“If you just make that hangover soup, I’ll consider you officially passing the test. How about that?”
Emma looked so smug—so sure she had me wrapped around her finger.
I only chuckled.
“This place is under my name on the lease. We are done. Take Liam and get out. Unless you want security to escort you.”
From the couch, Liam suddenly giggled.
“Kick us out? Ethan… didn’t you know? This apartment is actually under my name.”
Emma stiffened.
Liam blinked up at her.
“Sorry, Emma… you told me not to tell him this, right?”
He yawned and grinned at me.
“You didn’t know? This place used to belong to Emma. But it’s my birthday today—she gave it to me as a gift.
Next month, you can just pay rent directly to me.”
I felt myself freeze.
I looked at Emma, disbelief twisting into something uglier.
She hadn’t expected Liam to spill it. Panic flickered in her eyes.
“No wonder you insisted on this place,” I said quietly.
“I sold my only asset. I worked myself to the bone. I almost donated plasma for money.”
“And all this time, this place belonged to you?
Humiliating me like this—was it fun?”
A flash of guilt crossed her face.
“Ethan, I—”
“Don’t,” I cut her off. “Tell me the truth. Did you ever love me?”
She opened her mouth… but nothing came out.
Liam staggered to his feet.
“So what? If you love a woman, you suffer for her.
Besides, this vetting? It’s The Brooks Family’s rule.
You’re a nobody. And they’re high-class.
If you can marry her, you basically skip fifty years of struggle.
What are you complaining about?”
His words wiped the last trace of guilt off Emma’s face.
I laughed once—sharp and final.
“Perfect. Then you be the groom.”
I grabbed my jacket and walked out.
Emma tried to stop me, but Liam leaned on her harder.
“Emma… dizzy…”
She panicked immediately.
As I reached the gate of the tower complex, a Maybach rolled to a stop in front of me.
The driver stepped out and bowed slightly.
“Young Master Carter, I’m relieved you’ve finally seen through that Brooks girl.
Miss Ava Collins arrives from Scandinavia tomorrow. We’re all expecting wedding news soon.”
Emma didn’t contact me for days after that.
I returned to The Carter Family estate—only to get hit on the shoulder by my grandfather’s cane.
When I insisted on pursuing Emma years ago, Grandfather Carter locked my credit card and left me only a small condo.
I swore I would prove him wrong.
I swore I would win the girl of my dreams.
But now…
Even I had no choice but to admit—he was right.
