Ethan was completely taken aback.

He stared at Elizabeth, wondering if he had misheard her words.

Everything between them had been progressing so smoothly. Why would she suddenly suggest ending things?

"Has... something occurred?" Ethan struggled to maintain his composure as he questioned her.

Yet his voice betrayed a subtle tremor that he couldn't completely conceal.

Elizabeth remained oblivious to his emotional state.

She wasn't even making eye contact with him.

"Nathan's mother approached me." Elizabeth had no intention of concealing the truth from Ethan.

Since she had decided to seek his assistance, complete honesty was necessary.

Understanding dawned on Ethan's face.

He had suspected as much. Their relationship couldn't have deteriorated so rapidly in such a short time.

He could clearly sense the deep affection they shared for each other.

But when family elders became involved, situations inevitably grew complicated.

Given the current circumstances with the Davis family determined to form a marriage alliance with the Levines, Elizabeth represented nothing more than an obstacle they would never accept.

"Have you spoken with Nathan about this?" Ethan inquired seriously.

"Would I have asked for your help if I had?" Elizabeth retorted, her gaze finally meeting his.

She seemed distinctly unreceptive to his display of concern.

"I believe you should have an honest conversation with Nathan regarding this matter." Ethan could feel Elizabeth's irritation toward him, yet he remained sincere in his concern and advice.

"What would that accomplish? Should I pressure Nathan to abandon everything for my sake? To have him rejected by his family just as I was?"

"The situation differs for Nathan. He's an integral part of the Davis family. They would never truly cast him aside."

"Are you aware that Nathan has a half-brother?" Elizabeth challenged Ethan.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat.

This was entirely new information to him.

"If the Davis family has an alternative heir, Nathan could indeed become disposable to them."

"But I genuinely don't believe Nathan would end your relationship for the sake of his family's business interests..."

"Yulia will threaten suicide." Elizabeth composed herself before continuing, "Yulia has always resented the existence of Nathan's half-brother. She would never permit an illegitimate son to inherit the Davis family assets. If Nathan defies his family for me, it would represent total defeat for Yulia. That might genuinely drive her to take her own life."

Ethan stood in stunned silence, rendered speechless by Elizabeth's revelation.

"How could a relationship burdened by someone's death possibly lead to a happy ending?" Elizabeth questioned him.

She had resigned herself to this fate.

She had exhausted all her luck and blessings before turning twenty-five.

She didn't know what remained for the remainder of her life.

"So you summoned me here to use me as leverage to break up with Nathan?" Ethan finally comprehended Elizabeth's motive for calling him.

"Exactly," Elizabeth confirmed with a nod. "Since I've decided to leave him, I want a clean break. I don't want to leave any hope for Nathan or myself. Nathan knows I once had feelings for you. If we stage a performance together, he'll undoubtedly believe I no longer love him."

Ethan didn't immediately agree to Elizabeth's proposition.

He was contemplating whether a less extreme solution might exist.

If Yulia's primary concern was securing the Davis family assets, would she accept Elizabeth if Nathan could guarantee that outcome?