<h4>Chapter 432: Unable to ept Her Choice</h4>


    Because many people wanted to see how Amanda might be overshadowed by Tiffany in the movie. That way, they could have a field day tearing Amanda apart online and trashing LXL in the process.


    E couldn’t help but agree with some of Amanda’s optimism. Still, it was undeniable that the movie’s strong ticket presales owed a significant part to Tiffany’s poprity.


    Tiffany was cunning. The more attention she garnered, the more insults and attacks E received.


    "Well then, I guess I don’t need to worry," E said with a faint smile.


    Amanda scrutinized E’s face. "E, why do I feel like your skin... it looks a bit dull? Oh, wait, it’s probably because you’re pregnant! I’ve seen this happen to a few of my rtives—they even developed spots!"


    E chuckled at Amanda’s innocent observation, looking genuinely amused.


    "Of course. I’m not even using skincare products anymore—not even face wash. How could my skin not look bad?"


    Amanda nodded earnestly and once again reminded E to take care of her health before reluctantly leaving.


    To Amanda, E was the most important person in her life.


    If not for E, Amanda wouldn’t be where she was today.


    Without E, Amanda might still be leading an ordinary life—perhaps working a basic office job, where she’d constantly have to fend off inappropriate advances from her superiors.


    That kind of life didn’t appeal to Amanda at all. Now, her gratitude toward E ran deep, and she swore to repay her kindness.


    After Amanda left, the smile on E’s face faded once more.


    She quietly walked to the balcony and sat down, her lonely silhouette exuding a sense of mncholy that tugged at the heart.


    Someone entered the room silently.


    E didn’t turn around; she recognized the footsteps immediately.


    "Do you want something to eat?" the man behind her asked.


    "No, thank you. I just ate a little," E replied softly.


    Luke’s heart ached as he walked up to her. "You once said... you didn’t want Eric to end up lonely like your father. I can help. I’ll rent myself to you, y any role you need."


    E looked up at him. Despite her paleplexion, her gaze remained sharp and resolute.


    "No need. I don’t need to act," she said firmly.


    "But... can you bear to let him watch you..." Luke’s voice trailed off, his eyes clouded with pain.


    E smiled faintly. "Why the long face? No one is immortal. He’s a grown man. He’ll recover from the loss, just like anyone else. He’s not a child."


    Just as he had recovered from seeing Victoria jump off the building in front of him.


    "In that case, I won’t push you," Luke said bitterly, his tone turning cold.


    E leaned her entire body against the single sofa. "You really don’t need to worry about this. Why are you so worked up? Could it be that you—"


    "Don’t talk nonsense!" Luke interrupted her, his voice sharp as he turned away, avoiding her gaze. "I just can’t stand the thought of Eric ending up like your father."


    "Don’t worry," E said with a coldugh, gripping the armrest of the sofa tightly. "No matter what kind of cancer it is, I’ll live. I’ll survive and disappoint every filthy person hoping for my downfall."


    Luke looked at her with sorrow. Even if the surgery was sessful, he knew that patients with such conditions often didn’t live long afterward.


    E lowered her head, picking up her knitting needles. She was busy making tiny socks and other items for the baby.


    Luke was struck with overwhelming grief. What was E doing? Was she giving up on the surgery to ensure the baby’s birth?


    Or was she simply doing this for Eric to see?


    "What are you doing? Are you seriously nning to have this baby?" Luke burst out, his voice trembling with anger. "Do you realize you’re a brain tumor patient? If you go through with this and the child... isn’t healthy, are you prepared to condemn them to a lifetime of suffering?"


    E looked up impatiently. "Big brother, I know! But please, leave me alone. Stop pestering me—I’m fully aware of what I’m doing!"


    Luke shook his head, his gaze filled with pain and determination. "Tell me, are you nning to have this baby, or are you just putting on a show for Eric?"


    E lowered her head again, flipping through the pages of a knitting book, her tone cold and distant. "Don’t meddle in my affairs, big brother. Whether or not I have this baby is a matter between Eric and me—it has nothing to do with you!"


    Luke’s body went cold. She was right. Why did he care so much?


    Was her n to have the child so the baby could be there for Eric in her absence?


    That thought filled him with despair, but he couldn’t ignore the reality—the child wasn’t his. He had been foolish to think otherwise.


    Luke forced a bitter smile, suppressing his sorrow. "You’re right. I’m overstepping. I’ve never met such a calm patient before—knowing you’re dying and still nning to have a child!"


    With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.


    E paused for a moment, her hands still, and silently watched Luke’s retreating figure fade from sight.


    She wasn’t as cold-hearted as she seemed, but she didn’t want Luke to be another Henry.


    Although Henry’s health had gradually improved, and ording to Lauren, he could now speak, albeit not fluently, he was able tomunicate with others again.


    By her calctions, he should be well enough to return to Country S in time for her and Eric’s wedding.


    The thought made E smile faintly, though the lingering sorrow in her eyes gave her beauty a fragile, mncholic quality.


    "E, keep your mindset positive! Everything will be fine!" she whispered to herself, a mantra of self-reassurance. It worked like a shot of adrenaline, lifting her spirits and bolstering her resolve.


    Meanwhile, in the LXL office.


    Eric sat upright at his desk, his expression icy as he listened to John’s report. "What did you say? That man has been bedridden at home and hasn’t left?"


    "Yes, boss. That’s exactly what our report says," John replied, frustration evident in his tone.


    Eric let out a coldugh. "How convenient. Just as his wife and son are away on vacation, he suddenly falls ill? That man has always had an impable reputation. Without being extra cautious, no one would think to suspect him."


    "What’s our next move, boss?"


    "He’s likely already in Country S. What about the investigation into Bowen? Have you found anything yet?" Eric’s voice was tense with irritation.


    Things at thepany had been roughtely.


    Although Mason had stopped bothering E, he was now aggressivelypeting with both LXL and the Nelson Group’spanies for resources and clients. Like an annoying fly, he refused to go away.


    Mason had the backing of his family, giving him ess to ample funds. To bring him down, Eric knew it would take time and meticulous nning.


    "We’re still investigating. However, Bowen has already been implicated in the mess. It’splicated—this dates back over thirty years," John said softly.


    Eric narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, when his phone lit up with an iing call.


    It was from Luke.