The Inescapable Celibate Heir Chapter 84: Childish Ethan

Victoria caught the mouth-watering aroma of grilled meat and instinctively opened her mouth, ready to take a bite. 

She had only eaten a few apple slices for dinner to ensure her dress looked perfect, and now she was genuinely hungry. 

Just as she was about to eat, a hand reached out from the side, grabbing the tongs.

Ethan frowned at Dennis, who smiled back at him. Both of them were pushing against the thin slice of meat with all their might.

Unexpectedly, the beef slipped from their grasp and fell to the ground, bouncing slightly on the green lawn.

Victoria watched in disbelief as the meat that was almost in her mouth suddenly fell to the ground. She turned angrily to Ethan, "Seriously? Grow up!" 

Just as Dennis thought she was defending him, his smile widened, but Victoria took the plate from him, "Thanks, Dennis. I'll handle it myself."

Victoria took two big bites of the meat, finally feeling warmth in her stomach, as if she had come back to life. 

When she looked up again, she saw Ethan staring at her with a mix of surprise and a hint of hurt. 

Feeling a bit guilty, she handed the tongs to him and whispered, "Is it really worth fighting over a piece of meat? You two wasted a good slice. Here, you can have it!" She reluctantly offered him the plate. 

Who would have thought that the usually composed and elegant Ethan would fight over food when he was hungry?

Mira shook her head vigorously. Was Ethan really just fighting for the meat? Wasn't it about his possessiveness over Victoria? Had she misunderstood? 

Unable to figure it out, she pulled Victoria aside, "Come on, let's go over there. A new batch is coming out, and it's cooked by a professional chef. No need to fight."

Victoria and Mira walked away, chatting and laughing, leaving Ethan staring at the grilled meat in his hand. 

After a long pause, he picked up a piece, slowly chewed, and swallowed it. Then he turned to Dennis and commented, "Your cooking is mediocre. Thanks, Dennis. But Victoria doesn't need your concern." 

Dennis's smile faded, his eyes darkening, "Ethan, she knows I don't like vegetables. Does she know what you like?"

Ethan's face instantly turned cold. Victoria had never paid attention to his preferences, but what did that matter? She still considered him a friend. 

But why did she know Dennis's likes and dislikes? Suppressing his chaotic thoughts, he coldly snorted, "If you say so."

Ethan walked over to Victoria with a stern expression, "Come with me." 

Seeing his serious face, Victoria thought it must be something important and followed him to a corner lounge without asking questions. 

He remained silent, just staring at her. Finally, Victoria couldn't hold back and asked, "What's going on?"

Ethan turned to her, looking into her eyes seriously, "I don't like black pepper. Can you remember that?"

Victoria nodded, a bit puzzled, "You don't like black pepper. Got it. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Ethan pressed his lips together. He wanted to ask why Victoria knew Dennis's preferences and if something special had happened between them. 

But he had no right or position to ask. Victoria had made it clear before; he shouldn't bring up Dennis now and seem petty. 

So he took a deep breath, opened the lounge door, and said, "I noticed your knee seemed off in the car earlier. Did you get hurt while dancing? I called a doctor to check on you."

It was the first time Victoria had heard Ethan say so much. His deep eyes were fixed on her, unusually serious. She nodded and softly agreed, "Okay."

She entered the lounge and faced a kind-looking female doctor, Bronte Langley. 

Ethan politely closed the door, knowing he should give her privacy since the injury was under her clothes. 

The doctor rolled up Victoria's loose pants, revealing some bruises on her calf, old injuries from dancing. The most serious was her left knee, with a bit of soft tissue damage, likely from a hard landing.

Bronte gently applied medicine, softly advising, "Be careful with dangerous moves while dancing. Address any issues promptly to avoid long-term problems."

The cool ointment felt soothing on her knee, though it still ached a bit. Victoria smiled through the pain, "Thank you, Dr. Langley."

Bronte looked at her, "I'm the Smith family's doctor. I've watched Ethan grow up. This is the first time he's been so anxious about a girl. You must be very important to him."

Victoria looked down at her knee, not saying anything. 'Maybe I am special, but in life, there are many special people.'

After applying the ointment, she stepped out, finding Ethan waiting with concern in his eyes.

Victoria quickly reassured him, "Dr. Langley's medicine works wonders. It doesn't hurt anymore."

Bronte packed up her medical kit, reminding her to avoid putting pressure on her knee for the next few days, then left.

Victoria thought about how Diana always worried when she got hurt dancing. If Diana knew she almost fell from a height, she'd be even more upset.

Just then, Victoria's phone rang. It was Samuel, calling to check why she hadn't come home yet. 

Seeing Samuel's name, Victoria tugged on Ethan's sleeve, "Help me keep this a secret." Then she answered the call.