Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband by Isabella Reed

Chapter 182

+8 Pearls

When Assistant Ben stepped into the office, he froze in surprise. The usually composed and commanding Ethan

was slouched on the couch, a half-empty bottle of alcohol dangling from his hand. His sharp features were

softened by his half-closed eyes, and his posture gave off the impression of a king lost in his thoughts. Several

empty bottles lay scattered on the floor around him, a stark contrast to the pristine office environment.

“Boss, it’s tto go home,” Assistant Ben said gently, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.

Silence.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy, the quiet almost deafening. Taking a steadying breath, Assistant Ben

tried again. “Boss, it's getting late. You need to go home.”

“Shut up!” Ethan’s voice boomed, startling Assistant Ben. “Who do you think you are to orderaround?” His

words were slurred, laced with the sharp edge of frustration.

Assistant Ben flinched, his heart racing as he stared at his boss in disbelief. Ethan was completely intoxicated,

his usual sharp intellect dulled by the alcohol. His mood was unpredictable, and it was clear he wasn’t in any

state to listen to reason. Summoning his courage, Assistant Ben stepped forward. “Boss, lethelp you. We

need to get you home.”

He reached out, intending to assist Ethan to his feet, but before he could touch him, Ethan pushed him back

lightly. “Don’t touch me,” he muttered, his tone icy despite his inebriation.

The unexpected push caused Assistant Ben to stumble, nearly losing his balance. He managed to steady himself,

but his heart sank. This job is going to killsomeday, he thought, suppressing the urge to cry. “I deserve a

raise for putting up with this,” he mumbled under his breath, glancing at his stubborn boss.

Then an idea struck him-a glimmer of hope in the chaos. With a sly smile, he moved closer and tried a different

approach. “Boss, Miss Lily is waiting for you at home. Don’t you want to see her?”

At the mention of her name, Ethan frowned but remained silent. Encouraged by the slight reaction, Assistant Ben

pressed on, his tone gentle but persuasive. “Let's go home, Boss. Miss Lily would be waiting for you. It’s not fair

to keep your wife waiting, is it?”

Ethan's unfocused eyes seemed to clear slightly. “My Lily is waiting for me?” he asked, his voice softer now.

“Yes, Boss. She’s waiting for you at home,” Assistant Ben said with enthusiasm, nodding like a man trying to

convince a child to eat their vegetables. This might actually work, he thought, a surge of optimism filling him. He

was just about to reach out and help Ethan stand when the next words crushed his hope.

“Not going,” Ethan said flatly, leaning back into the couch.

Assistant Ben blinked in disbelief. What?! His mind raced as he stared at his boss. Boss, this wasn’t part of the

plan! Aren't you supposed to jump up at the mention of Miss Lily? Frustration bubbled inside him, but he forced

himself to stay calm.

“Boss, please. Let's go home. Miss Lily is waiting for you. You shouldn't keep her waiting,” he tried again, his

tone almost pleading.

But Ethan was resolute, crossing his arms and puffing out his cheeks like a stubborn child. “Not going. Not going.

Not going home,” he declared, shaking his head in defiance.

Accistant Ren stared at him utterly defeated. Why do | even try? He thought miserahlu realizing it was

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Chapter 182

going to be a long night.

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Assistant Ben massaged his temples, feeling an incoming headache from dealing with his boss's antics. Ethan's

stubbornness was proving to be a mountain too steep to climb. Sighing heavily, he finally conceded that he

wasn't going to win this battle. Seeing that his boss had no intention of leaving the office, he reluctantly pulled

out his phone and dialed Lily’s number. After a few rings, her familiar voice answered, tinged with concern.

“Assistant Ben, is everything okay?” Lily's soft yet worried tone cthrough.

“Umm... Miss Lily, about Boss... actually...” Assistant Ben hesitated, unsure how to phrase the situation

delicately.

“Assistant Ben, you're worrying me. What happened? Where's Ethan?” she asked, her concern growing.

