Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 623 Charlotte was nothing if not practical. In her daily life, every penny was calculated; there was no way she would just stroll into a luxury boutique and buy a single outfit. Even if Winnie and Michael were footing the bill, there was no way she'd suddenly purchase three sets at once-and then try to haggle with the saleswoman like that. Charlotte wasn't a fool But Ethan had assumed she was. Luxury stores don't bargain, and discounts are rare. Any price reductions could only come out of his own pocket.

He had kindly helped Charlotte choose clothes, yet the staff deliberately forced him to bleed for it. Ethan had already committed, though -he called in his own salesperson and, for the sake of face, had to buy the lot. The sum wasn't significant to him, but Charlotte's stunt irked him. If she had asked him directly, he would have paid-albeit she would owe him a favor. And debts owed had to be repaid. But now, Charlotte hadn't asked for anything. She paid her own bill; anything extra he'd done for her was entirely of his own making. Moreover...

Charlotte had clearly plotted everything from the ---- start and still insisted on playing the innocent little rabbit in front of him. "Buying clothes for me? Ethan, let's be clear-aren't these clothes mine? How did they suddenly become yours?" Charlotte blinked innocently, continuing her charade. Every time she saw Ethan's reaction-the way his teeth clenched with suppressed irritation-it gave her a secret thrill. He claimed he didn't care about money or the feelings of others, so why should he mind her little games? "Heh." Ethan laughed, not even bothering to argue.

Amused and slightly exasperated, he raised his hand and tilted Charlotte's chin up, leaning closer. "You're quite the troublemaker, Charlotte. | see it now-you're downright wicked." "Am 1?" Charlotte's expression remained calm. "And is your heart as dark as mine?" Ethan was momentarily speechless. How had he softened so easily just now? Why had he helped someone who had antagonized him repeatedly, someone who seemed intent on making his life miserable? Was he... really that pathetic? ---- Charlotte's gaze fixed coldly on him.

Seeing the helpless look in his eyes, she knew she had finally found his pressure point. She didn't think Ethan would fall for her emotionally-but with her psychological manipulations, she could locate his weakness, push just enough, and watch him lose his composure for a while. Ethan had been emotionally controlled, even abused, by Clarice from a young age. His emotional patterns thrived on submission and struggle. His desire for women was tied to conquest and to feeding his own narcissism In short, only someone who seemed conquerable could catch his interest.

Once conquered, however, he would discard them without hesitation. This explained why Charlotte had spent time pushing and pulling him before: she let his ego bloom with satisfaction, then shattered it ruthlessly. Now, Ethan was trapped in a traumatic bond with her-part of him wanted revenge, another part still craved conquest. He sought validation through her, proving his own charm. Earlier, Charlotte had deliberately let him see her being ignored by the sales staff. She gave him the chance-and sure enough, he reacted. But once he realized he had been played, he was genuinely furious.

He would confront her directly, no doubt about it. ---- Every step Ethan took was entirely within Charlotte's expectations. After a moment, she spoke again. "Ethan, you've been following Winnie and me. What exactly are you trying to do? Surely it's not just to pick a fight with me, is it?" Her voice softened slightly, but her gaze remained icy, sharp as frost.