30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 185: One Last Farewell

In the middle of an important meeting with several international executives, Ethan hung up the phone, much to the shock of everyone in the room. For the first time in days, his stern expression gave way to a mischievous and triumphant smile.

"Mr. Blackwood, it’s your turn to speak," his secretary, Helen, whispered beside him.

Speak?

What was there to say at a time like this? That woman had finally called him, reaching out first—how could he focus on a meeting now?

"Meeting adjourned!"

Ethan slapped the table and stood up, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, he strode out of the conference room with a spring in his step, his entire demeanor filled with smug satisfaction.

Helen could only stand up and helplessly announce the end of the meeting. What had Miss Anderson done to put Mr. Blackwood in such a good mood this time?

By now, she had realized that Miss Anderson was controlling the mood of the entire office—not Mr. Blackwood. When Lily made Mr. Blackwood happy, the whole office was peaceful and productive. But when she upset him, the entire office was subjected to a storm of scoldings.

Just as Ethan reached the door, he suddenly stopped and called to Helen, "Prepare me a change of clothes."

He couldn’t go too early—he didn’t want that woman to think he was eager to meet her.

He had managed to hold out for a week—thank goodness Lily had surrendered first, or else he wouldn’t have lasted much longer.

He might have torn his office apart if he didn’t see her soon.

A week—that was his limit. He missed her terribly.

He needed to change into something fresh and get a haircut so she wouldn’t think he looked worn out without her. But how would he deal with the dark circles from the past few sleepless nights?

Meanwhile, Lily sat in a taxi, staring at her uncle’s magazine office for a long time before asking the driver to take her to Central Park.

She left her suitcase at a nearby shop and slowly walked into the park.

The park wasn’t crowded—mostly older people practicing tai chi or breathing exercises. Occasionally, a couple would walk past her, holding hands, whispering sweet nothings, and smiling at each other.

She had deliberately bought a plane ticket for a flight at sunset. She still had time.

She told herself that she was just here to take a look, not to wait.

That’s what she kept telling herself, but she wasn’t even fooling herself anymore.

He had already said he was too busy, yet she foolishly awaited him in the park. She always found herself hoping for unrealistic things when it came to Ethan.

A child walked by, holding a giant balloon.

Lily was suddenly reminded of the amusement park and those balloons that said everything would be better.

Enough. She still had time to walk around.

Lily was wearing a long coat, her hands tucked into her pockets, as she quietly observed the park. It wasn’t too big, but it wasn’t too small either. She didn’t see any sign of that arrogant, overbearing figure.

Maybe he was really too busy.

She walked over to a bench and sat down, silently watching the world go by, with no intention of leaving.

"I told you I was busy! Why are you sitting here all alone, looking pitiful?!"

A harsh, mocking voice suddenly broke the quiet around her.

Lily’s body jerked in surprise—she hadn’t expected him to come.

She turned to see Ethan standing behind the bench, leaning against it, showing her his broad, arrogant back. Like her, he was wearing a long black coat with his hands tucked into his pockets.

"You said you were busy, so why are you here?" Lily asked, staring at his back.

With a swift movement, Ethan turned and hopped over the back of the bench, landing in front of her with a casual, rebellious air.

"I’m just being generous, sparing you the embarrassment of sitting here looking pathetic until dawn," Ethan sneered, casting her a cold, condescending glance.

Lily remained silent, simply watching him.

Ethan was undeniably handsome, his features sharp and defined. His eyes were as dark as ink, deep and intense. His nose was high and straight, and his lips, thin and sensual, held a seductive curve.

That face—she knew she would never forget it. Every expression, especially how he looked when angry, was etched into her memory forever.

Noticing her intense gaze, the corner of Ethan’s lips curled up smugly.

She missed him, didn’t she? She was staring at him so intently.

Since she had come to him first, he should give her an easy way out.

He couldn’t let her sit there and say, I want to return to you...

That would make her look too pathetic.

"Alright, alright. Stop looking so pitiful and come back to me," Ethan said, his tone magnanimous, as if he were doing her a favor.

The park was quiet, with the occasional sound of children’s laughter.

Lily gazed at him quietly for a moment before asking calmly, "You knew what happened at the Carter family’s centennial celebration from the start, didn’t you?"

"What?" Ethan frowned. Why was she suddenly bringing that up? Wasn’t she here to beg to come back to him?

"My father..." Lily’s voice caught in her throat as she forced out the word "father." "The money he used to buy Carter Group shares—did it come from you?"

Damn!

That sly old fox, Henry Anderson, had spilled the beans after taking the money? Was he suicidal?

"No!" Ethan denied it immediately, his previous amusement vanishing as his expression darkened.

"The truth?" Lily asked calmly.

Ethan’s breathing became labored as he glared at her. "Is that why you wanted to meet me? You think I conspired with Henry Anderson to deceive you and the Carter family?"

She hadn’t come to apologize or reconcile.

