Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory-Chapter 37: love rival

After a long pause, he shook his head and sighed. "So it was you... Missy... No wonder you looked kind of familiar the first time I saw you. That explains it."

Four years ago, struggling to make ends meet, Ethan’s past self had worked as a waiter at the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

Unfortunately, he had the worst luck imaginable—he got caught up in a kidnapping.

The target? Isabella.

After successfully capturing her, the kidnappers locked her in a small room on the top floor of the Fairmont Copley Plaza. And as fate would have it, Ethan was locked up there too.

Desperate to save himself, Ethan risked everything—he ambushed the guard, knocked him out, and pried open the ventilation duct to escape.

And in the process, he ended up saving Isabella too.

Because of that incident, afraid of retaliation from the kidnappers, Ethan didn’t even dare to collect his last paycheck. That very night, he packed up and moved with Emily to a new place.

It wasn’t until later, when Emily’s incredible gaming talent got her a special admission to Harvard University, that he finally felt like he could breathe again.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that Isabella was the same girl who had been kidnapped back then.

Looking at her now, Isabella was absolutely stunning—a breathtaking beauty. But four years ago? She had been a scrawny, short, ordinary-looking girl. A total ugly duckling. Compared to now, it was like she was a completely different person!

"You’re the Missy!" Isabella bristled, her face full of indignation. She glared at him and huffed, "Ethan, listen up! Just because you saved me doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want! I am NOT a Missy! I’m a mature young woman!"

As if to prove her point, she deliberately puffed out her chest.

"Well, they’re definitely not small now... Wait, crap—" Ethan’s eyes instinctively flickered downward, and after a few glances, he muttered under his breath.

"What did you just say?!"

"N-Nothing!" Ethan immediately chickened out and wisely changed the subject. "You didn’t recognize me at first either, did you?"

"Hmm..." Isabella nodded, her expression complicated as she looked at him. "At first, I really didn’t. But by the time I did... Sophie had already beaten me to it."

"So you really do like me?" Ethan couldn’t help but ask.

This time, Isabella didn’t deny it. She simply pursed her lips, her gaze flickering as she murmured softly, "Maybe... After all, if it weren’t for you, I might not even be here today. To be honest, you’ve always been... special to me."

Even now, she could still remember every single detail from that day.

The determined look on Ethan’s face as he saved her.

That unwavering resolve didn’t just inspire her—it reignited the hope she had nearly lost in despair.

And all of it had left an unforgettable mark on her young heart.

Even now, she still couldn’t forget.

A hero saves a damsel in distress.

And the damsel... falls for the hero.

It was a cliché story.

But that’s what made it so real.

"Uh..."

At that moment, Ethan found himself at a loss for words. He didn’t know how to respond.

Sure, he liked to joke around and tease, but most of the time, it was just harmless banter.

Did he like Isabella?

Of course, he did!

Who wouldn’t like a beautiful girl? But... that wasn’t real love. It was more of an appreciation for an absolute stunner.

Feelings weren’t something to be toyed with. And Ethan wasn’t the kind of guy who would mess around with someone’s emotions.

Seeing him fall silent, a flicker of disappointment flashed across Isabella’s face.

But at the same time, she found herself admiring him even more.

She was well aware of how deep and intense her feelings for Ethan were. Even if she knew this was a dangerous, unpredictable situation—one where she couldn’t tell black from white—she still wouldn’t be able to stop herself from diving in headfirst.

And yet, despite all that, Ethan didn’t take advantage of her vulnerability.

That alone was enough to prove that, at the very least, he had a good heart.

Thinking this, Isabella’s beautiful eyes curved into crescent moons as she propped her hands on the desk, grinning at Ethan. "Maybe... in the near future, I really will fall for you."

Ethan rolled his eyes.

This woman was dangerous.

She was practically eyeing him like a predator stalking its prey!

But before he could say anything, Isabella suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his.

In an instant, the two of them were very close.

"What are you doing?" Ethan was startled.

"Your ex just walked in... and she’s not alone. There’s an annoying pest with her," Isabella whispered, her breath warm against his ear. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she wrinkled her delicate nose in displeasure.

"Isabella, long time no see."

Just then, a confident, charismatic voice rang out.

A tall, ridiculously handsome man—someone who looked like he could be a celebrity—strode up behind Isabella, greeting her with a smile.

Everything about him screamed success.

Confidence.

Authority.

And an effortless charm.

But Ethan wasn’t fooled. He could clearly see the darkness and simmering anger lurking deep in the man’s eyes.

Just as he could see the undisguised disdain and coldness on Isabella’s face.

"Looks like we’ve got a pretty thick-skinned ’love rival’ here." Ethan smoothly slid his hand out from Isabella’s arm, letting it trail over her shoulder before pulling her into his embrace. His tone was calm as he asked, "A friend of yours?"

The handsome man’s face immediately stiffened. His eyes locked onto Ethan, burning with barely contained fury.

Isabella, on the other hand, was completely stunned.

