Chapter 4

The incoming call was from an unfamiliar number.

Without thinking, Lana directly declined the call and blocked the number.

She generally didn't answer calls from strangers.

Most of them were spam calls anyway, and she usually had her acquaintances’ number saved in her phone.

She had completely forgotten about stepping on someone's shoes.

**

It wasn't until nine o'clock the next morning that Ethan returned. The man who usually cared so much about his image had disheveled hair, and his handsome face showed obvious signs of fatigue.

Lana, who was eating breakfast, imperceptibly curved her lips.

She was naturally pleased to see him like this.

She had said she would tear apart everything he had, piece by piece.

Ethan looked at Lana, who clearly knew he had returned but remained seated without moving. His deep eyes shifted as he walked toward her, embracing her from behind, his gentle voice carrying a coaxing tone. "Those photos online are all digitally fabricated. We're already investigating who's behind this. Don't overthink it."

Digitally fabricated...

His ability to lie through his teeth almost made Lana laugh out loud. Suppressing the mockery in her eyes, she stood up and put distance between them. "According to you, someone is deliberately using you and Lily as a story. Are you still going to keep her around?"

"...Being dragged into this mess, she's innocent enough already. As a boss, I can't push everything onto her—that would break the hearts of other employees."

Listen to that—how righteous and proper.

Lana's tone became even lighter. "Even if it affects the company's IPO?"

"What you're worried about won't happen!"

Having been in business for years, what storms hadn't he weathered? These were just dirty tricks that wouldn't affect him at all.

Looking at his confident face, Lana nodded. "Since you're so sure, I won't worry unnecessarily."

After saying this, she turned to go upstairs.

Ethan grabbed her wrist. "It's the weekend today. I'll take you for a drive this afternoon."

Lana pulled her hand free, smiling but not really smiling. "Let's see if you're actually free this afternoon!"

Lily would never let them spend too much time alone together.

Sure enough, less than an hour later, he said a client needed to meet.

Lana felt nothing but mockery in her heart.

In the past six months, he had stood her up too many times. Perhaps even he didn't remember how many lies he'd told her.

Every time Lily called, he would rush off immediately. Lana wondered—when he deceived her each time, did he feel even a shred of guilt?

He said he didn't want a divorce, but in his behavior, where did he still treat her as a wife?

If he cared even a little bit, observant as he usually was, he would have noticed that many of her things were missing from the house.

She had bought herself an apartment. As for this house, she had already posted it for sale on the real estate website.

This house was one she had personally designed and helped build. Of course she wouldn't leave it to him.

Being an orphan, when Ethan proposed to her, she thought she would finally have a family member who would never abandon her for life.

To her, he wasn't just a lover but also family. So she spent nearly two years personally creating this home that belonged to both of them...

With a bitter smile, Lana continued packing.

As she looked at the cabinet full of luxury goods, Lana's heart still couldn't help but ache.

Once, his whole world revolved around her. He remembered all the holidays and carefully prepared gifts each time. But starting two years ago, there had been nothing.

So his relationship with Lily didn't start just a year ago. It was only last night that she learned his acquaintance with Lily was deliberately arranged by her dear sister-in-law.

She found a luxury goods reseller online and had them come to the house. All the money from the sale went to charity.

What a coincidence—just as she picked up her packed luggage and was about to leave, her sister-in-law Stephanie, who never initiated contact, called.

Looking at the constantly flashing caller ID, Lana's eyes quickly sharpened. She pressed answer. "What is it?"

"Mom wants you to come back. She says she got some medicine that helps with fertility."

Forget that she and Ethan were already divorced—even if they weren't, her mother-in-law could never be that kind-hearted.

Obviously, Stephanie had ulterior motives. Lana deliberately asked, "Do I have to go today?"

"Yes, and preferably right now."

"...Fine."

**

The seaside villa was nearly a forty-minute drive from the Mitchell family home. When Lana arrived, it was exactly lunch time.

The butler was a bit surprised to see her. "Miss Carter, why are you here?"

Mr. Mitchell and Miss Walsh were also here—what if they ran into each other?

Miss Carter...

She and Ethan had been married for three years, but her mother-in-law never allowed the servants to call her “Mrs. Mitchell.”

In the past, hearing this title made her heart ache, but now...

She couldn't ask for anything better!

She glanced at the butler. "What, I can't come?"

"..." This was the first time the butler had been treated this way by Lana. It took several seconds for him to react. "I'll go tell Madam."

Without waiting for Lana to say anything, the butler ran into the house, leaving her locked outside.

Without permission, she didn't even have the right to enter the Mitchell family gate!

They had probably all forgotten that the Mitchell family's current status owed at least half its credit to Lana Carter.

Enjoying everything she had nearly killed herself to achieve, yet taking it for granted while looking down on her—how shameless!

Five minutes later, the butler returned and opened the gate. "Miss Carter, please follow me."

Lana followed the butler all the way to the living room.

Just reaching the entrance, she heard Lily's gentle voice...

"Ethan, your cooking skills are getting better and better. I love all the dishes you made."

"Of course, my brother specifically learned to cook for you."

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing that Ethan cooked for Lily still made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

In all their years together, even during their happiest times, Ethan had never cooked a single meal for her.

Forget cooking—he had never lifted a finger for any household chores.

Even his own underwear, he took for granted that she would wash.

"Heh..."

With a cold laugh, suppressing the feelings she shouldn't have, she stepped inside.

Ethan, Lily, her mother-in-law Margaret Watsons, and sister-in-law Stephanie Mitchell—all four were gathered around the dining table chatting and laughing, harmonious like a real family.

And she seemed like an unwelcome intruder.

In the dining room, Ethan, who was serving food to Lily, saw Lana enter with complete surprise in his eyes. "Why did you suddenly come?"

Because he knew his mother didn't like her, Lana rarely came here. Why had she suddenly come today?

Could it be like last time, deliberately following him?

Noticing the change in Ethan's expression, Lana turned her gaze to Stephanie, who was sitting there watching the show. "Your sister called me, saying your mother wanted me to come. But weren't you supposed to be meeting a client? Could it be that your client is Miss Walsh?

Miss Walsh must have quite the influence—requiring you to bring your mother and sister for a full family reception!"