Chapter 22: Storm

"Where should we drop you off?"

Lillie's gaze flickered to the man sitting behind her, his arms crossed as he stared out the window with a brooding expression.

Haruka was at the wheel, and Lillie sat comfortably in the passenger seat. Meanwhile, the abandoned fiancé sulked alone in the back.

"Wherever you're going," Ethan muttered.

Haruka sighed. Seriously? She had already told him she was a woman. Why couldn't this possessive man just print it in his mind and move on? He was practically drowning in vinegar!

"What about your work?" Lillie asked, arching an eyebrow.

She had a feeling Ethan wasn't here just for sightseeing.

Her expression turned cold as suspicion crept into her thoughts.

"You're planning to come with us?" Haruka asked, glancing at Ethan through the rearview mirror.

Ethan didn't answer. His sharp gaze remained locked on the passing cityscape, his jaw tight.

Haruka turned to Lillie for guidance. She's the boss, after all.

Lillie exhaled softly, her expression unreadable.

"Let him come," she said calmly.

Haruka shrugged. Well, if she doesn't mind…

The drive through Sapporo was nothing short of breathtaking.

Sleek skyscrapers towered above, seamlessly blending with lush green parks. Pedestrians crossed the streets in perfect order, a testament to Japan's renowned discipline.

The entire city felt like a well-choreographed masterpiece.

A sight to behold.

After nearly an hour of smooth travel, the car finally pulled through the massive gates of a modern mansion. The vehicle rolled to a stop at the entrance's driveway.

Haruka turned off the engine and stepped out first. Lillie followed, and Ethan—naturally—was right behind her.

Just as their feet touched the ground—

"Awoooooo!"

A deep, thunderous howl split through the air.

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the sound.

A massive, jet-black wolf emerged from the shadows, its piercing yellow eyes locked onto Lillie.

And then—

It leaped.

Damn it!

Without hesitation, Ethan lunged in front of Lillie, bracing himself to intercept the beast.

But the wolf suddenly halted mid-air, its movements eerily precise, as if confused by Ethan's interference.

"Insolent human!" its fierce growls seemed to say. "How dare you block your ancestor's way?"

"Storm," Lillie's voice cut through the air, firm and commanding.

The wolf immediately dropped to the ground, lowering its massive body in submission.

"Awuu... awuu~" (Master, I'm innocent! Please don't be upset!)

Ethan exhaled sharply, still on edge.

"He's yours?" he asked, his voice carrying an edge of disbelief.

Why had he never heard about this before?

Lillie knelt beside the enormous wolf, running her fingers through its thick fur with practiced ease.

"Storm used to live at the Bai Estate," she explained, her voice carrying a rare hint of warmth. "I sent him here to recover from his injuries."

Ethan's eyes darkened.

Injuries?

The Bai family was untouchable—shielded by both the underworld and the government. For anyone to dare harm something of theirs…

"Who?" Ethan's voice was dangerously low.

Lillie met his gaze, her expression unreadable.

"It's already been dealt with. There's no need for you to concern yourself with it."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode toward the mansion, Storm following at her side.

Ethan clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Something about this didn't sit right with him.

Inside the mansion, an elderly maid bowed deeply in greeting.

"Welcome back, Haruka-sama, Lillie-sama. And welcome, esteemed guest, to the Fujikawa household."

"Tadaima," Haruka chimed.

Lillie and Ethan merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Haruka, watching them, snickered.

Too similar.

The other servants quickly moved to take their luggage. Haruka, sensing the tension in the air, excused herself—leaving the two alone in the grand living room.

Silence.

Then—

"Why are you really here?" Lillie asked, arms crossed as she leveled him with an icy stare.

Ethan felt cornered. He had no escape.

"Can't a husband be with his wife all the time?" he asked, tilting his head with feigned innocence.

Lillie's expression didn't budge.

"There are still eleven months before I am entitled as such, Mr. Li," she reminded him. "Don't forget our agreement."

Ethan sighed dramatically.

Well, at least she acknowledges she'll be my wife in eleven months.

"And what would you like me to call you, then?"

Lillie blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

She hadn't expected that question.

For years, she had been accustomed to hearing Ethan call her Lillie or—on rare occasions—wife.

If she told him to address her more formally—like Miss Bai—it would sound unnecessarily distant.

But calling her Lillie felt too familiar…

She cleared her throat.

"Ahem… uh… you may call me Lilliana."

Silence.

Then—

"Pfft—"

Ethan suddenly chuckled.

Lillie's eye twitched.

Her voice dropped several degrees. "What seems to amuse you, Mr. Li? Care to explain?"

Ethan shook his head, the corners of his lips quirking up.

"It seems you've grown far too used to me calling you Lillie that even you can't take yourself seriously." He smirked. "Really, Lilliana?"

Lillie's glare sharpened. "What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing at all… Lilliana."

She instantly regretted her decision. Hearing him say her full name like that sent an odd sensation down her spine.

Ethan leaned in ever so slightly, his voice teasing.

"You like the sound of that, Lilliana?"

Lillie clicked her tongue in frustration.

"Just call me Lillie," she sighed, waving him off.

Ethan grinned.

Victory.

Point for Ethan Li.