30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 141: Father’s Return

"Lily, you don’t love him, do you?" Alex gently cupped her face in his hands, his fingertips brushing away the tears on her cheeks with the utmost care.

Him?

Ethan Blackwood?

No, she didn’t love him. How could anyone love a man who had violated them? Even if, at times, her mind drifted back to thoughts of him...

That’s just habit, Lily told herself.

"If you’re only worried that you’re not good enough for me, that’s unnecessary." Alex gazed at her with deep affection. "I love you for who you are. Don’t overthink things. Just forget the past, okay?"

The fresh scent of mint from Alex surrounded her, a comforting fragrance that put her at ease.

The sincerity and determination in Alex’s eyes stirred something inside her.

"Okay."

With her mind made up, Lily stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Alex, embracing him.

From now on, she will stop dwelling on the shadows of that horrible month and focus on properly loving Alex.

Alex smiled with joy as he held her close.

"Clap, clap, clap—"

Applause broke out suddenly in the restaurant, and a violinist approached them, playing the wedding march.

Lily and Alex exchanged smiles, holding hands as they left the restaurant together.

"Mr. Blackwood, Alex Carter, and Lily Anderson hugged in the restaurant before continuing shopping. They seemed happier than before, holding hands the entire time. Later, they returned to a house in the city. The neighborhood is under tight surveillance, so we couldn’t follow them inside to take more photos... In the CEO’s office at Blackwood Enterprise, the private investigator placed a stack of freshly developed photos on Ethan’s desk.

Ethan’s expression darkened as he stared at the images of Lily and Alex, hand in hand, shopping together. In some photos, Alex had an arm around her, and Lily didn’t resist—she was smiling.

A smile Ethan hadn’t seen on her face in what felt like forever.

"Did you overhear what they were saying?" Ethan asked in a cold voice as he began crumpling the photos in his hands, one by one.

"No, sir. We couldn’t get too close without risking exposure," the investigator explained. "Alex Carter is a high-profile figure, especially right now. Given his public status, I wouldn’t be surprised if the paparazzi are already tailing him."

"You think they’re in a relationship?" Ethan’s voice grew even colder as he raised his eyes, dark with fury, glaring at the investigator.

The private investigator trembled under Ethan’s icy gaze, unsure whether to say yes or no.

"Answer me!" Ethan’s eyes burned with anger as he crumpled another photo of Lily and Alex hugging in the restaurant.

"Y-yes... Based on my years of experience tailing people, they appear to be a typical couple. The energy between them is unmistakably that of two people in love."

"Bang—"

Ethan slammed his fist on the desk, rising abruptly to his feet. He glared at the investigator so intensely that his face seemed to harden into something terrifying.

"M-Mr. Blackwood..."

The investigator, trembling, shrank back in his seat, fear written all over his face.

"Keep investigating. I want to know everything they say! And install surveillance cameras wherever Lily Anderson goes. I want eyes on her at all times."

"M-Mr. Blackwood... that’s a bit difficult," the investigator stammered. "And if we get caught, it’s illegal."

"If you can’t do it, then get out!" Ethan threw the photos at the investigator’s face, his voice as cold as ice.

"I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I’ll arrange everything right away!"

The investigator quickly agreed, rushing out of the office as fast as his legs could.

If I pull off this job for Mr. Blackwood, I’ll never have to work again. It’s worth the risk, even if it’s illegal.

Ethan sat back down, his gaze fixed on the photos scattered across the desk, his eyes growing darker by the second.

His chest felt tight, suffocated.

"Ethan Blackwood, don’t you think it’s pathetic for a man to push a woman to the point where she’d rather die than be with him?"

She never showed him a smile. But when she was with Alex, she smiled so quickly.

Lily Anderson, do you love Alex Carter that much?

When you two eventually break up... I’ll be here to see how much it hurts you.

Heh.

The sight of them being so close made Ethan’s chest tighten painfully. He bent over in his chair, clutching his head in his hands.

I love Lily, but this woman doesn’t have a place for me in her heart. All she cares about is Alex.

What a cruel joke.

Ethan Blackwood, you can’t even win the heart of a woman.

Opening the desk drawer, Ethan pulled out a Swiss Army knife and, without a second thought, sliced a deep cut into the palm of his hand.

Blood immediately welled up, dripping onto the photo of Lily and Alex embracing, covering their faces with red stains.

The pain in his hand gave him a strange sense of relief. Finally, the pressure in his chest eased a little.

So, this is how you make the pain go away...

Just a little cut and the pain in my heart fades... 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Pressing the intercom button on his desk, Ethan spoke coldly to his secretary, Helen. "I want all the news outlets—TV stations, newspapers, magazines—any mainstream media that reports on Lily Anderson, I want her face blurred out."

"Uh... Just Miss Anderson’s face?"

"Yes."

"Understood, Mr. Blackwood. I’ll take care of it."

Ending the call, Ethan stared at the bleeding cut in his palm.

Lily Anderson, you belong to me and no one else.

A few days later, it was time for Lily’s father to be released from prison. Alex came to pick her up for the long drive to Qin Island Prison, where her father had been held.

Because it was a long trip, Lily didn’t ask her uncle to come along.

Just before she got into the car, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small red light similar to a camera. Frowning, she glanced down the alley, trying to figure out what it was.

