30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 122: The Truth Unveiled

"Oh my goodness, darling!" Sophia’s voice rang out, excited as soon as she heard Lily. "Something big has happened, did you know? Your uncle found out you have a boyfriend. He’s been freaking out because your phone’s been off, and he’s so worried he went to the police to report you missing. I didn’t know how to explain it to him!"

"A boyfriend? Did you tell him?!" Lily’s heart raced in panic.

"Of course not! Your uncle accidentally came across an old newspaper from a while back. He found out you’ve been lying about being out of town for work, and he’s absolutely furious."

"A newspaper?!"

"Yeah, let me remember... It was that issue about the Carter Group chairman being rushed to the hospital. There’s a photo of you and your boyfriend kissing."

Lily immediately hung up the phone and rushed to a nearby newsstand, frantically searching through old newspapers.

In one issue, with the headline Carter Group Chairman Hospitalized Due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, there was a large photo of Uncle Bill Carter being wheeled into the hospital...

And in the background, she was in a wheelchair, wearing a patient gown, with Ethan Blackwood leaning down to kiss her.

Both their profiles were captured clearly in the shot.

Lily felt the ground spin beneath her.

The truth couldn’t stay hidden forever. Now even her uncle knew, and Sophia had said he’d gone to the police to report her missing... What was she going to do now?

What should she do...

Suddenly, a sharp pain flared up in her stomach.

Lily pressed her hand against her stomach, and Ethan’s cold voice came behind her. "Did someone cut off your legs? Why are you moving so slowly?!"

Lily lowered her hand from her stomach and turned around in surprise. Ethan was standing right behind her, his dark eyes glaring at her.

Aiko Nakamura wasn’t with him.

Why is he here?

This isn’t even near the Italian restaurant. Did he come all this way looking for me?

"I was just about to head back," Lily said, pausing momentarily.

Ethan’s gaze fell on the newspaper in her hands. His anger flared when he saw the old news about Uncle Bill Carter’s hospitalization. She’s still here, reading news about Alex Carter?!

"Lily!" Ethan growled through clenched teeth.

He had seen her reading the news about Alex’s breakup earlier.

And now, she was reading more about the Carter family.

She was still so profoundly attached to Alex Carter.

Lily noticed him staring at the newspaper in her hands and spoke up directly, "My uncle found out I’ve been lying to him. He knows I haven’t been out of town for work. He’s gone to the police to report me missing."

Her uncle?

Of course. The two things she cared about most were her uncle and her job at the magazine. How could he have forgotten?

If she cared so much about them... then I’ll destroy everything she holds dear.

Including Alex Carter.

I’ll take it all apart, piece by piece.

"Fine, I’ll take you to your uncle right now," Ethan said coldly, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

"To my uncle?" Lily quickly tried to pull her hand away, panic rising. "Why do you want to see him?!"

"To let him know where you are and have him call off the police search."

"How am I supposed to explain everything to him?" With your influence, why would you even need to go through all this trouble? Lily’s tone was filled with suspicion.

"I’ll handle the explanation."

Ethan made a call, and a sleek new sports car soon arrived.

Lily had no room for protest as Ethan shoved her into the car.

"Where’s Aiko Nakamura?" she asked, noticing that Aiko wasn’t in the car.

"Who cares where she is!" Ethan snapped coldly. "Where is your uncle now?"

"He should be at the magazine office... What are you going to say to him? Can’t you just tell me first?"

Ethan didn’t respond.

The sports car sped toward her uncle’s courtyard home. On the way, Ethan made another call. "Bring Lily’s uncle back from the magazine office to his house immediately."

Lily looked at him with concern. "Don’t scare my uncle."

What’s he planning to do anyway? Tell my uncle he’s my boyfriend? Once the police report is withdrawn, he’ll feel free to keep me trapped at the Blackwood villa?

"Stop nagging," Ethan said without even glancing at her.

The car soon pulled into the narrow alley of the courtyard. Curious neighbors crowded around, peeking into Lily’s uncle’s house, where at least twenty black-suited bodyguards in sunglasses stood guard.

It was clear that a significant commotion had already been stirred up.

"Ethan, what exactly do you think you’re doing?!"

Lily stared at him in disbelief. Why is he making such a huge scene?

Ethan dragged her out of the car, and Lily quickly tore off the bandage on her head and threw it away, trying to make herself look more normal. Otherwise, her uncle would undoubtedly ask a million questions.

"Isn’t that Robert’s niece?"

"What’s going on today? Why are there so many people at Robert’s house? And who’s that man with Lily?"

"Is that her boyfriend paying a visit?"

"Wow, he looks rich! Robert’s family is lucky..."

Nosy neighbors crowded around the entrance, chattering away.

Ethan pulled Lily into the courtyard, where things were even more outrageous. Cipher had led dozens of bodyguards to surround the entire place.

Inside the living room, her uncle and aunt sat on the sofa.

Her aunt, who usually had a sharp tongue, was now glued to her husband, clearly scared out of her wits by the intimidating bodyguards. She didn’t dare make a sound.

Ethan stepped over the worn threshold and pushed Lily onto the sofa across from her uncle and aunt, who were sitting next to her.

He exuded an air of superiority.

"Lily..." Uncle Robert looked at her in shock, then glanced at Ethan. Something seemed to dawn on him, and he turned to his wife. "Go get that newspaper from the cabinet."

