30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 293: Embarrassing Distractions

Realizing what she had done, Lily quickly grabbed a napkin to clean the table, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was distracted just now."

Distracted?

That excuse didn’t hold up at all...

"I almost thought my hand was some kind of poisonous object," Alex Carter said with a self-deprecating smile. He picked up a napkin and began wiping the table. "I’ll handle this. You should go change your clothes."

Change her clothes?

Lily glanced down and noticed the edge of her clothes was stained with milk. Her overreaction earlier had caused the milk to spill on her.

"Alright, I’ll go change."

Lily returned to her room, changed into clean clothes, and gave herself a firm pat on the cheeks. Just as she was about to head downstairs, she saw Alex sitting in the upstairs living room.

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing him in a golden glow. He sat on a small white stool, his back slightly hunched. The sunlight reflected off his short hair, scattering like tiny stars.

Lily took a deep breath before walking over. "Alex."

Alex turned his head toward her, the sunlight behind him obscuring his features. His voice was still gentle and clean, giving no hint of anger. "Have a seat."

Lily sat on a small stool opposite him, glancing at the sky outside. The blue was so clear it seemed to sparkle.

"Lily, you don’t want me coming here daily, do you?" Alex asked, meeting her gaze directly.

Lily froze for a moment, unsure how to respond to the look in his eyes.

"I know why you’re avoiding me. I know what you’re thinking," Alex said with a bitter smile, his eyes growing more profound and intense. "What if I told you... it’s all true?"

"I still have feelings for you," Alex said directly. "I still love you. I always have, and that hasn’t changed."

Lily was stunned. She wasn’t prepared for Alex’s sudden confession and sat frozen on the stool. He said he still loved her...

Alex looked at her steadily, his gaze unwavering.

Every drop of blood in Lily’s body seemed to freeze at that moment. It took her a long time to respond. "You’re already married... You married Alice Johnson because...?"

Because of what?

Was it to find a companion? Or, as Ethan had suggested, was it because Alice’s father influenced the central government?

"I’m not saying this to make you feel burdened," Alex said, avoiding her question. His voice was low and gentle. "We’re still good friends. Sometimes, I might lose control of my feelings around you, but I won’t cross the boundaries of friendship."

"I..."

"I don’t want you to feel pressured," Alex interrupted her. His hands rested casually on his knees as he looked at her. "I’m just being honest with you. I hope that in the future, you won’t feel so uneasy around me. I won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable."

He had left her with no room to say anything. Lily didn’t know how to respond.

"Should we talk about the stock transfer papers?" Lily asked, steering the conversation away. She didn’t want to linger on this topic. All she wanted now was to leave...

To leave this place.

"The lawyer is on their way," Alex replied calmly.

Even as she changed the subject, Alex remained as composed and respectful as ever.

There was a knock at the door.

Lily turned her head to see Aston standing at the doorway. He bowed slightly and said, "Young Master, Miss, the lawyer has arrived."

The lawyer had arrived.

Lily stood up, and Alex followed suit. He looked down at her face and asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," Lily replied without hesitation and walked with him downstairs.

Three lawyers in immaculate suits were already waiting in the study. They had spread out several legal documents on the desk. "Mr. Carter," one of them greeted.

Lily briefly sat at the desk and glanced at the documents before flipping to the last page. "I just need to sign here, right?" she asked.

"Aren’t you going to read it through?" Alex asked, surprised by how quickly she had skimmed the papers.

After everything that had happened—her strange behavior earlier and her questions about whether he resented her father—she signed the transfer papers without even looking at them closely...

Was she not worried he might have done something underhanded?

"What’s there to read?" Lily asked, puzzled. Legal documents were mostly filled with complicated language anyway.

Her eyes held complete trust as she pointed to the signature line. "I just sign here, right?"

Alex couldn’t force a smile. He nodded. "Yes."

"Alright." Without hesitation, Lily picked up a pen and signed her name. She handed the documents over to Alex and noticed he wasn’t signing. "Why aren’t you signing?"

"These shares were built on your father’s hard work. Now you’re giving them all to me. Won’t you regret it?" Alex asked, holding the pen but not signing. His eyes searched hers.

Hadn’t she been hesitating earlier? Hadn’t she seemed to be doubting him?

Now, there was no trace of doubt.

