Chapter 9

Chloe nestled in the arms of Ethan, feeling the strength of his embrace. As she thought about his sudden disappearance after mentioning "urgent matters" in the afternoon, her heart gave a slight tremor. When she regained her composure, she immediately pushed away from Ethan, taking a step back. "I'm fine," she said, turning her face away. "My mother is sick and needs money. Since you're here, just give me the money." Ethan's eyes narrowed, glancing toward the hospital room Chloe had come out of. "If you want the money, fine, but come with me somewhere," he stated, not waiting for Chloe's reaction and heading straight towards the elevator. Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Chloe squeezed her way in. Ethan stared at her, a slight upward curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, his eyes showing a certain unwavering certainty. An hour earlier, the manager of the hotel had called Ethan. "The Tinsley family agreed to let us have the wedding venue. I heard they are considering calling off the wedding." —— At the shopping Plaza, Skylar unexpectedly ran into Evelyn. Evelyn immediately turned around, pretending not to have seen her. About to leave, she heard Skylar suddenly speak from behind, "Last time at the bridal shop, you were the one accompanying Chloe to try on wedding dresses, right?" Evelyn halted her steps, turning to face Skylar. "Any problems?" "Don't you remember betraying Chloe? Yet, shamelessly, you still pretend to be her friend," Skylar said, looking at Evelyn, with a disdainful expression surfacing on his face. Evelyn's face turned pale, as if her most guarded secret had been exposed. She quickly composed herself and counterattacked, "Then what about you? You did better than me? Can you honestly say that you didn't use any means to secure your position as Ethan's wife?" Skylar tightened his grip on his bag, his gaze fierce. "So what if I did? Now, I'm the one who stands by his side. Both you and Chloe are nothing." —— Ethan took Chloe to their favorite lighthouse from their university days. They say a lighthouse symbolizes guidance, leading lost souls to find their way forward. However, sitting beneath the lighthouse now, Chloe felt that everything had changed. She took a cigarette from her bag, lit it, and put it in her mouth. Ethan snatched the cigarette box from Chloe's hand, casually took one, and lit it using the end of her cigarette. The sequence of actions flowed seamlessly, as if Ethan had rehearsed them countless times. Chloe looked into Ethan's eyes, where she saw a reflection of herself. Her breath caught for a moment. A few seconds later, she was suddenly choked by the smoke. Ethan chuckled, "Did my charm enchant you so quickly?" Chloe tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, "I'm here now. When will you transfer the money to me?" "Take it easy. Anyway, you can't get into the Tinsley family now. We have a lot of time." Ethan's words caused Chloe's expression to change. Suddenly, she remembered the stack of documents that Elizabeth's mother had left with her. It turned out he was the one who revealed the truth to Elizabeth's mother! Just as Chloe was about to question him, Ethan spoke calmly, "There's no way Aiden will give you that much money. Even if he wants to, the Tinsley family won't agree. As long as you become my lover, I'll give you as much money as you want." Chloe's expression turned cold, and so did her heart. This man didn't change. "You're about to marry Skylar. Aren't you afraid she'll be hurt hearing these words?" Chloe sneered. "She's not like you. She loves me for who I am," Ethan chuckled. A twinge of self-mockery surfaced in Chloe's eyes. Ethan exhaled a few smoke rings and said, "Have you thought about it? Do you want to be my lover?" "I have no interest in you anymore," Chloe replied coldly. "Besides, the one I love now is Aiden." Ethan's face instantly darkened, "Let's bet then, whether Aiden wants you or the Tinsley family's inheritance!" Chloe clenched her fists and said, "Arrogant." With that, she stood up and left. Ethan rushed back to the city center overnight, and by the time he arrived, it was already late at night. He stood by the window, his expression uncertain. The phone suddenly rang with an unfamiliar number. "Hello." "Ethan, it's me, Evelyn." Evelyn got straight to the point. "Back then, about Chloe, I lied to you."