Chapter 356 Being Ripped Off
Only then did Clare dismiss them...
“With Abella's identity not yet revealed, spreading the news of this incident could cause unnecessary complications. Abella and I have other matters to attend to and revealing ourselves too quickly was not advisable…” Clare thought to herself.
Naturally, this was also Abella's preference.
The department head, recalling something instantly, quickly fished out a cell phone from his pocket and handed it back to Josie with a smile. "Miss Josie, I forgot to return this to you earlier... and mistakenly slipped it into my pocket..."
Josie, with a forced smile, thought to herself, “Yeah right, as if I'd believe that!”
"Abella, why don't you head out first? I need a word with the department head," Mrs. Medici suggested, her gaze settling on the department head.
At the words of Mrs. Medici, the department head felt like crying, but he had to put up a front, make tea, and politely entertain Mr. and Mrs. Medici. Without further hesitation, he invited them to take a seat...
Outside.
Ethan looked at the sister before him, whose features were delicate and her demeanor exceptional. He said earnestly, "Hello, I'd like to formally introduce myself. I'm Ethan, your second brother. I'm so glad you've returned to our family."
Hearing that, Josie and Joanna were taken aback, thinking, "What does he mean 'glad you've returned to our family'? Is Abella just returning to the Medici family?"
“No wonder rumors has it that the Medici family have only one daughter, Lola Medici...” They whispered.
"Is it possible that Abella was recently found?" They pondered.
With that thought, they felt sorry for Abella, who must have suffered untold hardships before returning home...
When Abella heard the name Ethan, a few questions popped into her mind.
"Is that name for real? It sounds so casual..." She thought.
Ethan seemed to sense her confusion and explained with a light smile, "After my parents had their first child, they really wanted a girl next. But when I came along, they didn't even feel like naming me, so they just called me Ethan."
Others couldn't help but feel a mix of pity and amusement at Ethan's candid revelation.
They thought, “It’s clear that although Ethan holds a certain status at home, they guessed it wasn't much...”
Abella couldn't help but giggle as she wondered if her other brothers' names followed the same pattern. Was it possible that my third brother was named Tripp and my fourth, Quad?
Thinking of her fifth brother, Abella smiled and said, "At least my fifth brother was lucky enough to have a nice name."
"His original name was Quintin, with 'Quin' meaning 'fifth'—suggesting he’s the fifth son of our family. But when he made his way into the limelight, he changed it to something more fashionable." Ethan explained.
Everyone went silent at this revelation...
“Even the fifth brother wasn't spared; that's just tragic.” They thought.
"Abella, you've been through so much these years. From now on, our parents and every one of your brothers—we're all going to treat you much better." Ethan said.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. His voice tinged with guilt as he said, "I’ve been on a mission recently and couldn't make it home right away. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to neglect you..."
But Ethan’s missions were all top-secret national security operations, something he could tell no one about, and his identity must not be revealed.
Even Mr. and Mrs. Medici weren't aware of what he'd been tasked with or the struggles, injuries, and hardships he'd faced.
The danger of his work was beyond what anyone could imagine.
"I just got back into the country last night and hadn't had time to go gift shopping. This is a supplementary card for my principal account. Feel free to use it for whatever you like." Ethan said.
Abella thought, “I got another card??”
For her family, acts of kindness meant giving cards, wiring money, and endless gifts!
"Thanks, Ethan. I appreciate the thought, but I don't need the card," Abella declined.
She was well aware of the dangers and precautions Ethan's job entailed. Most likely, the money linked to that card had been earned at great personal risk.
"You really should take it. If you don't, it's like you're rejecting me as your brother," Ethan urged, wanting Abella to accept it. But she remained motionless, and he couldn't help but add, "Are you intending on keeping a distance from your own brother?"
Abella still refused to take the card.
"It's my fault for not having the time to pick out a proper gift. Just giving you a card—does it feel like I'm not sincere enough?"
Before Abella could respond, Ethan interjected, "Take this for now. I promise I'll personally pick out a gift for you later, and there will only be more, not less!"
Abella couldn't help but laugh and thought, “Ethan is unexpectedly adorable.”
As Ethan grasped her arm and insisted that she accept his card, he realized in a flash that he was holding his sister’s hand!
The card was firmly pushed into Abella's hand...
Nearby, Joanna and Josie exclaimed in their hearts, "The guy's so rich and generous!"
Feeling a bit awkward, Abella thought about the untouched cards from her eldest and fifth brothers, and now there was another from her second brother...
"That's my good sister," Ethan said, his eyes softening with a gentle glow.
His subordinates were gobsmacked, thinking, “We’ve never seen the boss being so tender and pampering. He’s too cool and too charismatic!”
“We’re almost smitten!” They thought.
"Can I add you on WhatsApp?" Ethan asked and then explained gently, "I asked our eldest brother to forward me your contact, but he told me to get it myself. After getting ripped off by Blake, I never got it."
Those listening sympathized, thinking, “Poor Ethan... ripped off by his own brother just to see his sister.”
"How much did he ask for?" Abella inquired.
"Not much. I'd willingly add another zero to the amount if he were serious about it," Ethan admitted.
Everyone was astonished by his generosity. They thought, “Adding a zero just for his sister's contact? Is he still in need of a sister? Could we qualify?”
"Just scan my QR code." Abella took out her phone and presented the image to Ethan.
Ethan felt a warmth in his heart, thinking, “My sister is indeed understanding and thoughtful!”
He quickly scanned the QR code on WhatsApp, and after adding her, he changed the remark to “Sweet Sis”.
If anyone ever saw his contacts, they'd notice he never bothered with remarks.
Abella was the first one he made an exception for!
Then, in the WhatsApp chat, Abella sent Ethan a series of numbers. "This is my cell phone number."
"Such a good girl," Ethan praised, looking at the obedient girl in front of him. He couldn't resist patting her head.
“Her hair is so soft, and her demeanor so endearing. How does she manage to be so cute and lovable?” Ethan thought.
Blake had once bragged on WhatsApp about how he'd pat his sister's head daily, and she had even told him he was her favorite!
Ethan had been so envious at that time, yet he was unable to return home due to a mission... The regret still gnawed at him.
“But now, feeling my sister's hair under my palm, I think the sensation is truly wonderful.” He thought.
Sending over his own number, Ethan added, "This is my cell. Save it. When I'm free, I'll be sure to give you a call frequently."
Philippe thought, "Call her frequently??"
"If I don't pick up your call or reply to your message, I’m probably on a mission. Once I see them, I'll get back to you,"
“I’m explaining this to preempt any misunderstandings my sister might develop in the future...” He thought.
Joanna and Josie didn't quite understand what kind of "missions" Ethan undertook, but they felt that he was impressive and mysterious.
Abella nodded in understanding, "Be careful out there."
The Homeland Security Department was a realm fraught with danger and stress...
“For my second brother to rise to the position of Secretary was no small feat indeed.” Abella thought.
"I'm back for four days, and I hope to spend all of them with you."
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