"Didn’t you say it yourself? The grudges of the previous generation aren’t ours to judge. Besides, my father has already passed away. I don’t want this feud to continue," Lily said softly. "And..."

"And what?"

"And this is the only gift I can give you. You’ve taken care of me so much, and I’ve done nothing for you in return," Lily said with a grateful smile. Her clear face showed no trace of suspicion.

The grudges of the past belonged to the previous generation. Alex was now managing the Carter Group. Why should she make things difficult for him? Alex had never wronged her, and his future was tied to the Carter Group.

Giving him the shares would allow him to grow further and achieve even greater success in his career.

The only gift she could give...

Alex turned his eyes away, no longer able to meet her gaze. He didn’t dare to look into her eyes again.

Her eyes were clear and filled with trust and gratitude. He had always been someone who cared for her, someone she couldn’t repay.

"Sign it," Lily said, not noticing Alex’s unusual expression. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Once this was signed, she could leave everything behind and never return to this city...

After a moment’s hesitation, Alex nodded. "Alright."

Alex lowered his head and signed the papers. They exchanged documents and signed again as the lawyers stamped the necessary seals, finalizing the legal transfer of the shares.

"Let’s go to the bank now to open your account. I’ll transfer the money to you," Alex said after handing the completed documents to the lawyers.

Lily smiled and shook her head. "I told you, it’s my gift to you."

"This isn’t a small amount of money. I can’t accept it as a gift," Alex said firmly, his expression uneasy.

"The care and help you’ve given me can’t be measured in money," Lily said earnestly.

Alex fell silent, his brown eyes fixed on her.

After a moment, Lily added, "And our friendship isn’t something that can be measured in money either."

Alex’s heart sank. Her deliberate emphasis on their friendship created an invisible wall, pushing them farther apart.

"Lily..." Alex started but stopped himself.

Sensing the tension, the three lawyers discreetly left the room, leaving the two of them alone in the study.

"Good friends, right?" Lily asked, her lips curving into a faint smile.

Alex hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

Friends...

He didn’t want to be just friends—he never wanted to be just friends—and she would never be just a friend to him.

Alex stayed at the seaside villa for lunch before returning to work. Lily struggled to move the large suitcases into the wardrobe, stowing them away before shutting the door.

She wasn’t taking any of it with her.

None of it—everything connected to Ethan—she would leave it all behind.

Dressed, Lily walked downstairs. Aston was standing in the living room. Seeing her, he bowed politely and asked, "Miss, are you heading out?"

"Uh..."

Lily initially wanted to say goodbye, but Aston would undoubtedly inform Alex immediately. She decided to call Alex after leaving to let him know she was safe.

"Yes, I’m heading out," Lily said.

"Safe travels, Miss," Aston replied.

Lily stepped out of the villa. She hadn’t walked far when Bobi followed her as if sensing that she was leaving and wouldn’t return. The dog trailed her to the roadside.

Lily crouched down and hugged him, her fingers through his soft fur. "Be good, Bobi. If I get the chance, I’ll return to see you."

Though that chance seemed slim.

"Woof..." Bobi nuzzled against her, reluctant to let her go.

"Bobi..."

"Woof..."

"Bobi, come back with me," Aston said as he came to retrieve the dog. Bobi refused to leave, so Aston leashed and led him away.

"Woof..." Bobi whimpered in protest, looking back at Lily repeatedly with eyes full of longing.

She thought she could leave without attachments, but even Bobi came to see her off...

The taxi she had called arrived. Lily got in, looking at the ocean and the white villa.

"Where to, Miss?" the driver asked.

"The airport."

When she arrived at the airport, Lily realized she hadn’t considered her destination. Where should she go? She had no idea.

The airport was bustling, filled with people rushing to and fro...

Lily stared at the flight schedule on the large screen, listening to the announcements for various destinations. She had no clue where she should go.

Anywhere would do...

She decided to pick the earliest departing flight.

Just as she was about to approach the ticket counter, her gaze shifted, and she saw a familiar face—handsome and dangerously charismatic—appear on a nearby television screen.

On the screen mounted on the wall, Ethan Blackwood’s perfect features filled the frame. The camera captured his cold expression, his piercing gaze fixed ahead. His aura was commanding, exuding an untouchable arrogance as he walked from the courthouse to his car, surrounded by bodyguards.