Until Ethan Wu and Nathan Lou exited the restaurant, the other patrons inside remained fixated on them, albeit less blatantly than before. Outside, the driveway was packed with luxury cars as they strolled towards the flowerbed.
"Do you believe what I told you, Mr. Lou?" Ethan asked, hands in his pockets as he glanced at Nathan before looking out at the bustling street, shimmering with neon lights under the night sky.
"I believe enough to know something's not right. She did lie about her whereabouts yesterday, and there's clearly something between her and Gary Liu. I'll investigate the rest myself." Nathan responded, though his tone hinted he believed more than he let on. After all, accepting such a truth was far from easy; it wasn't just an affair—it was a conspiracy.
"So, how did you come by this information?" Nathan asked, casting a sidelong glance at Ethan.
Ethan smiled slightly, maintaining his gaze on the vibrant city lights. "Let's just say I'd only reveal this to you because of your good relations with Isabella and Tyler. Today was a coincidence. I'm telling you because I believe it's right to prevent certain people from succeeding in their schemes. Wouldn't you agree?"
Nathan fell silent, sizing up Ethan, whose demeanor left him feeling a rare, subtle intimidation. Here was a young man who didn't respect him for his power or status but rather out of loyalty to others. Nathan suddenly found himself accepting that this was truly Isabella Li's partner.
The men shared a quiet moment, each contemplating his own thoughts. Finally, Nathan clapped Ethan on the shoulder, and with genuine gratitude in his voice, said, "Thanks, brother."
Ethan had to admit that he liked Nathan's straightforward way of expressing thanks, dropping titles and roles to do so. It was refreshing and sincere.
Nathan continued, "Have you told anyone else about this?"
"Not yet," Ethan replied. "But I suspect Isabella will be curious about what I shared with you."
Nathan rubbed his temples, his expression pained and conflicted, looking like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"What's your plan for dealing with Crystal Liu, Gary Liu, and… that child?" Ethan asked.
After a tense pause, Nathan looked at Ethan, a tinge of desperation in his gaze. "Is there any chance that child is truly mine?"
Ethan's response was firm, without a hint of hesitation. "No, he isn't. Crystal showed up in your life at exactly the right time, taking advantage of your desperation. She calculated everything. After spending time with you, she went straight to Gary Liu. I think you already know that, short of a miracle, you're unlikely to have children again."
Nathan's face clouded with anguish. He stared blankly at the bustling street, his gaze unfocused, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I'll do another paternity test tomorrow," Nathan said finally, pulling out an unopened pack of cigarettes. Though he had quit smoking years ago, he still kept a pack on hand for occasions like this, when he was entertaining guests or under immense pressure.
Ethan declined the offered cigarette with a simple gesture, watching as Nathan lit up, inhaling deeply. Nathan looked distracted, his thoughts swirling. Then, as if jolted by a sudden memory, he pulled out his phone, quickly dialing a number.
"Simon, find Gary Liu and his close associates—Harry Lee, Don Zhong—bring them to the West Hills Villa and hold them there until I arrive."
Simon Zhou, Giant Power Group's senior vice president and Nathan's longtime confidant, responded affirmatively. Hanging up, Nathan returned to his smoke, clearly wrestling with overwhelming emotions.
"Helping someone halfway isn't my style," Ethan said after a moment, breaking the silence. "Do you remember Hui-Fang Ma?"
Nathan's head jerked up, a flash of recognition in his eyes.
"Kid, how do you know her?" Nathan asked.
"Hui-Fang Ma was your first love, wasn't she? You met her when you were seventeen, stayed together for six years, and split up when you were twenty-three—after you cheated on her for a lounge singer," Ethan said, his words blunt yet unyielding.
Nathan stood there, quietly absorbing the memories, painful and buried. Decades had passed, and though Hui-Fang's face had faded in his mind, her name had never left his heart. She had been a part of a simpler, purer time in his life before the thirst for wealth and power had consumed him.
"Are you investigating me?" Nathan asked, his tone hardened with suspicion. It was unnerving to hear a man as young as Ethan recall such long-lost details.
"Not exactly. You know my line of work; ask Isabella, and she'll tell you the same," Ethan said, his voice calm. "But here's something you might not know—when you broke up, Hui-Fang was already pregnant. She didn't tell you. She kept the child, a son. So, Mr. Lou, you do have a son. In fact, you're a grandfather too."
Nathan's cigarette fell from his fingers, his eyes widening as he stared at Ethan in utter shock.
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