30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 82: Ethan’s Cruelty

Lily marveled at Ethan’s ability to select women, transitioning from Natalie Walker’s modest curves to the more voluptuous figure before her. Such a leap in preference was truly remarkable. It was no wonder he engaged in a rigorous exercise in the study so early in the morning.

"I’m finished with my meal," she announced, her voice devoid of emotion. "Please carry on without me."

With a forced smile, Lily set down her milk cup and rose from her seat. Nanny promptly attended, assisting her as she limped towards the exit.

Ethan’s brow furrowed as he watched her retreating figure. "Where’s your wheelchair?" he demanded.

"I misplaced it," Lily replied calmly, without turning back.

"Nanny, arrange for a new one immediately!" Ethan instructed.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood," Nanny responded, casting a teasing glance at Lily. "You see, Mr. Blackwood still cares for you the most."

If he genuinely cared, he wouldn’t have inflicted such bruises upon her face. Such a violent man was undeserving of admiration.

Before they could leave, Ethan’s voice cut through the air once more. "On second thought, there’s no need."

Lily and Nanny turned to face the mercurial man.

Ethan had resumed his seat at the table, his gaze fixed on Lily. A smirk played on his lips, though his eyes held a cold, mocking glint. "It’s fitting that you’re incapacitated, preventing you from scheming and venturing out."

Lily met his gaze with a mix of anger and contempt. She couldn’t care less about his wheelchair.

Vanessa approached, her high heels clicking against the floor as she sat beside Ethan, pressing her ample figure against his arm. Her eyes flicked to Lily with a hint of envy. "Mr. Blackwood, who is she? Surely not one of your artists? Hardly a D-cup, I see..."

Lily’s chest size was not Vanessa’s concern.

With a disdainful look at the woman, Lily turned and left. Prolonging her stay would only invite more irritation.

Ethan’s voice echoed after her once again, laced with disdain. "She’s merely a mistress."

Lily’s shoulders trembled at the words.

"Oh, so Mr. Blackwood has taken her in as a mistress. Mr. Blackwood, why not consider someone else? Surely, there’s someone better than her?" Vanessa cooed, rubbing her body against Ethan’s arm.

Lily had already left the restaurant. After a brief glance at the vacant doorway, Ethan shook off Vanessa’s advances and declared coldly, "Because I, Ethan Blackwood, do not keep women who have been with others."

Vanessa was abruptly dismissed, her face pale with a sniffle.

Lily sat in the hall, perusing a magazine, when she inquired, "How are Cipher and the others faring?"

Nanny, occupied with peeling an apple, shook her head. "They’re hospitalized, beaten severely."

"..." Ethan, the violent man.

"Mr. Blackwood has been combative since childhood. He often doesn’t realize his strength," Nanny added, pointing to the mark on her face. "Miss Anderson, don’t hold it against him."

"Nanny, you’ve been with him for many years?" Lily was taken aback. To work for someone as temperamental as Ethan and remain for so long was surprising.

Was she not afraid of the potential for abuse?

"I’ve known Mr. Blackwood since he was a child," Nanny reminisced.

"Lily!" Ethan’s stern voice interrupted from behind.

Lily, suppressing her annoyance, turned from the sofa to see Ethan with his arm around the woman with the ample curves.

"Are you expecting me to vacate the premises?" Lily asked, her smile devoid of warmth as she rose from the sofa. "Nanny, let’s retire upstairs."

"Yes, Miss Anderson."

Nanny promptly set aside her apple and stood to follow.

As Lily passed Ethan, her shoulder was roughly pressed by him, causing discomfort.

"Release me," Lily demanded through gritted teeth, attempting to pull away. However, his grip was unyielding.

Ethan’s gaze was menacing, his expression stern.

This woman only ever spoke to him to demand release.

So be it.

In the next moment, Ethan thrust her away. Off-balance, Lily fell into Nanny, who caught her. "Miss Anderson, are you alright?"

"I’m not alright," Lily insisted, her gaze fixed on Ethan.

Ethan’s eyes were dark, his mood inscrutable. He pulled Vanessa closer, looking at Lily with disdain. "She’s the one vying for the lead in ’Kill.’ You’re in charge of her interview today."

Interview?

What was Ethan’s game?

Lily massaged her sore shoulder, regarding Vanessa with curiosity. She hadn’t seen this woman before. Could a production as significant as ’Kill’ actually consider a newcomer?

Climbing into Ethan’s bed indeed held a different kind of currency.

A newcomer, what was she interviewing for? How had she managed to get close to Ethan?

Upon hearing Ethan’s words, Vanessa’s spirits visibly lifted, indicating hope for the lead role.

Vanessa raised her eyebrows at Lily, her pride evident. "I’m Vanessa Mitchell."

"Vanessa Mitchell."

Lily repeated the name, a sense of familiarity tugging at her memory. Vanessa... Vanessa, she’d heard it somewhere before.

Lily’s thoughtful expression amused Ethan. Thanks to her innocence, she was utterly unaware of specific adult entertainment stars.

But he didn’t need his woman to be knowledgeable about such things.

The Gossip Weekly’s sex symbol!

