Chapter 357 Only She Will Do
After Ethan said that, he made a silent vow to buy his sister a gift to make a good impression.
Philippe gasped, "Four days! What am I going to do?!" He thought to himself.
At this time, Ethan's gaze landed on Phillipe with a penetrating intensity.
"Abella, why don't you catch up with your classmates for a bit? I need to have a word with Phillipe."
Abella knew what Ethan was about to say and nodded, patting him reassuringly, "Have a good talk."
The way she said "have a good talk" made Ethan pause. He thought, “Why does it sound like my sister is telling me to be nicer? Should I be more polite to Phillipe?”
“Was she sticking up for this guy?”
“Or was it just my imagination?” Ethan wondered.
After Abella walked away, Phillipe stepped forward and shook hands with Ethan, saying mildly, "Long time no see, Ethan."
“I didn't expect that the next time I see Ethan, he’ll be my brother-in-law.” Phillipe thought.
Phillipe remembered when he called Ethan "Second brother" like Blake did...
"So, did Abella consent to your relationship, or did you coerce her with your engagement?"
Ethan asked bluntly, asserting his protective-older-brother role.
Philippe answered truthfully, "It was love at first sight on my part."
“There was no coercion, no formal courtship either...”
“Truth be told, I owe Abella a proper pursuit...” Philippe thought.
Philippe then briefly mentioned how Abella saved Mr. Bourbon, skipping over the details. Ethan had no idea that his sister's medical skills were so profound that she not only healed Mr. Bourbon but even Granny Bourbon, who had been in a vegetative state!
Before now, Ethan only knew that his sister was found, but he was clueless about her remarkable talents.
Ethan now wondered what struggles and difficulties she had gone through to become so skilled in medicine... Then his eyes grew gloomy.
"As for your engagement to Abella, it’s not yet set in stone. In public, it’s best if you avoid being overly intimate."
Philippe understood what Ethan was getting at. If things didn't work out between him and Abella, any inappropriate closeness now could jeopardize her reputation and future...
Philippe assured Ethan with conviction, "Don't worry, Ethan. In this life, there's no one for me but Abella."
Ethan thought, “Is he so determined to marry my sister?”
"Given Phillipe's status and the world of choices at his feet, could he really commit to my sister for a lifetime?" Ethan asked himself as he glanced at Philippe.
It wasn't that Ethan lacked faith in Abella or didn't think she was good enough for Phillipe. He just feared that if she fell too deeply, and if, by some chance, things didn't work out...
“Phillipe needs to think of Abella's well-being. He cannot overstep boundaries carelessly just driven by fleeting affection,” thought Ethan.
"Abella is the key to all my emotions. She means the world to me,” Phillipe chimed.
"Sometimes, I wish she'd grow up faster and finish her studies soon, so I can give her a lavish wedding. I want everyone to know she's Mrs. Phillipe," he dreamily added.
"I want to share our happiness with everyone. With a marriage certificate, I can keep her by my side."
"You might not believe this, Ethan, but the thought of losing her scares me to death."
Phillipe's admission caught Ethan off guard. “Was there some other reason behind Phillipe worry?” Ethan questioned inwardly.
"The world is full of women, young and beautiful ones. There will be even more in the future."
"But the only one who's ever driven me to madness, who's truly enchanted me, is Abella,” Phillipe said, each word heavy with sincerity. "She's truly that important to me."
"Important enough to give up your status for her?" Ethan asked while looking into Phillipe’s eyes, waiting for an answer.
Phillipe chuckled, "If all my titles could be traded for her, I'd consider myself the biggest winner."
Ethan was surprised once more, but he took Phillipe's words with a grain of salt, understanding it was easier said than done.
"If I had to give up everything to be with her, I wouldn't hesitate to leave it all behind."
“Even if it means leading an ordinary life, having Abella would make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Winning her love is like conquering the universe to me.”
“That’s enough for me.” Philippe said to himself.
"Talk is cheap, but letting go is another story," Ethan reminded him cautiously.
Philippe knew what Ethan meant.
"I've made a promise to Steven, and now I need to make the same promise to you." Philippe said to Ethan.
"If ever you feel Abella is being wronged, or if I betray her..."
"My life is yours to take, with no struggle," Phillipe vowed solemnly.
Today, Ethan saw Phillipe in a new light. Ethan seemed to understand why Abella was drawn to him and spoke up for him. Phillipe’s words were those of a true man – responsible and bold.
"Alright, I'll hold you to those words,” Ethan warned. “If you ever mistreat my sister or stray, just remember – I'll be the first to come after you!"
"I understand," Phillipe replied earnestly.
"Since you've chosen Abella, try to keep your distance from Lola from now on."
Ethan was aware that Lola had always been infatuated with Phillipe, dreaming of one day becoming his wife.
"Don't worry, Ethan. I've never had any inappropriate thoughts about Lola from day one. I’m just not into her," Phillipe reassured.
"The one I love is Abella and her alone."
"That's true now, and it will be true in the future."
"My heart won't change."
"Please trust me, Ethan. Be at ease."
...
Nearby, Ethan's subordinates were buzzing around Abella, chattering incessantly.
"You are just so darn cute!"
"Strong genes, that's for sure..."
"Abella, you have no idea how much the boss wanted to fly back to the States to see you."
"This mission was supposed to end at the end of the month, but he wrapped it up early! You can't imagine how tricky it was..."
They left the word "dangerous" unspoken, but Abella guessed it, and her heart was suddenly tugged.
"As soon as the mission was over, the boss flew back straightaway without even catching his breath! We were so exhausted last night that we could have slept standing up!"
"The boss really envies your other brothers, getting to see you sooner... You might not believe this, but he felt extremely guilty and reproached himself for not being able to buy you a present personally."
"I'm telling you, the boss cares about you a lot. Whenever he gets a chance, he'll ask the other brothers about you, but... they always brag to his face about how close they've gotten with you recently, which leaves him both jealous and helpless."
...
Hearing this, Abella's gaze landed on the figure engaged in conversation with Phillipe, and her heart warmed further.
“It turns out that having brothers who care for me and cherish me... is such a blissful thing.” She thought.
"By the way, the boss didn't know you were his sister last night. If he had, he definitely wouldn't have invited you to join..." The man stopped himself abruptly, as though realizing something, and fell silent.
Clare was curious and asked, "Join what?"
The words "Homeland Security " were classified, but Clare was still taken aback. She asked, "You guys met last night? Ethan asked you to join the Homeland..."
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