?Chapter 1048:


    even roll up his sleeves at the office, let alone get tangled in workce gossip. Someone like him had every reason to guard his image.


    Lydia cleared her throat and forced a sheepish grin. “Thanks for helping out back there. Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone hear about what I said. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to mess up your reputation—it just slipped out in the heat of the moment. It won’t happen again, I swear!”


    Ethan broke his silence, his voice unexpectedly gentle. “It doesn’t bother me.”


    “What?” Lydia froze, caughtpletely off guard.


    One hand on the wheel, Ethan kept his gaze steady ahead,pletelyposed. “It doesn’t bother me that you said you like me. After all, we’re a couple now.”


    Hearing her own lie echoed back so calmly almost made Lydia cough in disbelief. A shaky, embarrassed chuckle escaped her. “That’s… that’s unexpectedly gracious of you…”


    She scrambled for a way to defuse the moment, only for Ethan tond another surprise. “That’s because I like you too.”


    “Excuse me?” Lydia blinked in disbelief, half convinced her ears were ying tricks on her, and rubbed them as if that might fix what she’d just heard. Was Ethan serious? Surely this was some strange attempt at humor.


    But Ethan gave no indication of joking. He remainedpletelyposed, his face a mask of calm certainty—so unreadable that Lydia almost convinced herself she’d imagined his words. It seemed impossible to believe. Someone as disciplined and aloof as Ethan, harboring feelings for her?


    As if sensing her silent doubts, Ethan paused at a red light, finally turning to meet her eyes. His calmness was unwavering, sincerity shining through with not the faintest hint of a joke. “I like you,” he said again, voice even and soft—just stating a fact, as casually as if he werementing on the weather. He didn’t press her, nor did he downy it—justid the fact out inly, with no demand for an answer.


    A weighty silence filled the car. Neither said a word.


    When the light turned green, Ethan returned his gaze to the road and eased the car forward, unruffled, as if he’d merely voiced a casual observation.


    Lydia sat quietly for the remainder of the drive, lost in thought, her eyes shifting between the man at the wheel and the blur of city lights beyond her window. She’d only meant to use that line as a shield—had he actually taken it to heart? The real issue wasn’t whether she had feelings for Ethan. Her bigger concern was how to turn him down gently without risking her position at work. This job was a rare find—steady, honest, and uplicated. She didn’t need to hide or look over her shoulder. As long as she got the work done, that would do. Ethan, in her eyes, was dependable—a solid coworker, perhaps even a friend. But that was where it ended.


    They pulled into the parking lot at the National Security Bureau, and Ethan killed the engine.


    L?t??t ?hαpt?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.????m


    Before either of them got out, Lydia exhaled, cutting straight to the point. “Ethan, you deserve someone better. Don’t wait around for me.”


    If being honest cost her this job, then so be it. She owed Ethan honesty. He’d always treated her with respect, and she couldn’t bear the idea of stringing him along.


    Something flickered behind Ethan’s calm gaze, but he kept his tone easy. “You liking me or not doesn’t need to change anything. There’s no reason for things to…”


    “Get weird between us. Just carry on like always.” With that, he got out and walked toward the building.


    Lydia ran a hand through her hair, mystified. Men, she decided, were impossible to read. Still, a weight lifted—at least her job was safe for now.


    With Scarface in custody, Elena and Wesley made their way back to the Azure Dragon Unit Base.


    .


    .


    .