Chapter 45 Inner Turmoil

Eventually, Evelyn stopped resisting, and William finally breathed a sigh of relief.

William rambled on about his inner thoughts, saying, "From the beginning, I was torn about whether to tell you all this. But I wanted to show you the most real version of myself, so I hesitated. If my concealment has hurt you, please let me know how I can make it up to you. As long as you don't leave me."

Evelyn's gaze flickered slightly upon seeing William. He continued, "I understand your fears and anxieties, but can you at least trust me a little, please? Just let me try show you."

Looking into William's eyes, Evelyn finally relented. Deep down, she knew that even if it was a lie, she would willingly plunge into it. Is this what they call love? It truly seemed dangerous.

"I need to know; do you like her?" Evelyn finally voiced her question.

William followed Evelyn's gaze and found Odile standing not far away. It was then that William finally understood why she was so upset and sad. It was because of Odile.

With determination, William answered Evelyn's question, "Of course not. If I liked her, why would I come to the United States to be your assistant and pursue you? We grew up together, and if there were feelings, we would have been married long ago. Both sets of parents have been hoping for it, but I don't have any feelings for her. I truly see her as a sister."

"Is that really true?" Evelyn looked into his eyes.

"Of course!" William smiled and pulled Evelyn closer into his embrace. "So, this is what you were truly afraid of? I'm really happy, you know. That you would be jealous because of these things, haha."

Evelyn rolled her eyes at him. "Is William really your name?"

"Well, please don't get mad at what I'm about to tell you. It's actually not." William nervously glanced at her.

Suppressing her anger, Evelyn frowned.

William felt his legs go weak. "I, I'm actually named Étienne, but because I grew up in the United States, I've been called William for a longer time. It's only here that people call me Étienne. Please don't be mad."

"I never expected that after knowing you for all this time, I didn't even know your name," Evelyn sighed.

Knowing that she was angry, William did his best to calm her emotions. But he was genuinely relieved. He had been taken devastated earlier, thinking that Evelyn really would break up with him. Fortunately, everything was going to be fine now, he thought. He was content just like this. William couldn't have imagined that he would end up like this.

"You have so much that I don't know," Evelyn felt a bit uneasy.

"Don't you just need to know one thing?" William said.

"What?" Evelyn looked at him, not knowing what trick he was up to.

"That I love you," William beamed a big smile.

Evelyn simply rolled her eyes at him. This smooth-talking and oily manner were really annoying.

After saying that, William laughed at himself. "I'm not this cheesy with everyone. Evelyn, you're the first and the last."

As Evelyn looked at the smile that bloomed on William's face, she truly felt a more genuine connection blooming. She really didn't know what more to ask of him.

It would be best to solve the problem at hand, but what should I do with my own heart?

Suddenly, the cruise ship began to sway. William quickly caught Evelyn, who almost fell. How could such a calm sea have such violent movements? William's unease and fear grew slowly.

The phone rang at the right moment. Without hesitation, William answered. It was Leo, sounding extremely anxious and almost shouting, "Mr. Chevalier, get off the ship quickly!"

"It's too late." William knew there was no time anymore, and the current situation was his worst fear coming true. He asked Leo for more details, "Explain the situation."

"Menier is planning to hijack the cruise ship. We are on our way to rescue you, Mr. Chevalier. You must hold on until we arrive. Hide first. Hurry!"

William abruptly ended the call, turned around, and held Evelyn's shoulder. "From now on, don't ask anything and listen to me. The situation is urgent. Leave me quickly, go into the crowd. They probably haven't found you. It's safe if you stay away from me. Hurry!"

After William finished speaking, he pushed Evelyn away and prepared to leave. But Evelyn grabbed William's hand and ran towards the second floor, saying, "How could I leave you alone?"

Evelyn didn't know why, but she firmly believed in William's words and the so-called imminent danger.

Allowing Evelyn to pull him along, William ran through the swaying banquet hall. Her hair brushed against his face, tickling him, and his heart felt the same sensation.

The two crouched in a hidden spot on the second floor. The position here was excellent, overlooking the panoramic view below. They were very close, and Evelyn felt something hidden in the waist of his suit jacket. Without thinking too much of it, she believed it must be a gun.

Evelyn couldn't understand the emotions surging through heart this moment. She was afraid that this time the danger would truly threaten their lives, yet at this very moment, she wasn't scared at all. Was it because she was holding his hand? Evelyn couldn't help but question herself at this moment.

William looked at the increasingly panicked crowd downstairs, then turned to Evelyn and asked her, "Are you scared?"

Evelyn stared directly into William's eyes, without any fear in her own, and said, "No, I'm not scared."

