Audrey Sterling walked ahead in silence.
Ethan Sterling followed behind her, not uttering a single word.
His mind was still reeling from today’s events.
First, his uncle wasn’t his uncle. Before he could even process that, the plot twisted again. His second and third aunts weren’t his real aunts either.
He didn’t know if his comprehension was failing him, or if the world was just changing too fast.
As they neared the main hall, Audrey stopped. She turned to Ethan and spoke in a low voice.
“Ethan, listen to your aunt. People should never be too greedy. Be content. Don’t covet things that don’t belong to you.”
“I understand, Aunt Audrey.” Ethan nodded vaguely.
“Good boy. It’s a pity your father left us so early.” Audrey sighed.
“Aunt Audrey—”
“Don’t overthink it. Just take care of your mother. The elders’ affairs are none of your concern. Your grandmother and your uncle will handle them.” Audrey continued.
“No, I just can’t wrap my head around it. What exactly is going on?” Ethan shook his head and asked.
“To be honest, I don’t fully understand it either. But things will always work themselves out. It’ll become clear in time.”
“Alright.” Ethan nodded.
Back in the main hall, Eleanor Sterling had already gone to her room to take her medicine and rest, accompanied by Chloe Ward. The lawyer had returned to his office. Alexander Sterling had sent his uncle back with the butler. Now, Alexander was alone in the tea room, brewing tea.
“Uncle,” Ethan called out.
“Sit down, Ethan. Second sister, please sit too.” Alexander said while pouring tea.
Audrey sat awkwardly in the chair beside him, her emotions in turmoil.
She wasn’t the instigator or even a participant in this matter. She had even advised Scarlett not to be too greedy, to be satisfied with what she had.
But when their mother revealed the dusty secrets of the past, Audrey’s identity suddenly became extremely awkward.
It was only one side of the story for now. It couldn’t prove that she and Scarlett weren’t their father’s children.
But even if they were, there was no one left to testify.
And if their mother and fourth brother really wanted to deal with her and Scarlett, wouldn’t it be as easy as crushing an ant?
Scarlett hadn’t seen this point clearly. She had pushed things too far, trying to steal the chicken but losing the rice instead.
“Second sister, have some tea.” Alexander poured a cup for Audrey, then poured one for Ethan.
“Oh, thank you.” Audrey said.
“Second sister, how is brother-in-law James doing lately?” Alexander asked while sipping his tea.
“Much better. He might have been suffering from the change of environment before. He came back to rest for a while, and now he’s almost fully recovered.” Audrey said.
Alexander didn’t mention what had just happened. It was as if nothing had occurred. He simply chatted with her.
Although Audrey was no longer as embarrassed as before, she felt even more uneasy.
She had always felt that her fourth brother was brilliant, deep, and unpredictable. Ever since he took over the Sterling family, he had become even more unfathomable.
Many things that would go a certain way for normal people never seemed to apply to him.
Just like before. Her fourth brother had been single for the longest time, without even a girlfriend. Their mother couldn’t force him into marriage. She had discussed this topic with Scarlett.
At that time, Scarlett had said it would be even harder for their fourth brother to get married through a blind date.
Audrey had agreed.
Her fourth brother was never the kind of person who could be led around.
But the reality had completely shattered their assumptions. Not only had their fourth brother accepted their mother’s choice of a daughter-in-law, but he had also registered for marriage within a few days. They didn’t even know what their sister-in-law looked like.
Not long after, at the family dinner, their fourth brother had brought his younger sister and sister-in-law to attend. They had shown off their affection at the dinner table. Anyone who didn’t know would have thought they had been in love for years before finally getting together.
In reality, they hadn’t known each other for more than a few days.
Most of the time, they thought things would go a certain way, but the facts often proved them wrong.
Maybe subconsciously, Scarlett was afraid of their fourth brother. That was why, when Scarlett brought the documents to discuss their next move, Audrey had instinctively opposed it.
With their abilities, they couldn’t compete with their fourth brother. Why would they throw an egg at a stone?
This time, the facts were rare. Just as she had guessed, their fourth brother remained unscathed. On the contrary, she and Scarlett were now in an extremely awkward position.
If they weren’t careful, they wouldn’t just lose their current status. They could be expelled from the family tree, kicked out of the house, and ruined.
The thought was terrifying.
“Fourth brother, what happened today was all Scarlett’s fault. She lost her mind. Please don’t hold it against her. She was used and encouraged. She didn’t mean it.” Audrey raised her head and looked at Alexander with pleading eyes.
“Second sister, I don’t care.” Alexander replied with a smile.
Audrey couldn’t help but shiver. She didn’t know what she was afraid of.
The calmer the sea, the more likely there were rough waves beneath the surface.
Just like before a typhoon, the sky was cloudless and even clearer.
“Ethan, do you have any plans this afternoon?” Alexander turned to Ethan and asked.
Ethan had been keeping his head down, not speaking. He had just been quietly listening to the conversation between his aunt and his uncle.
“This afternoon, if there’s nothing at home, I’ll go back to work. I only asked for the morning off.” Ethan said.
“I won’t be going back to the company this afternoon. I’ll leave it to you. You can act on my behalf.” Alexander continued.
“Huh? Uncle, what are you going to do this afternoon?” Ethan asked in dismay.
“Accompany my wife.” Alexander replied calmly.
His tone was so indifferent, as if he were talking about something ordinary.
Ethan thought he had misheard.
“Uncle, today is Tuesday.” Ethan reminded him carefully.
In other words, today was a workday. What did he mean by not going to work and going to accompany his wife instead?
“The company will be handed over to you sooner or later. You can get a feel for it ahead of time.”
Ethan almost jumped out of his seat.
He didn’t want to get a feel for it ahead of time. He wanted to quit his position as planning manager and just coast through the day.
And now, his uncle was planning to skip work and dump the company’s burden on his shoulders.
He would be an idiot to agree.
“Uncle, I just remembered. I have to accompany my mother to the hospital this afternoon.
I might not have time to go back to the company.
Nothing else. I’ll go back and accompany my mother first.
Aunt Audrey, Uncle, you two chat slowly. I’ll head back first. Bye!” Ethan said, and like a gust of wind, he slipped away.
Alexander didn’t even have time to say a word.
“That brat. Every time I ask him to do something, he runs faster than a rabbit.” Alexander scolded with a smile.