30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 144: Ethan’s Unexpected Appearance

When her father made those remarks, Lily couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of inadequacy.

It was as though she had already lost her right to self-respect ever since she agreed to become Ethan Blackwood’s mistress.

In her bedroom, Lily collapsed face-first onto her bed, burying her face in the soft blanket.

A school reunion...

Damn that school reunion!

On the other end—

Ethan leaned back in his chair, one hand propping up his chin. His gaze was fixed on the screen, showing Lily lying on her bed, clearly upset and conflicted.

Suddenly, she sat up and tried to pep herself up in a strangely childish manner, her fists clenched tightly. "You’ve got this, Lily Anderson! You can do it! There’s nothing to be afraid of!"

Ethan watched, momentarily at a loss for words.

So this is what she’s like when she’s alone?

Why does it feel like the Lily I’m watching on the screen differs from the composed, quiet Lily I know?

This version of Lily... had a bit of a girlish charm.

It’s just a school reunion. What’s there to be so nervous about?

Ethan’s eyes darkened as he grabbed his phone and dialed his secretary. "Pull up the list of Lily Anderson’s middle school classmates and have it on my desk within the next hour."

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

Meanwhile, Lily sat on her bed, taking deep breaths. In the privacy of her own space, she didn’t hide her anxiety and unease.

Ethan’s long fingers gently traced the outline of her face on the screen. His chest tightened with a familiar sense of frustration.

If she’s so nervous about this reunion, why did she agree to go with Alex?

Is she really willing to do this just for him?

When has she ever gone out of her way like this for me?

The next afternoon, Alex arrived to pick up Lily. When she opened the door, Alex appeared behind a large bouquet of roses. "For the most beautiful Lily."

"Thank you."

Lily smiled as she took the flowers from him. "Is it time for the reunion already?"

"Not yet." Alex glanced at his watch and showed it to her. "The reunion is this evening. I came by to greet your father."

Alex was always incredibly polite.

He knew that to be with Lily, he first had to win over her father. Greeting him properly and bringing gifts were all part of the process.

"My dad’s taking a nap."

Lily carried the bouquet into the living room, unwrapping the flowers and placing them in a vase. "Shall we head out now? What should I wear tonight? Something formal?"

"It’s just a casual reunion, no need for anything too fancy. Something relaxed will do," Alex said as he slipped off his shoes at the entrance.

Lily quickly emerged from the living room. "In that case, let’s go shopping for something to wear."

Noticing her unusual sense of urgency, Alex gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and asked softly, "Lily, are you nervous?"

"It’s my first time going to a school reunion, so I guess I’m a little nervous," she replied with a smile, trying to brush off her unease.

"You didn’t seem nervous when we went on dates," Alex teased, his brown eyes locking onto hers with playful jealousy.

"That’s different. Don’t worry, I’ll try not to be nervous."

Lily smiled again.

I can handle meeting new people, dealing with unfamiliar situations, and even being around people from different social circles.

But these people were my middle school classmates.

Back then, we were all on the same level. Now, I’ve fallen so far...

Alex would never understand how she felt. And she didn’t want him to—she didn’t want to worry him.

I can do this. Yes, I’ll do just fine.

As they settled into the car, Lily asked, "Do you guys have these school reunions every year?"

"Twice, maybe thrice a year. They’re typically arranged by Lynn, who was the most engaged member of our class. She served as our class’s art representative," Alex explained. Lily nodded earnestly, repeating the name for clarity. "Lynn?"

"Exactly," Alex affirmed.

"Lynn..." she echoed again, her tone thoughtful.

Alex chuckled lightly, "Doesn’t it have a unique ring to it?"

"Pfft..." Lily couldn’t help but laugh, the tension easing from her shoulders.

The next stop was a clothing store. Lily seriously tried on various outfits for the first time, experimenting with different styles.

Alex patiently accompanied her, offering suggestions from time to time.

Finally, the stylist recommended a vintage, casual, and sophisticated look: a long coat in warm tones paired with straight-leg jeans, a cropped top, and heels that lengthened her silhouette.

Alex frowned, shaking his head in disapproval. "Too mature. Get her a long coat in a brighter color."

Once on Lily, the warm-toned coat immediately brightened her appearance, making her look younger and more refreshed.

"You have a great eye for fashion, Mr. Carter," the stylist praised.

Lily studied herself in the mirror, turning side to side and deciding she was ready. She could handle whatever came her way.

It wasn’t long before it was time for the reunion.

At the Royal Club—

Lily hadn’t expected Alex’s casual description of the reunion to include holding it at the Royal Club.

The Royal Club was a high-end recreational facility that provided a wide range of services to the upper class. It catered exclusively to the elite, offering fitness centers, entertainment, and social spaces.

Alex took her hand.

They exchanged smiles, and he led her into the club, following the waitstaff inside.

The large red-and-gold doors swung open—

On either side of the door stood rows of people clapping and cheering loudly, "Wow! Wow! Lily Anderson! Lily Anderson!"

"Bang! Bang—"

Confetti cannons went off, showering them with streamers.

Lily froze in place, staring at the familiar yet distant faces surrounding her. Her former classmates had all grown into attractive men and women.

Finally, her gaze landed on the floor ahead of her, where a sizeable heart-shaped arrangement of candles had been set up.