"What’s wrong?" Alex asked.

"Nothing."

Seeing nothing further, Lily shook her head and got into the car.

Why do I feel like someone’s been watching me these past few days? Could I be imagining it?

As they drove, Lily couldn’t stop smiling. It had been so long since she had felt this happy, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t hide it.

"You’re in a good mood," Alex teased. Ever since they left her uncle’s house, the smile hadn’t left her face.

"My dad is finally getting out of prison," Lily explained, her excitement evident. This was something she had been waiting for so long, a moment she could hardly contain. Sitting in the passenger seat, she beamed. "Alex, I finally have a home again!"

"Yes, you have a home now," Alex replied, smiling warmly at her. His heart ached as he thought about how much she had been through.

For Lily, having her father back meant everything. His release had given her a renewed sense of family and belonging.

She had gone through more hardships over the past nine years than he could begin to imagine.

Outside Qin Island Men’s Prison—

Lily paced in front of the towering iron gates, her anxiety growing with each passing minute.

Alex leaned against the car, watching her silently. He didn’t interrupt her, understanding her need to process her emotions.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the massive gates swung open, and Lily’s heart leaped. She looked up and saw a weathered but still handsome middle-aged man stepping out, his face lined with exhaustion and age—it was her father, Henry Anderson.

He was wearing the suit she had bought him during her last visit, his hair disheveled. He carried a large, bulging bag, his posture slightly hunched...

Lily’s heart clenched with emotion.

"Behave yourself outside," one of the prison guards said as he followed her father, his tone matter-of-fact. Then, he closed the gate behind him.

"Dad!"

Lily’s voice rang out as she ran toward him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug, tears of joy in her eyes.

"My baby girl," Henry said, his voice filled with warmth as he hugged her back. After a moment, he released her and turned to take in his surroundings, a look of wonder and relief on his face. "I’m finally free."

"Mm," Lily nodded vigorously.

"You’ve grown into such a beautiful woman," Henry teased, patting her shoulders.

"Dad..." Lily blushed, feeling a bit shy at his praise.

"Uncle Henry, welcome back." Alex walked over, greeting him politely as he took the heavy bag from Henry’s shoulders. "Allow me to carry that for you."

The smile on Henry’s face faded as he looked at Alex. His response was curt. "You’re here too."

"Yes, sir."

Henry’s apparent change in demeanor made Alex feel awkward, but he maintained his polite smile. "Would you like to get in the car, Uncle Henry? We’ve arranged to have a meal together first."

"Fine." Henry nodded, then returned to Lily, his smile returning as he put an arm around her shoulders. "Let’s go, my dear daughter."

"Okay."

Lily noticed the tension in her father’s attitude toward Alex and glanced at him apologetically. Alex gave her a reassuring smile as if to say, It’s alright.

"Dad, why are you being so cold toward Alex?" Lily asked quietly.

"What do you mean? I’m smiling just fine when I’m with my daughter," Henry replied with a lighthearted chuckle.

Lily couldn’t help but laugh, deciding not to press the issue further.

Instead of heading straight back to the city, Alex drove them to a hotel.

On the drive there, Alex tried to engage Henry Anderson in conversation, trying to make a good impression. Still, Henry’s responses were short and directed only at Lily. He barely acknowledged Alex at all.

"So much has changed." Henry mused as he gazed out the window. "This used to be an industrial area, but now it’s all residential."

"Mm, everything’s different now," Lily said, snuggling up to her father’s side, her arms wrapped tightly around his. "We’ll head back to the city this afternoon. Let’s eat first."

Nine years had passed, and the world outside had changed significantly. For her father, who had spent nearly a decade behind bars, it must have felt like stepping into an entirely different world.

But she would work hard to help him adjust.

At the hotel, Alex booked a room for Henry so he could take a shower while he and Lily waited in the dining area.

"It seems like my family’s indifference all those years ago upset your father," Alex said with a bitter smile.

"It wasn’t your decision back then. My dad is an open-minded man. Just give him some time, and he’ll come around," Lily reassured him.

As they sat chatting, Henry suddenly appeared, storming into the dining area and slamming a newspaper down on the table. His voice was sharp with anger. "What is this?!"

Lily looked down at the paper in shock. The headline read: Political and Business Engagement Broken—Was a Third Party Involved?

The article featured a photo of Alex and Alice from their engagement, with a tear down the middle. Alongside it was a photo of Lily and Alex shopping together in the mall, hand in hand.

Her face had been blurred, and no name was mentioned.

"This woman in the photo is our Lily, isn’t it?" Henry demanded, his voice rising. "What does this mean? Is my daughter being accused of being a homewrecker?!"

Lily’s heart sank. So this is why I feel like someone’s been following me...

How ironic a paparazzo is being followed by the paparazzi.

But why was her face blurred in the photo? Was someone trying to protect her privacy? Since when did newspapers care about ethics like that?

"Uncle Henry," Alex said calmly, taking Lily’s hand. "Lily and I are in a serious, committed relationship."

"Committed?" Henry pointed to the newspaper, his voice cold. "Then why does it say my daughter is the third party in someone else’s engagement?!"

"I was prepared for this. That’s why I’ve been so open about our relationship. I plan to go public with it soon to clear things up," Alex explained, his tone serious.