My Clingy CEO Husband

###Chapter 103: Ms. Rhodes is a Total Badass!

Mr. Langdon was the first to react, practically launching himself out of his chair. His face was instantly a mask of solemnity, with an almost imperceptible hint of panic. "Mr. Hawthorne! What brings you here in person? Please, take the seat of honor!"

The others scrambled to their feet as well, any trace of the superior attitude they’d shown Maxine completely gone. All that remained was unease and reverence.

Ethan Hawthorne’s expression was neutral as his gaze swept over everyone’s faces, finally landing on Maxine Rhodes, who was still seated beside the head of the table—the only one who hadn’t stood up.

Then he walked to the empty seat beside Maxine, pulled out the chair, and sat down.

"I was just passing by and heard Mr. Langdon was hosting a dinner here. I happen to have some business with Ms. Rhodes, so I thought I’d drop in and say hello."

Ethan Hawthorne spoke, his voice deep and steady, betraying no emotion. "I hope I’m not interrupting your business?"

"No, no, not at all! Mr. Hawthorne, you’re too kind! It’s an honor to have you here!" Mr. Langdon said hurriedly, his tone sincere.

Ethan Hawthorne gave a slight nod, his gaze shifting to Maxine Rhodes. His tone was completely professional. "Ms. Rhodes, the Hawthorne Group’s technical committee has reviewed the preliminary technical architecture for the Eastown District project."

He paused, and under the breathless gaze of everyone present, he continued slowly, "Their assessment is that in terms of professionalism and foresight, it exceeded expectations. This is, in fact, a significant reason why we chose to form a strategic partnership with Stellar Tech."

BOOM—!

Those words hit everyone like a clap of thunder.

Everyone knew the Hawthorne Group’s technical committee was an institution famous for its rigor and authority. For Maxine to receive such an endorsement, her capabilities were plain to see!

This statement also completely shattered all the speculation that she had gotten where she was through connections, her looks, or even through Ethan Hawthorne himself.

The way Mr. Langdon and the others looked at Maxine instantly changed to one of sheer shock and complete respect.

After saying his piece, Ethan Hawthorne didn’t elaborate. He raised his glass to Mr. Langdon. "Mr. Langdon, please continue. I need to speak with Ms. Rhodes privately about our collaboration."

He gestured for Maxine to leave with him.

The moment Maxine saw him, she felt the string that had been pulled taut in her mind all night uncontrollably slacken.

All evening, she had to remain constantly vigilant against the probing and provocations from all sides. She had been calculating the cost and benefit of every word, weighing the nuance of every expression, using her intellect and meticulous preparation to deal with those old foxes who had been in the business world for decades.

But no one knew how rigidly she held her spine straight beneath her crisp suit, how she had to play the part of an unassailable powerhouse, not showing a single trace of fatigue or a sliver of vulnerability.

Until Ethan Hawthorne appeared. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

In his presence, all the emotions she had forcefully suppressed seemed to find a small, safe floodgate to release them.

Maxine quickly lowered her gaze, hiding the momentary wetness in the corners of her eyes. When she looked up again, she had regained her composure.

She stood up and gave Mr. Langdon and the others a polite nod. "Mr. Langdon, everyone, if you’ll excuse me."

Then, she followed Ethan Hawthorne out of the private room, under the watchful gaze of everyone present.

The hallway was quiet, the light a dim yellow.

Ethan Hawthorne stopped and turned around. The sharp, commanding aura he had projected in the room, the one that controlled the entire situation, receded as quietly as the tide.

Maxine looked up at him, the light in her eyes not yet faded.

She watched as he suddenly lowered his head and pulled something from the pocket of his suit trousers.

It was a strawberry-flavored lollipop.

Maxine froze, her eyes widening slightly.

Ethan Hawthorne held the candy out to her, his voice soothing. "A reward for you, kiddo."

Maxine stared at the lollipop between his long fingers and at his gentle profile. An absurd yet incredibly soft warmth crashed into her heart.

She reached out and took it. Before she could speak, Ethan Hawthorne had already raised his hand and placed it on top of her head.

He ruffled her hair gently, but it was as if the touch carried an electric current, sending a tingle through her entire body.

"Just now," he said, withdrawing his hand, his gaze landing on the tips of her slightly red ears as his voice grew deeper, "you were amazing."

Maxine clutched the lollipop and smiled knowingly. "I think so, too."

Ethan Hawthorne held out his hand to her, palm up, his fingers long and clean.

"Let’s go."

"Home."

Maxine looked into his deep, yet gentle, eyes, her heart pounding like a drum.

She slowly placed her hand in his.

The moment their fingertips touched, he grasped her hand firmly. Dry, warm, and strong.

He led her by the hand and turned toward the elevator.

He led her along, while she clutched the strawberry lollipop in her other hand.

’Just now, in the private room, she was the one verbally sparring with a room of sharks, in complete control of the situation.’

’Now, the one being rewarded with a lollipop, a pat on the head, and led home by the hand... is also her.’

’Who wouldn’t be moved by such an extreme contrast?’

「Outside Orchid Pavilion, inside a black car.」

Benjamin Sterling witnessed Ethan Hawthorne leaving with Maxine Rhodes.

The key point was, they were holding hands!

How could this be possible!

Did Ethan Hawthorne’s feelings for her go far beyond a normal business partnership?

Benjamin Sterling slammed his fist on the steering wheel.

"Impossible..." he hissed, his eyes, shot with red, fixed on the direction they had disappeared. "Who is Ethan Hawthorne? His circle... even my Sterling Family can barely touch it..."

He had to keep investigating, to find out exactly what their relationship was!

「The next day, at Stellar Tech.」

Maxine Rhodes looked as composed as ever as she walked into the office in her steady high heels.

"Morning, Ms. Rhodes!"

"Morning, Ms. Rhodes!"

"Ms. Rhodes, you look great today~"

"Morning, everyone."

She smiled in response to her employees’ greetings. Just as she sat down at her desk, Coco burst in like a little whirlwind, carrying a freshly made cup of honey lemon water.

"Sis! Were you okay yesterday? Did those old coots give you a hard time?"

Her face was filled with worry as she looked Maxine up and down, as if checking to see if she was missing a limb.

Bubbles also appeared silently at the door, tablet in hand, a rare look of worry and tension on their face.

Maxine took a sip of the honey water from Coco and smiled at Bubbles. "No need to be so tense. Yesterday... went pretty smoothly."

"Smoothly?" Coco’s eyes went wide. "They didn’t force you to drink? You didn’t get pissed off?"

"I barely had a few sips of wine," Maxine said, putting down her cup, a slight smile playing on her lips. "But I did manage to secure a few potential business deals."

"Huh?" Coco and Bubbles were both stunned.

Maxine opened her laptop and pulled up the memo she had drafted last night. "Mr. Langdon’s group is interested in the data security module for the Eastown Smart Logistics Park. They’re bringing a team next week for a detailed discussion."

"President Wyatt’s transport company wants to do a trial run of our coordinated dispatch system. And President Shaw and President Archer are also interested in exploring technical collaborations in their respective fields."

Coco’s mouth formed an "O," and Bubbles’s eyes lit up instantly.

"Sis! You’re incredible!"

Coco jumped up in excitement. "A room full of difficult old foxes! And you actually managed to turn them into potential clients?! How did you do it? Did you drink them all under the table?"

*****