Her cheeks flushed a deep red in an instant!

She hadn’t expected Ethan to be this bold—grabbing her like that in front of so many people?

"N-No, I don’t know him... We’re not close!" Isabella stammered, her face still tinged with embarrassment.

"Then let’s get out of here. Too many flies buzzing around—annoying to look at." Ethan tightened his arm around Isabella and stood up, completely ignoring the handsome man as he prepared to leave.

But just as they were about to go, the man stepped forward, blocking Ethan’s path. His eyes were locked onto Ethan’s, his smirk carrying an unmistakable threat. "Ethan, haven’t seen you in a few days, and it looks like your attitude’s gotten worse."

"Do I know you?" Ethan asked flatly.

"You don’t know me, but I know you," the man replied coldly.

"Oh, you know me? And what the hell does that have to do with me? Get lost. You’re in my way." Ethan’s expression remained indifferent.

The man’s face darkened instantly, his demeanor shifting as he snapped, "Ethan, don’t push your luck! If it weren’t for Emily, do you really think you’re anything special?!"

"Blake, watch your mouth!" Isabella’s expression changed as she grabbed Ethan’s arm, trying to pull him away. "Ethan, let’s just go. Ignore him."

"Go? What a joke!" Blake sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Ethan, weren’t you acting all high and mighty just now? What, only brave enough to hide behind a woman?"

At those words, Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He turned his head, looking at Blake with a calm but dangerous gaze. "Sounds like you’re really asking for trouble."

"You?" Blake scoffed, his smirk growing even more condescending.

At that moment, a breathtakingly beautiful woman standing behind Blake let out a quiet sigh. Her expression was complicated as she spoke to Ethan in a soft voice. "Ethan, just apologize to Mr. Sinclair."

"Apologize?" Ethan chuckled, his gaze shifting to the woman. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Sophie, have you forgotten? We’re not together anymore. What, you still think you can order me around?"

"Ethan, don’t be childish. I’m trying to help you," Sophie said, her brows furrowing slightly as she lowered her voice. "Blake is the heir to Sinclair Group. You can’t afford to make an enemy out of him. Trust me—just apologize."

"Alright then..." Ethan shrugged, turning to face Blake, whose face was full of arrogance. His lips curled into a smirk. "Fine, I’ll apologize..."

"Glad you know your place—" Blake sneered, but before he could finish his sentence—

BAM!

Ethan’s fist slammed into Blake’s stomach with brutal force.

"You—"

Pfft!

Blake’s entire body trembled. His face twisted in agony as his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. The sheer force of the punch had him coughing up blood on the spot, unable to even stand.

The entire lecture hall fell into stunned silence.

Not a single person dared to make a sound.

"Hiss..."

A moment later, the sound of people sharply inhaling filled the room.

Countless students stared in shock, their faces frozen in disbelief. No one had expected Ethan to actually punch Blake—the heir to the Sinclair Group?!

When did this guy get so fearless?

Even Isabella had her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide with astonishment.

She had never imagined Ethan would be this bold—just throwing a punch at Blake without hesitation?!

As for Sophie, she was completely stunned, standing there motionless, staring at Ethan like she couldn’t process what had just happened.

Meanwhile, Ethan casually let go of Isabella and crouched down beside Blake, whose face was twisted in pain. He reached out and lightly patted Blake’s cheek.

Slap. Slap.

The crisp sound echoed through the silent lecture hall, cutting straight into everyone’s nerves.

"Still want me to apologize?"

At those words, many people visibly flinched, their expressions twitching. Some even cast fearful glances at Ethan’s back.

He had just punched Blake Sinclair, and now he was humiliating him like this? Was he insane?!

"You... you just wait... I’ll kill you... I swear I will!" Blake growled through gritted teeth, his body trembling from the pain. He couldn’t even stand, but his eyes burned with pure hatred as he glared at Ethan.

The Sinclair Group was one of the four major financial giants in the southern U.S., a powerhouse even on a national scale.

Since childhood, no one had ever dared to hit him.

No one had ever dared to humiliate him.

And now, Ethan was the first.

Which meant Ethan had to die.

"Alright then, I’ll be waiting..." Ethan smiled calmly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But if you’re planning to kill me, you’d better be ready for the same outcome."

Blake’s face stiffened. He looked up at Ethan, his expression flickering between rage, shock, and something else—something almost like fear.

Slap. Slap.

Ethan gave Blake’s face another couple of light pats, his smirk never fading. Then, without another word, he stood up, grabbed Isabella—who was still frozen in shock—and started walking away.

"Don’t just stand there. Let’s go."

His voice snapped Isabella out of her daze, and she quickly followed him.

Sophie, meanwhile, stood rooted to the spot, watching Ethan’s retreating figure with a complicated expression.

There was guilt in her eyes. Pain. Worry. And confusion.

In the end, she let out a soft sigh, her face dimming with emotion.

But by then, Ethan and Isabella had already left the lecture hall.

They had disappeared from her sight.