Dating the Bossy CEO Next Door
Chapter 51- recover

Chapter 51: Chapter 51- recover

For Lilian, everything happened far too suddenly. And worst of all—it was all happening to the people closest to her.

Her heart was a mess. Her brother wasn’t here, currently on the way back to Burg Eltz with Laurent. The old lord was too aged to deal with such chaos, and her father’s face had turned deathly pale from anger before collapsing. At this moment, she was the only one holding things together.

Well... not quite.

There was also Morrison.

He was helping her bear the weight too.

When she heard him say "I’m coming over" on the phone just now, that single sentence was like a sedative, calming her panicked heart instantly.

For the past twenty-three years of her life, it was always her father Daniel and her brother Dave who shielded her from the storms of the world. But now, in this very moment, the one giving her that sense of security was Morrison.

She didn’t even question it.

She simply trusted him. Trusted that with his ability—and with Dave—he wouldn’t let anything happen to her mother or to Emma.

When her father collapsed from rage and was rushed to the hospital, Morrison had been right there with her.

Dave and Laurent had shown up shortly after to check on their father, then left again to finalize the transfer of shares and retrieve Tiffany and Emma from Bert’s hands.

After the doctor diagnosed Daniel with heart disease and had him moved into a room to rest, Lilian finally turned to Morrison, sincerely grateful.

"Thank you, Mr. Morrison. I can take care of my dad from here. You should go back and tend to your own work."

Morrison looked at her and replied flatly, "Your father’s condition is more important. I’ll stay with you until he wakes up."

Lilian glanced at him, then said no more. She quietly sat down beside the bed, her fists pressed against her lips as she stared at her unconscious father, her face filled with anxiety.

Many people thought her father was in the wrong. Even her own brother Dave didn’t support her mother forgiving him.

But to her, Daniel had always been a completely devoted and loving father.

She was ten years younger than Dave. By the time she was born, her father had already returned fully to the family. For as long as she could remember, she’d basked in his love and doting care. If Dave had been born as part of some family legacy or obligation, then her birth was a result of true love—her father falling in love with her mother, and bringing her into this world because of that love.

So now, looking at him lying so pale on the hospital bed, hearing the doctor say he had heart problems, Lilian couldn’t stop the pain from welling up in her chest. Before she realized it, tears were falling from her eyes.

Morrison had been silently standing nearby. Seeing her cry, he frowned slightly, pulled a tissue from the box, and handed it to her.

He spoke gently, trying to comfort her.

"Believe the doctors. They said if he rests well, it won’t be serious."

Lilian looked at him with teary eyes, her voice trembling.

"But my mom... she wants a divorce. How can he rest well like this?"

Of course she heard what the doctors said. But knowing her father—if her mother really insisted on leaving him, it would break his heart. And if that happened, how could he possibly recover?

Morrison looked at the girl beside him—her eyes red and puffy like a frightened rabbit. She looked so fragile, so helpless... and something in his heart shifted.

A strange thought began to take root.

Maybe... maybe he needed to find a way to stop Tiffany and Daniel from getting a divorce.

Because only if they didn’t divorce, Daniel could relax and recover properly.

And only if Daniel got better... that little girl wouldn’t be so heartbroken.

Even Morrison himself was stunned by this sudden thought.

Was he... seriously considering interfering in someone else’s marriage?

Daniel eventually woke up.

The very first thing he asked was whether Tiffany and little Emma were safe.

Lilian quickly told him everything—how Dave had handed over the shares to Bert, and how both Tiffany and Emma had returned home safely.

Daniel fell silent for a moment after hearing the news.

Then he quietly asked Lilian to go home and bring him the divorce papers Tiffany had prepared.

He was going to sign them.

He agreed to the divorce.

What followed was a string of guilt and remorse.

Daniel blamed himself for all of this—for losing Washington Co., for dragging his daughter from a life of wealth and luxury into an uncertain, humble existence. For turning the beloved daughter of the Washingtons into just another ordinary girl overnight. For ruining her marriage prospects.

That, Daniel confessed, was what he regretted the most.

But Lilian didn’t care about any of that.

She only comforted him softly, saying, "Dad, I’m still young. I’m not even thinking about marriage yet. So you don’t have to blame yourself."

Morrison, standing to the side, couldn’t remain calm.

Especially after hearing Daniel mention how many suitors Lilian used to have—how many families had tried to set her up before.

His gaze involuntarily shifted toward the girl.

Only then did it hit him—she’d already graduated.

She was working.

She was old enough to get married.

He’d always seen her as just a little girl...

Morrison admitted it—Daniel’s words about marriage and matchmaking had stirred something in him. He’d always thought of himself as the ideal lover, that no man could ever surpass him.

But he forgot something important:

There was a ten-year age gap between them.

And Burg Eltz had no shortage of outstanding young men. Every age group had brilliant, accomplished candidates.

If Lilian remained her quiet, gentle self, sure, in a small circle, he might be the best man she knew.

But once her parents got involved in arranging her future—once the gates to the entire elite society of Burg Eltz were opened to her—then what?

That thought unsettled him deeply.

Daniel’s casual words had reminded Morrison of a cruel truth:

Lilian would one day marry someone.

She’d have children.

She wouldn’t always be that shy girl who once asked him how to fall in love.

And that realization bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

When Daniel awoke, Lilian followed his request and went home to fetch the divorce agreement.

Morrison offered to drive her, and she didn’t refuse. After all, she had arrived at the hospital in his car and hadn’t brought her own.

The ride was quiet. _{fre ewebno(v)e\l.(c)om}

Lilian didn’t speak. She was exhausted—mentally and physically.

She’d never been someone who worried about much. But now, everything had come crashing down at once, far beyond what her young shoulders had been prepared for.

She didn’t want to talk.

She just wanted some silence.

After retrieving the divorce papers, she declined Morrison’s offer to drive her back.

"It’s okay," she said. "Too much back and forth. I’ll drive myself."

Morrison didn’t insist.

She turned and walked toward her car.

And there, standing beside it, a new thought crept into her mind.

Her brother no longer owned Washington Co.

Their family was no longer rich. Sure, they still had a place to live—Bert hadn’t taken their homes—but life wouldn’t be as easy as before.

Maybe... maybe she should sell the car.

Riding the subway could save gas money.

She worked at MOS Corp., but as a newcomer and intern, her salary was barely enough to get by. Morrison hadn’t given her any special treatment either—her pay was the same as every other rookie.

Of course, even if he had offered her a higher salary, she would’ve refused.

Being hired into the finance department, receiving guidance and mentorship from other colleagues—that was already more than enough.

Besides, Morrison probably didn’t think about her salary much. He knew she came from money. The monthly allowance from Dave alone used to be more than her entire paycheck.

But that was before.

Now that Dave had handed over the company, her only income was from this job.

And she still had her parents to support. Dave had lost his work. Laurent was supporting the household now.

How could she ask Dave for money anymore?

She knew her brother had accumulated some savings.

Their family wouldn’t starve. But the days of luxury were over.

She didn’t want to burden her brother further.

She had a job. She didn’t eat much.

She could support herself.

It was only after this chaos that she truly began to reassess her value—her role in the family.

Before, her life was carefree. She had Dave shielding her from everything.

But now, she understood.

She couldn’t go on like that anymore.

She had to grow stronger.

So that when storms came, she wouldn’t be helpless.

So that one day, she could stand where her brother stood and protect their family too.

And in a strange way... she felt grateful.

Grateful to Bert.

Because without this, she wouldn’t have grown up so quickly.

With a clearer mind and steadier heart, Lilian drove toward the hospital—divorce papers in hand.