Chapter 161: Teasing the Little Troublemaker

Ethan, meanwhile, headed toward the villa complex by the lake.

Kate’s recovery was his priority.

She was a Quasi-SS-Rank powerhouse. If she could fully recover, she would become an extremely valuable combat force within the Survival Space.

He couldn’t afford to lose someone like her.

He had almost reached the villa entrance when the door suddenly swung open.

A figure rushed out.

Ethan barely had time to react before she nearly crashed into him.

"Big pervert! Thank you!"

He looked down.

It was Stella.

She was still holding a half-eaten cookie, and her cheeks were slightly puffed out from the mouthful she hadn’t finished chewing. Unlike the exhausted expression she had worn the previous night, she seemed to be in a considerably better mood.

When she looked up and recognized him, her eyes curved into cheerful crescents.

But the teasing expression on her face made Ethan pause.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Big pervert?"

He stared at her for a moment, wondering whether he had heard correctly.

Then he searched his memory.

Had he done something to offend this little scatterbrain?

As far as he could remember, he had rescued her and Kate. That hardly seemed like something deserving of such a title.

He straightened his expression and deliberately lowered his voice.

"You little troublemaker. I risked my life to save you and Kate, and this is how you repay me?"

Stella stiffened.

She lifted her chin stubbornly and shoved another large bite of cookie into her mouth.

"That’s because it’s true!"

She swallowed and began counting on her fingers.

"You have Debbie, Daisy, Sasha, and Evelyn. There’s also Penny and Maya!"

She leaned closer, lowering her voice as though she were revealing a closely guarded secret.

"Kate even warned me about you!"

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"She did?"

"Of course!"

Stella nodded vigorously.

"She told me that Wendy and I should stay away from you. She said you want to become the Emperor of the Apocalypse, and that you’re already eyeing the two of us!"

Ethan nearly laughed.

Kate’s assessment wasn’t entirely wrong.

Although calling it eyeing was an interesting way to put it.

He studied Stella’s face.

She was still chewing her cookie, but her expression had become unusually serious. There was even a hint of suspicion in her eyes, as though she were trying to determine whether he was secretly planning something.

A mischievous idea suddenly came to him.

He had discovered that dealing with someone as easily flustered as Stella required a different approach.

Instead of defending himself, he decided to play along.

"If I really wanted to make a move on you..."

He took a slow step forward, reducing the distance between them.

His gaze settled on her slightly flushed cheeks.

"Would you give me a chance?"

Stella froze.

The cookie in her mouth nearly came flying out.

She stared at her, her eyes widening as though he had just said something completely unbelievable.

For several seconds, she couldn’t find a response.

Her heart began pounding so hard that she could almost hear it.

"I... I wouldn’t!"

She finally managed to speak.

Her voice was louder than she intended, but the slight tremble gave away how flustered she was.

"Don’t even think about it!"

Ethan chuckled.

Then he took another half step forward.

"But I nearly died saving you last night. Don’t you think you should repay me for saving your life?"

He paused deliberately.

"Perhaps you could offer yourself?"

"No way!"

Stella immediately retreated, waving both hands in front of her chest.

"I can do your laundry! I can cook for you! I can help clean the villa! I can... I can do plenty of things!"

She shook her head frantically.

"Just not that!"

Ethan pretended to consider her offer.

"What if I insist?"

Stella’s face turned even redder.

"Anything else is fine!"

She was beginning to panic.

Her eyes darted around as if she were searching for someone who could rescue her from the conversation.

Unfortunately, there was nobody nearby.

Ethan watched her reaction, barely containing his amusement.

He had only intended to tease her, but she was taking every word seriously.

"Well, you said anything else was fine."

His expression suddenly brightened.

"Then I won’t hold back."

Before Stella could understand what he meant, Ethan reached out and caught her wrist.

She looked down at his hand.

Then she looked up at him.

The playful expression on his face had disappeared, replaced by a strangely serious look.

Her heart skipped a beat.

’Wait... Is he actually serious?’

A dozen thoughts rushed through her mind.

She remembered Kate’s warnings about Ethan. She had initially thought Kate was exaggerating, but now she wasn’t so sure.

She had heard that some men had all sorts of unusual preferences. What if Ethan wanted her to do something even more embarrassing?

But she had already promised that she would do anything else.

Would backing out now make her look like a coward?

Her thoughts became increasingly tangled.

Meanwhile, Ethan began leading her toward another villa.

Stella stumbled after him, still holding the unfinished cookie.

"Wait... Where are we going?"

Ethan didn’t answer.

He simply continued walking.

Stella looked at his back, then glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings.

The more she thought about it, the more nervous she became.

’Oh no. Oh no, no, no...’

She wanted to call out for help, but when Ethan glanced back at her, her expression suddenly stern, the words died in her throat.

’I’m finished.’

Her mind went blank.

She stole another glance at his broad back.

’Why is he in such a hurry? Couldn’t he at least give me some time to prepare myself?’

Kate was still seriously injured and hadn’t even woken up properly. Stella couldn’t possibly ask her for help.

And she certainly couldn’t drag Wendy into this.

Besides, where would she run?

This was Ethan’s Survival Space. She was living under his protection, and there was nowhere nearby she could escape to.

For the first time, she truly understood what it meant to be under someone else’s roof.

Was she really about to lose her first time in such a ridiculous way?

Stella’s cheeks burned.

She lowered her head, unable to look at Ethan.

Meanwhile, Ethan glanced at the girl following him.

Her face was flushed, her steps hesitant, and her expression suggested she was preparing herself for some terrible fate.

He couldn’t help smiling.

He had no idea what ridiculous scenario was playing out in her head.

But there was something far more interesting on his mind.

Stella had a Beauty Score of 99.

That was an exceptionally high rating, even among the beautiful women he had encountered since the Apocalypse began.

And now that he had the chance to give her a valuable Core, he was curious about what the system would return.

Ethan’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

’Let’s see what a Beauty Score of 99 can get me.’