Chapter 54: It Isn’t All About Love

"Wait, what? You moved out... where? How?"

Hearing the series of questions, Ethan deadpanned. "Replay your questions in your mind, Cole. How do they sound?"

Clearing his throat, Cole tried to appear calm and asked again, "Uh... when did you move out?"

Smiling faintly, Ethan answered, "A few days ago."

Cole gulped, then asked, "Why didn’t you tell me you were planning that? I was really scared, you know?"

"What?" Ethan raised his brows. "Did you think we were kidnapped or something?"

"No, it’s not that," Cole corrected him. "My dad said you probably trafficked Evelyn and Nora to a weird country in Africa. Or you... I don’t want to mention the things he said."

Ethan chuckled lightly and shook his head. "That man never ceases to amuse me."

"Yeah. I get tired of him lately." Cole sighed, frustrated. "So where do you guys stay now? I want to come and pay you a visit soon."

Turning around, Ethan began walking back to the shop. "Cold River District, Arcane City. Just let me know when you’re coming, alright?"

"Alright, alright." Cole said hurriedly. "I have to get back to work now. We’ll talk later."

Ethan ended the call and pocketed his phone, a light smile on his lips.

’Looks like that old man really needs some enlightenment.’

Meanwhile, back at the shop a few minutes ago, Evelyn received a call and left Cassandra at the counter.

"Good morning, Dad," She said as she answered the call.

What replied her was a loud shout. "YOU INGRATE DAUGHTER! WHERE ARE YOU? YOU MOVED OUT WITH THAT BASTARD?! COME HOME RIGHT NOW!"

Evelyn’s expression changed as she momentarily pulled the phone away from her ear.

"Dad, you asked us to move out of your house. We already did. Why are you angry about that now?"

"Hooh..." James exhaled heavily. "So you can say that, huh? Talking back to me? You’ve really become something else! Shouldn’t a daughter always listen to her father?!"

Evelyn shook her head, a determined expression on her face. "No, not on this one, Dad. I’m an adult, and I can make decisions concerning my life, by myself. I’m not divorcing Ethan, so please don’t try to force me."

James suddenly laughed, his voice unhinged. "So you really want to go with him? Fine, but let me ask you this! Ever since you married him, what has he done for your mother and me? Nothing! Other sons-in-law buy new houses for their wives’ parents. Cars and all kinds of luxury. But your oh-so-good Ethan has done none of that! He can’t even afford to buy a house for himself. What use is that kind of son-in-law?"

Evelyn frowned tightly. "Dad, Ethan lost his job. Why are you saying this? You know his situation wasn’t the best."

"Tah! Don’t tell me that!" James sneered. "He should have gone to work at a construction site or something. And is it my fault he lost his job? It’s because of his own foolishness."

Evelyn’s expression darkened further, and she asked, "You didn’t even... pity him?"

"Pity him?" James spat. "Why would I waste my pity on someone so useless? Evelyn, listen to me. Your friend, Chris, just got promoted in his workplace. Don’t play hard to get. He has a lot of money with him and he can take care of you. You won’t need to sell those fruits again."

"Dad, I’m not interested in Chris," She retorted. "I already told you. Ethan is the man I love, and nothing is changing that. Not now, not ever. Can’t you simply accept it and live with it?"

James scoffed. "You think it’s all about love? Then you’re really a foolish child. Tell me, where are you guys living now? An apartment you rented with your own money?"

"No, you’re wrong," Evelyn smiled and shook her head. "Ethan bought a house here in Cold River District. That’s where we live now."

The line went silent, then James suddenly started laughing.

"Evelyn... since when did you learn to lie? I didn’t teach you this at all."

Evelyn’s smile vanished. "So you don’t want to believe it? Fine, do what you want."

James went silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice. "Is it true? He really bought a house?"

"Yes," She nodded. "I already told you he did, and I’m not lying."

"So that bastard made it from gambling?" James cursed under his breath. "And he actually forgot his in-laws who gave him a house to live!"

Evelyn’s lips twitched, and she replied sharply. "Maybe if you had been a little nicer, he wouldn’t have ignored you. You shamed him greatly when we last visited you, Dad."

"He deserves it," James grunted. "He’s a pathetic jobless man, and most importantly, he didn’t have money. Who would like someone like him? Only a fool would!"

Evelyn winced at the indirect insult. ’So I’m a fool?’

She shook her head and looked at the shop, smiling. "I told you Ethan has changed. He’s far better now. He even got me a bigger shop for my business. Dad, you need to drop the prejudice against him."

James went silent, then scoffed. "Until he can do something significant for me, I’m not forgiving him. He should forget about ever being on my good side."

Evelyn’s smile dimmed, and she said harshly. "So it’s all about doing something for you? Well done, Dad."

She immediately cut the call and huffed in anger.

"Mn? What’s wrong?"

Hearing Ethan’s voice, she turned around and saw him walking towards her. With a sulking expression, she pouted and answered.

"I just ended a call with my dad. He was being irritating."

Ethan smiled and pulled her into a gentle hug. "It’s alright. What really matters is you, me, and Nora. Everyone and everything else is secondary."

Evelyn smiled in his arms and nodded with a happy smile on her face. He released her from the hug and held her hand as they entered the shop.

Cassandra nodded at them, then immediately turned to call over a curious passersby who just glanced at the shop.

Ethan smiled slightly at the sight. ’Mn, this is good. She has real passion for the business.’

He entered the shop and looked at Nora. To his surprise, she was practicing math questions by herself.