30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 247: A Storm of Betrayal

"Feed me," Ethan demanded, his tone no longer playful but commanding as he opened his mouth expectantly.

Lily hesitated momentarily before picking up the bowl, scooping a spoonful of soup, and bringing it to his lips. He took it swiftly, his piercing gaze never leaving her face.

As she continued to feed him, his eyes grew darker and more intense, as if he were trying to memorize every detail of her expression. The soup tasted bland, his mouth still bitter from the medication, but the sight of her—her delicate hands, the way her lashes fluttered—made everything feel alive again. It was a strange, almost contradictory sensation.

Lily, meanwhile, felt the weight of his stare. Those dark eyes she had missed so much were now fixed on her, unblinking as if he were afraid she might disappear. She focused on the task, her movements steady until a single tear slipped down her cheek without warning.

"Lily!" Ethan’s voice was sharp as he reached to wipe the tear away. "You promised me you wouldn’t cry again."

She blinked, startled by her own emotions. "If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be like this..." she murmured, her voice trembling.

Her father was gone, and Ethan was covered in wounds, both physical and emotional. The authorities were investigating, soldiers stationed outside their home, and the weight of it all pressed heavily on her shoulders. She couldn’t help but blame herself. If only she hadn’t contracted the AuroraVirus, and if only she hadn’t made that call.

Ethan sat up, cupping her face in his hand. His gentle kiss contrasted his usual intensity like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface. When he pulled back, his eyes bore into hers. "Lily, I am your man. I’d do anything for you."

Her breath hitched. It was the most tender confession she had ever heard from him.

Lily tilted her head, closing her eyes as she kissed him back, deepening their connection.

"Come here," Ethan said softly, patting the space beside him on the bed.

She climbed onto the bed and leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. After silence, she asked, "My dad... why did he go there?"

Ethan’s voice was low as he recalled the events. "When I found him, he was already unconscious, sitting in a chair. We didn’t have time to evacuate before the military surrounded us. The villa was rigged with bombs, and dismantling them would’ve taken too long. I planned to get us out first."

Lily remembered the explosion, the flames lighting the night sky, and the chaos that followed.

"But then gunfire broke out," Ethan continued. "Cipher Stone and the others panicked and started a firefight with the military, which delayed our escape..."

"Wasn’t the first shot fired by you?" Lily asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"The villa was rigged with bombs. Firing a shot would’ve been suicide," Ethan explained.

"But I heard two officers say the first shot probably wasn’t from the military," Lily pressed, her voice tinged with suspicion.

Ethan pulled her closer, kissing her forehead. "You’ve gotten sharper. There was a third party involved."

"Who?" Lily sat up, her eyes wide with alarm. "I’ve always felt like someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. Is someone trying to harm you?"

"Yes," Ethan admitted without hesitation.

"Then who...?"

"Lily, I’m awake now. You don’t need to worry about these things anymore, okay?" Ethan said firmly. He had been unconscious for days, and she had been holding everything together. It was his job to protect her, not the other way around.

Lily nodded reluctantly and added, "Why haven’t the people your father sent arrived yet? I can tell he’s furious about all this. He even said he wants to take you back to Europe."

"Lily—"

"...I didn’t mean to pry," she said quickly, leaning back into his arms.

She was exhausted, her mind and body drained from days of chaos. If he didn’t want her to ask, she wouldn’t.

Lily reached for the remote control nearby and turned on the TV. Ethan tried to stop her, but it was too late.

[Blackwood Enterprise President’s Mistress Helps Him Hold the Throne]

The bold headline flashed across the screen, followed by a news anchor confidently detailing how the president of Blackwood Enterprise kept a mistress, imprisoned hostages, and worse.

Lily’s face paled as she watched, her hands trembling.

"Don’t watch this garbage," Ethan said coldly, turning off the TV.

Lily forced a smile. "Yeah, garbage news."

But no matter how much she tried to dismiss it, the truth was undeniable. She had been his mistress, and he had done those things.

"Your smile looks worse than crying," Ethan pointed out bluntly.

Lily glared at him, but he continued, "I’ll handle this."

How? By threatening the media? The truth was already out there.

"It doesn’t matter. Let people say what they want. As long as I don’t care, it’s fine," Lily said, her tone deliberately light.

Ethan’s hand gently stroked her hair as she leaned against him, her legs curled up beneath her. The exhaustion finally caught up to her, and she drifted asleep.

Ethan held her close, his mind racing. There was still so much to deal with, but he would handle it—one step at a time. Whoever was behind this, he would make them pay.

When Lily woke up, the bed was empty. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around before heading downstairs.

"Miss Anderson," the nanny greeted her warmly as she emerged from the dining room.

"Where’s Ethan?"

"Mr. Blackwood left early this morning," the nanny replied.

"Early this morning?" Lily’s eyes widened in frustration. "He was still on an IV yesterday! How can he just run off like that?"

Everything she had said to him seemed to go in one ear and out the other. His leg was still injured, yet he was out there, pushing himself to the limit.

"The kidnapping incident is serious. Mr. Blackwood probably went to handle things," the nanny added.

Lily sighed. He was the president. Couldn’t he delegate some of the work?

She picked up the landline and dialed his number, only to hear the automated response: "Sorry, the number you have dialed is powered off..."

Lily clenched her fists. When he came back, she wouldn’t even bother talking to him.

"Miss Anderson, there’s a guest," the doorman announced, rushing in.

A guest?

Lily walked to the entrance and froze. A row of sleek, limited-edition sports cars from Blackwood Enterprise’s brands were parked outside.

The car doors opened simultaneously, and a group of well-dressed foreigners stepped out, briefcases in hand.

Then, with a screech, a bright red convertible pulled up to the gates.

Behind the wheel was a strikingly handsome man with mixed-ethnicity features. His blond hair was tied back in a loose ponytail. Despite the chilly weather, he wore only a half-unbuttoned white shirt, revealing a toned chest.

Beside him sat a voluptuous woman in a low-cut dress, her arm draped around his neck as they shared a passionate kiss.

Ethan’s second brother.

Lily recognized him immediately, though his name escaped her at the moment.

"Miss Anderson, should we let them in?" the doorman asked nervously.

"Open the gate," Lily said calmly.

The man strolled in with the woman on his arm, his demeanor carefree and roguish. He touched two fingers to his lips and blew a kiss in Lily’s direction.

"Hi, beautiful lady..." he said, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied her. "Have we met before?"

Lily’s expression remained cold. "You’re Ethan’s second brother. I know you."

His eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, I remember now! You’re the woman who went to Denmark with the third brother. Unbelievable! You’re still by his side... He’s such a loyal man. I admire that! Just like me, just like me!"

Lily stared at him, unimpressed. She didn’t see any resemblance between Ethan and this man.

Why was he here?