Chapter 149: A Little Wait

Evelyn’s expression changed. She glanced toward the entrance, where the man had disappeared, then looked back at her husband.

"Do you know something about him?"

Ethan took a moment before answering. He didn’t want to frighten her unnecessarily, but keeping her completely in the dark would be a mistake, especially if the man’s visits were connected to something more serious.

"Lucas investigated him after his previous purchase." He explained. "It turns out he’s connected to Samuel Wayne."

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the edge of the counter. "Samuel Wayne? The same man you’ve been looking into?"

"That’s right."

She looked toward the entrance again, her lips pressing together. "But what does that have to do with our shop? Why would someone connected to him keep buying so much fruit?"

"That’s what I’m trying to find out."

Ethan leaned against the counter, lowering his voice so the customers nearby wouldn’t overhear their conversation.

"The first purchase was already unusual. He bought a large amount of fruit without giving us a convincing reason for needing so much. Now he’s returned and wants to buy everything we have, including the stock in the main shop. When I refused, he offered double the price as though money would make me change my mind."

Evelyn frowned. "Maybe he really does need the fruit for something."

"Maybe." Ethan nodded. "But considering what Lucas found, I don’t think we should dismiss the possibility that there’s another reason behind his actions."

She remained quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the shelves. The shop had become an important part of her life, and she had worked hard to build it into something she could be proud of. The thought that someone might be using it for a purpose she knew nothing about was unsettling.

"Do you think he’s planning to cause trouble for us?" She asked.

"I don’t know yet." Ethan reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "That’s why I’m being careful. I don’t want to accuse him of anything without evidence, but I’m also not going to let him do whatever he wants here."

Evelyn looked down at their joined hands before lifting her eyes toward him again. "What should we do?"

"For now, we carry on as usual. Keep running the shop, and don’t let this incident distract you. I’ll look into the matter and see what I can find out."

She nodded slowly, though her fingers remained wrapped around his for another moment.

"All right. Just be careful, Ethan."

He smiled and brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "I will."

Evelyn returned to the main shop, but she glanced back at him once before disappearing through the connecting entrance.

Ethan watched her go, then turned toward the bulk section. The customers were still waiting, and he had no intention of letting the day’s work grind to a halt because of one suspicious businessman.

However, as he resumed arranging the crates, his thoughts returned to the man’s expression when he had been refused.

The businessman had looked less like someone disappointed by a failed purchase and more like someone whose plans had been interrupted.

Ethan picked up another crate and placed it on the shelf.

’Let’s see what you’re really after.’

The little commotion gradually faded from everyone’s minds. The customers returned to their shopping, and the employees resumed their duties. Before long, the incident became nothing more than a brief interruption in an otherwise ordinary afternoon.

Ethan continued helping out in the bulk shop until the last of the day’s stock was sold. After checking that everything was in order, he took off his apron and glanced at his watch.

It was almost time to pick up Nora.

He walked over to Evelyn’s shop and found her attending to a customer. He waited until she was done before approaching her.

"I’m going to pick Nora up," He told her.

Evelyn looked up with a small smile. "All right. Drive safely."

"I will."

Ethan leaned down and gave her a brief hug. She returned it, resting her cheek against his chest for a moment before he pulled away. After saying goodbye, he headed outside, got into his car, and drove toward Nora’s school.

By the time he arrived, the school day was almost over. He parked outside the school gate and settled back in his seat, waiting for the children to come out.

A few minutes later, the gate opened, and students began streaming onto the street. Ethan spotted Nora almost immediately. She was walking beside Alexa, the two girls talking as they made their way toward the entrance.

He stepped out of the car and waved at them.

"Dad!" Nora called, quickening her pace as she approached him.

"Uncle Ethan!" Alexa greeted him with a polite smile.

Ethan smiled at both girls. "How was school today?"

"It was fine," Nora answered, while Alexa nodded in agreement.

"That’s good. Did you two have a good day?"

"Yes!" Alexa replied.

Nora gave her friend a sideways glance before looking back at Ethan. "We had Mathematics today."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And how did that go?"

"I did well." She grinned.

"Then I suppose I’ll have to believe you until I see your results." He smiled and turned toward the street, expecting to see Richard approaching.

However, the road remained busy with passing vehicles and parents arriving to collect their children, but Richard was nowhere to be seen.

Ethan checked his watch. Perhaps the man had been delayed by work.

It wasn’t particularly unusual for people to run late, but something about the situation bothered him.

He remembered how Richard had hurried to collect Alexa on their previous encounter, looking as though he’d dropped everything to get there. The man might have been a little disheveled, but he had clearly been concerned about his daughter.

Ethan glanced at Alexa. She didn’t appear worried, so he decided to wait a little longer.

"Come on, let’s stand over there while we wait for your father," He told her, gesturing toward a shaded spot near the school gate.

The girls followed him, and the three of them settled into a casual conversation.

"So, what subjects do you two like the most?" Ethan asked.

"English," Alexa answered almost immediately.

"Why English?" He asked.

"I like reading stories." She clasped her hands behind her back, looking up at him. "Sometimes, our teacher lets us read passages in front of the class."

"That’s a good reason." Ethan turned to Nora. "What about you?"

"Mathematics," She answered, smirking as her black eyes met his.

He looked at her with mild surprise. "You enjoy Mathematics that much?"

Nora nodded. "It’s easy when you understand it. Besides, you taught me."

Ethan smiled and nodded. "That’s true. Even difficult things become easier when you take the time to understand them."

Alexa tilted her head. "Uncle Ethan, what’s your favorite subject?"

"Mine?" Ethan pretended to consider the question. "Probably Mathematics, too. Numbers are useful in almost everything."

Nora gave him a knowing look but said nothing. Ethan noticed it and smiled faintly, choosing not to ask what was going through her mind.

Their conversation moved on to food. When Ethan asked about their favorites, Alexa said she liked fried rice, while Nora immediately named several dishes before settling on chicken and chips.

"That’s quite a list," Ethan remarked, amused by her answer.

Nora folded her arms. "I’m allowed to like more than one thing."

"Of course you are." He chuckled before turning back to Alexa. "What about your father? What does he do for a living?"