Chapter 42: I’ll kill you in your sleep!

Chapter 42: I’ll kill you in your sleep! ’’I can carry you when you’re tired.’’ Ethan’s words did nothing to improve the thought of walking the stairs. Eva could only smile in response, knowing fully well, that they were all climbing and she shouldn’t burden Ethan with her weight. " I can do it." Eva’s tone was determined. Ethan stared at her for a while before nodding. Julian moved closer to Eva, "Are you sure you can survive with those legs?" His teasing words made Eva flip and jump on him, ready to bite him to death. Julian caught her effortlessly, her body hanging over his shoulders, and he patted her butt gently. "There, there.... Hahaha..." Julian laughed as he began climbing the stairs. "Put me down!" Eva’s fist slammed into his back, but he responded by patting her butt. "If you pat my butt again, I’ll kill you in your sleep!" Eva shrieked, her hands pinching his back in retaliation. Ethan glanced at Julian’s clever idea, feeling dissatisfied with himself for not coming up with such an idea. He followed along, his gaze lingered on her puffed cheeks and heavy breaths. He couldn’t resist pinching her cheeks. Feeling the softness, he playfully squeezed her cheeks. Eva, plotting her revenge on Julian, was taken by surprise at Ethan’s sudden actions. "What...squish... doing?" Her voice became unrecognizable due to his actions. Workers who climbed the stairs looked at this trio with a flat, envious gaze. As they climbed the stairs, Eva was worn out by their actions, she hung on Julian’s shoulders like a dead weight. She could occasionally feel Julian caress her butt and pretend it was the motion of climbing the stairs that caused it. ’You would get my revenge୧⁠(⁠ ⁠ಠ⁠ ⁠Д⁠ ⁠ಠ⁠ ⁠)⁠୨’ she screamed internally before drifting into sleep by the rhythm climbing motion. "If you reach halfway, I’ll be carrying her." Ethan waited for Julian’s response. "Don’t worry, I’m not tired. I can carry fifty of her without breaking a sweat." Julian’s tone was wrapped in confidence, he wrapped his hands tightly around Eva and picked up pace. Ethan had a speechless expression, "I know you understand me, don’t feign ignorance. It’s my turn to carry her when you reach the ninth floor." Ethan stated every word clearly. Ethan’s cold gaze locked onto Julian, but Julian, already used to it, wasn’t bothered. He wasn’t about to release Eva; this was the chance to hold her for this long. "No need to be shy about your feelings, I know you care about me. But I’m good." Julian feigned ignorance to the end. Even putting on a happy, touched expression at Ethan’s supposed care for him. Ethan understood Julian wasn’t going to hand Eva to him. He kept Julian’s actions in his mind for later, plus the ones he committed on the train. It’s been a long time since he fought a death match with Julian. Julian shivered, feeling suddenly cold and scared. He shook off the feeling, assuming Ethan was trying to freeze him. "Turn your cold down a notch. She’s sleeping, don’t give her a cold." Without looking back, he held Eva and increased his pace. Ethan inhaled deeply and followed along. On the Seventeenth floor, Eva stirred, rubbing her face across his neck, she opened her eyes, and she realized she was upside down. "Did the world...Mm..flip? Are we walking on hands now....woah." Eva muttered, her eyes thick with sleep. "Yes, it happened so suddenly." Julian’s tone was serious, and Eva’s eyes widened. "Woah!" She exclaimed, trying to search for Julian’s face. But a hand held her face upward; she blinked and stared at Ethan; after a second, her eyes widened, clearing from her sleep. Her nonsensical ramblings flashed in her mind, and she hid her face. But remembering they both saw her embarrassed, she threatened. "You didn’t hear anything." She pinched Julian’s waist for emphasis. Ethan nodded, his gaze filled with amusement. Julian winced and patted and squeezed her butt in retaliation. Eva’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Haven’t we reached yet?" She hoped for a positive response. "Almost there.’’ At Ethan’s words, she smiled. ’Finally, I’ll be free.’ After some minutes, they finally reached the eighteenth floor, as soon as Julian dropped her. She kicked him, "Ow!" Julian screamed on purpose, knowing he could dodge, but he chose not to. Seeing her puffed cheeks and fierce look, ’so cute...I want to put her in my pocket.’ Eva felt his gaze was off and moved towards Ethan, still unsatisfied with his lack of remorse. ’my perky butt almost got deformed by his actions.’ She patted her butt secretly, unaware they noticed her little actions—trying very hard to keep a straight face. Meanwhile, Inside an office, a middle-aged man was head-deep in an open document. His eyes were so black that they had faint bruises. Scattered across his table, were papers, densely written with formulas, he was so focused that he muted the sound coming from the door. Julian and the rest stared at the assistant who kept knocking and thought the man was out. "He’s yawn... in." Pardon me, the man apologized for his rudeness. He could barely keep his eyes open. For the past six days, they worked without sleep or rest. "Mr Stone, I’m coming in!" He called out, before turning the knob. "Take whatever you want and leave," Stone said without looking up, his hands moving speedily across the page. "The density is incorrect, try the electric...." He murmured unintelligible words, different expressions appearing on his face. Eva looked at the man’s face and felt it was familiar. Turning to Ethan, she noticed the slight resemblance, she was about to ask when Julian called out. "Uncle Stone, you’ve lost weight." His tone was filled with surprise at Stone’s bruised black eyes and unkempt look. They had just gone out for a while; why did he look like someone on the edge of exhaustion? "Oh...it’s you guys." Stone’s tone lacked his usual excitement, he didn’t even look up to see them. Ethan felt bad for his uncle but he needed answers—leaning closer to Eva, he whispered into her ears. "Please, use your powers on him." Eva’s ear twitched at his warm breath. She moved away slightly and hummed in response. Her hands glowed, and wipes of green energy enveloped Stone. "Haa..." A comfortable sigh escaped his lips, and he looked up to thank whoever it was. Seeing the green-haired woman, he nodded in thanks, then focused on Ethan and Julian. "I have twenty minutes to explain everything to you.’’ He was so sure that they were here for answers. He sat back in his chair and waved to his assistant to leave the room. "Julian, shut the door." Stone sighed before his expression became serious at the bad news he was going to give them.