Chapter 50: Martial Arts Practice in the Studio! Tony Arrives!
"I want... need to learn."
Skye pressed down someone's mischievous hand and said angrily, "I want to learn a few self-defense techniques to protect myself from certain perverts."
"Didn't you feel a little nauseous just now?"
A playful smile appeared on Ethan Lee's lips as golden light shimmered in his palm once more.
"No, no, no!"
Skye's fingers suddenly clutched his shoulders, pleading, "It's not disgusting! Please, stop it now!"
"Ahem!"
At that moment, two figures appeared at the doorway.
One was a black-haired Asian girl who cleared her throat, reminding Ethan and Skye—who were getting a little too cozy—that they were not alone.
The other was a slender, white-haired girl who smiled at Ethan and said, "The teacher seems busy. Looks like we came at the wrong time~"
"Oh, Cindy, Felicia."
Ethan retracted his hand and greeted them with a grin. "No, actually, you two arrived at the perfect time."
He shifted Skye, who was still in his arms, and waved the other two girls over, implying there was still space.
Felicia smiled politely and gave Ethan a flirtatious look but didn't sit down.
She remembered something from a book:
As a girl, one should be reserved and play hard to get to remain attractive.
While Felicia was contemplating this—
Cindy, who always appeared quiet and well-behaved, walked over quickly and sat herself obediently in Ethan's lap.
Betrayed by her best friend!
"Hi~" Cindy said sweetly, her soft voice melting into the moment.
Her lithe figure pressed gently against Ethan's legs as her feet swung playfully, moon-shaped emerald anklets catching the light and drawing the eye.
Ethan admired them with a smile. "These look really beautiful. They suit you well."
Cindy blinked in surprise. "Didn't you give them to me?"
"Ah... yeah..."
Ethan scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
He gave out so many gifts—jewelry, trinkets, keepsakes—it was hard to keep track.
"Wanna try this, Cindy?"
Golden light bloomed in Ethan's palm, forming an elegant electric pistil laced with gold and shimmering azure—far more gorgeous than last time.
"This is an upgraded version. I promise you'll love it~"
Cindy leaned in and gave him a light kiss before nodding. "I think you should have a lounge in here."
Skye, sitting on the other side, looked at the glowing current in Ethan's hand, eyes full of doubt. "Can you even practice with that?"
She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being tricked.
"We came to learn painting, Cindy."
Felicia, slightly miffed at being left standing, sat on the table. She pulled a paintbrush from Ethan's holder and twirled it between her fingers. "Didn't we come to... wait, what?"
She paused, catching sight of the lightning-like display in Ethan's hand. "Teacher, what is that? Are you moonlighting as a magician?"
"Mystical arts from the East," Ethan replied smoothly. "Want to learn?"
Cindy and Felicia exchanged glances before nodding eagerly.
Who needed painting when you could learn something this cool?
And so—
In the studio, originally meant for art lessons, three beautiful young women began practicing the fundamentals of martial arts under Ethan Lee's careful guidance.
Fortunately, the studio was spacious enough to accommodate the rigorous movements.
Outside the gallery—
A sleek black car pulled up by the curb.
"Happy, stop here," Tony Stark said to his driver and bodyguard. "Let's see if our friend's around. Maybe we can snag a few paintings."
Though Tony wasn't exactly passionate about art, collecting it was practically a requirement for the elite. Plus, he happened to know the gallery owner and had always liked his taste.
But just as Tony and Happy stepped into the studio—
A spinning whip kick swooshed right in front of Tony's face, stopping mere inches away.
He froze.
Was this an ambush?
"Tony, look out!" Happy shouted, reaching into his jacket for a weapon.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down!"
Tony caught Happy's arm before he could draw, then turned to Cindy. "Uh… I think this is a misunderstanding?"
"Wait… You're Mr. Stark?"
Cindy blinked, recognizing him from the news. She looked sheepish. "I'm so sorry! I was just practicing, and you walked in so suddenly…"
Thanks to her spider senses, Cindy had managed to stop her kick just in time. Otherwise, Tony Stark would've been flying.
"No harm done," Tony said, always the gentleman when it came to pretty girls—especially ones who looked like high schoolers.
His gaze shifted to Ethan, who was still surrounded by the girls.
"Why is this place still so shabby? I told you, you should've let me redecorate."
Ethan looked mildly surprised to see him. "What brings the billionaire playboy philanthropist to my humble studio?"
"I just happened to be nearby. Thought I'd check in."
Tony gave a once-over to Skye, Felicia, and Cindy—each of them stunning in her own way.
He gave Ethan a sly look. "You've got a good eye. One of them looks a little young, though… suits your style."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Why did it sound like Tony was accusing him of seducing innocent girls?