CHAPTER 302: CHAPTER 302: NOT WANTING HER TO BECOME AN ISLAND

Even though Serena had already made her rejection clear, speaking very plainly.

Even Ethan Lynch had agreed personally.

But it was still necessary for Ethan to let go completely.

Silas Hawthorne stayed by Serena’s side, understanding her dilemma.

She didn’t want to reach a breaking point with Ethan because of this.

"More than that information, she cares about your safety." Silas thought for a moment and then said.

Ethan still had his head lowered, not speaking.

"You have always been in her heart," Silas continued.

Ethan paused slightly and looked up at Silas.

"As a family kind of love," Silas added, "She sees you as a brother."

Ethan felt like Silas was playing with him and frowned slightly.

Silas smiled and said, "You don’t need to feel like you owe me anything, it’s me who owes you."

"If you hadn’t risked getting the information, I would have sent someone to do it; the result would have been the same."

"But because of your actions, we got it faster than before."

To prove the truth of his words, Silas handed Ethan a document.

Ethan flipped through it.

It was a plan.

Just because Ethan had a more legitimate reason, less likely to be noticed, Silas didn’t send someone from the Hawthorne Group.

He hoped to be with Serena, but he didn’t want to imprison her.

She had her own family and friends.

He didn’t want to cut off her ties with those people.

He didn’t want her to become an isolated island.

Therefore, he hoped to achieve a win-win through a more indirect way.

He hoped to enter her life, rather than trap her in his world.

"Jasper Ford has already started meeting other heiresses lately," Silas said while watching Ethan flipping through the document.

Ethan put down the plan and looked at Silas.

"Do you hope I do the same?" Ethan asked.

Silas didn’t answer this question but instead brought up something else.

"You accepted when she was with Julian Lawson," Silas looked into Ethan’s eyes and asked, "Why can’t you accept me being with her?"

"It’s not the same," Ethan frowned.

"What’s different?" Silas asked.

Ethan opened his mouth, wanting to say something but couldn’t say a word.

Indeed, there was no difference.

He thought that after she and Julian broke up, he also had a chance.

But clearly, a long time ago, when she was still in the hospital, she had already made it clear to him.

No ambiguity.

Spoke very clearly.

It was he who held onto thoughts.

After a long pause, Ethan finally said, "Did she ask you to persuade me?"

"No," Silas replied.

Ethan, however, seemed skeptical.

Silas took a long breath and said, "Ethan, she doesn’t want to hurt you, nor would she force me to do this."

"She is in a dilemma, torn apart."

Ethan remained silent, staring at Silas, as if he wanted to see the truth of his words on Silas’s face.

Silas didn’t flinch, maintaining eye contact with Ethan.

"Jasper saw things clearly himself, that’s why he took those actions."

Silas said, "Do you think he accepted the cooperation with the Hawthorne Group and started meeting new people because he didn’t care about Serena in his heart?"

Ethan’s pupils trembled, unable to speak.

Silas gently said, "Sometimes, accepting others’ cooperation or help is a form of letting go and courage."

On the other side, Jasper was still ranting, along with Bianca Lynch, both criticizing Julian Lawson and the people online who insulted Serena.

Watching from a distance, Ethan suddenly felt as if he was meeting Jasper anew.

It seemed like Jasper was no longer the hot-tempered Jasper he used to be.

He suddenly realized that the one truly torn was himself.

The one who couldn’t let go was Ethan Lynch.

"I’m planning to officially propose to Serena," nearby, Silas said, "I want to marry her."

Ethan still watched Jasper from afar, not turning his head.

"Serena’s father has been gone for many years."

Silas continued saying, "At the wedding ceremony, I hope you could take on that role, holding her hand, and walking her to me."

Ethan slowly turned around, looking at Silas, his eyes slightly moist.

Silas smiled and patted Ethan on the shoulder.

Then, Silas poured another cup of hot tea and handed it to Ethan.

This time, Ethan accepted the hot tea from Silas’s hand.

"Okay," Ethan said.

The aroma of the tea lingered, swirling on the taste buds.

Ethan finished the tea.

At this moment, he had truly moved on.

On the other side, Jasper, who had been deliberately talking loudly, and Bianca exchanged a glance, understanding each other without words.

Both breathed a sigh of relief.

Especially Bianca.

On one side was her best friend, on the other her brother.

She had been truly torn these past days.

Afraid of losing either of them.

Afraid of being forced to choose one.

Luckily, everything was resolved now.

"How about trying my cooking tonight?" Ethan stood up and asked.

"That would be great," Silas stood up too, going with Ethan to the pantry.

Bianca withdrew her gaze, feeling relaxed, then looked at Jasper in front of her and said, "So, which heiress caught your eye?"

Jasper rolled his eyes.

"Not that fast, just starting to meet people," Jasper said, "But what about you and Justin Jennings?"

Bianca smiled happily, not saying a word.

"So happy, are you planning a wedding?" Jasper teased.

"Not really," Bianca laughed, "Just making good progress."

Jasper nodded, they had all grown up together, knowing each other well, having a future together seemed fitting.

"But Jasper, let me tell you." Bianca pointed her finger, "If you’re meeting other people, you can’t be thinking about Serena while being with someone else, that wouldn’t be fair."

Jasper nodded, reached out, and patted Bianca on the head, saying, "I understand."

In a video call, Xander Linton shouted, reminding them not to ignore him.

Bianca threw a big punch at the camera.

...

Time passed slowly.

When Serena woke up, it was already afternoon.

She had just changed clothes and gone downstairs when she heard everyone’s voices.

And the aroma coming from the kitchen.

"Serena, you’re awake?" Bianca was the first to notice Serena.

Serena smiled and ran over, hugging Bianca.

"Not at work?" Serena asked with a smile.

"I switched shifts with a colleague," Bianca immediately said, leading her to the dining room, "My brother too."

Serena seemed unsure about what to say.

Bianca noticed Serena’s hesitation and said, "Don’t worry, my brother has already come around."

"From now on, just like me, treat him as a brother," Bianca whispered into Serena’s ear.

Serena felt a bit skeptical, Bianca had said that before, but then...

While Serena was still pondering, Ethan, wearing a frilly apron, came out of the kitchen.

The sight made Serena pause for a moment.

"Awake?" Ethan asked, holding a spatula.

Serena nodded.

"Perfect timing; dinner will be ready soon," Ethan said with a smile, his eyes clear, just like years ago when he watched over her and Bianca.

Serena understood.

Her nose tingled slightly, and she smiled and nodded.