Ethan Taylor was seething with anger and said in a deep voice, “Leave? No one’s leaving today! I want to learn about the new business regulations too! You, hurry up and call your supervisor here, I’ll study them together with him!”

　　“Don’t, don’t, Mr. Taylor, that’s not what we meant, we… um…”

　　“Don’t joke around with me! Do you think what I said is funny?” Ethan Taylor frowned.

　　“No, no!” The skinny, monkey-faced man turned pale, looking so pitiful that even Grace King felt sorry for him.

　　“And you!” Ethan Taylor pointed at Michael Bolton, scaring him so much he almost fell to the ground. “You’re Michael Bolton, right? I’ve heard your name for a long time! So, the case with John King was handled by you, wasn’t it? Distorting the truth, bullying good people—is that your usual style? I was going to report you to Mr. Clark, who’s in charge of political and legal affairs, but Captain Brooks kept pleading for you, saying to give you another chance, so I let it go. I didn’t expect you to still be up to no good! Looks like this time I have to report to the county committee and the county bureau!”

　　“No, Mr. Taylor, I know I was wrong, I was wrong! I apologize to you, no… that’s not right… Miss King… Ms. King, it was my fault, I apologize to you, please be magnanimous and forgive me!” Michael Bolton pleaded bitterly with Ethan Taylor and Grace King, looking utterly pathetic, with snot and tears streaming down his face. He looked like he was about to kneel to Grace King.

　　“This isn’t about you apologizing to me or to her. Your actions have disgraced the government and the Party! It’s not about offending me, Ethan Taylor!” Ethan Taylor said sternly. Sweat poured down Michael Bolton’s face as he slumped to the ground, unable to stand.

　　Grace King felt like she was dreaming, staring blankly at Ethan Taylor as he sternly rebuked Michael Bolton and his group. These big shots who always seemed so powerful in her eyes were like children—or rather, like mangy dogs—in front of Ethan Taylor, each one silent with fear. It seemed that if they were told to kneel and lick her toes, they would scramble to do it.

　　Who… what kind of secretary was he?

　　Grace King looked at this young man she’d always seen as a big kid. Now, he exuded an indescribable aura—a kind of authority, the presence of someone in power. At this moment, he was like a towering mountain, carefully sheltering her under his wings. This feeling of being protected was truly, truly wonderful.

　　Ethan Taylor continued to scold them harshly. Seeing that none of them dared to make a sound, each wiping sweat from their foreheads, and Michael Bolton looking dumbfounded and slumped on the floor, his anger finally subsided a little.

　　“All right, I’ll think about how to deal with your issues later. For now, let’s hear how you plan to handle the Longjing Restaurant.”

　　The skinny man quickly said, “Mr. Taylor, of course the Longjing Restaurant can continue operating as usual, and when we get back to the office, we’ll discuss how to offer them some preferential policies.”

　　Ethan Taylor glared and said in a deep voice, “You think I’m close with the owner and I’m asking you for favors, is that it?”

　　The skinny man shook his head frantically, realizing his flattery had backfired.

　　“Your issues will be handled impartially, with your supervisor present—it has nothing to do with me! And let me tell you, Grace King and I are indeed close, we’re good friends! There’s no need to hide it!” Ethan Taylor knew that if he pretended not to know Grace King well, rumors would start flying after today. By being upfront, he could take the initiative.

　　“All right, you can go now! I’ve got a ton of things to do, I don’t have time to waste on you!”

　　The group mumbled their assent, and someone helped the unsteady Michael Bolton out the door. Ethan Taylor turned to look at Grace King, who was also looking at him, her expression extremely complicated.

　　The two waiters exchanged glances and slipped into the kitchen at the back, leaving only Ethan Taylor and Grace King in the restaurant.

　　“Was it you who helped my brother too?” Grace King asked, then smiled softly. “It must have been you.”

　　Ethan Taylor nodded slightly and said, “Sorry, I kept it from you for so long. But you assumed I was a student and all that—I never actually said so myself.”

　　Grace King nodded slightly, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Mr. Taylor, do you think I should be afraid of you now? Hmph, so what if you’re a secretary, you still have to call me ‘big sister’!”

　　Ethan Taylor felt relieved. He had been worried that Grace King would suddenly become overly respectful, which would ruin the friendship he valued so much.

　　“But Mr. Taylor, how old are you, really? You’re not older than me, are you?” Grace King stared at Ethan Taylor’s face, asking suspiciously.

　　“Just call me Ethan Taylor, we’re the same age—August!”

　　“Then you still have to call me ‘big sister’! I’m March!” Grace King said proudly, though inside she was far from calm. Now that she knew Ethan Taylor’s true identity, how could she not be moved? But she also knew how to get along with Ethan Taylor in a way that would make him comfortable and keep their friendship from fading. In her heart, how could she not feel a bit more respect and awe for Ethan Taylor?

Chapter 9 Just a Few Words