Chapter 147: Chapter 147: The Murky Waters of Saint Lawrence

“However, her personal vendettas perhaps will not have much impact on whether or not the Harrington family takes your business plan seriously.”

When Ethan mentioned this, Julian could only let out a resigned sigh: “I know, but there is no other way. She is merely a stepping stone, a catalyst to make Kevin Harrington trust the situation more. As for the matter of convincing the board and his mother, that is something he has to do himself.”

“What if I had a way to push things forward?”

“Hmm?”

“I am guessing that your business plan must be an ambitious development version related to virtual reality gaming, possessing a certain consistency with the collaboration between the Harrington and Sterling families that was recently featured in the newspapers.”

Seeing Julian looking at him with wide, round eyes filled with surprise, Ethan could not resist the urge to lower his head and plant two soft kisses on the younger man’s eyelids.

“If, during some social engagement, I were to unintentionally bring up issues related to that field… Or perhaps, if I were to let slip a rumor that the Caldwell Empire is also intending to dip its hands into this sector… I predict the Harrington family would become anxious. They have the ambition to lead in this field. The previous project was secretly obstructed by Cedric Harrington because he wanted the land we hold. Conveniently, the appearance of a better, more advanced business plan would make them waver significantly. If they think I am competing for the same market share, their fear of missing out will drive them to act rashly.”

“Wow, it must be so exhausting for our CEO Caldwell to scheme and calculate like this. In that case, I will leave everything to you.” Julian spoke with a teasing tone, leaning up to plant a sycophantic, flattering kiss on the man’s cheek.

“Since I am making such a sacrifice to help you, does my darling have any reward for me?”

“Remove your pig trotter from my waist immediately, Ethan Caldwell!” Julian’s voice hardened, dropping the playful act: “Do not think I do not know what you are up to. Sooner or later, the news about the project between the Caldwell Empire and Iris Visuals was going to be leaked to the public anyway. Whether it happens a little sooner or a little later makes absolutely no difference to your bottom line. You are just trying to cheat me out of a reward for something you were already planning to do!”

Hearing him say this, Ethan laughed so hard his chest shook against Julian’s back. The sound of his laughter was loud, deep, and resonant, filling the entire space of the room. He laughed with such hearty amusement that Julian began to feel genuinely annoyed.

“Shut your mouth!”

“Alright, alright, I know.” The man’s voice still held strong traces of mirth as he finally calmed down, exhaling a long breath of contentment: “Julian Sterling, you have grown up much faster than I thought you would.”

“If I did not grow up, you would currently be sitting in prison for the crime of sleeping with a minor, Ethan Caldwell.”

Ethan Caldwell was well aware that the young man in his arms was teasing him. He chose not to respond directly to the playful jab about age and legality. Instead, he simply held Julian closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that sounded almost like a sigh, heavy with an emotion that was difficult to decipher.

“Wait a little longer… just wait until you have enough real strength, enough power in your own hands…”

The two words, “strength” and “power”, falling from the man’s lips caused Julian Sterling’s heart to skip a beat. A sudden jolt of adrenaline surged through his veins. In that single, fleeting second, his mind raced, constructing dozens of terrifying hypotheses. Had Ethan discovered something? Did he know about the private channels Julian was building? Did he know about the secret alliance with Lucas Hill that went beyond mere business? Panic flared briefly behind Julian’s eyes, but he schooled his expression instantly.

However, it seemed that the man had no intention of digging deeper into that specific vein of conversation. He did not interrogate, he merely promised.

“When you have enough capability to stand on your own two feet, I will let you see the true face of Saint Lawrence City’s high society. I will show you what lies beneath the mask.”

Seeing Julian looking up at him with a gaze that was a complex mixture of astonishment, wariness, and burning curiosity, Ethan did not rush to explain further. He knew that some truths were too heavy to be dumped all at once.

With a practiced, fluid motion, Ethan placed the tablet onto the bedside cabinet. He then turned his attention to the domestic task of clearing away the remnants of their meal. He stacked the porcelain bowl and the glass of water onto the rolling cart with a soft clinking sound. Then, retrieving a wet wipe from a dispenser, he returned to the bed. He took Julian’s hand in his own large, warm palm and began to meticulously wipe each of Julian’s slender fingers, one by one. His movements were incredibly gentle, almost reverent, contrasting sharply with the ruthless reputation of the CEO of the Caldwell Empire.

“To be honest, initially, I had no intention of letting you know about these dark undercurrents.” Ethan confessed, his eyes focused on his task of cleaning Julian’s hand: “Even though I realized very early on that the Julian Sterling who stepped into my house was nothing like the “Julian Sterling” described by the rumors from your family.”

He paused, lifting his gaze to meet Julian’s: “But I did not think you would have the capacity or the constitution to face these matters. I wanted to shield you. It was only recently, after Grandpa Arthur reminded me… that I thought perhaps I should reconsider my decision to keep you in the dark.”

When the name “Grandpa Arthur” left Ethan’s lips, Julian’s pupils contracted slightly, a minute physical reaction that betrayed his internal tension. Julian had not met the legendary patriarch of the Caldwell family, Arthur Caldwell, many times. In fact, their encounters could be counted on one hand. During every single one of those meetings, Julian had meticulously curated his behavior, presenting the facade of a well-behaved, slightly timid, and obedient partner for Ethan. He had played the role of the “trophy spouse” to perfection.

But now, hearing just those few words from Ethan, a chill ran down Julian’s spine. He deduced that Grandpa Arthur, that shrewd, seasoned old lion, had likely seen right through his disguise. The old man probably knew much more than he let on.

Julian did not interrupt. He bit his lip slightly and allowed the man to continue speaking.

Ethan, meanwhile, remained focused on his caretaking. He reached for the blister pack of medication that Kieran Talbot had prepared and delivered earlier. He read the instructions on the back with the seriousness one might apply to a multimillion-dollar contract, ensuring the dosage was exactly right. He popped the pills out one by one, placing them into Julian’s palm.

It was only after Julian had swallowed the handful of medicine with a grimace and a sip of water that Ethan resumed his train of thought.

“The water in this pond we call Saint Lawrence City… it is not as clear as you imagine it to be. It is not just a playground for the rich to flaunt their wealth.” Ethan said, his voice low and grave: “It is not without reason that people like Gabriel Cole and Cedric Harrington have suddenly begun to assert themselves so aggressively in recent times. They are reacting to something.”

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