Chapter 861
“If not that, what else?” Ethan slumped onto the sofa, almost collapsing into the cushions. Only when he leaned back against the soft fabric did he seem to release a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I can’t cook. Even getting takeout means walking to the door. Too much hassle.”
“Then why not have someone help? Don’t you have money to hire someone?”
“I prefer not to.”
He said it matter-of-factly, but Charlotte caught the faint, almost imperceptible trace of… pride in his tone.
“Have your wounds been redressed?” Charlotte set down the fruit and some nutritional supplements she’d brought and moved closer to him.
“They have.” Ethan’s eyes were closed, his reply lazy.
“Did you do it yourself?”
“Mm.”
Charlotte fell silent. So many wounds, and he’d tended to them alone… She could almost imagine the grueling effort it must have taken.
“What do you feel like eating?” she asked.
“Nothing in particular. But…” Ethan’s eyes suddenly opened, a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “If you want to make something nourishing, I wouldn’t mind.”
Charlotte didn’t argue. “Okay. I’ll improvise a bit.’
She turned and headed to the kitchen.
The fridge was nearly empty-just a few bottles of water and some eggs. The cabinets held rice, noodles, and some dried goods,
She tied on her apron with practiced ease, rinsed the rice, and pulled out the ribs and vegetables she’d picked up that morning. She planned to make a hearty porridge and a couple of light vegetable dishes.
In the living room, Ethan listened to the subtle sounds coming from the kitchen-water running, vegetables being chopped, the crisp clatter of pots and pans.
Gradually, those ordinary household noises breathed warmth into his lonely new home.
He closed his eyes again. His pale face remained expressionless, but the tension in his body began to ease.
By the time the porridge’s aroma filled the room, he was already drowsy. His vitality had been
Chapter 861
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severely drained, leaving him weak.
“Eat something first, then go back to bed,” Charlotte’s soft voice sounded near his ear.
Ethan frowned, opening his eyes to see Charlotte placing a steaming bowl of rib and greens porridge, along with a small plate of sautéed vegetables, on the coffee table in front of him.
The porridge was thick and tender, the greens bright, the ribs fall-apart soft and fragrant.
He didn’t reach for it, only watched her.
Charlotte, feeling slightly uncomfortable under his gaze, handed him a spoon. “What are you looking at? Eat quickly-it’ll get cold, and that’s bad for your stomach.”
“Charlotte,” Ethan suddenly said, “why did you come?”
Charlotte hesitated. “You got hurt protecting Khloe and me. And… you’re alone, seriously injured. Someone had to take care of you.”
“Just that?”
After a pause, she said, “Ethan, we didn’t see eye to eye before, but now… considering what happened this time, let’s put our past behind us.
“Put it behind us? So you don’t hold a grudge?” Ethan studied her for a few seconds, asking carefully.
Charlotte didn’t answer directly. Instead, she nudged the porridge slightly closer to him.
“Khloe said that once you recover, if you want to return to Morrison Group, she’ll welcome you anytime.”
The key evidence that convicted Clarice came from Ethan. Though he had been somewhat implicated, as long as Khloe didn’t pursue it, he could walk away unscathed. Naturally, he could also remain at Morrison Group.
“I’m asking you,” Ethan pressed, unwilling to let the conversation drift, repeating the question.
NIE
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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