005

Lena POV

Later in the evening, after Ares’ security had swept the apartment for any potential threats, I found myself sitting on his ridiculously comfortable couch, sipping a glass of wine and trying to process everything that had happened.

The engagement. The news article. The threat.

Everything was all happening too fast.

Ares, on the other hand, looked completely at ease. He was sitting across from me, scrolling through his phone, his expression unreadable.

"How are you so calm about all this?" I finally asked.

He looked up, one brow arched. "Because panicking won’t change anything."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "This might be normal for you, but I don’t usually get death threats in my messages."

He smirked. "You should feel honored. Someone out there thinks you’re important enough to be threaten."

I rolled my eyes. "Gee, thanks. But that doesn't make me feel so much better "

Before he could respond, the doorbell rang.

Ares’ easy demeanor shifted instantly. He stood up, his expression sharp.

"Stay here," he ordered.

I watched as he strode toward the door, his entire body radiating control.

He opened it, and a familiar voice rang through the air.

"What the hell is this!?" My stomach dropped.

Ethan again?

Ares sighed. "You again? Didn’t I already send you home with your tail between your legs?"

Ethan shoved past him, stepping inside like he owned the place. His eyes locked onto me immediately.

I tensed. "What are you doing here again, thought u already left and how do you even get past the security?"

He ignored my question and turned to Ares. "I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but you’re not going to use Elena to get whatever you want even if you're my boss."

Ares leaned lazily against the wall, looking bored. "Funny. I thought you were the one who used her first."

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "I made a mistake. But this? This is insane. She doesn’t belong in your world, in your class and you damn well know it."

I stiffened. "I can speak for myself, Ethan."

His gaze snapped to me, filled with something I couldn’t quite place. Regret? Anger? Maybe both.

"Elena, you don’t know him well enough," he said, his voice softer now. "You don’t know what he’s capable of and I couldn't just walk out of here having in mind that you're suddenly staying with a devil even though it was my mistake"

Ares chuckled. "And what exactly am I capable of, Ethan?"

I looked between them, my heart pounding. "What are you talking about?"

Ethan’s gaze didn’t leave Ares. "Ask him about the deal he made last year. Ask him about what happened to the last woman who crossed him."

Ares’ expression didn’t change, but I could see the shift in his eyes.

Ethan turned to me. "You think he’s protecting you? You’re just another piece on his chessboard, Elena. And when he’s done with you, trust me, you'll prefer being with me than him

Ares finally spoke, his voice low and edged with amusement. "Are you done?"

Ethan’s fists clenched. "Stay away from her please even if I have to beg you to do that."

Ares smirked. "Not happening Mr Ethan."

Are's eyes burned into him. "If you don’t get out now, you’ll regret it, I know you care enough to value your job and I wouldn't tolerate further disrespect from you even though you're seeing my sister."

Huh? What had I just heard.

"What do you mean sister? what are you talking about?" I asked, my throat suddenly becoming dry.

"Well, it turned out that the lady you caught him with is my cousin sister unfortunately, and also the assistant I assigned to him" Ares divulged and my mouth dropped in shock.