Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 166: Utter Disgrace

"Ethan!" Jessica Jacobs had reached her limit, her voice low and strained.

Raina Reddington’s face was so pale it was almost translucent. Zion Lancaster gently patted her on the back. "What’s the matter?"

She gave a weak wave of her hand, then picked up a glass of water from the table and took a couple of sips before she could bring herself to speak. "My stomach has been upset the last couple of days. I’m just getting over a cold, so greasy food makes me feel sick."

"Then don’t drink it." Zion Lancaster handed the bowl of chicken soup to Ethan Lancaster. "You finish it."

Jessica Jacobs shot Ethan Lancaster a sharp look, warning him to stop talking nonsense. ’It’s bad enough that he fools around, but to slander others on top of it?’

Ethan Lancaster glanced at Raina Reddington beside him. "If you really don’t want to eat, then forget it." He placed the bowl down. "Mom, don’t waste your time like this in the future. You have to see whether your efforts are even appreciated, right?"

"I’m sorry, Mom."

Jessica Jacobs got another empty bowl for Raina Reddington. "Don’t say that. Just eat a little of whatever you like."

"Okay."

For a moment, Ethan Lancaster had the impulse to expose her right there at the dinner table—to tell them just how heartless this woman was. ’Mom is here pouring her heart out for her, completely unaware she’s nurturing an ungrateful wretch.’

But the words died on his lips, and he forced them back down.

’His family would never be able to accept the news, and Raina would never be allowed to set foot in this house again.’

Ethan Lancaster sat beside her, his face an icy mask. Raina picked up a few pieces of broccoli. As she swallowed, it felt as if the food was tearing at her esophagus, scraping it raw enough to draw blood.

"Raina, have you been doing well lately? How’s work?" Zion Lancaster asked casually.

Raina could only give a numb nod. "It’s good."

Ethan Lancaster, unable to hold his sharp tongue, couldn’t resist adding, "She works so hard, so diligently. The hospital would be remiss not to give her a ’Model Employee’ award, wouldn’t they? Right, Doctor Reddington?"

Raina understood the hidden meaning in his words. She knew he was behind what happened at the hospital. She lowered her head, unwilling to reply.

She ate very slowly. Not wanting to disappoint Jessica Jacobs, Raina didn’t put down her chopsticks, trying to make it seem like she was eating continuously.

Seeing this, Ethan Lancaster picked up a piece of braised pork belly and placed it in Raina’s bowl. "Mom learned how to make this especially for you."

"Thank you."

Raina couldn’t stomach it, especially the sight of the fatty meat, but she still picked up the piece of pork and put it in her mouth. She ate it in tiny bites. Seeing this, Ethan Lancaster put two more kinds of food in her bowl.

"Fourth Master—" Halfway through the meal, Butler Cameron rushed in from outside. "The York family is here again." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Ethan Lancaster couldn’t stand to hear the name. He slammed his chopsticks down on the table. "They’re courting death!"

He stood and strode outside. Zion Lancaster shot up anxiously. "Ethan!"

"Sis, don’t worry. Take Bowie upstairs."

Mrs. York and Jason York stood at the entrance carrying gifts, blocked by the maids. But Mrs. York, fierce and overbearing, shoved one of them aside and forced her way in.

"Zion, we’ve come to see the child."

Ethan Lancaster walked over to block their path. "Who said you could come here? Get out."

"Fourth Master, what are you saying? It’s been so long. The child’s last name is York, after all..."

"Then you’re mistaken. The child’s surname is Lancaster."

Hearing the argument, Bowie burst into tears with a WAH. Zion Lancaster quickly scooped her up into her arms.

Ethan Lancaster glanced at the gift boxes on the floor, walked over, and sent them flying with a couple of swift kicks. "Who wants your junk? Get out!"

"Ethan Lancaster, don’t you go too far!"

Mrs. York saw Raina was there too, and a wave of hatred washed over her. ’If it hadn’t been for Raina insisting on performing Zion’s surgery, none of this would have happened.’

"Well, well, look who it is. The oh-so-delicate Young Madam is here too. Weren’t you out running around with strange men just a while ago? In and out of all sorts of disreputable places. Everyone’s been saying behind his back what a capable man the Fourth Master is, to actually put up with someone like you..."

Ethan Lancaster’s face turned livid. Mrs. York twisted the knife, striking right where it hurt. "No wonder the Fourth Master is hiding our York family’s flesh and blood. Is it because you’re getting anxious that her belly is still flat, that she can’t give you a child? Or are you just afraid she’s caught something dirty out there, so you won’t let her have one?"

Jessica Jacobs trembled with rage. She rushed forward, forgetting all about manners and decorum. "Ethan, rip her damn mouth apart! Stop her from spouting any more of this garbage!"

Seeing her chance, Mrs. York lunged forward and latched onto Ethan Lancaster’s arm. Jason York, seeing the opening, rushed toward Zion Lancaster.

"Zion, we don’t mean any harm. We just came to see the child."

Zion Lancaster instinctively clenched her daughter’s hand. She couldn’t let even the girl’s biological father see her defect.

"There’s nothing to see. Just go."

"Don’t be so cruel..."

Seeing Zion shrink back in fear, her grip on Bowie’s hand tightening, Raina stepped forward to block Jason York. "Calm down. Besides, Zion has already filed for divorce from you. There’s no need for this."

"Get out of my way!" Jason York shoved Raina’s shoulder, flinging her aside. He hadn’t used much force, but in her frail state, she couldn’t keep her footing. She collapsed and couldn’t get back up.

Ethan Lancaster shoved Mrs. York aside and strode over to Raina. He started to bend down to help her up, but his hand froze mid-air.

"What an embarrassment."

Hearing his words, Raina lifted her head to look at him.

Ethan Lancaster stood there, his face devoid of expression. "Are you going to get up or not?"

She had taken off her coat when she came in and was only wearing a loose sweater. When she fell, the sleeve had ridden up to her elbow, and Ethan Lancaster saw that something looked wrong with her arm.

He crouched down for a closer look. Realizing what he was doing, Raina quickly pulled her sleeve down.

"What happened to your arm?"

"It’s none of your business."

Her icy tone snapped Ethan Lancaster back to reality. ’It’s probably nothing serious,’ he thought. ’She must have just bumped it on the corner of the wall.’

He stood up, paying her no more mind, and walked up behind Jason York. He grabbed him by the collar and tossed him aside.

Butler Cameron called in security, who removed the Yorks, mother and son.

Raina used the wall to push herself up. Ethan told Zion to take Bowie upstairs; the little girl was frightened and still crying.

"Mom, we’re heading back, too."

Jessica Jacobs glanced at the food on the table. "You haven’t eaten your fill, have you? Stay a little longer."

"I’m full," Ethan said flatly. Raina, also eager to leave, added, "Mom, I’m full, too."

"Then you two can go back together, since Raina didn’t drive." Jessica Jacobs pulled Ethan aside and instructed him in a low voice, "Go straight home, understand?"

"We’re leaving." Ethan shot her a look as he passed. "Let’s go."

Raina grabbed her coat, said goodbye to Jessica Jacobs, and followed Ethan out. As soon as they were both in the car, before it had even started, Ethan snapped at the driver, "To Northbay."

To Gwen Sharp’s place.