Chapter 252

Ethan Sullivan gave a curt nod. "As you wish."

"Then it's settled. Adrian will report to Sullivan Corporation tomorrow."

The elderly Mrs. Sullivan rubbed her temples as she stood. "I'm rather tired. You should all retire early tonight. Evelyn, come with me."

Evelyn followed the matriarch into the bedroom. The moment the door closed, she heard the old woman sigh. "Is there truly no chance of reconciliation?"

Her fingers tightened. "Grandmother, our issues weren't created overnight."

"But I can see Ethan genuinely cares for you now."

Evelyn's breath hitched, her nails digging into her palms.

"That's just possessiveness talking." She shook her head with a bitter smile. "Like a child throwing tantrums over a snatched toy."

Mrs. Sullivan clasped her cold hands. "What if... just what if he truly repents?"

Silence filled the room.

After a long pause, Evelyn lifted her red-rimmed eyes. "It's too late. The accumulated disappointments have eroded all affection."

Tears welled in the old woman's eyes before she simply patted Evelyn's hand.

When Evelyn exited, only Ethan's tall silhouette remained by the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Finished?" He turned, warm lighting casting fragmented shadows across his chiseled features.

"Yes."

He picked up his suit jacket. "I'll drive you home."

Evelyn instinctively stepped back, yet her pulse stuttered when she met his penetrating gaze.

The car ride passed in oppressive silence.

As they stopped before Northville Villa, Ethan suddenly leaned over, his hand covering hers on the seatbelt release.

"I'm flying to the States tomorrow."

She jerked her hand away like she'd been burned. "Not my concern."

"But I wanted you to know." His voice held an unfamiliar softness that unsettled her.

This was dangerous.

"Mr. Sullivan," she said coldly, pushing the door open, "if this continues, we won't even remain friends."

Moonlight caught the bob of Ethan's Adam's apple.

"Understood."

Watching the black Maybach vanish into the night, Evelyn slumped against her door, slowly sinking to the floor.

In the darkness, her mind replayed that figure swimming toward her through floodwaters.

She abruptly stood and flicked on the lights—this had to end.

At dawn, Simon Reynolds appeared in her office doorway just as Evelyn tore up a plane ticket to Paris.