"Lily Anderson, I’m Oya. Alex has finally found you. Wishing you two happiness," said a beautifully made-up girl who stepped forward and handed her two roses.

"Lily, I’m Mary. Wishing you both happiness."

"Lily, I’m Oscar. Wishing you happiness."

"Lily, I’m Joanna. Wishing you happiness."

One by one, her long-lost middle school classmates stepped forward, offering her roses and congratulations. Before long, Lily’s arms were overflowing with pink roses.

Lily turned to Alex in confusion, but he simply smiled, his face full of warmth. "I asked them to do this for you."

Lily’s heart swelled with emotion, and she smiled in return.

I always end up being moved by Alex. He’s done so much for me.

All my worries were for nothing... No one looks down on me. No one is here to judge me.

Alex had already planned this beautiful surprise for me.

"I love you," Alex whispered, placing his hands gently on her shoulders and pulling her toward him. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Wow! Wow! Get married! Get married! Get married!"

"Get married! Get married! Get married!"

"Get married! Get married! Get married!"

The classmates, seeing the display of affection, started chanting excitedly, their energy pushing the reunion to a fever pitch right from the start...

"I’m the one who organized this reunion, and you guys are already getting carried away without me?! Who’s getting married, huh?"

A bold female voice called out from behind them.

Lily turned around, her arms still full of roses, and found herself staring at a woman dressed in a sharp business outfit, her arm linked with her male companion.

Lily froze on the spot.

The man beside her was tall and handsome. His short hair was perfectly groomed, his deep black eyes carried a hint of danger, and his lips curved into a faint, almost devilish smile.

He stood there effortlessly, outshining his meticulously dressed companion.

Who else could it be but Ethan Blackwood?

What is he doing here?

Lily’s smile faltered, and she stared at him, stunned.

Ethan’s gaze landed on the bouquet of roses in her arms, and his eyes immediately darkened with cold disdain. He looked away from her without a word, his expression indifferent.

"Lily?"

Alex, too, had been caught off guard by Ethan’s presence. He glanced down at Lily, concerned.

She stood there, frozen, holding the pink roses, oblivious that a few stems had slipped from her grasp and fallen to the floor.

"Lily Anderson? You’re the Lily that Alex spent nine years searching for?"

The woman beside Ethan stepped forward, beaming as she embraced Lily. "I’m Lynn—remember me? I used to be our class’s arts representative. Welcome to the reunion."

Even more of the roses fell from Lily’s arms.

"Of course, I remember. You were the school’s most beautiful arts representative," Lily answered, forcing a smile.

Since when did she become so good at making small talk?

When I used to take her to banquets, she’d quietly stay by my side, never bothering to engage in conversation with others.

Is this her way of playing nice, just for Alex?

Ethan’s cold gaze swept over her, and Lily’s heart skipped a beat. But he said nothing, standing there with a shadow cast over him.

"You haven’t changed at all. You’re still as beautiful as ever. No wonder Alex has been thinking about you all these years," Lynn chirped before letting go of her. "We’ll catch up later."

Alex cast a brief, indifferent glance at Ethan before wrapping an arm around Lily’s waist and guiding her away. He placed the roses on a nearby bar counter.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked gently.

Lily lowered her eyes, hiding the emotions swirling within her, and smiled back at him. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

"Of course."

"Thanks for the surprise. It really touched me," Lily said, holding up one of the pink roses.

A cold gaze flickered over her face...

Lily suddenly felt like someone was watching her, a sharp, piercing sensation crawling up her spine.

"Everybody, listen up!" Lynn suddenly shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

Everyone’s attention shifted back to the entrance. Lily and Alex, standing by the bar, also turned to look.

Lynn tightly wrapped her arm around Ethan’s as they stood at the door.

Lily’s heart skipped a beat, an indescribable feeling washing over her.

Ethan didn’t bother to greet anyone. His expression remained cold and indifferent as Lynn clung to him, grinning like a lovestruck teenager. "Let me introduce you all to my date for tonight—Ethan Blackwood."

The room fell into complete silence.

Not a single sound could be heard.

It was so quiet that the drop of a pin would’ve echoed through the space.

Just as Lily began to wonder why, the entire room suddenly exploded with excitement, voices erupting around her.

"Wait, is that... the Ethan Blackwood from the European financial empire?!"

"The CEO of Blackwood Enterprise’s Asia-Pacific division, Ethan Blackwood?!"

"My family’s company does business with one of Blackwood Enterprise’s subsidiaries, but even my dad’s never met Mr. Blackwood in person."

"Lynn, are you sure you didn’t just bring some guy and say he’s Ethan Blackwood? It’d be more believable if you said he was a celebrity!"

Their stunned reactions weren’t an exaggeration. Even though most of the people here were part of wealthy or influential families—many of them second-generation heirs—the one family that stood out the most was the Carter family.

But Ethan Blackwood? He was on an entirely different level.

The Blackwood family didn’t just represent wealth. They held a monopoly over multiple industries. Blackwood Enterprise’s influence spanned across Asia, and that was just one part of their empire. In Europe, their wealth was practically unfathomable.

The Blackwood family was a symbol—representing money, power, and more money...

But why was Ethan here? And why was he with Lynn?