"Oh, okay..." Aunt hurriedly stood up, sneaking a nervous glance at Ethan before heading to the back room.

The young man across from them exuded an aura that sent chills down their spines. His arrogance seemed to fill the entire room just by sitting there.

Ethan sat silently, his cold, dark eyes fixed on Uncle Robert.

"Ethan..." Lily whispered anxiously, tugging at his sleeve.

"Don’t touch me!" Ethan snapped, shaking her hand away with a cold, heartless tone.

What is he trying to do?

Wasn’t he going to explain? Why isn’t he saying anything?

Seeing how rude Ethan was acting, Uncle Robert frowned. "Lily, come sit with me."

"Okay."

Lily, used to following her uncle’s instructions, instinctively stood up. But before she could take a step, Ethan yanked her back down.

"Did I say you could go?" Ethan growled, forcing her back down beside him. His large hand gripped her cold one tightly, refusing to let go.

Ethan is impossibly domineering.

Lily frowned, looking helplessly at her uncle. Her mind was so turmoil that she didn’t even know what to say.

"This gentleman, I’m Lily’s uncle. And you are?" Having seen his fair share of the world, Uncle Robert wasn’t as frightened as his wife. He managed to speak calmly.

He could tell from a glance that this young man wasn’t just anyone.

This kind of entourage, this kind of presence—it wasn’t something an ordinary person could command.

Ethan raised his hand in a signal, and Cipher immediately stepped forward, handing Uncle Robert a sleek black business card. "This is Mr. Blackwood’s card."

Uncle Robert took the card and glanced at the text. His eyes widened in shock. "You’re the CEO of Blackwood Enterprise. Asia-Pacific?!"

"Ethan Blackwood," Ethan said coldly, introducing himself.

"I’ve got the newspaper." Aunt returned, holding the newspaper in her hands.

Lily glanced at it; sure enough, it was the issue with the photo of her and Ethan kissing at the private hospital.

Uncle Robert put down the business card and picked up the newspaper, carefully examining the photo before looking at Ethan. Realizing they were the same person, his gaze shifted to Ethan’s hand, still gripping Lily’s.

He was beginning to understand.

"Are you Lily’s boyfriend?" Uncle asked, setting the newspaper aside. "Have you two been together for some time?"

Ethan didn’t answer.

Lily didn’t dare speak either. After a long pause, Uncle’s tone grew stern. "Lily! What did I tell you? I said you had to introduce your boyfriend to me before you started dating!"

Young girls needed more experience. How could she tell if a man was good or bad?

Based on the date of the newspaper photo, they had been together for quite some time.

When neither of them answered, Uncle raised his voice. "Have you been dating behind my back? Are you two already living together?!"

Ethan could feel Lily trembling in fear as he held her hand.

"I’m sorry, Uncle... I was just afraid you would disapprove," Lily tried to smooth things over with another lie.

"Approve, approve! Why wouldn’t I approve?" Aunt suddenly chimed in, holding Ethan’s business card and grinning from ear to ear. "A CEO! I know Blackwood Enterprise—it’s the one with all the big banks!"

"..." Both Lily and Uncle stared at her in exasperation.

"Hey, my son-in-law, I’ve invested in some of your bank’s funds and stocks. Got any insider tips you can share?" Having realized Ethan was Lily’s boyfriend, Aunt was no longer afraid and eagerly tried to get on his good side.

Who would have thought this girl, who had been such a burden, would manage to catch such a big fish?

This man alone could provide enough for the uncle’s family to live comfortably for three generations.

What a stroke of luck!

Well, it looked like this troublesome girl had finally brought some good fortune to the family. Aunt figured she’d have to start treating her better from now on.

"I think you’ve misunderstood. I’m not your son-in-law."

Ethan let out a cold laugh, pulling Lily closer into his arms. "Here’s some money for you. Go to the police and withdraw the missing person’s report. That’s the only reason I’m here today."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cipher stepped forward with a briefcase. He opened it to reveal stacks of cash, the sight of which was blindingly red.

"Wow..." Aunt’s eyes were practically bulging out of her head.

"What’s the meaning of this, Mr. Blackwood?" Uncle wasn’t swayed by the money. His tone was firm, full of suspicion. "You’re not Lily’s boyfriend?"

"Uncle..." Lily tried to explain.

"Heh." Ethan laughed coldly, pulling Lily even closer. "You’re a man. Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

Lily stared at Ethan in disbelief. Is he really not going to tell my uncle that he’s my boyfriend?!

What is he doing?!

What kind of game is he playing now?!

"Please explain clearly," Uncle demanded, his voice stern.

"Fine, I’ll be clear." Ethan turned to Lily, his gaze full of arrogance and disdain. "Lily is my mistress. Our relationship started over a month ago. All the exclusive stories your magazine has been receiving have come from our company. I’m sure you’ve made quite a profit.

Lily’s face instantly turned pale.

Ethan had promised to make her his girlfriend. He had even publicly declared their relationship at the Carter family’s celebration...

But now he had broken his promise.

His purpose today wasn’t to get her uncle to withdraw the police report—it was to humiliate her.

He knew her greatest fear was having her status as a mistress exposed, yet he still said it out loud...

How could he do this?!

"What did you just say?!" Uncle shot up from the sofa, his voice filled with shock.