Chapter 602 Reluctant to Let Go of the Child but Unable to Catch a Wolf
The final bell had tolled long ago, signaling the end of the school day.
At the school gate, Ethan’s aunt awaited his emergence. Initially, her face bore a kind smile, but it gradually faded as time wore on.
Nearly an hour had passed, leaving her increasingly suspicious that Ethan hadn't attended school or had slipped away through another exit.
Then, her gaze fell upon Ethan walking out of the school alongside the principal.
"Ethan!"
With haste, Ethan’s aunt hurried over, prompting a shift in the principal's demeanor upon spotting her.
Previously, he had bestowed upon Ethan the prize money he had earned in a physics competition.
"Ethan, don't hand over the money to her!" the principal whispered urgently.
Ethan murmured in agreement as his aunt closed in on them.
In an annoyed tone, the principal inquired, "What's the matter?"
"I'm here to pick up my child for dinner, what else would I be doing?" Ethan’s aunt retorted, furrowing her brows.
"Are you truly acting out of kindness?" The principal cast a skeptical gaze.
"Why is a teacher meddling in our family affairs?" Ethan’s aunt retorted impolitely, arms crossed.
Observing this, Ethan turned to the principal, stating, "I won't give her the money. You can go back."
The principal's reaction was one of bewilderment.
‘Why did this child bring up the money?’
"If there's anything, contact the teacher!"
Having issued his instructions, the principal shot Mary a disdainful glance, then turned on his heel to depart.
"Ethan, what money are you talking about?" Ethan's aunt put on a fake smile.
Ignoring her, Ethan proceeded straight home.
Gritting her teeth, Aunt Jian trailed after him. "Ethan, I understand you and your uncle have had a tough time these past two years. But we're family, after all. Your uncle ruminated on it all night and realized his mistakes. So, he's prepared your favorite dishes tonight as an apology!"
Still, Ethan remained silent as they made their way home.
Upon reaching their doorstep, the scent of food greeted them. They had waited far too long. Upon Ethan's arrival, his elder sister grumbled, "Why haven't Mom and the brat come back yet? I'm starving. Let's not wait!"
"Who are you calling a brat, you little brat?" Ethan's aunt shot back, fixing her daughter with a sharp glare.
Taken aback, Ethan’s elder sister quickly adjusted her tone. "Ethan, you're back."
Continuing to ignore them, Ethan dropped his school bag, took his place at the dining table, and began to eat.
Initially, his uncle wore a smile, but it gradually darkened. Ethan’s aunt, however, managed to maintain her composure the best.
Seated across from Ethan, she smiled and said, "Ethan, have this chicken leg. Have a few more bites!"
Finally meeting her gaze, Ethan responded coldly, "If you have something to say, spit it out."
With an even brighter smile, Ethan's aunt replied, "Ethan, you're truly the brightest among us. I'll be direct. Did you save a little girl yesterday?"
Ethan nodded.
"Her parents have tracked us down," Ethan's aunt lied. "They've offered compensation."
Furrowing his brow, Ethan questioned, "Why have they come to you? I told them I don't want anything."
"You know what this means, Ethan. Don't you want your parents' house? Let's use this compensation to clear their debts and return the house to you!" his older sister chimed in.
They had already investigated when they found Ethan’s mother. If the house could be demolished, they could fetch millions. Otherwise, it was essentially worthless.
The sum on the IOU had been inflated based on the hypothetical post-demolition value of the property.
"You're despicable. You've already taken my parents' life insurance and seized our house. Who's to say you won't take compensation from someone else and still not return the house to me?" Ethan sneered.
"We won't!" Ethan's aunt insisted. "I won't believe your words."
Ethan's aunt deliberated momentarily. She knew the difference between millions and tens of millions in property value.
"Fine, let's meet with a lawyer tomorrow and settle this once and for all."
"And what about my parents' compensation?" Ethan pressed. "You want that too?" Tom interjected angrily.
Fixing him with a glare, Ethan's aunt redirected her attention to Ethan. "The compensation they're offering won't cover your parents' debt. So, as for..."
Ethan cut her off coldly. "If you won't pay me the compensation, there's nothing more to discuss. You know whether my parents owed you money and how much you'll demand from the Chicago family."
Frustration flickered across Ethan’s aunt's face as she struggled to contain her anger.
After dinner, Ethan retreated to his room with his schoolbag, drowning out the ensuing argument beyond his door with his headphones. Their quarrel held no interest for him.
Ethan knew very well that faced with greater temptations, they would inevitably forsake these seemingly paltry benefits.
After years of living together, Ethan had grown accustomed to their ways.
True to form, just before Ethan retired for the night, there came a knock at his door.
Ethan remained silent.
"Ethan, come out. Let's discuss the compensation..." Ethan's aunt's voice came through the door.
Opening it, Ethan stood there, his gaze icy.
Though just a child, when Ethan’s aunt met his unwavering stare, her heart quivered.
"Per your request, we'll give you the compensation, but... we've incurred substantial expenses as a family over the past two years."
"You can issue an IOU as well." Ethan disregarded her words.
"Hey, kid, are you really going to treat us like this?" Ethan's aunt's anger flared.
"What can I say? Isn't this what you and uncle taught me?" Ethan sneered.
"You!" Ethan’s aunt seethed. "You have one day to prepare. If you don't return the house and compensation, I won't cooperate with you in anything." Ethan concluded.
With a resounding thud, he shut the door once more. Outside, Ethan's aunt fumed, her temper rising as she kicked the door.
Despite their anger, Tom, t Mary, and their daughter reconvened in the living room to tally their expenses.
"Even if we only take the house, it's worth two to three million dollars on the market. Adding the compensation to this old house won't even reach one million dollars. Can't you see how to make a choice?" Big sister pleaded with Tom and Mary.
She yearned to reside in an affluent area. In her mind, it would facilitate finding a wealthy partner far more than dwelling in their current decrepit alley.
"Mom, Dad, without upfront investment, we won't reap any future rewards!" "
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