30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 47: Neckline Outrage

Is he serious? Lily thought, incredulous. All this fuss over a bit of cleavage?

Ethan’s voice boomed through the room like an angry lion. "How dare you let other men ogle my woman’s neckline?! You incompetent fools!"

A brave stylist asked, "Mr. Blackwood, what style would you prefer?"

"Not seductive!" Ethan bellowed, his face flushed with anger.

Lily’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Not seductive? she thought, bewildered. Is my current appearance really that provocative? Plenty of celebrities and high-society ladies dress this way...

The stylists shared Lily’s confusion, their eyes darting between her and the fuming Ethan.

"Why are you still staring?!" Ethan roared, leaping to his feet and kicking the coffee table. The furniture crashed to the ground with a resounding bang. "All men, get out!"

As the male stylists hurried away, the female stylists added a shawl to cover Lily’s neckline, showing more wisdom. Ethan’s anger finally subsided, and he barked at Nanny to have the driver prepare the car.

After the stylists departed, Lily cautiously approached Ethan, rocking on her eight-centimeter heels. "Ethan," she began hesitantly, "could I have my bag back? I need to call my uncle and let him know I’m safe."

"No need," Ethan replied curtly, adjusting his tie. "He thinks you’re on an out-of-town shoot for <Kill>."

Lily’s heart sank. How can he so casually deceive my uncle? she thought, anxiety gnawing at her. What if Uncle suspects something’s amiss?

Choosing her words carefully, Lily spoke softly, "My uncle cares deeply for me, Ethan. He’ll worry terribly if he can’t reach me for several days."

"Is that so?" Ethan’s tone remained indifferent as he grasped Lily’s delicate hand and led her towards the door.

"Please, Ethan," Lily persisted, her voice tinged with desperation. "Just let me call my uncle. That’s all I ask."

I’ve got to find a way to contact Uncle, Lily thought frantically. But how can I reach him with the network cut off in the villa and the Nanny watching my every move? If this continues, Uncle will surely report me missing to the police.

Suddenly, Ethan pushed Lily against the door, his muscular chest pressing against her. He raised her chin with one hand, his eyes boring into hers. "Lily," he growled, "you’re mine, not your uncle’s. I’m the only one you need to deal with."

This arrogant, possessive man! Lily fumed inwardly. How long does he plan to keep me imprisoned like this?

"My uncle will raise hell if he doesn’t hear from me..." Lily began, but her words were cut short as Ethan’s lips crashed down on hers.

The kiss was hot and passionate, with Ethan’s tongue exploring every corner of her mouth. His hand slipped under her evening gown, caressing her sensitive spots.

"Mmph... stop... please..." Lily protested weakly, struggling against Ethan’s overwhelming presence.

As they remained locked in their compromising position against the door, Lily caught sight of several maids cleaning nearby, occasionally stealing glances in their direction. Mortified, she turned her head away, only for Ethan to firmly grasp her chin and force her to meet his lust-filled gaze.

Surely he wouldn’t... not here? Lily thought, panic rising within her.

After what felt like an eternity, Ethan finally released her from the passionate kiss. He roughly grabbed her shoulder and led her out, saying gruffly, "Let’s go."

As they settled into the car, Lily examined her slightly swollen lips in a hand mirror, applying a light pink lip balm. However, the glossy sheen only highlighted the evidence of their recent passionate encounter.

Frowning, Lily wiped off the lip balm with a tissue, glancing at Ethan. He sat beside her, his intense gaze never leaving her face, one hand casually draped around her back, his fingertips tracing maddening circles on her skin.

"Mr. Blackwood," the driver called from the front seat, "Secretary Helen asked me to give this to you."

Ethan took the proffered file bag and unceremoniously tossed it into Lily’s lap. "Don’t say I never let you contact your uncle," he said, his tone arrogant. "Send this news back to the magazine company and publish it as soon as possible."

Lily recognized the familiar file bag and understood it contained another piece of celebrity gossip. She opened it casually but froze as she took in its contents.

"This..." Lily murmured, her eyes widening in shock.

The photos weren’t of a typical celebrity scandal. Instead, they showed a beautifully dressed woman - Alice Johnson - entering and leaving a hotel with a foreign man. Other photos depicted a young man drinking heavily at the Summer Night Nightclub - Alex.

