Chapter 240

Chapter 240

Yanny couldn't wait to dial Cleo's number.

"Grandma! Ethan's awake!"

Cleo had been discussing with Bianca how to handle the recent events when she sprang to her feet at the news.

"Really?"

Yanny couldn't hold back her tears. She knew that while Cleo had appeared calm to reassure everyone, she was the one suffering the most.

Ethan faced the risk of never waking up, people at the Smith Group were attempting a power grab, and Bianca's emotions were unstable—Cleo had been under unimaginable pressure.

Yet Cleo had managed to keep everything running smoothly.

"Yes, we just took him for a full body examination. There's nothing seriously wrong. Now he just needs to complete his rehabilitation therapy before he can be discharged."

Bianca, standing nearby, couldn't help but speak up.

"Could Ethan do his rehabilitation back in Celestria? There are plenty of advanced therapy centers there too."

Cleo patted her hand gently.

"I know you're anxious, but we've already lost so much time. What if bringing Ethan back now delays his recovery?"

Cleo was right. The rehabilitation program Ethan was following had been specially designed by Jack, and even the equipment and medications they were using would be difficult to find back home.

Still, she understood Bianca's longing for her son.

"Mom, he just finished eating. Perfect timing for him to talk to you both."

Bianca's face lit up with a smile.

"That would be wonderful!"

Yanny wiped away her tears and, pretending nothing had happened, walked into the hospital room and handed her phone to Ethan.

"Grandma, Mom."

Ethan took the phone, and Bianca's voice came through, thick with tears of joy.

"Ethan, are you okay?"

Ethan pressed his lips together.

"Mom, I'm sorry for worrying you all this time. Don't worry—I'm doing rehabilitation therapy every day. I'll be home before you know it."

After reassuring his mother, he turned his attention to Cleo.

"Grandma, you take care of yourself too. Don't worry too much."

Hearing him express his feelings so openly, both Bianca and Cleo couldn't help but smile.

"Good. Just stay there with Yanny and take care of yourself. If you run into any trouble, tell us right away. And make sure you listen to Yanny!"

Ethan glanced at Yanny beside him, his eyes filled with affection.

"I will."

Remembering what had happened that morning, Ethan spoke up.

"Grandma, there's one more thing."

He told Cleo about the assassination attempt they'd faced that morning. Cleo immediately understood his meaning.

"Don't worry. The Smith family will get to the bottom of this."

The moment she hung up the phone, Cleo collapsed. Bianca shot to her feet.

"Mom!"

Her face turned pale with panic as she whirled around to face the butler.

"What are you standing there for? Call the family doctor!"

Just as Bianca was panicking, a commotion came from outside.

Aubrey appeared in the doorway, his expression stern.

"Bianca, I know this isn't the best time, but I've been thinking these past few days. Since Ethan wants to focus on his recovery, let him rest. But you can't keep managing the Smith Group indefinitely. Why don't I step in as acting chairman until Ethan returns?"

He'd already received news that the assassination had failed. Ethan would definitely investigate thoroughly.

That's why he's rushing over here—he wants to grab as much power as possible before Ethan comes back.

Bianca's expression darkened.

"If you know this isn't the right time, why are you here at Smith Manor? Do you really think now is the time to discuss this?"

Of course Bianca understood his ulterior motives.

But with Ethan still away and Cleo unconscious, all she could do was stall for time.

"Bianca, you can't be this selfish. The Smith Group isn't just your shares—it's the hope of the entire Smith family. Even if we're collateral kin, we still have a stake in the family's future."

Bianca let out a cold laugh.

"Don't try to manipulate me with talk of family loyalty. I won't discuss this with you until Ethan returns."

Aubrey hadn't expected her to be so stubborn. After all, they were family—he'd been banking on the hope that even if they discovered he'd sent people after Ethan, Cleo would soften and prevent Ethan from going too far.

After all, this kind of scandal wouldn't look good for anyone.

But he hadn't counted on Bianca refusing outright.

"Bianca, the board members are already divided. If they keep pressuring you, I'd like to see how you handle it!"

With those words, he stormed out. No matter what, he had to secure as much power as possible.

Meanwhile, Yanny had just hung up the phone when she noticed Ethan staring at her intently. She shifted uncomfortably.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

Ethan shook his head.

"Yanny, do you know what I dreamed about just before I woke up? I dreamed you said you'd give me another chance. I was so happy I woke up right away."

Yanny cleared her throat.

"Stop saying useless things."

Ethan's lips pressed together, his eyes filled with regret.

"Yanny, I've realized how completely wrong I was before. I truly regret what I did. I don't deserve someone as wonderful as you, but when I was on the brink of death, all I could think about was seeing you one last time. Yanny, I'm sorry."

Yanny's fingers paused for a moment. She spoke casually.

"Right now, your most important job is rehabilitation therapy. I'm not interested in someone who needs help with everything."

After a moment's hesitation, Ethan's eyes suddenly lit up. He grabbed Yanny's hand, his expression excited.

"Yanny, do you really mean that?"

A hint of a smile appeared in Yanny's eyes, though she still pretended to be indifferent.

"We'll see when you've fully recovered. There's no point talking about it now."

Those words gave Ethan unlimited motivation. During his daily rehabilitation sessions, he threw everything he had into the exercises, and his recovery progressed rapidly.

Though he still had limited mobility and needed Yanny to help him bathe.

The two of them hadn't had any intimate contact in a long time. Looking at Ethan's model-like physique, Yanny felt heat rising to her cheeks.

Ethan noticed, and couldn't help but feel pleased.

When they emerged from the bathroom, Yanny still hadn't fully calmed down. William happened to catch this scene.

Over the past few days, watching how the two of them interacted had left him feeling bitter. That natural intimacy between them was something William would never have in his lifetime.

He walked out of the hospital room feeling dejected. The injury from last time still throbbed dully, but it didn't hurt as much as his heart.

He'd only wanted to briefly escape reality, but leaving while still injured, he'd run into a robbery and nearly gotten seriously hurt again. Luckily, he'd encountered a police patrol.