A hot pot meal.
The two of them chatted while eating, and before they knew it, over an hour had passed.
Finally, when the check came, the bill showed $423.
This amount was definitely "luxury" for Vanessa, but for Ethan, it wasn't even a rounding error.
Walking out of the bustling Authentic Hot Pot restaurant, it was already past eight in the evening.
The neon lights in front of the restaurant had grown brighter, and there were even more diners waiting in line now, the crowd buzzing with chatter.
Ethan used his key fob to unlock the red 458 that still drew everyone's attention.
Vanessa slid into the passenger seat.
Under the envious gazes of the diners, he hit the gas and smoothly pulled the car out.
The Ferrari unleashed its performance on the road.
Vanessa noticed he wasn't taking her home.
Because Ethan hadn't even asked where she lived.
A few minutes later.
The car entered the Riverside Plaza Hotel.
This prestigious top-tier hotel with a prime waterfront view exuded an unmistakable air of luxury through the night with its understated yet opulent architectural style.
As soon as he got out of the car, a doorman in an impeccable uniform quickly stepped forward, opened the car door with practiced precision, greeted them respectfully, and accepted the car keys from Ethan with both hands:
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to Riverside Plaza. I'll park this for you."
Vanessa took a deep breath and followed Ethan into the brightly lit, impressively high-ceilinged lobby filled with a faint, expensive fragrance.
The mirror-smooth marble floor reflected the brilliant crystal chandeliers, and everything silently proclaimed the caliber and price point of this place.
Ethan walked straight to the front desk.
At the counter stood a young woman with tasteful makeup and elegant bearing.
Ethan said casually:
"I need a presidential suite."
The front desk attendant immediately perked up:
"Of course, sir. Our hotel's presidential suite is located on the top floor, spanning XXX square feet, with a 270-degree panoramic river view terrace. The current rate is $8,800 per night. How many nights would you like to book?"
Ethan thought about it. School was starting soon—might as well book for a month. So he said:
"Book me for a month."
Ethan handed over his bank card.
The front desk attendant took the card and said:
"Certainly, sir. The total cost for the presidential suite for one month is $264,000. I'll process your card now—please enter your PIN."
Vanessa was once again floored by that number!
Even though she'd watched Ethan drop tens of millions of dollars today, the concept of $264,000 just to stay in a hotel for a month still made her head spin.
That was almost enough to buy a decent condo in a good area of the city!
And he was just casually using it to stay at a hotel?
She looked at Ethan's profile, her eyes indescribably complex.
Not only Vanessa—the front desk attendant was also momentarily stunned. No one had ever booked the presidential suite for an entire month.
So young and so handsome—he was literally the man of her dreams.
Her heart stirred, and her gaze lingered.
However.
When her eyes landed on the girl next to Ethan with her outstanding appearance and presence, the little flame that had just ignited was instantly extinguished.
She thought she was pretty, but compared to the other woman's natural radiance, she immediately looked dull.
She lowered her eyes silently, a strong sense of disappointment and inadequacy surging through her.
"Sir, I have your room ready."
The front desk attendant collected her emotions, handed an elegant, exclusive key card to Ethan with both hands, and put a perfect professional smile back on her face:
"This is your room key. The Presidential Suite includes 24-hour dedicated personal butler service who will provide you with one-on-one personalized attention."
"There's also a private spa room within the suite, so you can enjoy top-tier relaxation treatments without leaving your floor."
She paused, her tone growing more respectful:
"Welcome again to Riverside Plaza, and we wish you an unforgettable and enjoyable experience."
Ethan took the key card, feeling the cool touch of the metal against his fingertips, then turned and walked toward the elevator hall.
Vanessa quickly said:
"Since you've already got your room, I'll head home and rest. It's getting late anyway."
Ethan ignored her words. Instead, he reached out with one hand, completely naturally, and grabbed her slender wrist with precision and force that couldn't be broken free from:
"Stay here tonight."
Ethan's words were very calm, but they carried an unquestionable authority.
The warm touch from Ethan's hand on her wrist made Vanessa's body stiffen slightly.
She made a token, extremely weak effort to pull away, then gave up.
Yeah.
From the moment she'd agreed to leave the Ferrari dealership with him, to letting him drive her to this top-tier hotel, to being grabbed by the wrist at this very moment... She'd actually made her choice in her subconscious long ago. She just needed a push, or... a reason she couldn't refuse.
She stopped speaking and let him take her hand and walk toward the exclusive elevator to the top floor.
As they walked, the hand holding her wrist slipped down at some point and became fingers intertwined with hers.
She felt her palms sweating slightly.
They arrived at the top floor of Riverside Plaza.
The elevator doors opened.
At the entrance stood a man with meticulously combed hair, dressed in an impeccably tailored dark butler's uniform, about sixty years old, with a composed presence waiting respectfully.
He had just the right amount of a respectful smile on his face, his gaze both gentle and sharp.
"Mr. Miller, good evening. I am your personal butler. My name is Mr. William Lee—you can call me Butler Will or Lee."
His voice was smooth and clear, carrying a reassuring sense of competence:
"Welcome again to Riverside Plaza. During your stay, if you have any needs whatsoever, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll be happy to provide you with the most attentive service."
He presented an elegant tray with both hands, on which lay the keys to Ethan's 458.
"Please, this way. I'll show you to your suite."
Butler Lee stepped aside, made a standard guiding gesture, and calmly led the way.
Ethan took Vanessa's hand and followed with a calm expression.
The key card swiped, and the heavy solid wood door opened silently.
What met their eyes was an extraordinarily open and luxurious space.
Beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows spread a brilliant nighttime view of the New York City skyline and the river flowing like black ink below, like a living painting.
The interior design combined Eastern Zen aesthetics with modern luxury, with valuable artworks positioned perfectly throughout—a separate study, a dining area equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, a spacious living room... Every detail spoke of prestige and excellence.
Will introduced Ethan to the various facilities and services in concise, professional language.
His eyes keenly caught that Ethan's attention didn't seem completely focused on the room itself, but more on the beautiful female companion beside him who was obviously a little self-conscious.
The experienced man immediately understood.
Butler Lee stopped talking at just the right moment, maintaining his perfect smile, and bowed slightly:
"Mr. Miller, I won't disturb your rest any further. If you need anything at all, you can reach me anytime through the room phone."
After saying that, he stepped back slowly and carefully closed the heavy door silently.
There was a soft "click" sound, isolating everything outside.
The top-floor suite instantly fell into extreme quiet, leaving only the faint hum of the central air conditioning system, and... both of them could almost hear each other's heartbeats.
Vanessa suddenly felt nervous.
She didn't dare look at Ethan.
Ethan didn't overthink it.
He took a step forward, reached out his arm, and with an unquestionable yet strangely gentle strength, he pulled her entire body into an embrace.
Vanessa's body suddenly stiffened, and she instinctively wanted to pull away.
However.
When his scent completely enveloped her, when warmth came from his solid chest, she found that her hands and feet seemed to have lost their strength. Her brain went blank, and all thoughts of resistance disappeared in an instant.
She was like a small boat that had finally found harbor, and her stiff body gradually softened.
Finally.
She meekly nestled into his arms, even letting out an almost inaudible sigh.
There are 80 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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