Dating the Bossy CEO Next Door-Chapter 136- bother

Dave had once mentioned to Laurent that, from his perspective, Morrison still had a trace of genuine feelings for Lilian.

After all, Dave had known Morrison for years. He understood him completely. When it came to women, Morrison rarely had to put in effort. Whatever he wanted, it was practically handed to him—sometimes, women would even throw themselves at him.

So for over a year, the fact that Morrison had kept himself in check and couldn’t stop thinking about Lilian—that was proof enough, in Dave’s mind, that there was some sincerity in his feelings.

That’s also why Dave didn’t approve of Lilian going back to Burg Eltz. If Morrison found out she had returned and tried to pursue her again, it would only be a nuisance. Even if Morrison really did have feelings for Lilian, not a single member of the Washington family would approve of them being together.

As for Lilian, her year in the U.S. had been happy and fulfilling. Sometimes, she would video call her brothers, and she looked radiant, healthier than ever, her smile brighter—perhaps even more beautiful than before.

Thanks to BERT discovering her and getting her into modeling, she had grown more confident, exuding elegance and charm with every movement.

If a year ago she had been an innocent, naive girl, now she was a woman whose every gesture carried irresistible grace.

They said love made people grow—and she had truly grown.

Lilian knew why Dave opposed her returning to Burg Eltz for her little nephew’s baby shower. Her brothers were afraid she would be reminded of the past—or worse, run into Morrison and get hurt.

BERT had been adamantly against it too, trying to convince her not to go.

But Lilian smiled at him and said,

"I miss home... I miss Mom and Dad, I miss Grandpa. I’ve been away for over a year without going back even once. I can’t stay in America forever, can I?"

Even as she spoke, a flicker of sadness crossed her features, and BERT frowned.

It had been more than a year since she left—no trips home, not even for the New Year. For someone who had never been away from her family, that time had been agonizing. Especially at first—she had cried from homesickness, and BERT knew it.

But at that time, Lilian hadn’t returned to Burg Eltz because her emotions hadn’t settled. She didn’t have the courage. That city... was like a bottomless pit of despair. Coming to the U.S. had pulled her halfway out, but not all the way. Going back then would have dragged her down deeper than before.

So she had endured her longing for her family and stayed put—until now.

Now, she had climbed out of that murky abyss and could stand above it, calmly looking down at everything, even at the past, even at him.

And that’s why she chose to go back.

Besides, it was her little nephew’s baby shower—the heir of the Washington family. As his aunt, how could she not attend?

BERT had always been flexible with her decisions, so he allowed her to return to Burg Eltz—and he would accompany her.

After all, he was the baby’s uncle. A baby shower was an important occasion, and he should be there.

Still, BERT raised an eyebrow and asked,

"You just want to see Mom and Dad... not him?"

"Who?"

Lilian paused, momentarily confused, until she caught the worried look in BERT’s eyes. Then she smiled,

"Oh, you mean Morrison."

When she mentioned him, her expression barely changed. Her smile remained bright,

"Why would I think of him? He’s long in the past."

BERT stared at her face silently for a long moment, then said angrily,

"You better really mean that he’s in the past. You know I will never approve of you being with him!"

His tone left no room for negotiation.

Lilian couldn’t help but roll her eyes,

"Brother, do you know that the reason you keep saying I can’t be with him... is really because you’re scared I might be with him?"

Over the past year and a half in America, she had grown closer to BERT, enough to casually call him "Brother" rather than the more formal "BERT."

BERT... "..."

He was momentarily speechless at her sharp observation.

Yet, deep down, he had to admit—she was right. He was afraid Morrison could shake her, which was why he had warned her long before her return.

And honestly, the girl had grown clever over the past year—she could see straight into his deepest fears.

Lilian glanced at BERT’s expression, shook her head, and got up to leave.

Morrison was also invited to the baby shower. Although things had been tense between him and Dave because of Lilian, the two men were still long-time friends. They hadn’t cut ties entirely—just not as close as before.

Several days before the baby shower, Morrison had secretly called Laurent to ask if Lilian would be coming.

Following BERT’s instructions, Laurent deliberately said she wouldn’t.

Laurent couldn’t help but think that BERT was really losing his mind over Lilian. The moment Lilian had decided to go back to Burg Eltz for the baby shower, BERT had called her personally, leaving strict instructions: if Morrison asked whether she was coming back, she had to say no.

Laurent was torn between these two men, her head spinning. Morrison, knowing that Dave would never give him a straight answer, had gone straight to her. And BERT, of course, had anticipated Morrison would come asking, which was why he had sent his warning in advance. Two men, each playing their careful little games, and here she was—a sleep-deprived new mother—getting a headache from all the scheming.

Still, when she finally told Morrison that she wouldn’t be coming, his voice carried both disappointment and suspicion:

"Laurent... at a time like this, you can’t just tell me the truth?"

Laurent felt torn. Thankfully, the sound of a crying child saved her. She quickly replied,

"You’ll find out soon enough, won’t you? You’re going to the baby shower anyway, right?"

"Alright... I won’t bother you. The baby’s crying."

And just like that, he hung up hurriedly.

On the other end, Morrison listened to the strong, piercing cry of the child, and a strange, aching feeling settled in his chest.

If he hadn’t made that foolish, impulsive decision to break up back then... would they have been married by now? Would she already be carrying a child of his?

Meanwhile, Dave had recently welcomed his own son, completing his family. Morrison’s mother, Linda, had been furious—ignoring him entirely for two full weeks and forbidding him from returning home on weekends. She didn’t even want to see him.

"Dave’s got both a son and a daughter now," she fumed. "And you’re still alone? How am I supposed to see a grandchild in my lifetime?"

For over a year, Linda had barely mentioned Morrison and Lilian, focusing all her energy on arranging match-making for Karl. But now, with the news of Dave’s son, Washington’s announcement had soured her mood again.

Karl wasn’t helping either. Every time Linda tried to arrange a match, Karl found some excuse to get out of it. Once, after being cornered into sitting at a matchmaking table, he had completely ignored the girl afterward, leaving Linda livid.

Finally, she snapped at Morrison:

"Are we really going to end up with both our sons single for life?"