<h4>Chapter 415: Hurt on Her Behalf</h4>


    "Father, she’ll understand your intentions one day," Luke said softly, trying tofort Lucas. "Let’s finish our meal and head home early, okay?"


    Lucas looked pale, likely due to his poor sleep over the past few days. He had been worried about Eric’s safety, knowing that if anything happened to him, E would be devastated.


    Such an oue would make it even harder to mend the father-daughter rtionship. Lucas had gambled—he bet on Eric being strong enough to get out on his own.


    Though he outwardly showed disapproval of Eric, deep down, he hoped his daughter’s choice would prove to be the right one.


    Lucas had been gued by sleepless nights, his mind heavy with anxiety. Only Luke, who had been by his side, could truly see how much it affected him.


    "Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve had a proper rest," Lucas said with a faint, mncholic smile. "You’ll take care of thepany for me, won’t you? Even if E acknowledges me as her father someday, she won’t want my things."


    Luke lowered his head slightly, his voice a quiet promise. "Father, I’ll manage thepany well. And if she ever needs it, I’ll hand it over to her."


    Lucas shook his head gently. "She won’t take it... Even though I’ve only met her a few times, I can see that E is stubborn. Besides, Eric is capable, and they don’tck money. E also has a good heart. After all these years of you standing by me, how could I leave you with nothing?"


    Such an action would only make others use Lucas of being heartless, and it wasn’t something he could bring himself to do.


    For over twenty years, he and Luke had depended on each other. Even though Luke wasn’t his biological son, he had been a source of support and was no different from family.


    Over the next few days, Lucas continued making frequent visits to the hotel. asionally, when E and Eric dined at the restaurant, they would encounter him.


    Lucas’s persistence saw him visiting the hotel every day for seven days, humbly attempting to reconnect with E. His actions even made Luke lose his temper andsh out at E several times.


    The situation caught media attention, spreading like wildfire across newspapers and websites. Rumors began to swirl—some spected Lucas had a romantic interest in E, a vile and baseless im.


    Eventually, informed sources revealed the truth about Lucas and E’s father-daughter rtionship, causing a global sensation.


    Lucas, recognized as the "Strongest Entrepreneur of the Year" by authoritative publications, was already under public scrutiny. Now, with his family ties to E publicized, those who had ill intentions toward Eric hesitated to act.


    Meanwhile, Bowan Miller, the head of the Miller family, faced multiple allegations of his crimes, with evidence piling up against him.


    Barry’s kidnapping of Eric, which ended with Eric fighting his way out, only reinforced Eric’s reputation as a man of exceptional skill and determination.


    On the ninth day, E and Eric returned from shopping. E had bought numerous gifts for Amelia, Chloe, and others in preparation for their uing wedding back home.


    As they entered their usual restaurant, Lucas approached them with a warm smile.


    "E," he greeted.


    "Mr. Anderson," E responded politely but with a clear distance in her tone.


    Luke’s face darkened again, but Lucas ignored him, smiling as he nodded. "You’re back? I stopped by this morning, but you weren’t here."


    "We went out to buy some small gifts... We’re leaving for home in a couple of days," E said softly.


    Lucas’s smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "I see. Make sure to let me know when the wedding happens."


    E smiled faintly, thinking that even if she didn’t tell him, Lucas would surely find out anyway.


    "I will," she replied, maintaining her polite demeanor.


    Eric nced briefly at Luke, whose veins were visibly throbbing in frustration, and said calmly, "Mr. Anderson, everything takes time."


    His words were a subtle reminder to Lucas to be patient—E woulde around eventually.


    Lucas nodded with a bittersweet smile. "It’s alright. I can wait."


    "Father!" Luke eximed, his voice filled with emotion.


    "Why don’t we have a meal together?" Lucas said, ignoring Luke’s outburst and looking at E with a gentle smile.


    E hesitated, unsure of what to say. Eric remained silent, leaving the decision entirely up to her.


    At that moment, a waiter pushed a cartden with arge, steaming bowl of soup toward their table. Suddenly, a child dashed out from the restaurant, startling the waiter and causing him to swerve the cart abruptly.


    The scalding soup spilled over, heading straight toward E, who was standing nearby.


    Lucas reacted first, moving faster than anyone else.


    Eric, focused on E, didn’t notice themotion.


    Lucas, however, had been watching the waiter the entire time.


    With a sharp cry from the waiter, E snapped out of her thoughts just as Lucas shoved her aside. The boiling soup sshed onto his hand instead, immediately causing it to swell and redden.


    E froze, stunned.


    She had been distracted, debating whether to agree to eat with Lucas, and hadn’t noticed the sudden chaos.


    "Father, are you okay?" Luke’s voice was filled with rm and concern as he quickly pulled Lucas aside. "How could you be so careless? You need to be more careful!"


    The waiter, pale with fear, stammered out an apology. "I’m... I’m so sorry! A child ran by, and I tried to avoid him. I didn’t mean... I’m so sorry, Mr. Anderson, so sorry!"


    "It’s fine," Lucas said with a kind smile, waving off the apology. "You weren’t at fault. Just focus on your work and don’t let this weigh on you."


    Despite his reassuring words, the burn throbbed painfully, the heat biting into his skin.


    "I’m so sorry, so sorry..." The waiter was on the verge of tears. He knew Lucas was a major shareholder in the hotel, and offending him could easily cost him his job.


    "Bring some cold water immediately! And get burn ointment!" E ordered sharply, her tone cutting through the waiter’s panic. Her heart ached, and she didn’t have time to think about anything else as she directed him with urgency.


    The waiter, still pale, dashed toward the hotel’s medical station.


    Another waiter quickly brought cold water. E took Lucas’s hand and submerged it in the cool liquid.


    Luke, watching E’s reaction, scoffed quietly. Her obvious worry and tension were a stark contrast to her usual indifference. Was this just a typical case of women being outwardly stubborn but inwardly soft-hearted?


    Eric remained silent throughout, simply observing E’s response.


    Lucas felt the warmth of E’s soft hand around his, a wave of emotion washing over him. Though she refused to acknowledge him verbally, her actions revealed her concern.


    "Is it feeling better?" E asked softly. "For burns, it’s best to cool the wound first. Then we’ll apply some burn ointment. It should heal fine."


    She suddenly became aware of the room’s silence, everyone’s eyes on her. Lifting her gaze, she found herself meeting Lucas’s tear-filled eyes.


    He smiled gently, his voice thick with emotion. "It’s just a small burn. I’ll be fine. Thank you, E... thank you."


    E was at a loss for words, her expression unreadable.


    Everyone was staring at her, and she couldn’t shake the difort of their scrutiny. Was her reaction really that surprising?


    "You don’t need to thank me," she said, her voice slightly stiff as she turned her face away. "Even if it were a stranger, I’d have done the same."


    Her words felt awkward, and she struggled to mask the emotions flickering in her eyes.


    Her heart was conflicted. This man had protected her so selflessly—but only because she was his daughter.