Chapter 199: Ex-Girlfriend

Chapter 199: Ex-Girlfriend

Nora’s smile faded the moment she saw him.

"Nora." His eyes crinkled with a smile as he held a large bouquet of roses. "I'm back. I've been searching for you for so long."

"Benjamin… why did you come back?"

Nora's face went pale, and she took a step back.

Liam's expression turned cold. He stepped forward, positioning Nora and Ethan behind him, blocking Benjamin's view as he locked eyes with him.

Benjamin looked at Liam with sharp contempt. He knew that face—the famous playboy of Emerald City's social circle.

"And who's this?" he asked, his tone mocking. "Nora, when did your taste sink so low? Did you pick a player to fill the empty space?"

"Benjamin!" Nora’s voice shook with anger.

"I know you you still care about me. I was wrong back then. I regret it. Let's start over, okay?"

As he spoke, he reached out, trying to take Nora's hand.

Liam blocked him, looking at Benjamin calmly, his usually flirtatious eyes now ice-cold.

"Nora is with me now. She’s my girlfriend."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word came out sharp and clear.

"I won't let her go through the pain she experienced before ever again. From now on, please don't come and disturb her life."

Benjamin froze. He hadn't thought Liam would react this way. Nora, who had been protected behind him all along, suddenly reached out and tightly held onto Liam's arm.

Her palm was a bit cold, even trembling slightly.

Nora lifted her head and met Benjamin’s eyes. She took a deep breath.

"We ended a long time ago. I'm doing great now. Please don’t show up in front of me again."

With that, she didn't spare him another glance. Pulling Liam along, she turned and walked away. Liam clasped her hand in return.

Benjamin stood there frozen. The roses in his hand dropped to the ground with a thud, scattering everywhere. His face turned livid with rage.

It wasn't until they got in the car that Nora finally released her tight grip. She deflated like a punctured balloon, leaning back against the seat.

Liam didn't start the car. He just sat there quietly, keeping her company.

"I..." Nora opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

"It's okay now." Liam leaned over and fastened her seatbelt for her.

He looked at her, his eyes showing no probing, no questioning—only deep concern.

"From now on, you have me. Everything from before is in the past."

Nora's eyes welled up with tears that fell without warning. She leaned forward on her own and gently pressed her lips against his.

Liam froze completely.

Ethan in the back seat covered his eyes, peeking through his fingers, announcing in a sweet childlike voice, "Mission accomplished!"

Nora's cheeks immediately flushed red as she quickly pulled back. Liam couldn't help but laugh.

"Didn't know you were so bold."

At that, Nora became like a turtle retreating into its shell, saying nothing, sitting silently in the passenger seat.

Nora's studio business was lukewarm. She had talent and drive, but having just started out, several delayed payments left her overwhelmed.

"I don't know when they'll actually pay me. I can barely keep going."

Liam noticed and asked, "What's the situation with your company? Tell me about it. Maybe I can help."

"The payment cycles are really slow. I'm wondering if anyone could invest in us, or pay upfront." Nora felt frustrated just thinking about it.

Liam chatted casually for a bit, getting the general picture. "Just wait a little longer. Things will definitely get better."

Not long after, the studio's phone started ringing frequently, and the budgets were more generous than before.

Nora thought it was just her hard work paying off, until during a conversation with a new client, they casually mentioned, "Mr. Thornton thinks very highly of your abilities and specifically recommended you to us."

Nora's hand holding her coffee paused. She ended the call and dialed Liam's number.

"Liam, have you been too free lately?" Her tone carried a hint of reproach.

On the other end, Liam's voice was amused. "What's wrong? Did your client rush you for drafts again?"

"Don't play dumb!" Nora huffed. "Did you pull strings for my studio behind my back?"

Liam replied casually, "Oh, you mean those few projects? It was nothing, really. Your studio needed business, so I just helped out a bit."

Nora felt warm inside but remained stubborn. "Who asked you to meddle? I can handle my own affairs."

Liam countered, "So next time your payment gets delayed, are you going to come crying to me again?"

Nora was speechless, her ears burning. She didn't argue further and just quietly hung up.

Ethan's relationship with Liam was also quietly changing during this time.

When the school bell rang, Ethan, carrying his Pikachu backpack, stood at the kindergarten entrance and ran over.

"Uncle Liam!"

Liam would always smile and pick him up, putting him in the car. The little guy would pull out a cookie or a candy from his backpack and say softly, "This is the snack they gave out today. I saved it for you."

"You don't have to save these for me. If you want to eat them, you can eat them yourself." Though Liam said this, he still accepted and ate it.

Ethan immediately shook his head. "No way. I promised to save it for you, so I definitely will."

After getting in the car, he'd chatter on about all sorts of things that happened at kindergarten.

Watching Liam and Ethan in the living room—one guiding the puzzle, the other listening—Nora's lips would unconsciously curve upward. Liam treated Ethan completely differently from his usual carefree manner.

Sometimes when Nora got busy, Ethan would hold his picture book and sit beside Liam, quietly asking, "How do you read this word?"

Liam would put down his tablet and teach him word by word.

"Look at these words. I remember teaching you once before. Get out your old notebook."

Nora and Liam quite enjoyed taking care of the child, especially picking him up and dropping him off at school every day.

Catherine basically didn't need to worry—they handled everything.

"People who don't know would think Ethan is your child. You two are even busier with his stuff than I am."

Liam shrugged nonchalantly. "You guys are busy anyway. It's just a small effort for us, and I don't have much else to do right now."

"I like Uncle Liam too. He plays with me, and he knows so much. He knows whatever I ask him. " Ethan said excitedly.