30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 149: Ethan’s Unusual Behavior

"That’s not deep resentment."

Henry Anderson put down his art brush. "Art is the best way to calm the mind. You create what’s on your mind repeatedly, and by the end, you’ll find yourself at peace."

That’s how he had survived those nine years in prison...

"Then why are you writing the word ’revenge’?" Lily asked, pointing to the design on the canvas, her tone serious. "Dad, are you hiding something from me?"

"My sweet daughter." Henry took her hand and asked, "Were you happier as a child or now?"

"Of course, when I was a child," Lily answered hesitantly.

Back then, she had her father and mother, a life of wealth and comfort without any worries about food or clothing, and she had Alex, her childhood sweetheart. She lacked nothing, not even the need to think about anything.

"Yes, those were the happiest times for our family." Henry smiled with deep emotion, then picked up his brush and began drawing again.

"Dad..."

"Some things, once lost, can never be regained!" A flash of ruthlessness crossed Henry’s eyes as he pressed the brush heavily onto the canvas.

The design "revenge" appeared on the page.

This time, the design looked even more fierce and menacing. Though it was just a single word, the sight of it made Lily’s heart race with unease.

Was her father hiding something from her?

After a long silence, Lily changed the subject. "Dad, where’s my medical report? I want to take a look."

Henry’s hand paused momentarily in his drawing, and then he spoke without even looking up. "Oh, I just remembered, the court notified us to go in. The lawsuit has been approved."

"Approved?!" Lily was shocked.

She hadn’t planned on suing anyone, but her father had insisted on pressing charges against Alice Johnson and the other girls.

But how could the court approve it in just a couple of days?

Since when was the legal system so efficient?

"Yes, the efficiency is quite high. You should head over."

"Alright, I’ll go to the courthouse."

Lily didn’t overthink it. She changed her clothes, put on her shoes, and left the house.

Alex called shortly after, and Lily answered, "Hi?"

"What are you up to?" Alex’s gentle voice came through with a hint of a smile.

"I’m heading to the courthouse. My dad said the court approval came through for the lawsuit." Lily spoke into the phone as she walked through the neighborhood.

"I’ll come pick you up."

"No need." Lily quickly declined. "This whole situation will cause a lot of drama. Your current girlfriend taking your ex-girlfriend to court—if the paparazzi catch you with me at the courthouse, they’ll accuse you of being heartless all over again."

Alex’s image in the media was already bad enough...

She didn’t want to give them more ammunition.

"But I’m worried about you."

"I’m just going to the courthouse." Lily looked ahead and saw a bus pulling up at the neighborhood entrance. "I have to go; the bus is here."

"I’ll pick you up for dinner then, don’t take the bus."

"It’s fine. Just come over for dinner later." Lily hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and started running towards the bus...

A Lamborghini suddenly pulled up in front of her, blocking her way.

Lily frowned and turned to walk around it.

She moved three steps to the right, and the Lamborghini moved forward a few paces.

She moved three steps to the left, and the Lamborghini backed up a few steps.

After a few rounds of this, Lily was sure the car was doing it on purpose. With a cold expression, she walked up and knocked on the window.

The window rolled down slowly.

Ethan Blackwood sat in the driver’s seat, expressionless, wearing a black coat that enveloped him in an aura of gloom. His side profile was perfect—cold, handsome, dangerous, and alluring...

He wore a pair of sunglasses; his face turned forward, not looking at her.

Why was it him?

The words of reproach Lily had been about to say were swallowed down. She couldn’t bring herself to scold someone who had just saved her life a few days ago.

"That day... thank you," Lily spoke awkwardly.

She was genuinely grateful to him, but the words sounded off.

When Ethan used to hit and yell at her, she could hate him with a clear conscience, despise him, and loathe him.

But now...

"Finally speaking like a human being?" Ethan snorted coldly, finally turning to look at her. His face was still devoid of expression, the sunglasses hiding whatever was in his eyes.

Speaking like a human being?

That was his opening line?

Sure enough, Ethan was still Ethan. She shouldn’t have expected anything better from him.

Lily didn’t say anything more. She straightened up and prepared to leave, but as soon as she took a step, Ethan moved the car forward, blocking her path again. He wasn’t ready to let her go.

He wasn’t letting her go, and she couldn’t leave the neighborhood.

Feeling a headache coming on, Lily lowered her head and looked at him through the window, only to see him lift a manila envelope and wave it in front of her.

Lily glanced at it, unable to make out all the details, but she could see the words "High Court" on it.

A document from the High Court?!

"You..."

"If you want to know the court date, come have dinner with me." Ethan tossed the envelope aside, his sexy lips curling into a smirk filled with threat and dominance.

Dinner?!

Did he want to have dinner with her?

Didn’t he have any women around him to accompany him for dinner?

"I can just go to the courthouse to find the court date myself."

Lily couldn’t figure out what his angle was. She eyed him warily, cautious about his plans, and prepared to leave.

A man with as many past offenses as Ethan... needed to be guarded against.

