The Retired CEO's Guide To Being Spoiled-Chapter 80: Awakening of Affection
"Can you send me the name of the drug? I want to investigate it a bit." Ethan Caldwell said, then grabbed his phone to contact Helen Lloyd. Kieran Talbot agreed, sending over the full government database details on the banned substance and the analysis of Julian Sterling’s blood components.
Task done, Kieran stepped out, yielding the space to the couple. Obviously, it wasn’t to let them continue their activities, but to let Ethan rest a moment, as Julian also needed to receive his IV drip.
He took the blood sample collected after their intimacy to the lab to analyze if there were any differences or mutations. Furthermore, Kieran needed to fully document the state of the drug within Julian’s system, facilitating matters should Ethan wish to press charges later.
Actually, he didn’t think Ethan would simply drag the culprit to court. As Ethan’s childhood friend, Kieran understood his nature too well. On the surface, Ethan appeared aloof and unapproachable, with no major emotional fluctuations. However, due to a childhood lacking parental companionship, Ethan had gradually become someone fiercely protective of his own. The world outside could lie in ruins for all he cared, but if you were one of his people, no one would be allowed to bully you.
Looking at Ethan’s face when he carried the person in, Kieran would bet that the boy unconscious in that room held no small status in Ethan’s heart. Perhaps it hadn’t reached the level of a deep, life-or-death romance where one couldn’t live without the other, but Julian was absolutely considered "one of us."
Well, Saint Lawrence City had been peaceful for too long, some people were starting to encroach on the boundaries of the major families.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Ethan pulled a chair to Julian’s bedside. He looked at the IV bottle, then gazed at Julian’s face for a while. Only now did he notice that Julian’s cheek was slightly flushed, seemingly turning into a bruise.
Ethan’s face darkened, his hand reaching out to caress the cheek.
Earlier, Julian’s whole body had been burning up. Because of the drug, his face was red, so Ethan hadn’t noticed. Looking now, he realized it must be where he was hit. Luckily it wasn’t too severe, just red and now faintly bruising blue.
But it surely hurt.
Ethan didn’t understand why he felt a pang of heartache.
His gaze shifted to Julian’s bandaged wrists. Even with a thick layer of gauze, it couldn’t hide the seeping blood. The more Ethan looked, the more uncomfortable he felt. He didn’t understand what was wrong with himself. Clearly, at the start, this marriage was purely a business alliance.
In fact, if Ethan wanted to marry someone who brought benefits to the Caldwell Empire, the Sterlings might not even have qualified. Ultimately, this marriage was single-handedly orchestrated by Grandpa Arthur. When he heard rumors of Julian’s suicide attempt, for a split second, Ethan had even felt relieved. Although he wasn’t dating anyone or in love when the marriage was decided, marrying anyone felt the same.
However, under the influence of the Caldwell family upbringing, the ideology that once married, one must stay together through life and death, sharing wealth and woe, was deeply ingrained in Ethan’s blood. Once committed to marriage, there is absolutely no betrayal, nor thought of separation. This meant that the moment the name Julian Sterling appeared on the marriage certificate alongside Ethan Caldwell, from then on, he was someone Ethan had to protect and cherish. Unless Julian died, Ethan was not allowed to do anything to wrong him.
But back then, Ethan’s impression of Julian really wasn’t good. His reputation was terrible, and the information Ethan’s subordinates investigated made him dislike this newly returned young master of the Sterling family.
A person too self-conscious, timid, and gloomy.
That was the only impression in Ethan’s mind about his fiancé.
Until the first time they met...
Ethan stroked the hair of the young man on the hospital bed. They hadn’t met long ago - marriage, lovemaking, frantic and lingering. At first, it could be seen as compatibility. When sexual harmony exists, the mind is also at ease. But over time, Ethan even discovered that Julian’s personality actually suited him very well.
After all, living together for a lifetime, a suitable and harmonious partner makes one happier. And for such a person, Ethan couldn’t bear to let him be hurt...
Ethan knew this incident was his oversight, and Julian had also been somewhat complacent. According to Helen’s report, Julian clearly knew there was a plot but played along. But Ethan didn’t know what would have happened if Julian had run away instead of acting according to their script.
When people scheme to catch you, they obviously have backup plans.
In the end, it was his negligence for not arranging bodyguards for Julian. This debt, he would settle with them slowly.
"Mmm... Ethan?" Julian opened his eyes, calling out groggily. His whole body was sore and aching, his waist acidly painful. Although drugged, Julian remembered everything that happened very clearly. So after calling Ethan’s name, he suddenly turned his face away, his ears burning red.
Why was I so wanton?!
At first, Ethan didn’t understand why he called him then looked away, until he saw Julian’s fair ears gradually turning red. He realized what was happening. Seeing him like that, Ethan chuckled, bending down to kiss the tip of his nose. "Feeling better?"
Julian nodded, not just his ears but his face flushing too.
Ethan looked and saw the IV bag was empty. He hurriedly removed the needle to prevent blood backflow. Once done, he bent down to scoop Julian up: "Let me take you to the room."
Ethan carried him toward the door. Only now did Julian have time to look around. He suddenly realized this wasn’t his home but a strange place. The spot he had been lying on was a small hospital bed, flanked by a cart full of medical equipment and an IV stand.
Ethan carried him out, taking a few steps to the room opposite. He entered, carefully locked the door, and placed Julian on the bed. Although the place had been cleaned up, leaving no trace of the chaotic and frightening battle from earlier, Julian still recognized this "battlefield." His face, which had just cooled down, flushed again. Julian shyly asked Ethan: "Where is this?"
"My friend’s clinic. When we got married, he was at a conference abroad so he couldn’t attend. He just got back a day or two ago, I haven’t had the chance to introduce you yet."
Originally, Ethan intended to take Julian to meet his friends after returning from his business trip, to introduce him to Kieran so they could get acquainted. Who would have thought this would happen...