This woman...

He had postponed a meeting to rush over here, only to be met with accusations!

"Isn’t that what happened?" Lily asked, her voice steady. "You knew all along that my father would expose our sibling relationship at the centennial celebration, didn’t you?"

"So what if I knew? If that hadn’t happened, would you have ever given up on Alex Carter?" Ethan stood from the bench, his entire body radiating anger. "I told you to leave with me, but you refused. You insisted on staying by his side!"

"So, you just stood by and watched as I was humiliated in front of the world?"

"You brought that on yourself!" Ethan snapped, growing more frustrated by the second. Why did she always question him? He never heard a single kind word from her.

If she hadn’t been so stubborn, refusing to speak or eat, would he have agreed to Henry Anderson’s deal in the first place?

Lily still needs to respond. He was right—it was her own fault. From the moment she got involved with him, she had set herself on this path...

Their worlds were far apart, and they always would be.

Lily stood up from the bench. Seeing her about to leave, Ethan panicked, glaring at her and yelling, "Lily Anderson! Sit down! I won’t let you leave me with nothing but your back again!"

With that, he turned angrily and stormed off.

He seemed to have forgotten that he often left others with nothing but his back. Every phone call felt like an order, and every so-called act of kindness felt like a command. He was used to controlling people with his own will.

He always thought others should submit to his leadership and his plans.

But from now on, she would never see or feel his arrogance, his dominance, or his overbearing nature again.

"Ethan." Without thinking, Lily called out to him almost instinctively. "The fruit juice at the park entrance is delicious. How about I treat you to some?"

Her flight had been delayed a while ago. She wasn’t ready to let this be their last moment together.

Ethan continued walking as if he hadn’t heard her, not even turning his head.

Lily felt a wave of disappointment and was about to turn and leave when Ethan suddenly stopped and spun around, glaring at her. "Let’s go!"

Lily stared at him, surprised. She had thought he wouldn’t turn around...

"What are you waiting for?!" Ethan snapped when she didn’t move.

She didn’t want him to leave, did she?

Her plan had clearly been to confront him, force him to apologize, and beg her to come back...

She was trying to play hard to get...

Did she really think he, Ethan Blackwood, was that easy to manipulate? He wasn’t falling for her tricks. He wouldn’t say another word about wanting her back.

This time, he would make sure she completely surrendered to him.

They walked side by side toward the shop at the park entrance, the silence between them growing heavier. Ethan’s face was dark, his hands shoved deep into his coat pockets. He didn’t look at her once, nor did he touch her.

"Two fruit juices," Lily said as they reached the shop. She was about to pay when Ethan tossed his card onto the old glass counter.

"We don’t take cards," the shopkeeper said apologetically as he prepared the juice.

These days, rich people don’t even bother with cash, just cards.

Lily placed some cash on the counter and returned Ethan’s card to him. Annoyed, Ethan glared at her, refusing to take it. "Keep it!"

He hated the idea of a woman paying for anything.

Lily said nothing, tucking the card back into his coat pocket. Ethan swatted her hand away, his dark expression growing even darker.

The tension between them was palpable.

"Here’s your fruit juice," the shopkeeper said, placing two cups on the counter.

Lily walked up, inserted a straw into one of the cups, and handed it to Ethan, her gaze calm.

Ethan glared at her, his childish stubbornness showing as he turned away. "I’m not drinking it!"

The shopkeeper shook his head in sympathy, looking at Lily. "Your boyfriend sure has a temper."

"Who are you calling a boyfriend?!" Ethan erupted, glaring at the shopkeeper.

He was already filled with rage, and there was nowhere to direct it—this guy was just asking for it!

What business was it of his whether Ethan had a temper or not?!

The shopkeeper shrank back in fear, stammering, "Have a nice day, both of you."

This guy looked decent on the outside but had a temper like that. Could he be some kind of gangster?

"Ethan," Lily said firmly, holding the cup of fruit juice.

"Didn’t you hear me? I’m not drinking it!" Ethan turned his head away again. He wasn’t about to accept anything a woman bought.

"Then I’ll just stand here holding it," Lily said, just as stubborn, standing in place with the cup in her hand.

Ethan shot her a furious look. This woman... She was doing it on purpose!

With a dramatic sigh, Ethan snatched the cup from her, walked a few steps away, and took a sip. The sweetness was almost overwhelming.

"What’s so great about this juice?!" he muttered, glaring at her. How could she say it was good when it tasted so sickeningly sweet?

"I’ve never had it before," Lily admitted, taking a sip of her own. It was overly sweet, to the point of being cloying.

She had only noticed the sign for fruit juice when they entered the park. It was her first time trying it too...

"And yet you told me it was good?!" Was she messing with him?

"It’s not that bad."

Lily continued sipping her juice. She just wanted an excuse to spend a little more time with him.

She had already decided to leave, but she didn’t want to leave this city, or anyone in it, with lingering feelings...