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Ethan stood there for a moment after Sharon left, listening to her footsteps fade down the hallway.
He shook his head slightly and muttered, "This is a bad idea."
Still, he folded the Monaco invitation and slipped it into his pocket. Then he turned and headed toward his lab.
The next morning came faster than Ethan expected.
He hadn't slept much. He rarely did. Most of the night was spent checking system reports and making sure everything could run without him for a few days. By the time the sun came up, most of the important work was already queued and automated.
When he stepped into the garage, Sharon was already there, sunglasses on, tablet in hand.
"You ready?" she asked.
Ethan looked at the car, then at her. "I'm still deciding if this is work or a trap."
Sharon smiled. "It's both. Get in."
They got into the car, and it pulled out smoothly, heading for the private airstrip.
During the drive, Sharon kept talking.
"So," she said, "I booked a hotel near the coast. Not too loud, not too boring. You can relax, and I can make sure you don't scare normal people."
"I don't scare people," Ethan said.
Sharon looked at him. "You ended a man's career with a slideshow."
Ethan paused. "Okay. I scare important people."
At the airstrip, the jet was already prepared. Security was tight, but calm. Everything ran the way Ethan liked it—quiet and efficient.
Once they were in the air, Ethan leaned back in his seat.
"So what's the plan when we land?" he asked.
Sharon didn't look up from her tablet. "First, food. You've been surviving on coffee and protein bars. Then a walk. Then maybe sightseeing."
Ethan frowned. "I always keep my nutrition proper."
She glanced at him. "That's the point."
He sighed but didn't argue.
A few hours later, the jet touched down in Monaco.
The moment they stepped outside, Ethan noticed the difference.
"I can tell everyone here is basically a walking wallet," he said, looking around. Every man and woman was dressed in expensive clothes and accessories.
Ethan glanced down at his own hoodie and baggy jeans. He blinked, then shook his head.
Bah. Who cares what others think of me? he thought.
He walked forward casually, while Sharon was already ahead of him, calling for the car.
The car pulled up smoothly in front of them, sleek and expensive like everything else in Monaco.
Sharon got in first without waiting. Ethan followed and sat back as the door closed.
As the car drove off, Ethan looked out the window. Luxury cars passed by, yachts lined the harbor, and people walked around like they had all the time in the world.
"This place really loves showing off," Ethan said.
Sharon glanced at him. "That's Monaco. If you're not rich, you pretend you are. If you are rich, you make sure everyone knows."
Ethan hummed in response and leaned back.
A few minutes later, Sharon checked her tablet. "Hotel's about ten minutes away. After that, you're eating real food. No arguing."
"I eat real food," Ethan replied.
She raised an eyebrow. "Coffee doesn't count."
The car stopped in front of a luxury hotel near the coast. Staff immediately stepped forward to open the doors.
Ethan paused for half a second, looking up at the building. "This place probably costs more per night than most people make in a year."
Sharon smiled. "Good thing you're not most people."
They stepped inside, the cool air and soft lighting a sharp contrast to the bright sun outside.
As they headed toward the elevator, Ethan noticed a few people glancing at him—some curious, some confused by his clothes.
He ignored them.
If Monaco wanted class, that was Monaco's problem.
The elevator doors closed, and the ride up was quiet.
When they reached their floor, Sharon walked out first and led the way down the hallway. She stopped in front of a door and tapped her card.
Inside, the room was large and clean, with wide windows facing the sea. The harbor was visible from the balcony, filled with yachts and bright reflections on the water.
Sharon dropped her bag on the couch. "We'll rest for a bit, then go out."
Ethan looked around the room. "Rest sounds good."
He walked to the window and looked outside again. Cars moved slowly below, and people gathered near cafés and shops.
After a few minutes, Sharon came out of her room, already changed.
"Alright," she said. "Time to go."
"I thought you said we were resting," Ethan said, sitting on the couch.
"We are," Sharon replied, "but I just found out the Prince's Palace will be closed in two hours. So let's go and tour it first."
Before he could argue, she grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
Ethan sighed as she dragged him out of the room.
"You plan things very aggressively," he said.
"Because if I don't, you'll glue yourself to that couch," Sharon replied.
They took the elevator down and headed outside again. The afternoon sun was softer now, and the streets were busy but calm.
As they walked uphill toward the palace, Ethan looked around.
"This place feels more like a movie set than a real city," he said.
Sharon laughed. "That's Monaco for you."
Soon, the Prince's Palace came into view, standing high above the city. Tourists gathered near the entrance, taking photos and talking excitedly.
Ethan stopped for a moment and looked up at the building.
"…Okay," he admitted. "This part is actually interesting."
Sharon smirked. "See? I know what I'm doing."
They joined the line and moved forward with the crowd, the city stretching out below them.
The line moved slowly, giving Ethan time to look around. From up here, the whole city was visible—the harbor, the yachts, and the narrow streets below.
"Not bad," he said quietly.
Sharon glanced at him. "Careful. That almost sounded like praise."
They reached the entrance and were allowed inside. The palace was quiet and clean, with guards standing still at their posts. The halls were wide, with old paintings and polished floors.
Ethan walked at an easy pace, hands in his pockets, reading a few signs as they passed.
"This place is old," he said. "But it's been maintained well."
"That's what happens when you have money and history," Sharon replied.