Chapter 8 The Price of Freedom

The next few days were a blur of emotions, each encounter with Ethan leaving Lily both exhilarated and conflicted. She had crossed a line that she hadn't been sure she wanted to cross, but now that she had, there was no going back.

Ethan was different now-more open, more willing to share his struggles with her. But the walls he had built around himself still loomed large. Each time they were together, there was an undercurrent of tension, of something unsaid, that neither of them could ignore.

And then, just when Lily thought things might be settling into a rhythm, Victor Stone made his move.

The confrontation took place in the midst of a high-stakes business meeting, with Lily and Ethan sitting at the head of the table, discussing their latest plans for the company. Victor Stone walked in without warning, his expression as cold as ever.

"I see you're wasting more time with this woman," Victor sneered, his eyes narrowing at Lily. "You've got a legacy to build, Ethan. Stop wasting it on pointless distractions."

Ethan's jaw clenched, and Lily could see the familiar tension creeping into his posture. She knew how much his father's words hurt him, how much they controlled his actions. But this time, something in Ethan seemed different.

"This isn't just a distraction," Ethan said, his voice firm. "I'm not the same person I was a year ago, Father. I'm not going to let you control me anymore."

Victor's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, Lily wondered if Ethan had just made a grave mistake. But then, Ethan turned to her, his expression softening, and she knew-he had finally chosen a side.

It wasn't just about business anymore. It was about freedom. And for the first time in his life, Ethan Stone was ready to take control of his own fate.

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