The Red Rose of Manhattan Chapter 17

Back at their luxury hotel suite, Ethan threw himself heavily onto the sofa.

Outside the window sparkled the brilliant night scene, but none of it could penetrate his dark, brooding eyes.

He didn't sleep all night.

His mind replayed that airport scene over and over—

Lily's eyes sweeping past him with calm indifference, like he was an insignificant stranger;

Her intimate, public interaction with Ryan, so natural it hurt to watch;

And Ryan's final provocative eyebrow raise...

Every detail was like a poisoned needle, jabbing densely at his nerves, triggering waves of unbearable pain and... panic.

Yes, panic.

An unprecedented, out-of-control panic washed over him like cold tide water.

He discovered he couldn't bear Lily looking at him that way, and even less could he bear another man standing beside her—one who seemed so compatible with her, who might have already occupied her heart!

This strange emotion made him irritable, even somewhat pathetic.

He suddenly stood, walked to the bar, poured himself hard liquor, and downed it in one gulp.

The burning liquid slid down his throat but couldn't extinguish the fire in his chest.

He grabbed his phone, calling his assistant, his voice hoarse and cold from the sleepless night and suppressed fury: "Immediately! Find out Lily's exact address in New York, her complete schedule for the next week! And that Ryan Chase—what he's been doing these three years, what exactly is his relationship with Lily! I want the most detailed report, as fast as possible!"

After issuing orders, he paced the room like a caged beast, waiting for news.

Every second felt impossibly long.

A few hours later, the assistant called back with a cautious but thorough report.

Lily's address and schedule were clearly laid out.

But the information about Ryan made Ethan's heart sink continuously.

Ryan Chase—prominent family background, personally talented but with a flamboyant, rebellious personality, known in their circles as a playboy.

However, after Lily went abroad three years ago, this notorious playboy seemed to change completely, shifting his business focus to Europe, frequently staying in Paris.

As an investor, he'd quietly paved the way for Lily, using his connections and resources to help her quickly establish herself in fashion and film circles.

These three years, he'd been like a guardian, accompanying her. They were close, known as "good friends," but whether they'd become lovers remained unclear to outsiders.

"Good friends?" Ethan hung up, laughing coldly, his eyes dark. "There's no such thing as purely platonic friendship between a man and a woman."

Ryan's intentions were crystal clear!

And Lily... she'd allowed this man to get so close?

A strong hostility and unprecedented crisis seized Ethan's heart like a venomous snake.

For the first time, he felt such deep loathing for Ryan's name and... an emotion he refused to acknowledge as jealousy.

He desperately wanted to see Lily.

Desperately.

Fortunately, opportunity came quickly.

A week later, his assistant reported that Lily would attend an exclusive haute couture brand's after-party.

Ethan immediately pulled strings to get an invitation.

The party was held at a historic private estate, full of glamour and clinking glasses.

As soon as Ethan entered, his eyes locked onto that most dazzling figure even among the stars.

Lily wore a sapphire blue velvet gown that made her skin luminous, her figure stunning.

She was conversing with several internationally renowned directors and producers, elegant and composed, her smile appropriate, switching effortlessly between fluent French and English, radiating confident, powerful charisma—completely different from the girl who'd been alternately defiant and careful around him three years ago.

Ethan stood with his drink, watching her from across the crowd, his heart seized by something painful.

He waited patiently until he saw her, looking somewhat tired, step alone onto the terrace overlooking the garden.

Now.

He quietly followed.

On the terrace, the night breeze was cool. Lily leaned against the railing, gazing at the shimmering lake in the distance, her profile showing a hint of cool solitude in the moonlight.

Ethan approached from behind, close enough to smell her perfume—cold and sharp, completely different from what he remembered. He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil inside, but when he spoke, he unconsciously adopted his habitual, condescending, interrogative tone:

"What's going on between you and Ryan?"

Lily seemed unsurprised by his appearance. She didn't even turn around, just gently swirled her champagne glass, her voice calm and distant, politely detached: "Mr. Frost, it's been a while. What I do with anyone is none of your business."

That "Mr. Frost" and detached attitude stabbed Ethan's heart like an ice pick.

He moved closer, almost feeling her cool presence, his tone involuntarily agitated and harsh: "Lily, have you lost all judgment after three years away? Don't you know what kind of man Ryan is? He's never lacked women! A playboy who never takes anything seriously—what can he give you?"

Lily finally turned slowly. In the moonlight, her beautiful eyes lifted slightly, holding no anger, no grievance, only pity tinged with mockery.

Her red lips parted, each word clear:

"Mr. Frost seems to have... no standing to criticize others?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping his tense jawline, her tone light but carrying crushing weight: "Ryan's a playboy? Funny—I used to be Manhattan's wild child too. We're a perfect match."

"At least," she emphasized, her eyes sharp as knives, "Ryan never hides his interest in me, and he respects every choice I make. Unlike some people..."

Her gaze pierced straight into Ethan's eyes, cold and knowing: "Someone who had another woman in his heart from start to finish but still used 'trying things out' as an excuse to waste three years of someone else's youth. Ethan Frost, who's really the disgrace here?"

These words hit like slaps across Ethan's face!

His expression instantly soured, his throat constricting. He opened his mouth but found himself speechless!

Internal rage and indescribable bitter pain twisted together, nearly tearing him apart!

Just then, a lazy but clearly displeased voice interrupted: "Well, no wonder I couldn't find you. Turns out you got cornered by irrelevant people."

Ryan sauntered over, naturally wrapping his arm around Lily's waist in a protective, intimate gesture.

He looked at Ethan, his face wearing a careless smile but his eyes sharp as a hawk's: "Mr. Frost, long time. What are you discussing with my girlfriend? The atmosphere doesn't look too pleasant?"

The word "girlfriend" hit like three bombs exploding in Ethan's ears!

His pupils contracted sharply, head snapping toward Lily, heart squeezed by an invisible hand until it nearly stopped beating!

He stared at her desperately, something humble and pleading in his eyes, hoping she'd deny it, even just furrow her brow!

But Lily only tilted her head slightly, leaning into Ryan, accepting his claim without a word, not even sparing Ethan another glance.

Ryan took in Ethan's reaction completely, his smile growing more provocative: "I hear you and our Lily have some... 'history'? But that's ancient past now. Lily's doing great with me looking after her now, so we won't trouble Mr. Frost to worry anymore."

He paused, his gaze pointedly sweeping the empty space behind Ethan: "By the way, where's your... Miss Serena? You didn't leave her alone at the hotel, did you? That would be neglectful of such a beauty."

Without giving Ethan any chance to respond, he turned with Lily still in his arms, walking away with casual confidence, as if dismissing an insignificant interruption.

Ethan stood frozen, watching them leave together, Lily never looking back once.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles white from the pressure, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.

Unprecedented, sharp jealousy and uncontrollable rage boiled in his chest like lava!

For the first time, he tasted what it meant to be... heartbroken.