30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 258: A Promise to Keep

"What else?" Ethan Blackwood raised an eyebrow as he sat beside her, watching Lily Anderson savor her meal. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Who would’ve thought someone could be this obsessed with vermicelli soup?

One was contentedly eating while the other gazed at her indulgently.

Though understated on the surface, their relationship formed an unbreakable bond that no one else could intrude upon.

Alex sat silently, watching them quietly and saying nothing.

"Thank you," Lily said, satisfied as she breathed in the aroma of her soup.

Ethan’s eyes flicked toward the bag in Alex’s hand. "What’s that?"

"They’re pastries from Macarons & More. I brought plenty so the crew can try them," Alex said warmly, showing no displeasure despite the hostility in Ethan’s eyes.

Macarons & More?

That was an old pastry shop her father frequented when she was a child. He would often buy pastries from there for her. It had always been her favorite. Does Alex still remember it?

"She doesn’t like them. Take them back!" Ethan said without hesitation.

"Macarons & More was Lily’s favorite pastry shop as a child," Alex replied with a smile, his voice as calm as ever. "You should learn more about her preferences."

Though his tone was gentle, there was a subtle edge of provocation.

"Say that again?!" Ethan stood abruptly, glaring coldly at Alex.

Did he need Alex to lecture him on his own woman’s preferences?!

Ethan’s short temper was as evident as ever...

"Alex, I’m sorry," Lily interjected, breaking the tension. "Now that I’m pregnant, my tastes have changed a lot. I don’t eat Macarons & More’s pastries anymore." She handed the thermos to Nanny and spoke apologetically to Alex, smoothing over the strained atmosphere.

In moments of conflict, she chose Ethan. Toward Alex, she only felt recurring guilt.

But what good was her guilt to him?

"Then let the crew enjoy them," Alex said with a warm smile as he stood up. He avoided escalating the situation with Ethan. "I’ll take my leave now. Best of luck with your film. May it be a box-office success."

"Thank you."

Although her primary goal with this film was simply to fulfill a long-held dream, a successful box office would be a welcome blessing.

After seeing Alex off, Lily returned to her vermicelli soup. Ethan had even brought her vinegar to go with it.

"Eat slower. No one’s trying to steal it from you." Ethan reached out to pat her hat. She was wearing flat shoes and a large, oversized down jacket. She sat there eating her soup without care for appearances, her face glowing with happiness and satisfaction.

So easily pleased.

This pregnant woman was entirely content with a duck blood vermicelli soup bowl.

"There are two heavy scenes tonight. We’ll start filming shortly," Lily said, her tone tinged with worry. She was concerned her body might not hold up until the film’s end. She had been in a constant state of tension, trying to finish the project ahead of schedule.

Fortunately, they weren’t sacrificing quality for speed. The team Ethan had assembled for her was composed of top-tier talent in the country, providing her, a novice director, with invaluable experience and insights.

Ethan gazed down at her, his dark eyes filled with something unreadable. She didn’t look like a director—her face was clear and pure.

He thought back to the moment he had seen her standing outside the VIP room at the nightclub. She had gained something since then...

When the staff and actors returned after their meal, they froze upon seeing Ethan. One by one, they cautiously approached, their respect palpable.

"Good evening, Mr. Blackwood."

"Mr. Blackwood, thank you for visiting the set tonight. Hard work, hard work."

Each person trod carefully as if they were facing a grim reaper.

"These are pastries from Macarons & More," Ethan said, holding up the bag of pastries with an expressionless face.

Immediately, a chorus of gratitude erupted. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood! Thank you, Mr. Blackwood!"

Lily watched Ethan, amused at how adept he was at taking credit for someone else’s gesture.

"Director Anderson, the location is ready, and the lighting is set. We can start filming now," someone reported.

Lily wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up. A thought crossed her mind, and she paused, turning to Ethan. "You should head back now."

"You’re kicking me out?!" It was his first time visiting her on set; he’d even brought her soup he made himself. And now she was telling him to leave?

"The scene we’re about to shoot is... heavy," Lily said hesitantly, choosing her words carefully.

"And what does that have to do with me? I’ll wait until you’re done. Or you can just finish up now."

The scene they were about to shoot involved a violinist who, after being diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), became so despondent that he attempted to jump off a rooftop. The young lead, Grace, played her out-of-tune violin to talk the violinist down.

Since the scene was set on a rooftop, Lily felt uneasy. Nanny had once told her about how Ethan’s mother had committed suicide by jumping right in front of him.

When the actor playing the violinist sat down on the rooftop, Lily couldn’t help but glance at Ethan’s expression.

The night wind blew softly. Ethan stared at the actor on the rooftop, his handsome face impassive. But for some reason, Lily knew he cared deeply.

"Nanny..." Lily tugged on Nanny’s hand, signaling her to persuade Ethan to leave.

But Ethan suddenly glared at her out of the corner of his eye. "Why aren’t you filming yet? Planning to shoot until sunrise?!"

Left with no choice, Lily braced herself and began directing the scene. She explained the motivations to the actor playing the violinist and gave instructions to the young actress.

Grace was a remarkable child actor who could cry on cue. Still, Lily had explicitly instructed her not to cry in this scene. Grace worked hard to keep her emotions in check.

