Rebirth After Being Betrayed by My Husband (Lily and Ryan) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182 

+8 Pearls 

When Assistant Ben stepped into the office, he froze in surprise. The usually composed and commanding Ethan was slouched on the couch, a half–empty bottle of alcohol dangling from his hand. His sharp features were softened by his half–closed eyes, and his posture gave off the impression of a king lost in his thoughts. Several empty bottles lay scattered on the floor around him, a stark contrast to the pristine office environment. 

“Boss, it’s time to go home,” Assistant Ben said gently, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. 

Silence. 

The atmosphere in the room was heavy, the quiet almost deafening. Taking a steadying breath, Assistant Ben tried again. “Boss, it’s getting late. You need to go home.” 

“Shut up!” Ethan’s voice boomed, startling Assistant Ben. “Who do you think you are to order me around?” His words were slurred, laced with the sharp edge of frustration. 

Assistant Ben flinched, his heart racing as he stared at his boss in disbelief. Ethan was completely intoxicated, his usual sharp intellect dulled by the alcohol. His mood was unpredictable, and it was clear he wasn’t in any state to listen to reason. Summoning his courage, Assistant Ben stepped forward. “Boss, let me help you. We need to get you home.” 

He reached out, intending to assist Ethan to his feet, but before he could touch him, Ethan pushed him back lightly. “Don’t touch me,” he muttered, his tone icy despite his inebriation. 

The unexpected push caused Assistant Ben to stumble, nearly losing his balance. He managed to steady himself, but his heart sank. This job is going to kill me someday, he thought, suppressing the urge to cry. “I deserve a raise for putting up with this,” he mumbled under his breath, glancing at his stubborn boss. 

Then an idea struck him–a glimmer of hope in the chaos. With a sly smile, he moved closer and tried a different approach. “Boss, Miss Lily is waiting for you at home. Don’t you want to see her?” 

At the mention of her name, Ethan frowned but remained silent. Encouraged by the slight reaction, Assistant Ben pressed on, his tone gentle but persuasive. “Let’s go home, Boss. Miss Lily would be waiting for you. It’s not fair to keep your wife waiting, is it?” 

Ethan’s unfocused eyes seemed to clear slightly. “My Lily is waiting for me?” he asked, his voice softer now. 

“Yes, Boss. She’s waiting for you at home,” Assistant Ben said with enthusiasm, nodding like a man trying to convince a child to eat their vegetables. This might actually work, he thought, a surge of optimism filling him. He was just about to reach out and help Ethan stand when the next words crushed his hope. 

“Not going,” Ethan said flatly, leaning back into the couch. 

Assistant Ben blinked in disbelief. What?! His mind raced as he stared at his boss. Boss, this wasn’t part of the plan! Aren’t you supposed to jump up at the mention of Miss Lily? Frustration bubbled inside him, but he forced himself to stay calm. 

“Boss, please. Let’s go home. Miss Lily is waiting for you. You shouldn’t keep her waiting,” he tried again, his tone almost pleading. 

But Ethan was resolute, crossing his arms and puffing out his cheeks like a stubborn child. “Not going. Not going. Not going home,” he declared, shaking his head in defiance. 

Accistant Ren stared at him utterly defeated. Why do I even try? He thought miserahlu realizing it was 

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09:45 Fri, 14 Mar 

Chapter 182 

going to be a long night. 

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Assistant Ben massaged his temples, feeling an incoming headache from dealing with his boss’s antics. Ethan’s stubbornness was proving to be a mountain too steep to climb. Sighing heavily, he finally conceded that he wasn’t going to win this battle. Seeing that his boss had no intention of leaving the office, he reluctantly pulled out his phone and dialed Lily’s number. After a few rings, her familiar voice answered, tinged with concern. 

“Assistant Ben, is everything okay?” Lily’s soft yet worried tone came through. 

“Umm… Miss Lily, about Boss… actually…” Assistant Ben hesitated, unsure how to phrase the situation delicately. 

“Assistant Ben, you’re worrying me. What happened? Where’s Ethan?” she asked, her concern growing. 

“Miss Lily, the Boss… he’s, uh, drunk. Quite heavily. And he’s refusing to leave the office,” Assistant Ben explained, his words spilling out in a rush. 

“Drunk?” Lily repeated, her tone a mix of surprise and worry. 

“Yes, Miss. He’s completely intoxicated and insists on staying here,” Assistant Ben said, his voice filled with exasperation. 

“Don’t worry, Assistant Ben. I’ll come and get him,” she said decisively before hanging up the call. 

Assistant Ben let out a small sigh of relief, feeling like the cavalry was on its way. However, when he glanced up from his phone, he froze. Ethan was glaring at him with a sharpness that cut through his drunken haze. Confused, Assistant Ben hesitated before speaking. “Boss…?” 

“Who were you talking to?” Ethan demanded, his tone dangerously low. 

Assistant Ben shivered under the intensity of his boss’s gaze. Despite being drunk, Ethan’s presence was still commanding, his aura almost suffocating. The weight of the unspoken threat made Assistant Ben feel like he was walking on thin ice. Unsure of what he had done wrong, he stammered, “M–Miss Lily…” 

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. 

Five seconds. 

Ten seconds. 

Twenty seconds. 

Ethan continued to glare, his piercing gaze making Assistant Ben shift uncomfortably. Subconsciously, he took a small step back. Finally, Ethan broke the silence. 

“Why do you have my Lily’s number?” he asked coldly, his tone laced with possessiveness. 

Assistant Ben blinked, utterly bewildered. Boss, is this really the time for this? he thought helplessly. 

“Well? Answer me!” Ethan snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. 

“I–I called her to pick you up,” Assistant Ben blurted out. “Miss Lily is coming here for you.” 

At that, Ethan’s expression softened slightly. “She’s coming… for me?” he asked, pointing to himself with a faint smile that lit up his face. 

Fri, 14 Mar 

Chapter 182 

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+8 Pearls 

“Yes, Boss. She’s coming for you,” Assistant Ben confirmed, nodding vigorously, hopeful that this would finally get his boss to cooperate.