30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 322: The Bounty Hunt

"I’ll carry you inside."

After two rounds of arguing, Ethan’s patience frayed. He moved to lift her, but Lily shrank back, shaking her head. Her fingers pressed against the bandage on her forehead as she locked eyes with him. "I have a wound. Be careful."

"What do I care?!" Ethan snapped, seizing her wrist, determined to scoop her up.

"I care!" I don’t want anyone else getting hurt because of AuroraVirus, especially not because of AuroraVirus. Our son is already gone."

Ethan’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening.

Hadn’t Alex given her the antidote formula?

What was she afraid of? Why hadn’t she told him anything? Did she not even want to try the treatment? Had she completely lost the will to survive?!

"Actually—"

"You should go wash up." Lily cut him off, mustering all her strength to push him toward the bathroom. "Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold."

"Lily—"

For a moment, Ethan wanted to tell her everything. The truth that had been gnawing at him.

But then his phone buzzed.

The bathroom door clicked shut as Lily shut him in. Ethan exhaled sharply, glancing at the closed door before finally answering the call.

It was Tommy Blackwood.

"Father has taken over your company," Tommy said from the other end of the line.

Ethan’s grip tightened around the phone.

The older man had wasted no time.

"Congratulations," Tommy chuckled dryly. "You’re officially nothing more than the third son of the Blackwood family. No company, no assets—nothing. Oh, and one more thing. Father’s issued his final ultimatum. He will take action if you don’t show up before him within two days."

"You ratted me out?" Ethan’s voice dropped to a dangerous calm.

"Don’t underestimate Father’s reach. And don’t overestimate his patience." Tommy hesitated for a beat before adding, "How many people are you willing to let die for this? The house staff? The bodyguards? Nanny and her son? And last of all...the rabbit."

Ethan’s fingers clenched around the phone until his knuckles burned white. "Move them. Get them out of there."

"I think it’s already too late. We’re likely under surveillance. Otherwise, Father wouldn’t have been so quick with his final warning. He knows everything you’ve been doing." There was a bitter edge to Tommy’s voice. "Ethan, you still have a chance to turn back."

Before everything spirals beyond repair.

Before you end up like me—watching them die, one by one until you’re the only one left.

I tried to fight him once, too. The truth I learned? A father will always be a father. A son will always be a son. And a son can never defeat his father.

Ethan hurled his phone aside, stripping off his clothes as he stepped under the shower. He turned the water to its coldest setting, letting the icy torrents crash over him, trying to drown out the suffocating weight pressing on his chest.

"How many people are you willing to let die?"

"How many?"

His mind replayed Tommy’s words over and over, taunting him.

The freezing water bit into his skin, but he welcomed the numbness, letting it seep into his bones. His dark eyes burned, unreadable, endless.

When he finally stepped out, he wrapped a robe loosely around himself, tying the belt at his waist as he pushed open the door.

The hotel room was empty.

Ethan froze.

His heart lurched violently.

Striding across the suite, he flung open door after door—nothing. No sign of Lily.

Where the hell was she?!

Gone.

Dammit.

His pulse pounded against his skull.

She had vanished in the time it took him to take a shower.

If she had run off to do something reckless—if she dared—

He swore he’d rather strangle her himself than let her throw her life away.

Lily stood in a men’s clothing store, browsing through the racks as an attentive sales associate introduced her to different styles. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I’ll take this shirt in this size," she said smoothly, as if it were second nature.

Back in Denmark, she hadn’t even known Ethan’s shoe size. Now, she could pick out his exact measurements without a second thought.

"And this coat as well. Please wrap it up," Lily added politely.

With the shopping bags, Lily exited the store and returned to the 30 Days Memorial Hotel.

The streets bustled with life—cars honking, people chatting—but movement slowed like a ripple through water. Pedestrians stopped, looking up. Even the traffic thinned as drivers craned their necks toward something above.

Lily followed their gazes curiously.

Then, a sharp voice cut through the murmurs.

"Hey! That’s her! That’s Lily—the mistress of the Blackwood Enterprise CEO!"

Every head snapped in her direction. It felt like the entire city had turned to stare at her. Within seconds, phones were out, and calls were being made.

Lily’s pulse spiked.

She bowed her head, clutching the shopping bags tighter as she quickened her pace.

But it was too late.

People surged forward, blocking her path.

"Come on, I’ll take you there!"

"No, no, I found her first!"

"Let’s go! Let’s go!"

Hands reached for her, too many at once.

Lily recoiled, stepping back hastily. "What do you want?!"

"We’re taking you to the CEO!"

"The fifty-thousand-dollar reward!"

"We can split it! Just come with me!"

What in the world—?!

Lily’s brows furrowed in confusion. Then, someone pointed up.

She followed their gesture, lifting her gaze.

A massive digital billboard broadcasting a breaking news report loomed above the street.

Onscreen, a primly dressed news anchor read aloud:

"Missing Person Alert: Lily, female, mid-twenties, last seen wearing a beige dress and white coat, with a hat. If you find anything, please get in touch with 521-xxxxx. Reward: Fifty thousand dollars."

