Ethan stood beside her, his presence growing more and more intense. Ivy’s lips twitched, and she decided to speak up for him. “Even if they’re batting their eyelashes at him, it’s pointless. I mean, winking at Ethan is like winking at a blind man.”

Ethan’s expression softened a little at her defense. He visibly relaxed, tossed the four pieces of broken chopsticks into the trash, and poured Ivy another bowl of soup.

The duck soup had been simmering all ...