Becoming A Tech Tycoon Begins With Regression novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Rejected

Just as Ethan stated, Lillian loved the restaurant. It was the perfect balance of fancy and low-key.

It felt almost traditional, with the lanterns and the open air. The piano in the background created the perfect contrast to all the simplicity.

And it helped to calm Lillian’s nerves, even if just a bit.

Ethan slowly led her towards the table he had previously booked and a waiter immediately appeared.

The waiter pulled out her chair, and Ethan waited until she sat before taking his own seat across from her.

The faint glow of lanterns cast a soft warmth over her face, making her look far more composed than she felt. Lillian folded her hands on her lap, trying not to fidget.

"I really like it here," she said, voice a touch higher than usual. "It feels... peaceful."

Ethan gave a small smile, leaning back in his chair. "Peaceful is exactly what I had in mind."

The waiter handed them menus, but Lillian barely glanced at hers. She was too aware of Ethan right now.

"Order whatever you like," he added, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Tonight’s meant to be for you."

Her heart fluttered at those words, though she tried to mask it with a nod. "Then... I’ll let you decide for me. You probably know what’s good here."

He’d probably done his research already so he’d know what was good here, plus she was so nervous that she feared she’ll just order wine and get herself embarrassingly drunk again.

"I see," Ethan gave her a nod and a smile. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The waiter left after he placed the order, and the two of them were left with the sound of piano keys and hushed laughter from the other tables.

Lillian clasped her hands tighter under the table. This was her chance. A chance to get him to see her as more than a business partner.

She wanted to say something meaningful, something that would show him how much she admired him—how much she cared about him.

But before she could find the courage, Ethan’s voice cut through her racing thoughts.

"Lillian," he began, his tone softer now, almost careful about what he wanted to say.

"I know," Ethan continued, eyes steady on hers, "about your feelings."

Lillian’s heart stuttered. For a moment, she froze, every defense she tried to prepare unraveling at once.

He didn’t look away, didn’t let her hide. "And I’d be lying if I said I only saw you as a business partner. Somewhere along the way, it... changed. You’ve become someone important to me. More than I expected."

Her lips parted, a hope flickering in her eyes.

But then his voice lowered, warm yet steady, like he was afraid of breaking something delicate. "That’s exactly why I need to be honest with you. Right now... I can’t give you what you’re looking for."

Her fingers curled against her lap, the sting immediate, though she forced herself to stay composed.

"It’s not you," Ethan went on. "It’s timing. We’re still at the beginning—of everything. The company, the battles ahead... even ourselves. If we rush this, we’ll just burn what could become something far greater."

That was a lie, he was only rejecting her because of Olivia’s betrayal. As much as he hated to admit, her betrayal hurt and he was unwilling to let anyone in just yet, not until he resolved the past.

For a long moment, all Lillian could hear was the piano and her own heartbeat.

"I’m not saying no," Ethan added, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I’m saying not yet. Let’s grow first. And when the time’s right... we’ll see where this goes."

He leaned a bit closer, "You’re important to me, Lillian. That won’t change."

The tightness in her chest loosened, and she finally managed a small laugh. "You’re infuriating, you know that?"

She really wished he was some kind of manipulative jerk, that way it’d be simpler to hate him, in turn making it easier to let go of these feelings, but no, he just had to be like this.

"Comes with the territory," Ethan replied easily, raising his glass in a quiet toast. "To what lies ahead."

She clinked her glass against his, her nerves easing at last. Tonight wasn’t the beginning she had hoped for, but it wasn’t the end either.

And for Lillian Hayes, that was enough...for now.

"Then I’ll wait," she suddenly said while Ethan was mid drinking, "no matter how long it takes, I’ll wait."

With her words, she silently started eating, a small smile on her face. Yes, she was sad , but this was better than she expected a rejection to be.

Ethan paused, placed his glass down and looked at her for a few seconds before he gave a small smile.

She really was different.

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