Chapter 158 A Show of Force
Ivy and Catherine were lounging on the couch. Ivy kept fidgeting, checking the time and glancing at the door, while Catherine sipped her coffee, looking calm and composed.
George was staring at a family photo in the corner. When he saw a picture of his dad with Ethan's dad, his expression became unreadable.
"Mr. Ethan Yates and Mrs. Ashley Yates have returned," Thomas announced.
Everyone snapped to attention and looked at the door.
Ivy said, "Ethan's back. Come say hi to Catherine and George."
Ethan nodded and carefully pushed Ashley's wheelchair into the living room.
George's eyes first landed on Ethan. They were childhood buddies who hadn't seen each other in years. Their eyes lit up with smiles when they met.
But George's smile seemed different, though Ethan, focused on Ashley, didn't notice.
Then George looked at Ashley. At first, he seemed impressed, but when he saw her cast-covered limbs, he smirked with disdain.
He thought Ashley was just a pretty face and lost interest.
Ethan greeted, "Aunt Catherine, long time no see."
Catherine teased, "Ethan, long time no see! Still as handsome as ever. If I were a girl, I'd be smitten."
She stepped forward, gently nudging Ethan away from Ashley's wheelchair, and opened her arms. "Aren't you going to give me a hug?"
Ethan, being close to George and familiar with Catherine, hugged her without a second thought.
"Ethan, Catherine cooked all your favorite dishes today. I saved them just for you; George didn't get any."
Ethan smiled, a bit envious of Catherine and George's bond. "Thanks, Aunt Catherine."
George, feeling jealous, said, "Mom, I'm your son. How can you be so biased?"
"You're my son, and Ethan is my nephew. We're family; no need to differentiate."
Ethan and George exchanged smiles and bumped fists.
Ethan patted George's shoulder. "When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me? I could've picked you up."
George replied, "You're a busy man. I wouldn't dare trouble you."
The three of them were chatting and laughing, creating a warm vibe.
Ivy, standing nearby, shot a cold glance at Ashley and smirked. She walked over, linking arms with Catherine and George, and said to Ethan, "Ethan, let's not just stand here. Let's go have dinner."
Ivy gave Catherine a knowing look.
Catherine got the hint and tried to pull Ethan towards the dining room, but he didn't budge. Instead, he looked at Ashley.
"Wait."
Ashley forced a smile, feeling awkward. "Hello, everyone."
Catherine exclaimed, "Oh, there's a stranger here. Who is she, and why is she in our house?"
Ashley was speechless.
She shot Ethan a look that said: Is this the easygoing Catherine you mentioned?
Ethan frowned but quickly composed himself.
"Aunt Catherine, my bad for not introducing her. This is my wife, Ashley Yates."
Catherine nodded knowingly. "Oh, so this is Ashley. She's pretty. Which family is she from? What does her family do? What does she do for work? How did she end up with her limbs in casts?"
Catherine bombarded her with questions.
Ashley’s smile froze as she sensed the hostility in Catherine's eyes.
"She is..."
Ethan struggled to explain that she was the daughter of the White family.
Ashley quickly answered, "Aunt Catherine, I'm an orphan and don't know what my family does. Right now, I can't work because of my injuries."
"Oh." Catherine raised an eyebrow and looked at Ethan. "Ethan, the food I made for you is getting cold. George, take Ethan to eat. I'll chat with Ashley."
Ethan started to say something, but Catherine cut him off. "Ethan, why do you look like that? You don't think I'm going to give Ashley a hard time, do you? Do I seem like that kind of person?"
Ethan swallowed his words.
George called out, "Ethan, let's go."
Ethan ruffled Ashley's hair and whispered, "Don't worry. Catherine's just cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Once she gets to know you, she'll be different."
Ashley smiled. "It's okay. I can handle it. Go eat."
Ethan was still worried, but Ashley urged him to go. Reluctantly, he was pulled away by George. Once Ethan left, Ashley said, "Aunt Catherine, have a seat. Do you have something to discuss with me?"
Catherine snorted and sat on the couch, crossing her legs like she owned the place. She coldly said, "Who allowed you to call me Aunt? An orphan with no family, where do you get the nerve to marry Ethan?"
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