Chapter 33: Worse than the Devil

Lillie had been obedient throughout her recovery, much to Ethan's relief. The fever that had left her weak and delirious was finally subsiding, and after another visit, the doctor confirmed that her health had significantly improved.

"She's doing much better," the doctor noted, adjusting his glasses as he checked Lillie's pulse. "A little fresh air and some light movement will help her regain her strength. Some fresh fruit would also be beneficial."

Following the doctor's advice, Ethan accompanied Lillie on her morning stroll through the garden. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of blooming flowers, and the morning sun cast a gentle warmth on them. He walked beside her, his hand hovering near her elbow in case she needed support.

When he noticed a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, he frowned. "That's enough for today. You should rest."

Just as he spoke, Haruka stepped into the backyard. Her usual sharp gaze was softened by exhaustion. She had been running back and forth between the company and the house, handling all of Lillie's work on top of her own.

"How's her fever?" Haruka asked, stretching her arms.

"The doctor said it'll likely be gone by tomorrow. We'll be flying back to Country K then."

Haruka let out a dramatic sigh. "Time really flies, huh?"

It wasn't just about the trip ending—it was the realization that these fleeting moments of warmth, of family, wouldn't last forever.

She stole a glance at Ethan. Now that she had spent more time around him, she was starting to see him in a new light.

Lillie had always described him as an arrogant, domineering man, and in many ways, he was. But Haruka had seen something different.

Yes, Ethan was proud, but not to the point of arrogance. He was cold and calculating, but there was an undeniable warmth beneath the surface—one that only surfaced when Lillie was involved.

With others, he acted as if they were mere subordinates, treating them with respect but keeping them at arm's length. Yet, when it came to Lillie, his entire demeanor changed. He became attentive, protective—even gentle.

Was Lillie oblivious to this? Or was she simply pretending not to notice?

___

Sunrise Media, Country K

At Sunrise Media, one of Ping Xiaoyue's lackeys was scrolling through her phone, lazily skimming through the latest news on Weibo.

The moment she saw the trending headline, her fingers went numb.

Her grip on the phone tightened, her pulse hammering in her ears as she stared in disbelief.

No. No way.

Her mind raced as she connected the dots.

That man—there was no mistaking him. He was Mr. Li.

And the woman beside him… the one they had mockingly dubbed "Airport Bitch"—was her.

Or rather, it could be.

No one knew Airport Bitch's real identity. She was seen together with Mr. Li at an airport, and ever since, they had been itching to find out who she was.

And now, here she is again linked to Ethan Li?

Heart pounding, the lackey bolted from her chair and stormed down the hallway, throwing open the door to Ping Xiaoyue's private dressing room without so much as a knock.

A sharp gasp echoed through the room.

Ping Xiaoyue's makeup artist had been in the middle of applying eyeliner when the door suddenly slammed open, making her hand slip. The result? A long, jagged streak of black across Xiaoyue's flawless complexion.

Ping Xiaoyue shrieked.

The artist scrambled to fix it, grabbing a wet tissue and attempting to wipe the smudged liner away. But instead of fixing it, the rubbing only made things worse.

"You idiot!" Ping Xiaoyue snarled, her eyes flashing with rage. She lifted her hand and struck the artist across the face.

A sharp slap echoed through the room.

The artist staggered back, cradling her cheek, her eyes burning with humiliation and silent curses.

The lackey, still panting from her mad dash, swallowed nervously. She had just witnessed firsthand what happened when Xiaoyue was in a bad mood—and now she had to deliver even worse news.

"M-Miss Ping… t-there's bad n-news," she stammered.

Ping Xiaoyue whirled toward her, seething. "What news could possibly be worse than my ruined makeup?!"

Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she stalked closer.

The lackey flinched, her hands trembling as she extended her phone. "It's… it's all over the news…"

Snatching the phone, Xiaoyue's eyes darted to the screen.

Her gaze locked onto the headline.

[Is the mysterious woman beside Ethan Li his lover?! The Devil's mate remains unknown!]

Beneath the text was a blurry image of Ethan Li standing before a woman in a yukata, tying a fox mask over her face.

Even though the photo didn't capture her features, there was no mistaking the woman's silhouette.

Xiaoyue's blood boiled.

She clenched her jaw so tightly it hurt.

Then, without warning, she hurled the phone across the room.

The device shattered against the floor, the screen splintering into a web of cracks.

The lackey let out a strangled sound, staring at her destroyed phone. That had cost her two months' salary!

Xiaoyue's fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms as an unbridled fury consumed her.

That woman. That damn woman.

How dare she?

How dare she appear by Ethan's side? How dare she be the one he personally put a mask on?

Her hands trembled with rage.

Her face contorted with pure malice.

"If I find out who she is…" Ping Xiaoyue whispered, her voice dark, lethal.

"…she'll wish she was never born."

The room descended into chaos.

Glass shattered. Perfume bottles crashed to the floor. Makeup was smeared and ruined. The dressing table was overturned.

Ping Xiaoyue's wrath spared no one.

Her assistants cowered in fear, dodging flying objects as best as they could. The makeup artist barely managed to avoid getting hit again.

No one dared to stop her.

No one could.

Unless they're worse than the devil.