That one look, that one sentence, seemed to give William a lot of courage. "The person coming to save us is still on the way. As long as we hide, everything will be fine."

Evelyn looked at him and nodded.

William looked at Evelyn's face and suddenly felt scared and hesitant. "They are after me. I don't want to involve you. Do you understand? I really want to selfishly keep you by my side, but I can't. Evelyn, leave! Go downstairs or somewhere else! No, I'll leave!"

Saying these illogical words, William truly intended to stand up and leave the room, but Evelyn hugged him tightly.

Lifting her neck, she said in William's ear, "Don't leave. Let's face this together, okay?"

William's heart melted completely. How could he even consider leaving Evelyn, who was like this now so pure and raw?

William could only emphasize repeatedly, "It's dangerous, do you understand?"

"If you don't leave, as long as we're together, I'm not afraid!" Evelyn said firmly, still holding onto William's arm tightly. William was truly helpless now. "Alright, let's hide here for a while. It's really nice having you by my side. Let me be selfish and enjoy this."

William looked at Evelyn and suddenly felt that this was good too. As long as they could be together, it was enough. Had he really fallen in love with her to this extent? It was hard to believe.

Downstairs, there was a gradual commotion as if many people had rushed in together. The frightened crowd screamed loudly, but they were quickly silenced by someone. In an instant, the whole hall became quiet, very quiet, with a tremendous threat lurking in that deathly silence.

Only a deep roar could be heard, "Search!"

Sure enough, William recognized Menier's voice.

There were rustling sounds coming from all directions, causing Evelyn to nervously tremble. William held her tightly in his arms and could clearly feel that someone was getting closer, closer, and even closer. Evelyn felt her heart was about to jump out of her throat.

Now she understood. Nothing was a joke; it truly was extremely dangerous. Evelyn didn't even know where her courage had come from.

In the moment the hand opened the cabin door, Evelyn watched as the light became brighter and brighter. William placed his hand behind him, pressing onto the gun. Everything was urgent, hanging by a thread, and both of them trembled uncontrollably.

Then they heard from not far away, "Over here!"

In the moment that the hand was withdrawn, Evelyn almost fainted. They smiled at each other, leaning closer and holding onto each other even tighter.

For a long time, there was no reaction outside. They only heard Menier say, "Useless! In such a big place, they could still escape? Go search again! I don't believe it. All of you, go find them! Search the entire place for me!"

After a while, they heard Odile's voice, "Let me go!"

Odile struggled and was brought in front of Menier. Menier looked at her, becoming more certain. "Tell me! Where is Étienne?"

"I don't know!" Odile turned her head away, refusing to even look at him.

This contemptuous attitude ignited Menier even further. He walked up, raised his hand, and slapped Odile in the face. Étienne couldn't hold back anymore. How could he allow a woman to be struck?

They still heard Odile say, "Mr. Chevalier received the news a long time ago. You're too late, he's already gone! Hitting me won't have any effect."

Menier carefully considered whether she was telling the truth or not. Could it be true that Étienne had really left?

Menier, holding Odile firmly, shook his head. Odile said this because she hoped to protect Étienne, and she definitely didn't want to see him risking his life by going out.

Suddenly, Menier no longer pressured Odile, "It's okay, we will find out whether Étienne is on the cruise soon! Bring her in."

Menier looked at the silent woman and walked straight towards her, "What's the matter? Afraid that you will lure Étienne out to his death? Hmph!"

Without hesitation, Menier grabbed the woman's chin and slapped her. The sound was so faint, like a knife directly piercing through Étienne's heart. It was Sophie! How could he resort to such ruthless tactics? He found Sophie!

Evelyn felt his momentary stiffness and didn't know who the woman outside was, but she instantly felt uneasy. Could it be the woman in the photo?

Downstairs, the sound of Menier hitting Sophie reached Étienne. He was about to open the door and go out when Evelyn grabbed his arm and refused to let go. She felt that regardless of whether Étienne lived or died, the person in front of her would no longer belong to him. Tears streamed down Evelyn's cheeks without stopping. Her voice was barely audible, saying, "Don't go."

Étienne tried to pull his arm forcefully to break free, "Evelyn, I can't do it." His voice was filled with extreme pain.

"Because you love her? Is that it?" Evelyn asked softly.

Étienne truly fell silent. At that moment when he heard Sophie's voice, he really didn't know the true answer in his heart. But maybe that wasn't love either. He would never allow anyone, no matter who it was, to die for his sake. He didn't want to kill or burden anyone. However, as long as he was Étienne, it was impossible.

Evelyn, in pain, closed her eyes and continued holding onto his arm tightly, refusing to let go. In her heart, she told herself that she was still wrong, still losing.