Lily’s breath caught.

A missing person alert?!

Her name and description flashed in a constant loop across every screen. She turned her head, and it was again—on another billboard across the street.

All this... just because she went shopping for clothes?

"Come on, Miss Lily! Let’s go!" Someone grabbed her arm.

Lily yanked away, stumbling backward. Then she turned and bolted.

Shouts erupted behind her.

Heavy footsteps pounded against the pavement—men chasing her. Hands reaching, grasping.

"Let. Her. Go!"

A voice, cold as steel, cut through the chaos.

The street fell into stunned silence.

Lily clutched the shopping bags to her chest, her breath ragged. Slowly, she turned.

The crowd parted like water.

A silver-blue convertible had pulled up at the curb.

Ethan stepped out.

His dark eyes locked onto hers. His short hair was still damp, beads of water glistening against his sharp jawline. He wasn’t fully dressed—just a deep black robe loosely tied at the waist, revealing glimpses of his toned chest beneath.

Lily stood frozen.

Ethan didn’t move either; his posture was rigid, and his gaze was intense. His lips pressed into a complex, unyielding line.

Then—

"Mr. Blackwood! I found her first!"

"No, I did!"

"She’s mine! I spotted her first!"

The crowd erupted again, surging toward him this time.

Ethan was tall, towering over the frenzied people, yet Lily could still see the fury burning in his eyes.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way!"

His voice thundered through the air.

Within moments, a fleet of black SUVs screeched to a halt nearby. Doors flew open.

A team of bodyguards poured out, weaving through the mob to restore order, forcing the crowd back and carving a path—

Straight to her.

"Get in. Now!"

Ethan’s voice was sharp and angry as he glared at Lily.

She pressed her lips together, gripping the shopping bags tightly as she slid into the passenger seat. When her door shut, Ethan slammed his foot on the gas.

The car tore down the street at a reckless speed.

The city blurred past in streaks of neon and taillights. The wind lashed against Lily’s face, too fast, too wild—like she was being swallowed by a storm.

Ethan’s expression was unreadable, his fury simmering beneath the surface.

Lily clutched the bags against her chest, bracing herself for the inevitable outburst.

Screech!

The tires shrieked as Ethan slammed on the brakes.

Lily jerked forward, her back hitting the seat as the car stopped.

Before she could react, Ethan turned, grabbing and pulling her into his arms.

His embrace was fierce, crushing. His cheek pressed against hers, his skin still damp, the scent of rain and cologne mixing with the lingering chill of his shower.

"Lily."

She had expected him to yell. To tear into her with words like daggers.

But he just held her.

Tightly.

As if he were afraid she would vanish if he let go.

Lily lowered her gaze, staring at the droplets of water sliding from his disheveled hair onto her skin.

His grip tightened.

"Ethan..."

His breath was warm against her neck, his voice muffled but heavy with something raw. "Lily, tell me—what must I do for you to want to live?"

His words struck deep.

A desperate plea wrapped in frustration and helplessness.

Lily’s chest ached.

Did he think she had gone off to do something reckless?

Did he really believe she was ready to throw everything away?

For everything he had done for her, she would keep living. But that didn’t mean she had the strength to move forward.

"Lily, please." His voice dropped lower and rougher. Tell me what I have to do."

Then, fiercely, "If putting a bullet in myself would make you want to live, I’d do it. Right now."

Lily’s breath caught.

His fingers dug into her back, his whole body tense—like he was holding onto the last thread of control.

He was afraid.

Afraid that she would disappear, he feared she would give up. Worried that she would slip through his fingers one day, he feared nothing would be left of her.

"I will keep living." Lily’s voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with exhaustion.

"Then why do you look like you’re already dead?!"

Ethan pulled back, his voice exploding through the car, raw and thunderous.

Lily flinched. His eyes burned with frustration, desperation—and rage at her emptiness.

She didn’t know what to say.

Pretend nothing had happened? Laugh, smile, act like life was normal?

She couldn’t.

She wasn’t that kind of person.

The fire in his gaze didn’t dim.

"I’m taking you somewhere." Ethan’s voice lowered, but its determination was razor-sharp. He started the engine again, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. "Even if you want to die, I’ll make sure your last moment is a happy one."

Lily frowned.

What did he mean—’ even if you want to die’?!

And where was he taking her?

She barely had time to ask before Ethan floored the gas pedal.

The car shot forward, tearing through the streets like a bullet.

They drove silently for several minutes—twisting through roads, weaving between lanes—until Ethan’s grip on the wheel suddenly tightened.

His whole body went rigid.

His expression darkened instantly.

Lily followed his gaze.

Up ahead, flames licked the sky.

Thick, black smoke billowed into the night, twisting like a serpent.

The sight sent a jolt through her—it looked just like the explosion at the base.

"Is that... a fire?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Ethan didn’t answer.

Instead, his foot slammed the gas pedal down harder.