With a jolt, Lily realized she recognized the young man all too well - it was Alex Carter.

The timestamp on the photos coincided with the night Lily had gone to Summer Night to plead with Ethan to spare the magazine company. It was the first time she had encountered Alex in nine years.

"This time, the news I’ve given you will shock the entire country," Ethan said, leaning closer to point at the photo of the young woman embracing the foreigner. "The political and commercial marriage is just a facade, and everyone’s playing around. How’s this for a title?"

Lily’s mind raced. A facade? This title would be shocking, enough to rock the nation to its core.

She knew the Carter Group was already facing a crisis due to tax evasion allegations. Adding marital discord to the mix would create unprecedented pressure from public opinion, which would have an immense impact on Alex’s future as he prepared to take over the Carter Group.

Lily’s gaze lingered on a photo of Alex entering Summer Night, his profile gentle and handsome, his figure tall and straight. I can’t let this happen, she thought desperately.

Choosing her words carefully, Lily spoke slowly, "This news can’t be published, Ethan. Alex Carter entering and leaving a nightclub alone doesn’t prove anything."

"Oh?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

Lily pressed on, gesturing to the photo of Alice Johnson with the foreigner. "Besides, Alice Johnson might have just been dining with this man at the hotel. These photos lack convincing evidence."

Please, Ethan, Lily silently pleaded. Don’t add fuel to the fire consuming the Carter Group. I can’t bear to see Alex pushed into such a negative spotlight.

"Lily," Ethan’s voice cut through her thoughts, "you’re a paparazzo. Your strength lies in interpreting images and catching subtle details. How can you claim these photos lack persuasive power?"

Lily felt cornered. After a moment’s hesitation, she tried a different approach. "I only expose celebrity scandals," she said firmly. "This kind of political and business marriage doesn’t align with ’ Weekly’s’ theme."

And besides, she added silently, I shouldn’t be the one to expose Alex Carter’s scandals. The irony would be too much to bear.

"Very well," Ethan conceded, reaching for the file bag. "I’ll give it directly to the TV station, then."

Panic surged through Lily. The TV station? That would be even worse!

"Give it to me," she said urgently, pressing down on the file bag and hastily gathering all the photos.

Ethan watched her anxious movements with interest. "Have you decided how to write it, then?" he asked a hint of amusement in his voice.

Lily forced a smile, avoiding the question. "Are we almost there?" she asked, turning to look out the window.

"Almost, Miss Lily," the driver replied from the front seat.

As they neared their destination, Ethan grasped Lily’s hand, intertwining their fingers. The teardrop-shaped gemstone ring on his finger glinted in the light, seeming tailor-made for her hand.

After a moment, Ethan frowned, his arm snaking around Lily’s waist. "Lily, have you lost weight?" he asked, concern coloring his voice.

Lily looked at him, wondering if the question was rhetorical. How could I not lose weight? she thought bitterly. Between the physical and mental torment since meeting you, it’s a wonder I haven’t wasted away entirely.

Aloud, she said indifferently, "Isn’t it good to lose some weight?"

Ethan’s frown deepened. "What’s good about hugging a pile of bones?" he grumbled.

Lily glared at him, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. "How disappointing for you," she quipped.

"Quite disappointing," Ethan agreed shamelessly, his gaze falling to her chest. "Eat more. Don’t let this area get any thinner."

Lily’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger. How can he say such things with the driver? she fumed silently.

Ignoring Ethan’s roaming hands, Lily turned to look out the window, silently cursing the infuriating man beside her.

As the car pulled into a luxurious hotel, Lily seized her chance to escape, pushing open the door and practically fleeing from Ethan’s touch.

Ethan’s face darkened as he watched her hasty exit. "Lily!" he called angrily. "What’s the meaning of this?"

Resisting indecent assault, that’s what Lily thought to herself. But aloud, she merely said, "We’ve arrived. It’s time to get out."

As the hotel doorman opened Ethan’s door, he emerged, his expression cold. "Lily," he called, his tone reminiscent of someone summoning a pet, "come here."

Taking a deep breath to steel herself, Lily approached Ethan on unsteady heels. Before she could reach him, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as they entered the hotel together.

And so begins another evening of high-society pretense, Lily thought, resigning herself to whatever lay ahead. I only hope I can survive this night with my sanity intact.