Chapter 164 Never Letting Go

Chapter 164 Never Letting Go
Ethan sat quietly as the board members debated his fate, their voices a low murmur of anger and accusation. The video of Lawrence confessing had just been played, and the room was still buzzing with shock and fury. Despite it all, Ethan remained composed, though inside he felt hollow, a faint emptiness pressing at his chest. Every detail had been planned; Lawrence's removal would be permanent, and this victory, while necessary, brought little satisfaction.
The door opened, and Sir Levi entered. Immediately, the room quieted, all eyes turning toward him. He cleared his throat and addressed the board. "Even if this was a plot orchestrated by Lawrence," he began, "the wrongdoing he revealed was genuine. It was a real error, committed by Ethan, not a forgery."
The words hung in the air, heavy and honest. Ethan's jaw tightened, a pang of regret brushing across him.
Then, Sir Levi's tone shifted, deliberate and commanding. "But since then, Ethan has led the company with exceptional skill. Under his leadership, the company has flourished, achieving growth and stability none could have predicted. He has proven himself as Max Sinclair's rightful heir, a leader capable of carrying forward the legacy with integrity and vision."
A murmur of agreement spread across the room. Some of the board members who had been skeptical nodded in acknowledgment, and those who had supported him openly cheered. Ethan allowed himself a faint smile, though it was quiet, almost private, as the praise washed over him.
They debated a few procedural points more, discussing the reinstatement formally, but there was no real doubt. With Sir Levi's words and the evidence clear, the decision was unanimous: Ethan would resume his position as CEO.
When the meeting concluded, Ethan rose, his expression calm but resolute. Without lingering, he left the room and went straight home, thoughts of Lena quietly threading through his mind, the one thing he longed to make right more than anything else.

Ethan pulled into the driveway, his eyes immediately landed on his mother's familiar car. For once, seeing her there brought him a spark of genuine happiness. He stepped inside, anticipation and a quiet nervousness coiling in his chest.
As he entered the main living room, he saw her seated, and in that moment, she looked different in his eyes, smaller, more human, no longer just the distant, untouchable figure he had grown up knowing. When she noticed him, she rose and walked toward him, her steps tentative yet purposeful.
"Congratulations on your reinstatement," Margerate said softly, her voice tinged with both pride and hesitation.
Ethan nodded politely, his expression still composed, cold even, as always. But for the first time, he let himself feel something beyond the usual walls of control he carried.
Margerate paused, searching for words. "I... I'm sorry, Ethan," she began, voice trembling. "For not fighting for you, for giving in to Max's will. He... he was just too strong. He could destroy me....."
Before she could finish, Ethan moved closer and, without a word, wrapped her in his arms. The hug was tentative at first, but then it deepened, and for the first time since his birth, they embraced openly.
Margerate's composure broke immediately; tears streamed down her cheeks. Ethan tried to hold himself together, to maintain control, but it was useless. His own tears rolled freely as he held her, the years of fear, anger, and longing pouring out in silence.
He pulled back slightly, cupping her face. "I was the closest to Max. I know how dangerous he was. I understand, and... I forgive you."
She clung to him again, unable to let go, trembling in relief and love. Ethan rested his forehead against hers, letting the moment linger, a fragile peace settling between them for the first time in decades.
Margerate held him a little longer, letting the warmth of their shared grief and relief wash over them. After a moment, she gently let him go, but her eyes immediately caught the lingering sadness in his.
"What's wrong, Ethan?" she asked softly, concern threading her voice.
He hesitated, swallowing hard, but the dam holding back his emotions finally cracked. His voice trembled, almost breaking as he admitted, "I... I've lost Lena."
Margerate's expression softened instantly. Without a word, she drew him back into her arms, holding him close. "No, Ethan... you haven't lost her," she whispered, her voice steady and certain. "Lena loves you. You will get her back, I promise. You two are meant to be."
Ethan shook his head, his hands gripping her shoulders as if trying to anchor himself. "I went to see her... today. I thought, maybe, she'd come back to me. But she... she said she needs to be alone." His voice cracked, and he bowed his head slightly, the weight of helplessness pressing down on him.
Margerate rubbed his back, her own tears threatening but her tone unwavering. "Then let her be, just for a little while. She needs time... to heal, to think, to feel safe again. You can't rush her, Ethan. But she will come back to you, she will."
Ethan lifted his hands and cupped his head, burying his face in his palms for a long moment. The frustration, the love, the fear, they all collided inside him, leaving him raw and vulnerable. Margerate's arms remained around him, a steady, grounding presence.
Margerate noticed the desperation etched on Ethan's face, the way his shoulders slumped and his hands fidgeted. She placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Don't worry, Ethan," she said softly, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "I'll help you out."
Ethan's eyes widened, hope flickering through the exhaustion and sadness. "Please... please, if you can, help me," he said, voice almost pleading, the raw sincerity in his tone impossible to ignore.
Margerate's smile deepened, and she nodded. "I promise," she said firmly. "I'll help you. You just need to trust me."
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of everything hanging between them, until Margerate's eyes twinkled mischievously. She tilted her head and teased, "Wow... you're really in love, aren't you?"
Ethan froze, a blush creeping across his face, and she laughed softly at him, a light, musical sound that cut through the heaviness of the moment. "I've never seen you like this," she continued, shaking her head with amusement. "Completely undone... and for Lena."
Ethan tried to mask his embarrassment with a faint, wry smile, but the warmth in Margerate's laughter was infectious. For the first time in hours, maybe days, the tension in his chest eased slightly, replaced by a glimmer of hope, and the unspoken understanding that he wasn't alone in this fight.