Chapter 1003:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

There was a brief pause. “You… you’re planning to go after Brian?”

“Not yet.” I kept my voice level. “Just make sure Jeremy keeps Ethan from doing anything stupid. I’ll find a solution.”

Once the call ended, I tried reaching Ethan again. Several attempts went unanswered before I finally managed to connect with him through Jeremy.

The instant I heard Ethan’s rough, exhausted voice on the other end, something inside me tightened.

“Ethan, hear me out.” I fought to keep my voice from shaking. “Brian has the antidote. I’m certain of it. The way he spoke when he called me made it obvious that he knows about it. I recorded the conversation. Listen to it yourself.”

For several seconds, there was nothing but silence. Then his strained voice came through. “Lianne…”

“Come home first!” I interrupted gently. “We’ll discuss everything when you’re back. If you refuse to return, I’ll come find you myself.”

He didn’t answer for a long while. Eventually, he let out a quiet breath. “Alright.”

𝘗𝗈pula𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿і𝗲ѕ o𝘯 𝘨𝖺ln𝘰𝗏е𝗅ѕ.𝖼o𝘮

Lianne’s POV:

After ending the call, I remained seated on the sofa, waiting for Ethan to come back.

Nearly half an hour later, the front door finally opened. The moment Ethan stepped inside, I barely recognized him. His shirt was smeared with dark red blood, his sleeves were pushed up to his forearms, and dried blood still stained his hands.

His face was deathly pale, his eyes rimmed with red, and his entire appearance made it seem as though he had just endured hell itself.

My heart ached at the sight of him, and I immediately rose and walked toward him.

Only a few hours ago, there had still been hope. Now it had all been shattered. Anyone would have struggled to hold themselves together beneath such a crushing blow.

I didn’t ask him what had happened. Instead, I took his hand and quietly told him, “Go upstairs, take a shower, and change into something clean first.”

He looked at me silently, gave a slight nod, and headed upstairs.

Jeremy came in shortly afterward, looking just as exhausted and disheveled. I brought him a clean change of clothes before arranging for him to use the guest room to wash up and get some rest.

As he took the clothes from me, he said quietly, “Lianne, try talking to Ethan. He’ll listen to you.”

I nodded.

Not long after, Frank called me. He told me that Tracy had become so overwhelmed with anxiety that she’d been taken to the hospital.

My heart immediately clenched, and I hurriedly asked how she was doing.

Thankfully, the examination revealed nothing serious. The emotional distress had only triggered contractions, and a few days of rest should be enough for her to recover.

Relieved, I let out a quiet breath and reminded Frank to keep a close watch over her.

.

.

.