Chapter 169

"I'll personally tell Grandma the truth within three months. Until then, I need you to keep this secret."

Evelyn frowned slightly, sensing something unspoken in Ethan's words.

"When exactly?"

"No later than three months."

Silence stretched between them before Evelyn reluctantly nodded.

"Fine. I hope you keep your word."

As she turned to leave, Ethan grabbed her wrist.

"You'll need to play along during this time. Every visit to Grandma requires your presence."

"Ethan!" She yanked her arm free. "Keeping this secret is already crossing my line!"

His gaze darkened. "Grandma's health has been declining since the last shock. I won't have her worrying about us."

"Understood." Her voice turned icy. "Anything else?"

He released her and shook his head.

"I'm leaving."

The private room door slammed shut. Ethan remained motionless, his fingertips still warm from her skin.

Returning to the VIP suite, Evelyn had lost her appetite. After picking at her food, she left the restaurant with Zoe.

"I must've been blind!" Zoe fumed in the car. "Arrogant control freaks are the worst!"

Evelyn changed the subject. "How did you meet Lucas Laurier?"

"That annoying investor!" Zoe rolled her eyes. "He keeps inviting me to dinner under the pretense of discussing Eternal Legacy, always so damn polite I can't even refuse properly!"

Lucas's flirtatious charm screamed playboy—exactly the type Zoe despised.

"Rumor says he changes girlfriends more often than shirts," Evelyn warned.

"Relax!" Zoe scoffed. "I hate players like him."

The memory of her mother excusing her father's endless betrayals haunted her. That childhood trauma had killed her belief in love.

"Just be careful."

"I'll quit acting once I save enough!" Zoe's eyes sparkled. "Open a little bookstore somewhere anonymous—just reading and sunbathing all day."

Back at Northville Villa, Evelyn buried herself in paperwork until late evening. Rubbing her stiff neck, she emerged from the study past ten.

Her phone buzzed with William's caller ID.

"Evelyn, where are you?"

Her tone chilled. "What do you want?"

After an endless pause, he finally spoke. "Come home. We need to talk."