The night was chilly, and the set was silent. The actors were fully immersed in their roles. Lily couldn’t help but steal glances at Ethan. He watched the actor on the rooftop intently the entire time.

Was he thinking about his mother?

The filming went smoothly, though it stretched into the early morning hours.

"Wrap it up! Let’s go home!" Leaving the rooftop, Lily practically threw herself into Ethan’s arms, playfully nuzzling against him. "Wasn’t that boring to watch?"

"My woman is getting better at commanding the set," Ethan said, clearly pleased by her gesture. The cold expression he had worn all night melted into a smug grin.

Her commanding presence was something she had undoubtedly learned from him.

"Every time I feel like I’m losing control of the set, I think about how you scold people," Lily said honestly.

Ethan’s face darkened instantly. Lily couldn’t help but laugh. "You should be proud. I learned it from you."

"..." Ethan stared at her coldly. "Don’t you hate it when I lose my temper?"

And now she was imitating him?

"Exactly. So you should just pass that role on to me and stop losing your temper," Lily said, her tone light as she tried to diffuse the tension.

The driver had already opened the car door. They got in one after the other, the warm interior quickly thawing Lily’s cold limbs.

Ethan stared at her with his dark, piercing eyes. "This might be the only movie you’ll ever direct in your lifetime."

He was already planning their disappearance. There would be no chance for her to direct another film.

"One is enough. At least I’ve fulfilled my dream," Lily said with a smile. Since she contracted the Aurora virus, she hadn’t dared to dream too much.

She could not have made this film without Ethan’s support, given her limited experience and financial means.

"You’re not tired? No regrets?" Ethan asked.

"What about you? I’ve never asked—do you regret it?" Lily asked seriously. She had always thought that love meant being together, even if she was infected with the Aurora virus, even if there was no antidote. She still wanted to stay by his side.

Even though, deep down, she feared the day he might no longer be able to bear watching her deteriorate.

She had never once asked him if he regretted his choice.

"Regret what?"

"Shutting down Blackwood Enterprise. Cutting ties with your father’s control. You’ll never have another chance to rise again in this lifetime," Lily said softly. "And my life has a ten-year limit, nine of which I spent unable to walk... You’re giving up your entire life for just ten years with me. Don’t you regret it?"

It sounded absurd. Unrealistic.

"You’re not seriously thinking you’re dragging me down, right?" Ethan asked, his voice sharp. From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he had resolved never to let himself regret his choice.

"Ethan, as long as you still need me, I won’t leave you," Lily said quietly.

She didn’t know if clinging to him, waiting for him to give up everything and flee with her, was right to do—or if it would harm him in the long run.

But she didn’t want to follow the same path as his mother.

She wouldn’t disregard his feelings and suddenly leave him behind, alone.

She knew how it felt to be abandoned. She would never do that to him.

"I won’t let you have just ten years," Ethan said firmly.

"Has Aiko Nakamura still not relented?"

"Can you hold on?"

"Yes, I can," Lily said. No matter what, she would endure. She knew there would be no getting back up when she fell.

The car didn’t take them home; instead, they headed to Blackwood Enterprise’s headquarters.

The plainclothes military officers were ushered into a lounge. Meanwhile, in the conference room, the tech team thoroughly analyzed Alex’s wedding video, its accompanying photos, and even the bag they came in.

"Mr. Blackwood, there’s nothing wrong with the USB drive or the photos," the tech team concluded.

Bang—

Ethan slammed his hands on the conference table, jolting Lily out of her drowsiness.

Lily let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"Keep digging! Do you think I’m paying you to sit around?!" Ethan barked, his cold, sharp gaze cutting through every tech team member.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood!"

Terrified, the team immediately dove back into their analysis with renewed vigor.

Lily looked at Ethan helplessly. Why was he so fixated on this? There was no evidence, yet he was convinced Alex was the one who had harmed him and her father.

"Be thorough!" Ethan snapped, pacing behind the tech team like a predator ready to pounce. If anyone seemed to be slacking, he was prepared to pounce.

The result? Lily watched as the team typed furiously, their keyboards practically flying.

"I’m going to sleep," Lily said, yawning as she left the conference room and headed to the bedroom in Ethan’s office.

When she returned the following day, the tech team was still furiously hammering away at their keyboards.

Working for Ethan Blackwood was no easy job.

Ethan glared at them impatiently, kicking over a chair. "You’re all useless! Not a single lead?!"

"Mr. Blackwood, we’ve tried our best..." The lead technician stammered as he stood. "The video doesn’t have any viruses or tracking data... The chance of there being an issue is 0.1 percent..."

"Then find that 0.1 percent!" Ethan roared in anger.

There was no way Alex didn’t tamper with it! He had to be trying to gather evidence against him!

The tech team didn’t dare breathe too loudly under his tirade.

"Everyone’s worked through the night. Go get some rest," Lily said, walking over and speaking up.

The tech team looked at her with immense gratitude before scurrying out of the conference room in seconds.

"I told you Alex wouldn’t stoop to such underhanded tactics." Lily picked up the wedding video USB drive.

"You’ll deliver it to the designated location today. I want to see if he tries to track you!" Ethan said coldly. There was no way Alex would pass up such an opportunity.

"Fine, I’ll do as you say, Mr. Blackwood," Lily replied, setting the USB drive down and walking over to take his hand.