Hearts in Turmoil

Chapter 9: Confrontation

Lily Zhao felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as Ethan's words hit her like a cold slap. His tone was cold and clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding. He had seen through her completely. As it turned out, Ethan was right. Lily had considered using her child as leverage to secure her position within the powerful Chen family. Even if Ethan wasn't on her side, she thought that having his child could give her an advantage over Jason.

The Chen family would never turn away a child of their own, and in Lily's mind, this could be her ace in the hole. She could play the waiting game and bide her time until she had the upper hand over Jason. She was prepared to wait for as long as it took. But now, standing in front of Ethan, it seemed like all her plans were falling apart.

What she hadn't factored in was that Grace was connected to Ethan. If he found out she was pregnant, it wouldn't be enough to secure her future. The Chen family wouldn't let her use a child to claim anything, not under Ethan's scrutiny.

"Dr. Li, if I am pregnant, don't I have a right to at least have a say in what happens to the child?" Lily asked, her voice a little shaky as she tried to stay calm.

Ethan looked at her with a sharp, cold gaze. "If you can guarantee the child won't try to claim the Chen family's wealth, I won't get involved."

Lily felt even more disappointed. It wasn't just about having a child – it was about getting the resources she needed to take down Jason. Without financial backing, she wouldn't stand a chance against him. She couldn't lie to Ethan and she couldn't pretend that she didn't need the money. She stood there, unsure how to respond.

Ethan, on the other hand, seemed totally unfazed, with eyes that betrayed an air of disinterest. To him, this had always been just a physical arrangement. He wasn't planning on giving her any real role in his life or in his family.

Lily tried to stay calm, even though her mind was racing. "Dr. Li, I'm not interested in your money. "I never did."

Ethan laughed. He could see right through her words. "You're either genuinely pitiful or an incredible actress. Or maybe you're motivated by money or convenience. "Either way, I can see what you're after."

Lily's body language changed, and she looked down. Her plans, her carefully laid-out strategy – it was falling apart right in front of her. She forced herself to respond, her voice barely audible. "Ethan, I need to talk to you."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking. "Your little act won't work on me." If you want to play the innocent, you'll have to find someone else.

"I'm not pretending!" Lily realised her voice had come out sharper than she had intended. She was eager to salvage whatever chance she had left.

Ethan didn't seem affected. "Not pretending?" You hit Jason with a brick, scratched his face up pretty badly, and now you're here acting like you're the victim. "You don't exactly look innocent."

Lily bit her lip, realising that she was completely exposed under Ethan's gaze. There was no way to avoid his scrutiny. He saw right through her and wasn't interested in playing along.

Ethan spoke in a calm, measured tone as he continued, "The two times we've been together, they meant nothing to me." If you're looking for someone to take down Jason, that's definitely an option. "But you're not worth the effort."

His words were pretty blunt, and they cut deep. He not only saw through her motives, but he also had no intention of helping her.

Lily felt her face flush with frustration and shame, but she forced herself to smile, even if it felt a bit forced. "Dr. Li, I'm not sure what you're referring to."

Ethan's expression became more impassive. "I'm sure you don't."

Ethan brushed her concerns aside without further comment. "Let's get your check-up over with."

Lily had never thought there was much chance of her being pregnant, especially given her irregular periods and difficulty conceiving. When the test came back negative, she wasn't surprised. To be honest, she'd already been expecting it.

Ethan quickly scanned the report and said, "You can go home and get some rest."

As he was finishing his sentence, Lena came into the room. Her eyes immediately went to the report in Ethan's hand, and she raised an eyebrow, her voice full of amusement. "Ethan, your friend should look after herself better. "It's not easy to marry into money, after all."

Lena's words were sharp, and her eyes glinted with a hint of hostility. She knew exactly who Lily was and what had happened between them. There was a tangible sense of tension between them.

Lily felt angry and humiliated. Lena's words stung, making her feel like she'd failed – like she was grasping at straws, trying to claim something that was never meant for her. She could feel her cheeks getting hot as she felt her resentment rising.

Ethan, however, didn't seem bothered. He chuckled under his breath, glancing at Lena. "Isn't that the truth?"

Lily's chest tightened with frustration as she heard Ethan agree so casually. Her eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with hurt. "Dr. Li, I'm still a young girl with feelings. Do you really have to treat me this way?"