Chapter 227 Flowers, Rivalries, and a Proposal

Katelyn’s POV The news broke early in the morning: the kidnappers had been caught. Every station ran the footage of them being led out in handcuffs, faces covered, surrounded by armed officers. The story spread fast, and with it, the truth about Ethan’s video finally came out. The video that had ruined his reputation, the one that made people believe he admitted to embezzlement, was proven to be forced. The kidnappers had used threats against me and Lucas to coerce him. The police confirmed it, the press repeated it, and the public finally saw the truth. But even with his name cleared, Ethan didn’t return to the company. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he shook his head. “I need a break,” he said simply. His voice wasn’t bitter. It wasn’t tired either. It was steady, like he had thought it through. “I’ve carried this for years. I don’t want it anymore. Not right now.” I watched him for a long moment, then nodded. “If that’s what you want, I respect it.” And I meant it. We had al