Love’s New Bloom By Simone Hastings - Season 2 Episode 13

Erin’s voice immediately raised by an octave. “What? What happened to my dad?”

lan replied seriously. “Let’s talk face to face. It’s not convenient to talk about this over the phone. Where are you now? I’ll come to find you.”

Since this was Steven that they were talking about, and if he’d approached lan, Erin was quite sure it had something to do with money.

It was late now, so it was definitely not appropriate for an unmarried man and woman to be alone together. But since her biological father

was in trouble, she couldn’t afford to worry about that at the moment.

Erin quickly gave lan her new address, and he said he would rush over to her right away. Looking down at the nightgown she was wearing. Erin felt that it was inappropriate. She quickly changed into casual clothes.

In less than half an hour, lan arrived. After he entered her house, Erin went to make him a cup of coffee. As soon as lan stepped into the

living room, she smelled the alcohol on him.

“Thanks, Erin.”

lan looked at the cup of coffee and felt a mixture of emotions. It was so familiar yet so distant at the same time. Since their divorce, he hadn’t had coffee brewed by her for a long time.

Erin furrowed her brows slightly and asked, “Did you drive here yourself?”

His eyes flickered with guilt, and he answered softly. “Yes.”

In the past, lan’s habit of drunk driving was a sensitive issue for both of them. They would argue over it every time without fail.

lan took the initiative to apologize, “I’m sorry, I didn’t keep my promise again…

Erin chuckled lightly in response. “If you don’t cherish your own life, other people’s concerns won’t make any difference to you.”

In the next second, lan stood up from where he sat and started moving over to the sofa. Erin gave him a wary glance.

He then sat back down and said sincerely, “I know you care about me. I swear I won’t drink and drive again next time!”

lan reeked of alcohol yet he swore so earnestly. Looking at him in this state, Erin found it ironic. “lan, let’s cut to the chase. Did my dad

borrow money from you?”

lan was a little surprised. “How did you know?”

“He has already borrowed five million dollars from me.” Erin remained unfazed.

Upon hearing her words, lan picked up the coffee, blew on it, and took a sip. He then said, “Your dad’s company has encountered a lot of problems. In short, he urgently needs eighty million dollars in working capital, otherwise, the court will declare him bankrupt within a

month!”

Erin stood up in surprise and walked over to the dining table, sitting next to lan. She looked shocked as she asked. “Did my dad ask you for eighty million dollars?”

lan’s complexion was a little ruddy from consuming alcohol, and his eyes were slightly red. He nodded and said, “Yes, he called me just

two hours ago.”

“Didn’t you tell him that we’re divorced?” Erin couldn’t understand what was going on. Although she hadn’t told Steven about her divorce in person, the news would have traveled last in her hometown among her relatives because it was a relatively small place. Steven should

know even if he hadn’t heard about it from her.

lan looked at her intently. “I did tell him, but I also told him that I’m trying to win you back…”

Erin’s expression became strained, and she sighed heavily. “Didn’t I tell you before-”

“Erin, you can reject me, but you can’t stop me from loving you!”

His gaze was too direct and blatant, making Erin feel uneasy. She could no longer nor did she want to reciprocate lan’s feelings. The past was in the past; all that was left now were memories.

Moreover, someone else had already occupied her heart–Chandler.

Seeing her not responding to his emotions, lan couldn’t help but reach out and place his hand on the back of her hand. He said earnestly.” Erin, I don’t care about all that scandalous news on the internet. In any case. I still love you.”

*Please stop saying these things. You should leave. I know about my dad’s situation, and I will figure it out on my own…”

Steven’s situation made her feel highly unsettled. She could fully imagine the repercussions if Steven was really declared bankrupt by the court. He would be unable to lift his head in front of all their relatives and friends. It would be a devastating blow to him!

Not only that, Steven’s wife would very likely divorce him as well. Although her father had remarried, at least he and Cherry had divorced rather amicably, and neither of them had engaged in the disgraceful act of infidelity.

Erin couldn’t bear to see Steven, at his age, suffering from bankruptcy and divorce.

Seeing her lost in contemplation and filled with anxiety, lan chuckled. “You’ll figure it out? Where will you get the money from? Are you going to ask Chandler for a loan?”

Erin’s expression became a little strained as she heard that. “We’ve already broken up.”

Although lan knew that she’d moved out of Chandler’s villa, hearing her admit that she’d broken up with him cleared any doubts he had.

“Is it because of those photos with Matthew?”

Erin didn’t want to tell him the truth and casually said. “You can assume that.”

lan’s eyes dimmed a little, and he ask with hesitance. “So, what about you and Matthew…”

“There’s nothing going on between us! It was a misunderstanding. I don’t want to talk about this anymore!” Erin stood up in annoyance and returned to the sofa.

“Okay, don’t get worked up. I’ll stop asking.”

The two remained silent for five minutes before lan took the initiative to speak again. “How about this? I’ll lend your father the money he needs. After all, I was once his son–in–law. It’s reasonable for me to lend him a hand.”

His generosity wasn’t what Erin wanted, as she didn’t want to be involved with her former husband in any way, especially when it came to

money.

“lan, thank you for being willing to help my dad even though we’re divorced, but I can’t accept this arrangement.” Erin rejected his

suggestion outright.

lan frowned. “This money is a loan from me. You don’t need to feel burdened about it. I won’t pressure him to repay it either. Let’s at least let him get through this crisis first, and we can discuss the rest later

Π

Eighty million dollars was a hefty sum. Even if lan had that amount of money, it was still a significant amount of money to him, and Erin understood that.

Thinking back to the time when they divorced, lan was unwilling to give her anything. Erin couldn’t help but remark, “You must be drunk to

say such nonsense. lan, you have to understand that it’s eighty million, and not eight thousand dollars!”

lan stood up and walked over to sit beside her. He grabbed both of her hands tightly in his palms as he exclaimed with excitement, “Erin, I

know it’s eighty million dollars, but it’s worth it for you!”

Looking at how loving lan was behaving toward her right now, a wave of sadness overwhelmed Erin. She used to wait for him to come home every night while he was out with other women. Now, the tables had turned. He was willing to spend a huge amount of money to

buy her heart back.

Erin suddenly asked. “If I agree to remarry you, will you help me then?”

lan immediately responded, “Of course!”

Erin smiled. She was just testing the waters with that question, and as expected, there were additional conditions.

After a few seconds, lan realized his blunder and quickly changed his statement. “Even If you don’t remarry me, I’ll still help you.”

Erin looked at him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes; her heart had long gone cold. lan gazed at her delicate beauty and momentarily lost himself. Her hair emitted a pleasant fragrance, and the intoxicated lan found it irresistible.

He suddenly pinned Erin down on the sofa forcefully and said with a sense of urgency. “Erin, I’ve missed you so much these past few days

lan’s lips kept missing their target, and Erin regretted her decision to let him in at such a late hour immensely.

“You’re drunk, lan! Let go of me! If you keep this up, I’ll really get angry!” Erin struggled desperately and started shouting.

“Help! Jack! Jack, are you home? Come and save me- Her shouts became muffled as lan pressed a hand over her mouth.

lan became enraged at her response. “Erin! Do you despise me this much? I’ve said nothing but kind words! I’m even willing to fork out eighty million dollars to help your father! What more do you want from me? Tonight, I will make you mine no matter what you say!”