Billionaire's Match (by Tangy Candy) novel Chapter 492

Taking advantage of Ethan's momentary pause, Charlotte yanked her hand free and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across his face.

Pain shot through him, and his reflex was to grab her, to retaliate. But then he caught sight of her reddened eyes, glistening with unshed tears, and that urge—the desire for revenge—was instantly suppressed.

"Disgusting? And you… after all this time approaching me, don't you think your actions are just as disgusting?" Ethan snarled, though his chest tightened painfully.

He had a long, tangled history with women, and in every past conflict, it had always been the other person clinging, pleading, begging him.

And yet now… he hadn't done anything to Charlotte, and already he felt as if he had been rejected, even toyed with. The illusion of having his heart manipulated gnawed at him.

Of course, he shouldn't have any real feelings for anyone—never did, never should.

"Me? Compared to you, I'm only using your own method against you!" Charlotte's voice trembled with disgust, her spine stiff.

Ethan blinked, puzzled.

Her gaze locked on his eyes. "Do you remember Nancy?"

At the name, Ethan's grip loosened abruptly.

He stared at her, stunned, as if she had spoken in a language he had forgotten. "You… knew her?"

Charlotte pushed herself to her feet, retreating a few steps from him, her voice sharp and cold. "Yes. I knew her. She… she was my best friend."

Ethan's expression flickered, then twisted into an almost incredulous smile, realization dawning.

"So… you got close to me for her?"

"Ethan, you said it yourself—no one is completely innocent."

As long as he could satisfy the emptiness inside, the boredom of his soul… and draw worship from others, Ethan wouldn't hesitate to offer a few crumbs of charm, a little handout of sweetness.

A slight indulgence could win over someone's genuine heart—a profit too tempting to resist.

Ethan felt suddenly powerless. He laughed again, but it was hollow.

He had never cared about being a "good person," never cared about how others judged him. He prided himself on being cold, ruthless, and untouchable.

But Charlotte's words struck deep.

Nancy had been innocent, yes—but no matter how he tried to defend himself now, Charlotte would only see it as him shirking responsibility.

"Do you even know… she used to be my light? She didn't have a family background like yours, but she had dreams—she wanted to live well!"