Chapter 40 Tell Me Who Ethan's Father Is

Lyman expelled the red wine from his mouth.

He had just taken a sip of red wine to gather the courage to kiss Penelope. However, upon hearing Zackary's statement, Lyman was so startled that he immediately sprayed out the wine that had nearly reached his throat.

"Zackary, what did you just say? I'm a bit hard of hearing. I think I'm hallucinating. Did I hear you say you'd collaborate with me?"

"You're not hallucinating," Zackary replied with a composed expression. "I'll collaborate with you."

At that moment, Lyman was so frightened that he didn't even dare to breathe.

Lyman smiled awkwardly and said, "Zackary, don't tease me."

"I'm not teasing you."

As Zackary spoke, he walked up to Lyman and said, "Let's get started."

Lyman was furious.

Lyman even felt like cursing. Lyman had wanted to kiss Penelope, not Zackary.

But the rules of the game stipulated that if someone offered to collaborate, the person being punished couldn't refuse. Lyman gritted his teeth and reluctantly kissed Zackary.

After kissing Zackary, Lyman quickly turned his face to the side and vomited. Lyman found it disgusting to kiss a man.

After vomiting, Lyman remained frozen. Suddenly, Lyman realized something.

Lyman felt that Zackary's behavior on the film set before was a bit peculiar.

On the film set, Lyman had remarked that Zackary and Penelope weren't a good match.

Tonight, observing Zackary getting close to Penelope, Lyman had caused all sorts of trouble for Penelope.

Lyman had intended to kiss Penelope, but Zackary intervened and asked Lyman to kiss him instead.

Earlier, Lyman couldn't comprehend why Zackary was targeting Penelope so much, but upon reflecting on recent events, Lyman understood everything at once.

There was only one explanation that clarified all of this.

Lyman believed Zackary had transcended gender boundaries and fallen deeply in love with him.

Lyman didn't know what to do. Lyman didn't want to lose Zackary, a childhood friend, but it was even more unlikely that Lyman would give up Penelope to choose Zackary.

Lyman frowned in pain. Lyman regretted being too charismatic.

Witnessing Lyman kiss Zackary, Penelope was shocked. Penelope knew Zackary didn't want her to have intimate contact with Lyman, but she thought it was just the possessive nature of men.

A sudden taste of blood filled Penelope's throat. Penelope had been vomiting blood more frequently lately. Afraid that Ethan might see it, she excused herself to go to the restroom.

Lyman wanted to talk to Zackary when Penelope wasn't around. Since Penelope had left, Lyman decided to express his thoughts to Zackary.

Lyman wore a pained expression and said, "Zackary, I know you love me."

Zackary looked calm but confused. Zackary didn't understand why Lyman thought he loved him.

Lyman sighed heavily and said, "Zackary, do you think your behavior is right? Won't Lola be upset if she finds out? Zackary, I know I'm handsome and charming, but we're both men.

"If the two of us were together, it wouldn't work out. Do you understand that we can't be together?

"Zackary, to be honest, I only love Penelope. I don't love you. Regardless of how much you love me, I won't give up Penelope for you.

"Stop loving me. And don't deliberately cause trouble for Ethan and Penelope just because you love me. If you can control your feelings for me, we'll still be good friends. If you can't, you're no longer my friend."

Hearing Lyman's words, Zackary comprehended everything.

Zackary felt somewhat sulky because Lyman had kissed him. After hearing Lyman's words, Zackary became even more sullen.

What Lyman was thinking was entirely different from Zackary's. Seeing Zackary's sullen expression, Lyman felt sad. Lyman thought his words had hurt Zackary and made him angry.

Lyman cleared his throat and said perplexedly, "Zackary, don't be sad. I genuinely believe it's not a good idea for the two of us to be together."

Zackary said, "Get out of here!" Suppressing the strong urge to vomit, Zackary stood up and walked toward the exit of the room.

Lyman sat in a daze. Helplessly and injuredly, Lyman said to Wilton and Devon, "What should I do? I seem to have hurt Zackary deeply. Will he harm himself?

"But I have no other option but to reject Zackary. Despite being close friends, I can't be with a guy." Seeking empathy desperately, Lyman looked at Wilton and Devon, saying, "Wilton, Devon, do you think I am right?"

Wilton and Devon exchanged glances. Ignoring Lyman, they thought he was being irrational.

When Lyman couldn't get a response from Wilton and Devon, he turned to look at Lola. However, as soon as Lyman saw Lola, he was shocked.

Lola's gentle and benevolent face had been completely distorted by intense hatred.

Lyman shivered. Although Lyman didn't like Lola, he felt responsible for stealing Zackary's heart. Therefore, Lyman decided to console Lola.

"Lola, I am sorry. I didn't realize Zackary liked me. Don't worry, I'll talk to him. I won't let him disappoint you."

Lola snorted and left the room angrily with her high heels.

Lyman didn't know what to do. Despite his charm attracting both men and women, Lyman was distressed.

Penelope had just rushed into the restroom when a large mouthful of blood gushed out of her mouth.

After resting inside the restroom stall for a while, Penelope came out. She went to the sink, vigorously rinsed her face with cold water, and took several pills before feeling slightly more comfortable.

The doctor had told Penelope that she could only take one pill at a time, and taking too many could further harm her body. However, taking just one pill had been entirely ineffective for Penelope, forcing her to take more.

Suddenly, Penelope lost all feeling in her legs. She stood holding onto the sink for a while before she could barely move her legs.

Thinking of terminal cancer patients lying in bed and slowly waiting for death, Penelope felt scared.

Penelope wondered if her condition would deteriorate to the point where she couldn't move in her last days.

The thought of lying in bed, unable to do anything, not even taking care of herself, and slowly waiting for death was unbearable. Penelope wasn't afraid of dying, but she was afraid of losing the ability to choose her own death.

Lost in her thoughts, Penelope turned around. However, she bumped into a man's chest. A sharp pain shot through her head.

Penelope didn't want to cause trouble, so she was about to apologize. However, before she could say anything, her neck was in a chokehold.

"Penelope, tell me who Ethan's father is."