Chapter 231

Chapter 231
William's POV
Meanwhile in New York, Theo Jennings found me.
I was in my office browsing the latest news, surprised to see that all the negative coverage had suddenly disappeared.
"What's going on?" Theo noticed my expression. "How did all the negative news suddenly vanish?"
I remained silent, just staring at the screen with a complex look in my eyes.
"Lily did this, didn't she?" Theo guessed.
I still said nothing, but a flash of pain crossed my eyes.
Theo spoke bluntly: "Such a deeply caring person, and you let her go. Don't you regret it, William? Let's crash the wedding."
"Don't be ridiculous," I finally spoke, my voice low. "Her relationship with James is none of my business."
"Is it really none of your business?" Theo pressed. "She just solved such a huge problem for you, and you're still pretending?"
I turned away, facing the window and looking at the sky.
"Things aren't what you think."
"Then what are they?" Theo persisted. "You two clearly love each other, so why are you apart? Because of that woman Emily?"
My shoulders trembled slightly. Theo didn't understand anything!
"Enough, Theo. Some things are beyond your understanding."
"How can I not understand?" Theo stepped forward, patting my shoulder. "Is someone controlling everything from behind the scenes? Otherwise, you wouldn't suddenly rekindle things with Emily, and Lily wouldn't suddenly get engaged to James."
I spun around, my gaze sharp. "What do you know?"
"Just a guess." Theo shrugged. "But judging by your reaction, I guessed right."
I took a deep breath, composing myself. "Regardless, the current situation can't be changed. Lily chose James, and I..."
I paused. "I have my own choices."
"Your choice is to be with a woman you don't love, watching the person you truly love marry someone else?" Theo shook his head. "William, I've never seen you this cowardly."
"You don't understand." My voice was filled with pain. "Some things leave no room for choice."
Theo sighed. "Fine, if you insist. But are you sure you want to watch Lily marry James?"
After a long silence, I finally whispered, "I wish her happiness."
Theo looked at his suffering friend, unsure how to comfort him. "What about Emily? Do you really plan to be with her?"
"That's none of your business," I replied coldly.
"Alright, alright." Theo raised his hands in surrender. "William, you're a coward, a pitiful fool. I never thought my friend would be so..."
I turned around, glaring at him angrily.
"Theo! What do you know? Do you think I want to give up Lily? Do you think I genuinely rekindled things with Emily? You bastard! What right do you have to—"
Theo's fist connected with my face.
Caught off guard, I fell to the ground.
"Useless! Just tell me! I'm your friend, I want to help you. Stop being a coward and spit it out! Tell me why!"
I stared at Theo in shock, then laughed bitterly.
"Because Nicholas kidnapped my mother, and his condition was that I leave Lily!"
"I... I didn't want to, but... but..."
Theo was stunned.
"Such a huge issue—why didn't you say something earlier?"
"What difference would it make?" I replied dejectedly.
Theo: "William, you're truly an idiot! Even if you didn't tell me, why didn't you tell Lily?"
"You think she wouldn't understand? She's so smart, she could definitely find a solution! I'm telling you, Nicholas threatened you because he has no power over Lily, you fool!"
"I don't even need to guess to know how much pressure Lily took on for you, and you didn't tell her something this important!"
I had to admit Theo was right.
But...
"Theo, if my mother could be kidnapped once, it could happen countless times. As long as Nicholas hasn't achieved his goal, he won't stop. This would be painful for both me and Lily."
I thought of Lily's face and laughed bitterly.
"Actually, James is pretty good. He'll treat Lily well. Lily is strong-willed—she won't let herself be taken advantage of."
Theo was furious and lunged forward with another punch.
"You're William! If you can't fight for the girl you love, what's the point of living?"
"Everyone knows how domineering Nicholas is. Why didn't Lily return earlier? Was it because she didn't want to? Surely Nicholas threatened her too. But what did Lily do? And what are you doing?"
"You've told me so much about your time together. I can see your feelings for Lily. Do you really want to live the rest of your life in misery?"
"I..."
"Bastard, today I'm going to teach you a lesson on Lily's behalf, you coward!" Theo's fists rained down on my face.
I didn't fight back or block his punches.
I let Theo's fists land, one after another. It hurt, it hurt a lot, but my heart hurt even more.
"Worthless! Coward! Trash! Having a friend like you is my shame!"
"You're actually giving up the girl you love, I..."
Under Theo's punches, my heart gradually came alive.
Do I really want to give up Lily?
Do I really want to watch her marry another man?
Do I really want to marry a woman I don't love?
Am I truly content with this?
"Besides, do you really know James? What if he mistreats Lily later, what if he abuses her, you..."
Hearing this, my expression hardened.
I grabbed Theo's fist.
"I understand now."
Theo paused. "Understand what?"
"I'm going to crash that wedding!"
Theo smiled. "I knew it!"
"Thank you, Theo."
"Thank me for what? We're friends—I'll come with you to crash the wedding!"
I shook my head.
Nicholas's background was too powerful. I couldn't drag Theo into this.
"Theo, let me go alone. Trust me, I won't fail."
Theo smiled and gave me a light punch.
"Bastard, you're always like this, always silently considering others!"
"Call me when you're leaving. I'm your friend—how could I miss this moment?"
I shrugged, pretending to be casual. "Well, we'll leave tomorrow. You should go now. I need to treat these wounds—your punches really hurt."
"You can't let me see Lily with these injuries, can you?"
Theo scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, I got a bit carried away."
After seeing Theo off, I booked a flight to Manhattan.