When She Stops Playing Nice by Hale Saxon
Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Back at that time, Ethan, seeing Gina distressed, tried to make a move but got caught by Olivia. Twisting the story, he accused Gina of seduction.

Quick as thought, Gina didn’t hesitate to slap Ethan across the face.

Ethan’s face boiled with rage, ready to hit back when David suddenly stopped him, saying, “Mr. Ethan, let’s not escalate this.”

Surprised, Ethan snapped, “What the hell, David? Are you insane?”

After seeing Gina was okay, David warned, “Mr. Ethan, cut the drama.”

Gina recognized David as Gabriel’s go–to guy.

Ethan, livid, spat out, “Me, causing trouble? She is the one who slapped me! Has Sensuality really sunk so low to let anyone

David calmly stated, “Miss Miller is a member too.”

Ethan, in disbelief, sneered. “How is she a member? Put her on the blacklist now!”

‘Sensuality belongs to us Jacksons. Can’t I deal with Gina?‘ Ethan thought proudly.

David, unphased, replied, “Mr. Ethan, you can’t revoke memberships.”

Aria burst out laughing, thinking, “Wow, that backfired.

Embarrassed, Ethan realized only his uncle Gabriel, the bar’s real boss, had that power.

Refusing to be undermined, Ethan demanded David call Gabriel.

David suggested, “Mr. Ethan, maybe don’t bother Mr. Gabriel over this. Just apologize to Miss Miller.

Ethan incredulously thought, “Has David lost his shit? Wants me to apologize to Gina? Since when can’t I boss around an assistant?”

But respecting David’s connection to Gabriel, Ethan held back his punch, snapping, “Cut the crap, just call!”

David dialed Gabriel, and as soon as the call connected, Ethan grabbed the phone and put it on speaker.

Ethan jumped straight to canceling Gina’s membership.

“Why would I do that?” Gabriel demanded coldly.

“She hit me!” Ethan admitted, feeling a bit humiliated.

Aria, unconvinced, loudly argued, “You totally deserved it! Insulting Gina and covering for rumor–spreaders, are you the puppet master?”

Sensing Mason’s cowardice, Aria doubted he had the nerve to act alone. His previous confidence seemed to imply he had backup.

“Was it you?” Gabriel’s voice, cold and stern, came through the phone.

17:37 Tue, 21 May

Chapter 9

Chilled by Gabriel’s icy tone, Ethan sensed a big difference from his usual coldness. He felt Gabriel was pissed as if scolding

him.

“It wasn’t me!” Ethan quickly denied it, genuinely uninvolved.

“I don’t buy it!” Aria snapped back, disbelief clear in her voice.

lus,

In desperation, Ethan exposed Mason, demanding. “Tell us, was it your idea or someone else’s?”

Mason was shaking but insisted. “All me!”

He wasn’t about to throw Olivia under the bus, especially when it looked like he wouldn’t gain anything from it. ‘Got to keep my mouth shut. Maybe Olivia will help me get back at them. He plotted.

Ethan let go of Mason and scoffed. “Did you catch that? He admitted it himself.”

Aria rolled her eyes. Still, you got what you deserved. Spreading rumors about Gina, you’re no better than Mason. Birds of a feather!”

Ethan, unable to hit back at Aria, grudgingly turned to Gabriel. “Uncle Gabriel, there you have it. Gina is nothing but trouble. Letting her into Sensuality is asking for chaos!”

Gabriel’s face darkened, questioning, “Who did you call nothing but trouble?”

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Wait a minute, Gabriel and I are family. He wouldn’t take an outsider’s side over mine, would he? Could this be because of Aria?‘

Given the business ties between the Jackson family and the Torres family, Gabriel’s showing leniency toward Aria for defending Gina seemed somewhat understandable.

“Apologize!” Gabriel’s voice cut through the air with a frosty command.

Ethan was floored, never expecting Gabriel would demand such a thing from him.

“Uncle Gabriel?” he questioned, thinking he had misheard.

“I won’t repeat myself.” Gabriel’s tone dropped several degrees colder, his authority radiating.

Gabriel wasn’t much older than Ethan, yet he had single–handedly built the Jackson Group. Even Ethan’s father, Neil Jackson, showed him due respect.

Feeling like he had dug his own grave, Ethan didn’t want to cross Gabriel. He had intended to intimidate Gina but ended up embarrassing himself.

This wasn’t the first time Gabriel had come to Gina’s rescue.

Gina was lost in thought. She disliked feeling indebted to anyone and was confident she could handle Ethan herself. And yet, Gabriel had helped her multiple times. ‘Could he have an ulterior motive? slie wondered, always cautious of those who sought her out for no clear reason.

“I’m sorry” Ethan’s apology, though reluctant, pulled Gina back from her thoughts.

Gina met his gaze with a cold stare and said, “I don’t accept it.”

Ethan was taken aback by her rejection. Just as he was about to explode, Gabriel’s icy warning echoed in his mind, forcing

17337 Tue, 21 May

Chapter 9

him to bite back his anger. “What more do you want?”

With a smug look, Gina answered, “Compensate me for my emotional distress.”

‘Is she fucking nuts?‘ Ethan cursed internally.

Yet, Gabriel’s voice came through the phone again, insisting, “Compensate her. She deserves it. And keep your damn mouth shut in the future.”

Ethan was dumbfounded, thinking, “Why the hell is everyone on this bitch’s side? Back in the Miller family, she was all

alone!

Clenching his fists, Ethan asked through clenched teeth, “How much?”

“400 thousand dollars,” Gina stated nonchalantly.

“You’re fucking kidding me.” Ethan couldn’t believe she demanded such a sum over a couple of harsh words.

“Oh, can’t Mr. Jackson afford it?” Gina taunted.

That baited Ethan immediately. “Who the hell are you to look down on me?”

Gina held out her hand. “Then hand it over.”

Ethan, momentarily speechless, felt like he had overplayed his hand. Bitterly, he pulled out a bank card from his wallet and handed it over to Gina.