30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 254: A Tense Reunion

"What do you mean, ’check with him’?" Ethan Blackwood glared at her in displeasure. If he hadn’t held himself back, he might’ve already smashed the phone in her hand.

"Alex and Alice just got back from their honeymoon. They invited us to a dinner party," Lily Anderson explained cautiously, carefully observing his expression. "Are you going?"

"Do you want to go?" Ethan snorted coldly.

"At the funeral, you went too far. He came to help me out of kindness, and... we didn’t even attend their wedding," Lily said apologetically, clearly feeling guilty about Alex.

If she kept refusing Alex’s invitations, it wouldn’t look good. After all, it was just a dinner party.

"If I told you that the central government’s sudden raid on the countryside had something to do with Alex, would you believe me?" Ethan said icily.

Lily froze for a moment, then smiled. "How could that be? What would he gain from doing something like that?"

"He could hurt me and drive me out of the country."

"His father is still in your hands. Why would he do something like that?" Lily said with a laugh. "Alex is a gentle and kind man who values his family. He would never do something so reckless."

Harming others without benefiting himself? That wasn’t Alex’s character at all.

"Alex isn’t as simple as he seems. Do you trust him that much, Lily Anderson?!" Ethan’s voice grew colder.

The base’s location was exposed after Alex’s father-in-law, George Johnson, rose to prominence in the central government. George took charge of the investigation. The timing was just too coincidental to ignore.

"I’ve known Alex since we were kids. How could I not understand him?" Lily said, wrapping her arms around Ethan’s neck and pulling him down slightly. She playfully bumped her forehead against his, teasing him. "Are you still jealous of Alex? I’m already carrying your child, and he’s married now... We’re just friends."

"If one day I had to kill him..." Ethan’s voice trailed off.

Lily froze, staring into his dark eyes. His voice was low and magnetic, his expression cold and grave. He wasn’t joking.

Indeed, he wasn’t serious...

"We have nothing to do with each other anymore," Lily said, her voice a little hoarse as her hands slid down from around his neck.

"If he’s the one who caused this, I will kill him," Ethan repeated, his tone unwavering.

This time, Ethan had fallen hard. Not only was the base exposed, but he was under immense scrutiny from public opinion and the central government’s investigation. Worse, his father had been forced to step into the situation.

Even shooting him would be considered merciful if it genuinely was Alex’s doing.

Lily exhaled a breath of relief. "That’s not possible. It couldn’t have been Alex. If you want to find out who set you up, looking into Alex is the wrong direction."

Ethan’s cold gaze lingered on her. Her trust in Alex was absolute.

"If you’re so prejudiced against him, I assume you don’t want to go to the party tonight?" Lily asked, tapping his chiseled face with her finger. "You’re such a jealous man."

Even when she and Alex were both in relationships with others, he still got jealous.

"We’re going," Ethan said coldly. "I just happen to have time tonight."

"Jealous man."

"Lily Anderson, are you talking about yourself?"

"I’m not jealous."

"Then maybe I should bring a couple of actresses back to the house?" Ethan retorted, his tone sharp. This woman was getting bolder.

"Disciplined? Hearing those words from you, Mr. Blackwood, is just absurd. What about Natalie Walker? Emily Prescott? Beth Samson? And all the others..." Lily taunted with a smirk.

"Lily Anderson, are you seriously bringing up old grievances?!"

"Alex is one of my ’old grievances’ too, Ethan Blackwood. I love you," Lily said suddenly, her tone shifting to seriousness. Her soft almond eyes gazed at him with unwavering sincerity.

This woman...

Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tilted her chin upward, and captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

The dinner party celebrating Alex Carter and Alice Johnson’s return from their honeymoon was held at a seaside restaurant. The venue was surrounded by massive aquariums filled with vibrant fish swimming gracefully.

The wooden floors, suspended over clear waters, gave the illusion of walking on water, with gentle waves adding to the atmosphere.

When Lily and Ethan arrived, the party was already halfway through. Guests were seated in small groups, chatting and laughing.

"You’re here," Alex said warmly, walking toward them with Alice. His gentle gaze briefly swept over Lily’s visibly pregnant belly before he extended his hand toward Ethan.

Ethan’s cold eyes glanced at Alex’s outstretched hand with disdain. Not a single word left his lips.

Lily maintained her polite smile and discreetly nudged Ethan with her elbow.

Only then did Ethan reluctantly extend his hand, gripping Alex’s firmly. His gaze was sharp, and his tone was biting. "You seem to be doing well these days. Now that you’re George Johnson’s son-in-law and have taken full control of the Carter Group after her father’s death... Killing two birds with one stone. Life must be good."

Ethan’s words dripped with mockery.

A single sentence struck a nerve.

Lily turned to Ethan in shock. He had promised not to cause trouble at the party, yet his words implied that Alex had something to do with her father’s death.

How could that be possible?

Alice’s expression darkened, and Alex’s usual gentle demeanor faltered momentarily before he regained his composure and smiled faintly. "With someone of your caliber, Mr. Blackwood, I’m sure you’ll easily overcome this minor setback."

Alex glanced at the plainclothes soldiers trailing behind Ethan and asked, "Would you like me to invite them for coffee in the next room so they won’t disturb your evening?"

