to flatter me?"

Ethan replied, "I never lie. Anyone who knows coffee can tell from the aroma that your water temperature and ratio are spot on, making the scent so pure and clean." 

He had no need to lie. His status didn't require him to flatter anyone. If someone else had made perfect coffee, he would have just nodded in approval.

Victoria smiled proudly. "I think I did pretty well this time. Give it a try." 

She had learned to make coffee while working part-time but hadn't practiced in a while. She made two cups, one for Ethan and one for herself. They both took a sip simultaneously.