Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 48: Sending Him a Person

The text message was unsigned and succinct. It was brief, yet its intention was so obvious that Ethan Lancaster had no doubt who sent it.

He placed the phone back on the nightstand. Miles Hawthorne’s meaning was crystal clear. He still hadn’t touched Hannah Lynch. ’By telling Raina this,’ he thought, ’does he think there’s still a chance for them?’

’Perhaps he thinks that as long as he doesn’t cross that line, he can still come back to Raina in the future.’

’How utterly ridiculous.’

When Raina Reddington came out of the shower, Ethan Lancaster acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to flip through the book in his hand. "Did you eat dinner?"

"Yes, the housekeeper saved some for me." Raina Reddington threw back the covers and lay down, her hair hastily dried. She rolled over, turning her back to Ethan Lancaster. "I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep."

Ethan Lancaster stared at her back. ’This is a dead giveaway,’ he thought. ’That message from Miles Hawthorne must have stirred something in her. No wonder she’s looking at me, her own husband, like I’m an eyesore she wants to kick to the curb.’

Raina Reddington was asleep almost instantly, having already put the text message out of her mind. Ethan Lancaster threw his book at the nightstand beside him. The SLAM startled Raina, who mumbled drowsily, "What are you doing?"

’If he hadn’t seen how dead tired she was, Ethan Lancaster would have shown her exactly what he wanted to do right then and there.’

Seth Sinclair was always thorough when it came to investigating people and matters. And whether the task was good or bad, as long as Ethan Lancaster assigned it, he would always arrange things flawlessly.

Ethan Lancaster listened to what he had just said without a word. Seth Sinclair watched the pen twirl between his fingers.

After a long moment, Ethan Lancaster finally gripped the pen tightly. "Are you saying that Miles Hawthorne and Hannah Lynch went to Mercy Seas Hospital, and they specifically requested an appointment with Raina?"

"Yes. Miss Lynch had a physical exam. It was likely in preparation for pregnancy."

Ethan Lancaster couldn’t suppress a smirk, his gaze sweeping over Seth Sinclair’s icy face. "Must have been tough on you, running around investigating women."

"It wasn’t any trouble. Just a matter of pulling up some medical records."

"How are the arrangements I asked you to make coming along?"

Hearing this, Seth Sinclair looked troubled. "Miles Hawthorne is a very cautious man. He watches his every step, which makes it difficult to get him to fall into a trap."

"Everyone has a soft spot, a weakness. Just like with the incident at The Clearwater Hot Spring Hotel. He must have a few places he frequents. It’s fine. We’ll wait for the right time. I can afford to wait."

"Understood."

Ethan Lancaster stood up. Seth Sinclair glanced at him, hesitating as if he wanted to say something.

He had been by Ethan Lancaster’s side for so many years that their mutual understanding was a given. Ethan kicked back the chair behind him with his leg. "If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush."

"Fourth Master, the water conservancy charity project ended long ago. You won. Are you targeting Miles Hawthorne now because of your wife?"

"And what if I am?"

It wasn’t that he couldn’t, it just seemed a bit unnecessary in Seth Sinclair’s eyes. "You and your wife don’t have any feelings for each other, let alone love. Even if you let her be, nothing serious would happen..."

Ethan Lancaster exploded at his words. "What do you mean, no feelings?"

Seth Sinclair was taken aback, momentarily stumped. But he wasn’t wrong. "Fourth Master, don’t tell me you... like your wife?"

Ethan Lancaster’s handsome features were practically twisted into a knot. His throat felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. ’She’s my woman,’ he thought. ’The woman I married and brought back to The Verdant Garden. Am I supposed to just let her make a cuckold out of me?’

Ethan Lancaster tossed out one last sentence before walking out. "Serves you right for being single."

Seth Sinclair shrugged. ’Nothing wrong with being single,’ he thought. ’It’s much more peaceful.’

Ethan Lancaster never brought up the incident at The Clearwater Hotel again, and Raina Reddington never explained it further, but she had a feeling it wasn’t over just like that.

That person not only knew Joanna Lloyd’s itinerary but had also calculated that Ethan Lancaster would be there. Setting aside Miles Hawthorne’s appearance, who could have that kind of ability?

The first person Raina Reddington thought of was Miranda Cameron.

After getting off work at the hospital and heading home, Raina Reddington walked into the parking garage, only to see another car parked next to hers.

As she approached, the driver honked the horn. Ethan Lancaster rolled down the rear passenger window. "Get in."

"What are you doing here?"

"Picking you up for dinner." Ethan Lancaster opened the car door. "I’ll have the driver bring you back tomorrow morning."

Raina Reddington sat down next to Ethan Lancaster, and the car drove off. The places he chose were always high-end, ranging from flashy entertainment venues to secluded hideaways. This time, however, their destination was a teahouse.

Raina Reddington followed Ethan Lancaster into one of the private rooms. Her first impression was that it was huge. It was decorated in a completely Japanese style, with tatami mats and a television. It looked just like a hotel room and had everything one could possibly need.

A server brought in tea, and less than fifteen minutes later, returned with a full Japanese meal to go with it.

"Just eating like this is boring. Let’s watch some TV," Ethan Lancaster said as he got up, walked over, and grabbed the remote to turn on the television.

Raina Reddington was starving and couldn’t be bothered to watch TV. She picked up her chopsticks, chose a piece of sushi, and popped it into her mouth.

"Is it good?"

"Mhm."

Ethan Lancaster didn’t sit across from Raina Reddington. Instead, he squeezed in right beside her. The space could barely fit one person, and she placed a hand on his chest to push him away. "Go sit on the other side."

"But then I’d be blocking your view of the TV."

"I’m not watch—" Raina Reddington started to say, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the television screen.

On the screen was a teahouse, its decor identical to the room she was in now. The only difference was the person sitting at the low table.

Raina Reddington forgot to chew, her mouth stuffed full of sushi. Her heart sank, and she whipped her head around to look at Ethan Lancaster beside her.

"Go on, eat. It’s the salmon you love." Ethan Lancaster picked up a plump piece of salmon and dipped it into the soy sauce mixed with wasabi.

Raina Reddington put down her chopsticks and managed to swallow the food in her mouth. "What is the meaning of this?"

Ethan Lancaster sat cross-legged, his left hand propped behind him and his other arm resting on Raina Reddington’s waist. "It doesn’t mean anything. I just turned on the TV randomly. How was I supposed to know he’d be on?"

On the television screen, Miles Hawthorne was looking down, sipping his tea. He seemed to be waiting for someone.

Raina Reddington tried to get up and turn off the TV, but Ethan Lancaster pulled her back. "It’s not a crime to watch. Don’t be so nervous."

Miles Hawthorne kept checking his watch. On the table were a pot of tea and some small snacks. He drank several cups of tea, and even though the room wasn’t particularly warm, he began to break out in a sweat.

Raina Reddington watched him take off his jacket and loosen his tie. He had been sitting upright, but now he was starting to look restless.

"What did you do to him?" Raina Reddington asked, seeing that something was wrong.

Miles Hawthorne had clearly noticed it too. He grabbed his jacket and stood up to leave, but at that exact moment, the door from outside was pushed open.

Raina Reddington saw Hannah Lynch walk briskly into the room. At the same time, the door was closed behind her.

Ethan Lancaster raised his cup to the television in a toast. ’Here’s to them successfully consummating their relationship.’