"Do you think the court works that efficiently?" Ethan didn’t lose his temper. He merely let out a cold laugh. "Are you sure you’ll find any documents waiting for you there?"

Lily stopped in her tracks.

Was he the reason the court had processed the lawsuit so quickly?

"Why are you helping me?" Lily asked. His sunglasses hid his eyes, which only heightened the strange feeling inside her.

"What do you think?" Ethan shot back.

"Ethan, there’s no chance for us anymore. I’m not coming back to you." Lily wanted to tell him that she and Alex were getting married...

That way, he’d know they could never return to how things were.

She didn’t want to return to that dark relationship, one that left her feeling suffocated.

Ethan could be so unpredictable. Right now, he seemed calm, but if she told him she was getting married, she feared he might lose control and exact his revenge right there...

That same old line.

She couldn’t come up with anything new.

He had heard it so many times that his ears were practically numb.

"Lily, what do you want to eat? French? Italian? Chinese?" Ethan ignored her words, offering her a few menu options. Then, with a wicked smile, he added, "Or... me?"

Lily stood there speechless, feeling like her head was about to split.

It seemed like she and Ethan would never be able to converse on the same level.

She’d say one thing, and he’d say something completely different...

"You just want someone to have dinner with you. I’ll call Alex and have him join us," Lily said, pretending to reach for her phone.

"If you’re not afraid, I’ll beat him to death." Ethan scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

Behind his sunglasses, his eyes had already begun to blaze with fury.

This damn woman.

This was him being as polite and gentle as he could manage. He hadn’t dragged her to a restaurant, yet she still dared to push his buttons.

Why bring Alex into this? To announce their engagement?

Did she think they could get married?

Ethan Blackwood would let her marry another man?! How naive!

Lily had no choice but to open the car door and get in. "Fine, let’s go. Chinese food."

"Who said you could get in the car? Get out..." Ethan instinctively barked. The word "out" was on the tip of his tongue, but he paused, his voice turning awkward as he tried to soften it. "Get out."

Lily stared at him in confusion. Weren’t they going to eat?

What was he playing at now?

She opened the door and stepped out, reminding herself to stay calm and not get angry... Arguing with Ethan would only cause a scene, especially in the neighborhood.

Bang!

Ethan exited the car, his sunglasses glinting in the sunlight, and turned to her. "Let’s go," he said.

"Go where?"

"To eat!"

"..."

Lily stared at him, speechless. "Are you planning to eat at the restaurant in our neighborhood?"

"No."

"Then why did we get out of the car?"

"Shut... Just walk!" Ethan struggled to hold back the word "up" and pressed his lips together tightly.

What was wrong with Ethan today?

Lily shook her head, resigned, and started walking out of the neighborhood. Ethan strode beside her, grabbing her hand with a possessive and domineering grip.

Lily immediately shook his hand off, her guard up. "I’m going home. I don’t want to press charges anymore."

Even a simple touch from Ethan made Lily feel highly uncomfortable.

She was going to marry Alex. She couldn’t afford to do anything out of line.

She had barely taken a few steps before Ethan seized her arm so tightly that it hurt, making her whole arm ache.

"Lily, don’t be so clueless! You..." Ethan snarled, one hand gripping her arm, the other jabbing a finger toward her face, glaring at her furiously.

The word "you" hung in the air for a long moment.

His hand fell stiffly to his side, and he forced out a few words through gritted teeth. "We’re going to eat! I won’t touch you!"

With that, he let go of her arm.

Lily blinked, staring at him in shock.

His expression was cold, and the sunglasses hid his eyes, making it impossible to read his emotions.

Was this Ethan Blackwood?!

Did he say he wouldn’t touch her?! Had she heard wrong?

Wasn’t his usual line something like—"If you don’t come with me, I’ll rape you right here!"

This version of Ethan completely threw off Lily. On the other hand, he was already growing impatient, barking, "Let’s go!"

Lily felt like her brain had turned to mush.

After walking a few steps, Ethan did stay by her side, not even moving closer to her...

Had the sun risen from the west today?

"Lily, why are you wearing dress shoes today?!" Ethan suddenly barked, glancing down at her feet, which were in lace-up dress shoes. His voice was cold and irritated.

Lily followed his gaze to her shoes. They fit perfectly. Confused, she asked, "What’s wrong with dress shoes?"

"Nothing."

Ethan snorted coldly, his voice muffled with frustration.

Lily rubbed her face in disbelief. Was this Ethan Blackwood? Was she hallucinating?!

As they walked out of the neighborhood, Lily couldn’t help but ask, "Where are we going to eat?"

"Harlem Street," Ethan replied crisply.

Lily was left speechless yet again.

Harlem Street was far from where they were. Why didn’t he drive the Lamborghini? What was the point of all this?

Standing by the road, waiting for a taxi, Lily saw a bus pull up to the bus stop in front of her.

"Lily, come here!"

Before Lily could react, Ethan grabbed her, pushed her onto the bus, and shielded her as she got on...

"What are you doing?!" Lily asked, utterly baffled.

People behind them started shouting, "Hey! If you’ll cut in line, hurry up and pay the fare!"