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Chapter 528: 523: Confrontation Face to Face_1
Chapter 528: 523: Confrontation Face to Face_1
Chapter 528: Chapter 523: Confrontation Face to Face_1
In the photos, the girl was obviously angry about something, but Ethan Hopkins was not irritated at all. His expression was tender and patient, as if he was pacifying her.
Gillian Thompson stared blankly at these pictures, her jaws clenched tightly.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed fiercely by a giant hand, the pressure growing unbearable.
“Gillian, the photos aren’t real.” Ethan Hopkins was taken aback when he saw the photos.
Anyone who saw these photos would think that he had an ambiguous relationship with the girl. He couldn’t explain it, so he had to flip the script.
“Photos these days can be faked. I did meet her, but did absolutely none of the actions captured. Gillian, you must believe me, I have nothing to do with her.” Ethan Hopkins feigned exasperation and urgency. “Gillian, you know my character. If I had something going on with Liliana Leaford there would be more than just these photos. Wouldn’t any of our classmates know? If you don’t believe me, feel free to ask around. See if you can find any other relations between me and Liliana.”
Hearing Ethan’s confident invitation for Gillian to go digging, Damian Thompson’s eyes darkened.
If Ethan was able to say this so confidently, he was sure she wouldn’t be able to find anything. Indeed, Damian had also done some digging before and found no rumors about Ethan. He was a man who was too clean for his own good.
Upon hearing Ethan’s words, the doubts Gillian had in her heart slowly dissipated.
Now that she was pregnant, she craved a perfect family even more. Coupled with her thoughts about her relationship with Molly Walker, Gillian’s previously wavering heart gradually stabilized.
It did make sense that Molly Walker would make some fake photos to prevent Damian from helping the Hopkins family.
“Second brother, I believe Ethan.” Gillian handed the cell phone back to Damian. “I know the girl in the photos and our relationship is good. They had no connections back in school, it doesn’t make sense they would now.”
“Second brother is about to help Ethan get a project, and something like this happens right at this critical moment. Don’t you think it’s too coincidental?”
Gillian raised the corner of her mouth coldly: “I know Ivy Thompson is not satisfied with me, and she is even more dissatisfied with Ethan. If these photos were given to you by her, then second brother doesn’t need to show them to me. When it comes to Ivy and Ethan, I only trust Ethan.”
Damian frowned, clearly disagreeing with this.
“Although Ivy doesn’t like you, she would never resort to this method.”
Gillian scoffed coldly: “Second brother, have you forgotten? She is the manager of ‘W’ and has many capable people under her. It’s easy for them to photoshop a few pictures.”
“I’ve checked these photos and there are no traces of manipulation.” Damian’s tone became colder.
He didn’t expect that Gillian had been brainwashed by Ethan to this extent.
Before Gillian’s reminder, he also suspected that Molly had tampered with the photos, but he checked them. These were all original photos, and there was no trace of manipulation.
Gillian froze, shivering all over.
“Gillian, Mr. Thompson, I understand that this matter has caused trouble for everyone.” Ethan took a pause, “But the opportunity to prove my innocence has arrived.”
“Classmate Liliana Leaford has come over and wants to explain this to everyone.” Ethan turned to Gillian, “Gillian, she said she will explain everything to you face to face.”
As soon as Ethan finished speaking, Liliana Leaford ran out of the elevator, panting heavily.
“Finally found you.” Liliana confidently walked up to Gillian, “Sister, this really was a misunderstanding. I was just asking Ethan… if his company was recruiting. I apologize for this misunderstanding.”
After finishing her words, Liliana bowed to Gillian, looking genuinely remorseful.
Ethan tried hard to refrain from looking at her. He walked in front of Gillian and held her hand: “Gillian, look, the person involved came over to apologize. Do you believe me now?”
Gillian didn’t say anything, her gaze falling on Liliana, and refusing to move away.
Liliana was her junior, yet she looked much younger than Gillian. Liliana was petite with large eyes, making her look pitiful and lovable.
Faced with Ethan’s explanation, Gillian didn’t respond.
Liliana Leaford’s heart fluttered slightly, her fingers coiling in nervousness.
If it weren’t for Ethan Hopkins, she wouldn’t want to apologize to this woman at all.
But she and Ethan were in love, and she couldn’t bear for Ethan’s previous efforts to go to waste. She had tolerated so much before, and she could tolerate this too.
“Sister, don’t worry. Ethan loves you very much. He even asked me what gift he should give you for Valentine’s Day. He also said he wants to provide a stable life for you and the child in your belly. Such a good man is really rare.” Liliana looked straight at Gillian Thompson, “You must not chill Ethan’s heart because of some groundless photos.”
After saying these words, Liliana despised herself countless times from the bottom of her heart.
Although she was not young, she was extremely tolerant.
As long as she could enter the Hopkins family and become Mrs. Hopkins, she could say anything.
She was a woman, naturally understanding women better.
Sure enough, with that said, most of Gillian Thompson’s doubts were dispelled.
Before, she was still somewhat unwilling and skeptical, but Liliana’s words made her fully believe in Ethan.
If Liliana and Ethan really had something, she wouldn’t be able to encounter her without feeling any jealousy.
“Thank you, Liliana, Ethan and I will be together properly. We won’t let your expectations down.” Gillian gratefully grabbed Liliana’s hand. “If you are looking for a job you can ask my second brother. His law firm is short on people. The benefits are way better there compared to Hopkins Enterprise. Isn’t it so, second brother?”
Gillian switched the focus to Nicholas Thompson.
Nicholas glanced at Liliana and spoke lightly: “If Miss Leaford is interested, you can check with our HR department to see if there are appropriate positions for you.”
Liliana gave an awkward smile: “Thank you.”
Gillian, suspecting nothing, spoke to Nicholas: “Second brother, you see. I told you Ivy Thompson was deliberately stirring up trouble. Now, the involved person is here confronting us face-to-face. You should believe it now, right?”
Having confirmed that Ethan wasn’t unfaithful, Gillian’s mood improved.
Nicholas remained silent, his gaze falling on Liliana, seemingly deep in thought.
Liliana’s subsequent arrival was too convenient, as if she was deliberately guarding Ethan.
However, besides the photos, there wasn’t any other evidence. Plus, Gillian is pregnant now, and blowing things out of proportion wouldn’t be good for either side.
“The day after tomorrow is the time for the project bidding. Our elder brother will no longer help us, you have to work hard.”
Hearing that Damian Thompson was not going to help, Gillian promptly asked, “What happened? Didn’t elder brother say he would help Ethan? Why isn’t he helping now?”
Nicholas stayed silent.
He couldn’t very well say that it was Ivy’s request.
Elder brother was wholeheartedly fond of Fourth Sister, anything Fourth Sister asked for, elder brother would readily provide. Even without her asking, elder brother would give her the best.
In the end, elder brother only agreed to withdraw from the project competition, but didn’t specify whether he would help Ethan or not.
If he were to help, Ethan would surely get the project. But if elder brother didn’t assist, things indeed became difficult.
Not only was Gillian unable to accept this outcome, but also Ethan.
All his expectations were pinned on the Thompson family. He was waiting for Damian Thompson to secure the project and directly hand it over to him. But based on what Nicholas was saying, it’s up to him now?
“Mr. Thompson, if we don’t get the help of brother Gillian for this project, we will be wasting our effort.” Ethan’s face turned grave. “You know it; our family has no clout. Without the help of Thompson family, there’s no way I could get this project.”