“Miss Lily, the Boss... he’s, uh, drunk. Quite heavily. And he’s refusing to leave the office,” Assistant Ben

explained, his words spilling out in a rush.

“Drunk?” Lily repeated, her tone a mix of surprise and worry.

“Yes, Miss. He's completely intoxicated and insists on staying here,” Assistant Ben said, his voice filled with

exasperation.

“Don’t worry, Assistant Ben. I'll cand get him,” she said decisively before hanging up the call.

Assistant Ben let out a small sigh of relief, feeling like the cavalry was on its way. However, when he glanced up

from his phone, he froze. Ethan was glaring at him with a sharpness that cut through his drunken haze.

Confused, Assistant Ben hesitated before speaking. “Boss...?”

“Who were you talking to?” Ethan demanded, his tone dangerously low.

Assistant Ben shivered under the intensity of his boss's gaze. Despite being drunk, Ethan’s presence was still

commanding, his aura almost suffocating. The weight of the unspoken threat made Assistant Ben feel like he

was walking on thin ice. Unsure of what he had done wrong, he stammered, “M-Miss Lily...”

The silence that followed felt like an eternity.

Five seconds.

Ten seconds.

Twenty seconds.

Ethan continued to glare, his piercing gaze making Assistant Ben shift uncomfortably. Subconsciously, he took a

small step back. Finally, Ethan broke the silence.

“Why do you have my Lily’s number?” he asked coldly, his tone laced with possessiveness.

Assistant Ben blinked, utterly bewildered. Boss, is this really the tfor this? he thought helplessly.

“Well? Answer me!” Ethan snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin.

“I-I called her to pick you up,” Assistant Ben blurted out. “Miss Lily is coming here for you.”

At that, Ethan's expression softened slightly. “She’s coming... for me?” he asked, pointing to himself with a faint

smile that lit up his face.

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Chapter 182

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“Yes, Boss. She's coming for you,” Assistant Ben confirmed, nodding vigorously, hopeful that this would finally

get his boss to cooperate.

“Oh! Then | need to look presentable,” Ethan declared, suddenly standing up. However, his coordination failed

him, and he stumbled forward, nearly crashing back onto the couch.

“Boss!” Assistant Ben exclaimed, rushing to help him. But before he could touch him, Ethan swatted his hands

away.

“Don’t touch me! You smell like alcohol,” Ethan said, scrunching up his nose in disgust.

Assistant Ben stared at him in disbelief. Boss, it’s YOU who reeks of alcohol, he thought silently, biting back his

retort.

Ethan, noticing Assistant Ben's confused expression, frowned. “What? Did | say something wrong? Aren't you the

one who drank all this?” he asked, gesturing toward the empty bottles littering the floor.

Assistant Ben opened his mouth to respond but stopped. Should he agree? Deny? He wasn’t sure what the right

answer was, so he awkwardly shook his head... then nodded... and then shook his head again.

“Stop it!” Ethan barked, rubbing his temples in irritation. “Why are you shaking your head like that? Do you have

a spring in your neck? Watching you is makingdizzy. Just stop!”

Assistant Ben froze, standing perfectly still. He made a silent vow to himself never to be anywhere near his boss

when he was drunk again. This version of Ethan was far more terrifying than his sober self.

“Now,” Ethan said, his voice sharp. “Are you going to answer my question or not?”

“Which question, Boss?” Assistant Ben asked cautiously, unsure which inquiry his boss was referring to.

“You idiot! You're so stupid! No, actually, the person who hired you is stupid!” Ethan retorted, crossing his arms

like a petulant child.

“Boss...” Assistant Ben muttered under his breath, “Aren’t you the one who hired me?”

Unfortunately, the words weren't as quiet as he intended, and Ethan heard them loud and clear.

Ethan's eyes narrowed dangerously. “Are you callingstupid?” he asked, his glare practically drilling holes into

Assistant Ben.

Assistant Ben gulped, his face paling. Why do | even try? he thought, mentally preparing for what was shaping

up to be an incredibly long and painful night.

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