Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 56: A Test of Loyalty

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: A Test of Loyalty

The city lights loomed before Lily as she stood on the edge of Ethan’s penthouse balcony, a never-ending ocean of opportunities and dangers. Even though the chilly night air felt good on her skin, it couldn’t stop the tempest that was brewing inside of her. She relived Ethan’s earlier confessions, each word tinged with a mixture of danger and caution. She was finding that trust was a valuable resource that she could not afford to waste carelessly.

Ethan moved cautiously but purposefully onto the balcony behind her. He put one of the two steaming tea cups he was holding on the little table next to her. "You’re quiet," he said in a softer-than-normal voice.

With a detached tone, she answered, "I’m thinking." About all of the things you told me. Regarding what I am about to enter.

Leaning over the railing, Ethan’s keen eyes searched her face for any indications of uncertainty. If I didn’t think you could take it, I wouldn’t have included you in this, Lily. However, you must understand that this goes beyond Cassandra’s involvement or Daniel’s betrayal. The individuals we are interacting with don’t act fairly.

Lily’s arms were folded tightly across her chest as she turned to face him. And Ethan, how about you? Why should I put my trust in you? From the start, you have been keeping facts from me. I need to know where your loyalties lay if we are to be partners.

The tightness in Ethan’s face was accentuated by the shadows cast by the city lights as his jaw tensed. "You’re right," he acknowledged. "I haven’t told you the whole truth. However, it was done to keep you safe, not maliciously. You might have fallen into a trap if I had told you everything at once.

Lily took a step forward, her voice growing irritated. "Yet here I am, enmeshed in a web that I did not even create." Ethan, you must start being open and honest if you want my trust. Stop telling half-truths. No more vague cautions.

Ethan stared into her eyes for a time without saying anything. He then ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. "All right. I will reveal all to you. However, you must first make me a pledge.

Lily’s eyebrows arched. "That depends on your question."

"Assure me that you won’t behave carelessly," Ethan replied in a gravely serious tone. "Retaliation is no longer the only factor at play here. Your life, your freedom, and your safety could all be lost if you make the wrong decision.

Between them, the weight of his words fell hard. Lily looked for any hint of dishonesty in his face, but all she saw was genuine worry. Even though she wasn’t sure if she could completely trust him, it was unsettling how much he seemed to care.

She paused for a long moment before nodding. "I swear. However, prudence should not be confused with hesitancy. I’m not going to back down from this battle.

A small, almost hesitant smile curved Ethan’s lips. "I wouldn’t expect you to do anything less."

He gestured for her to follow him back inside. A folder rested on the coffee table as they took their seats in the living room. When Ethan opened it, several papers, pictures, and handwritten notes were inside.

"This is where it all begins," he continued, indicating a picture of Daniel shaking hands with an unfamiliar man. That’s Richard Carlisle; you’ll have to keep that name in mind. He is the leader of a shadowy group that focuses on money laundering, extortion, and corporate sabotage. He and Daniel have collaborated for years.

As Lily took up the picture, her gaze narrowed. "What about Cassandra? Does she also have a hand in this?

Ethan paused, his face unintelligible. She’s not innocent, but I’m not sure how deeply involved she is. Daniel took advantage of their affair to obtain insider information and used her to acquire Carlisle’s favor.

Anger seething to the surface, Lily balled her fists. She was therefore a pawn in his scheme. Like I was.

"Not totally," Ethan clarified. "Cassandra was aware of the situation she was in. It’s another matter entirely whether or not she had an option. Finding a way to remove Daniel from Carlisle’s network without revealing ourselves, however, is now crucial.

Lily gave him a stern look. And Ethan, why do you care so much about this? What do you stand to gain from eliminating Daniel and Carlisle?

Leaning back, Ethan maintained a steady gaze. "Because I’ve witnessed the capabilities of Carlisle’s organization." A few years ago, they targeted my company. I was able to repel them, but not without suffering some losses. I have since made it my goal to demolish their operation, one component at a time.

The unspoken past weighed heavily on his words. For the first time, Lily observed something about Ethan that she had never seen before: a hint of the suffering and tenacity that drove his behavior.

He said, "I didn’t intend for our paths to cross in this manner." However, I was unable to leave after realizing what Daniel was up to. And I’m much more determined to do this now that you’re involved.

Lily experienced a twinge of something she couldn’t quite place—perhaps appreciation or a glimmer of trust. Although she was still skeptical about Ethan, there was no denying his determination.

"What’s coming up?" Her voice was steady as she inquired.

A glimmer of resolve ignited between them as Ethan’s gaze locked with hers. "We must determine Carlisle’s advantage against Daniel. Something that unquestionably connects him to the company. We will have the advantage if we can reveal that.

Lily nodded, options already rushing through her head. "And when we discover it, what happens?"

"Then we bring the entire operation crashing down," Ethan stated in a low, determined voice.

Working side by side, Lily and Ethan put the pieces of an impossible-to-solve puzzle together as the night wore on. The road ahead was dangerous, and the stakes were higher than ever.

However, Lily experienced optimism for the first time in weeks—a feeling that she may at last regain the authority and control that had been taken from her with Ethan at her side.

She also vowed to see this through to the conclusion, no matter the cost, as the city lights flickered outside the window.