Ethan let out a cold laugh, his grip on Alex’s hand tightening slightly. "Becoming George Johnson’s son-in-law certainly has its perks."

"You’re too kind, Mr. Blackwood." Alex’s tone remained calm, his polite smile unwavering.

The four moved to an elegantly decorated private room for dinner, away from the other guests. Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that this party was explicitly orchestrated for her and Ethan. Alex barely mingled with the other guests.

"How’s my father doing?" Alex asked halfway through the meal.

So that’s what this party was about—trying to get information about Bill Carter.

A chef stood nearby, slicing fresh tuna sashimi. Ethan took a bite, his expression unreadable, and made no effort to respond.

The atmosphere grew tense.

"He’s fine," Lily answered proactively, breaking the silence.

"Could we see him? Alice and I haven’t had the chance to visit since we got married," Alex said.

"Yes, he doesn’t even know we’re married yet," Alice said, attempting to support Alex’s request.

Ethan chewed his food slowly, dabbed his mouth with a napkin, and glanced at them mockingly. "Showing filial piety now? Funny you didn’t delay the wedding for him."

"Afraid that without the marriage, George Johnson wouldn’t trust you? That your little schemes wouldn’t work out?" Ethan’s words were dripping with scorn, each one cutting deeper.

Alex didn’t respond, but the tension thickened as if something were about to explode.

Lily smiled apologetically at the chef. "That’ll be all for now, thank you."

"Enjoy your meal," the chef said wisely, retreating from the room.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Blackwood?" Alice’s composed demeanor finally cracked, her elegant smile faltering.

Lily sat silently, regretting her decision to come. Ethan had come to provoke Alex.

"You know exactly what I mean," Ethan said coldly, his gaze sharp and mocking as it landed on Alice. "Do you think Alex married you out of love or for your father in the central government? You should know better."

"You..." Alice’s face turned pale, unable to muster a response.

"Mr. Blackwood," Alex said calmly, taking Alice’s hand to comfort her. "Lily is my friend, so out of respect for her, I don’t wish to argue with you. But please, watch your words."

"Respect?" Ethan let out a derisive laugh. "You’re joking, right?"

Alex’s expression darkened.

Seeing the situation spiraling, Lily kicked Ethan lightly under the table. Forcing a smile, she said, "I’m sorry, but we must leave now. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

Ethan and Alex were bound to come to blows if they stayed longer.

Lily stood up, and though Ethan glanced at her angrily, he didn’t argue and followed her lead.

"We’d like to see my father," Alex said again as they left.

Before Lily could respond, Ethan shot him a cold look. "What, trying to find out where the other hostages are being held?"

"We just want to see him," Alex repeated firmly, standing tall. His gaze locked with Ethan’s, unyielding.

"You think you can see him just because you want to?"

"Don’t push it, Ethan Blackwood. Don’t forget, you once imprisoned us. We can testify against you in court," Alice interjected angrily, her delicate brows furrowed.

"Go ahead if you want him dead," Ethan said dismissively, looking at Alice. "He used you, stepped on you to climb higher, and you’re still willing to defend him? Are you stupid?"

Ethan’s words were brutally direct. Lily tugged on his sleeve, trying to pull him away. He was here to make trouble.

"You..." Alice’s face turned white with anger.

"Ethan Blackwood—"

"Alex Carter," Ethan interrupted, pointing a finger at Alex’s face, his tone cold and threatening. "If I find out you were behind this, I’ll make sure you don’t even have a corpse left to bury."

Ethan’s fury burned in his eyes. Whoever had caused his downfall, he would never let them walk free.

"Ethan Blackwood, are you still hung up on my past with Lily?" Alex’s tone was calm, his face devoid of fear. "Yes, I dated Lily. Be a man and stop being so petty."

There was a hint of provocation and triumph in Alex’s eyes—something only two men would understand.

Bang—

Ethan’s fist landed squarely on Alex’s face, sending him crashing into the wall. Alice rushed to his side, panicking. "Are you okay? Should I call the police?"

"Ethan..." Lily grabbed his arm, her voice soft as she pleaded, "Can we just leave, please?"

Alex glanced at Lily’s hand, which was clutching Ethan’s arm. His eyes darkened momentarily, but he said nothing. "Don’t bother."

The dinner ended on a sour note. Back in the car, Ethan was still fuming, his entire presence radiating an oppressive, stormy aura.

Ethan Blackwood... He had come to target Alex at every turn, yet infuriated himself.

Lily looked at him helplessly, reaching out to hold his hand. Softening her tone, she said, "Alright, calm down."

Was he still this upset about her past with Alex? That was long behind them, an irretrievable memory.

"You’re still defending him?!"

"He invited us to the dinner just to ask about his father. That’s perfectly reasonable," Lily said, not seeing anything wrong with Alex’s actions.

Ethan still held Bill Carter, and Alex hadn’t even lashed out. That was already remarkable restraint.

"He doesn’t want to see his father. He wants to find out where the remaining hostages are. It’s the most direct evidence to convict me!"

"Why do you have to assume it’s Alex behind this?" Lily sighed. Alex couldn’t do such a thing.