Chapter 9: Jessica's Mischief! Gwen's Real or Fake Cosplay?
But when Flash turned around, he was met with a kind smile.
"Mr. Thompson, where are you trying to go?"
Ethan glanced toward the manor entrance and gestured. "Just a reminder—the exit is that way."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
A subtle pressure radiated from Ethan.
"I mean—"
Snap.
Ethan snapped his fingers.
A few seconds later…
"Hey! You can't do this! Hey!"
Thompson flailed his thick legs as two burly men in suits grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away. His lackeys met the same fate, struggling in vain.
"Alright, let's not waste any more time here."
Ethan raised the rolled-up poster in his hand, an amused smile playing on his lips. "I still have a surprise for Gwen."
Harry, who had been watching, finally relaxed. Glancing at the poster, he asked, "Is this the teacher's new masterpiece? For Gwen?"
"Something like that."
Ethan turned to him. "Where is she?"
Knowing Gwen's personality, there was no way she'd sit back and let Peter get bullied without stepping in.
"Jessica was dragging her upstairs earlier. She took her to a room on the second floor for some reason."
Harry shot Peter a reassuring look, trying to ease his overactive imagination.
"Got it. I'll go find them. You take Peter inside."
Ethan gave Peter a quick nod. "Just have fun and don't overthink it."
Peter mumbled a response, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Ethan didn't press further. Peter was a grown guy, not a kid—no need to coddle him. Let Harry handle his fragile heart.
—
Humming a light tune, Ethan carried the poster over his shoulder and made his way up to the second floor.
A quick scan of his surroundings, and he pinpointed the exact room Gwen and Jessica were in.
"Oh, Room 201. Here I come."
Inside Room 201…
"Hnnn~"
Gwen, pinned down by Jessica, trembled as an all-too-familiar sensation washed over her.
"What's wrong, Gwen?"
Jessica paused, concern flickering across her face. "Did I hurt you?"
She wondered if she had lost control of her strength.
"No, Jessica…" Gwen touched her chest, confused. "It's the same feeling I had a few days ago. But it's weaker this time. It's like… someone's tugging at my heartstrings."
Jessica raised an eyebrow. Hadn't they already checked this last time?
She suspected Gwen was just making excuses.
"Tugging at your heartstrings?" Jessica scoffed. "What, are you saying that after getting flustered, you thought of Ethan, and now he's magically coming to rescue you?"
"W-What?! No way!"
Gwen covered her face in embarrassment.
Okay, maybe she had thought of that handsome guy~
Jessica smirked, convinced she had caught Gwen in a lie. She quickened her movements. "Heh~ Gwen, stop struggling. You're not getting away."
"Oh no, Jessica! Why am I wearing this…?"
"Mhm~ Perfect fit!"
"Come on, you love Ghost Spider, don't you? Just put it on already."
As Jessica grew more excited—
Ahem!
A familiar voice rang from outside the door.
"Jessica, are you in there? I'm coming in~"
Jessica: (?)
Gwen: (?)
"Ah—"
Jessica glanced down at Gwen beneath her…
A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. Loudly, she called out, "Come in, Ethan! The door's open!"
Click!
Ethan swiftly unlocked the door and stepped inside—only to freeze.
It wasn't just because of Gwen's alluring state—half-dressed, her porcelain skin exposed, golden strands of hair falling messily around her moist, wide eyes…
Okay, maybe that was a factor.
But more importantly—why was Gwen wearing a Ghost Spider suit?
Had she been found out?
Seeing Ethan's stunned expression, Jessica assumed he was simply fooled by Gwen's uncanny resemblance to the real thing.
Grinning, she placed her hands on Gwen's shoulders and playfully pushed her forward. "Look what I found, Ethan—Ghost-Spider!"
Gwen immediately waved her hands in denial. "I'm not! I didn't! Don't listen to her!"
Her expression was pure innocence—so much so that she didn't even care about how much of her body was exposed.
Then again, maybe that was because she didn't mind Ethan admiring her.
Ethan, still staring, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… I think this needs verification. A thorough verification."
"Woo~ Ethan, Jessica's bullying me~"
Gwen pouted and stretched out her arms for a hug.
Of course, Ethan indulged her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Her soft yet firm body pressed against him.
"Jessica, don't bully Gwen," he scolded lightly.
"En—!"
Jessica's eyes widened in outrage. Her cheeks puffed up like a goldfish. "Tch! You completely forgot about me the moment she acted cute!"