Chapter 270

"A woman like Evelyn Langley will walk away no matter how deeply she loved. It's only a matter of time."

Six years.

Ethan Winston thought it had been far too long.

Long enough that he almost believed the radiant girl had truly become love's puppet.

Long enough that he nearly gave up hope.

Fortunately, she finally took that step and became herself again.

Ethan: "Six whole years. She gave you countless chances—such blatant favoritism..." It was enough to drive a man mad with jealousy.

"Too bad you squandered it all. That's why she left so decisively, without even looking back."

This was the real Evelyn Langley.

When she loved, she gave everything without reservation.

When she stopped loving, she could turn away with grace and walk forward alone.

Julian Roscente once privately called her "love-struck" and "obsessed." Now he accused her of being "heartless" and "ruthless."

But Ethan understood—Evelyn never cared about others' opinions.

Love deeply, or walk away.

"The moment she decided to leave, your stomach problems—and you as a person—no longer mattered to her."

Nathan Evans staggered at these words, collapsing heavily into his chair.

His lips parted, but the sharpness in his voice was gone: "What makes you think... you know her so well?"

Ethan smirked.

"Women are like books you can never finish reading. Who dares claim they fully understand one? Especially at different ages, in different circumstances—the story changes."

"I don’t need to rush to understand Evelyn. I just want to spend my life cherishing her, reading her anew every day."

"So my answer to your question is: No, I don’t fully know her. But clearly, you don’t know her at all!"

The words stung. Nathan grabbed his glass and took a swig—only to taste bland water.

Ethan had already ordered the alcohol removed.

"Can’t win the argument, so now you won’t even let me drink?" Nathan laughed bitterly.

Ethan remained impassive. "As your friend, I’ll say this: A little drink is fine, but drowning yourself is reckless. You only get one life—don’t gamble with it."

Nathan paused, then tilted his head back and drank... water.

"Ethan, drinking with you is no fun."

"Yeah," Ethan sighed, pulling out a cigarette case before putting it away. "I don’t drink anyway."

Nathan scoffed. "What? First no alcohol, now quitting smoking too?"

"Trying to. Not there yet."

Nathan froze. A decade-long chain smoker suddenly quitting?

"Why?"

Ethan smiled faintly, his gaze mocking yet pitying.

"Told you you don’t know Evelyn. She has allergic rhinitis—especially sensitive to smoke. It’s mild, but she always frowned when someone lit up at gatherings."

Nathan was speechless.

Ethan stood, clapping him on the shoulder. "Give up. You won’t get her back."

He grabbed his coat and strode out—

"Bill’s on me. Don’t invite me next time. We’re rivals now—no room for nostalgia."