"Japan’s adult film star Vanessa Mitchell?!" Lily finally remembered.

Vanessa, often featured in the gossip weekly in pixelated, suggestive photos, was almost unrecognizable clothed.

"...." Ethan’s face darkened.

He lifted Vanessa, his expression stern.

Being referred to in such a manner, Vanessa’s face contorted, clinging to Ethan’s arm as she pouted. "Mr. Blackwood, I haven’t made that kind of film in ages... why does she still call me that?..."

"Leave!" Ethan commanded, glaring at Lily as he and Vanessa exited.

Lily stood rooted to the spot.

Hadn’t he asked her to conduct an interview? Why was he taking Vanessa outside?

Seeing Lily’s hesitation, Ethan turned back, his voice cold. "Not following?"

"Why should I?" Lily countered, eyeing his arm around Vanessa’s waist.

Vanessa, clinging to Ethan, smirked at Lily. "Mr. Blackwood is taking me to the opera. Naturally, you’re to continue the interviews. Do you want me to rearrange my schedule to accommodate an interview for you?!"

Lily looked at Ethan, confusion evident on her face. Ethan’s expression was resolute.

Was there a misunderstanding? They were going to the opera, and she was supposed to tag along for an interview.

How was she supposed to conduct it?

As they shared an intimate moment, she quietly inquired from the side, "Vanessa, may I ask what distinguishes a major film from an adult film?"

What a bizarre situation. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"What? Do you want me to carry you away?!" Ethan stared at her, his tone threatening.

Lily was too angry to respond.

Ethan stopped as well, standing his ground and looking at her with a grim expression, his eyes radiating a bone-chilling menace.

If she didn’t comply, he would undoubtedly take action against her.

"Nanny, fetch me a camera and a recorder," Lily conceded, not wanting to risk further injury.

"Right away, Miss Anderson."

Ethan’s lips curled into a victorious smile as he and Vanessa made their way outside.

He detested disobedience in women.

Lily’s defiance only fueled his anger.

Ethan typically travels alone, but today, three black luxury cars followed a silver sports car, each with bodyguards dressed in black.

Lily had an uneasy feeling. Were all these bodyguards meant for her?

She wasn’t capable of flight without wings.

"Hey, you sit in the front," Vanessa instructed, condescendingly pointing to the passenger seat. She then turned to Ethan, her voice timid. "Today’s sun is quite intense..."

Vanessa’s English, tinged with a Japanese accent, should have been pleasant, but it sounded odd to her.

It was annoyingly grating.

Holding a somewhat heavy camera, Lily closed the door behind her and caught Ethan’s gaze in the rearview mirror.

Their eyes met, a spark of tension arcing between them.

His gaze was intense, almost predatory.

That look sent a jolt of nervousness through her, and she quickly averted her eyes.

This woman...

Ethan stared at a strand of her hair, his chest strangely constricted.

Ethan’s gaze was fixated on the strands of hair that had fallen onto the driver’s seat, his chest tightening with an inexplicable discomfort. With a tug at his tie, he pushed away Vanessa, who clung to him with the tenacity of a koala.

The overpowering perfume threatened to suffocate anyone in its vicinity.

"Mr. Blackwood," Vanessa immediately reattached herself to his arm.

Ethan’s cold gaze swept over her, and he was about to forcefully disengage when he saw Lily turning around in the passenger seat. The hand that was poised to push Vanessa away instead encircled her figure.

His fingers traced a suggestive path along Vanessa’s bare arms.

"Mr. Blackwood," Vanessa cooed, leaning into him with a pout, her voice laced with a melodramatic inflection.

How much of an age secret could a few years in the film industry reveal?

"Might I inquire, Miss Mitchell, what prompts your interest in the lead role for ’Kill’?" Lily asked, maintaining a professional tone despite the tension.

"Such a question reveals one’s age, dear. Do you even know how to conduct an interview?" Vanessa complained, her words punctuated by a grating lilt.

Lily’s patience was thin as she continued, "Then could you explain why you’re vying for the lead role in ’Kill’?"

"The role is undeniably challenging. I aim to demonstrate to the audience that I possess the talent to pursue a legitimate career. I’m not just some exhibitionist," Vanessa declared, her voice dripping with affected innocence.

Lily couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the irony of Vanessa’s claim, considering the earlier scene in the study.

The constant whining in Vanessa’s voice was grating on Lily’s nerves.

"Mr. Blackwood, we’ve arrived," the driver announced, interrupting the awkward exchange.

Peering out the window, Lily observed that they had pulled up to the city’s most prestigious opera house.

"Look at that, we’re here. Mr. Blackwood, isn’t it amusing how your mistress is more of a nuisance than a journalist? All day, she’s only managed two questions," Vanessa remarked, her voice taking on a petulant tone as she clung to Ethan.

Feeling increasingly annoyed, Lily sat in the passenger seat and switched off her recorder. She was eager to escape the car and Vanessa’s irritating voice.

"Perhaps she’s grown too accustomed to her role as a mistress and forgotten her journalistic duties," Ethan’s voice, laced with sarcasm, echoed from the backseat.