Even though Ethan was fuming inside, he knew he had to stay calm.
Going against Lila’s orders could cost him dearly.
“Babe, I’ll do my best,” he said.
“Once it’s set up, report back to me quietly,” Lila replied, and hung up right after.
Ethan slipped his phone into his pocket, already turning over plans in his head.
If he did what Lila wanted, it would definitely bring trouble to Cynthia.
That wasn’t hard to figure out—Lila was a killer, and cops investigating her were probably enemy number one.
But if he didn’t follow through… it could end up hurting Martha Brooks, and that was something he absolutely couldn’t live with.
So where did that leave him?
“Come on, little bro, eat something,” Cynthia called out to him.
Ethan managed a smile and sat back down.
But now, every bite tasted like chewing on cardboard.
The meal had lost all flavor.
About ten minutes later, they stood up, wiping their mouths.
Ethan headed toward the counter.
Cynthia might be a cop, but she was still his sister—and a lady.
No way he’d let her pay.
“Hey, little bro!” Cynthia tugged his sleeve.
“Go wait for me by the cruiser. I’ll pay.”
“Sis, I’ve got money,” Ethan said, still heading over.
Cynthia held onto him again.
“You trying to upset your big sis?”
Ethan scratched his short hair awkwardly, then turned and walked outside.
Cynthia chuckled, watching him go.
She was only pretending to be mad—it actually touched her that he thought to cover the bill.
Meant he cared about her pride.
Standing next to the police cruiser, Ethan barely noticed the heat.
He had one hand in his pocket, fingers wrapped around the small electronic device Lila gave him.
His mind was racing.
He gripped it tight.
Really tight.
Squinting, he turned on his X-Ray Vision to get a better look right through his pants pocket.
A thin bolt of electricity sparked at his fingertip just as he squeezed.
Crack!
The device broke in his hand.
Holy crap, did I actually break it?
He took a careful look.
Yep.
Totally smashed.
He saw Cynthia finishing up at the register and heading for the restroom, so he pulled out his phone and called Lila.
“Babe, I’ll follow your instructions, no problem.”
“Good,” Lila said, sounding pleased.
“Make sure it’s hidden well.”
So the device?
Kinda flimsy, huh?
I barely touched it and it broke apart.”
“You idiot!” Lila barked at him.
Ethan smiled to himself.
“Uh, wanna send me another one?”
“Hmph. Forget it this time. Just bring the broken one back,” she snapped, and hung up.
Ethan laughed under his breath.
What, you thought you were calling all the shots?
“What’s got you laughing out here?” Cynthia asked as she walked up.
Ethan rubbed the back of his head and grinned.
“This waitress tried to hit on me just now. Had to turn her down.”
Cynthia totally bought it.
“Haha, little bro, don’t waste your charm, yeah?”Ethan gave a small smile and opened the car door, hopping in as he and Cynthia headed toward Carewell Pharmacy on Caring Avenue.
Carewell Pharmacy was one of the better-known pharmacies in Cloudshore.
With over forty staff behind the counters, it was practically a drugstore megamart.
Ethan worked there—but without a degree or any connections, he was stuck doing all the dirtiest, most exhausting tasks.
The Health Bureau was coming for an inspection tomorrow, and the logistics manager had demanded the whole place be spotless.
That’s why she kept rushing Ethan to show up early and mop the floors again and again.
“Cynthia, you should go,” Ethan said as soon as the police car pulled up to the pharmacy entrance.
He opened the door and stepped out.
Cynthia glanced at the building.
“Hey, little bro, what kind of work are you doing here?”
“What else can I do? I haven’t graduated yet, and it’s summer break. Gotta make some cash doing odd jobs.”
“You’re seriously overqualified for this. I’ll look up the place’s background and give you a call.”
Ethan got what she meant.
He smiled, waved goodbye, and strode into the pharmacy.
Inside, the air conditioning was blasting – blissfully cool.
He let out a long breath.
“Ethan! Where were you this morning? Why didn’t you request time off? The inspection’s tomorrow, do you even care?”
He hadn’t even taken ten steps before a sharp voice snapped at him.
No need to look—he already knew it was Lydia Ramirez, the logistics manager.
She’d been at the pharmacy for over six years and loved bossing around the new hires.
A quick glance at her freckled face, then a glance at the suit jacket stretched tight across her chest.
“Sorry, Manager Lydia, something came up,” Ethan replied quietly.
“Just you, huh? No one else’s time matters? You think the rest of the staff are just here for fun?” she barked, tiny flecks of spit landing on his face.
“Take a mop and clean everything—the main hall, the bathrooms, the reception area, and the back! Miss one spot, and don’t even think about getting your paycheck this month. You’ll be hit with a penalty instead!”
As she barked orders, a woman in uniform strode over and handed Ethan a half-empty bottle of orange soda.
“Hey, your orange soda. Don’t forget it,” she said.
He blinked in surprise.
“Cynthia? Weren’t you leaving?”
Cynthia had been about to drive off when she caught sight of a sharply-dressed woman scolding Ethan.
She jumped out of the car to check.
Cold as ice, she turned to Lydia.
“What’s going on here? My brother did something wrong?”
Lydia’s tone flipped instantly.
Her eyes lit up like she’d seen a celebrity.
“Oh wow, isn’t this Captain Bloom? What a surprise seeing you here!”
Seeing Cynthia’s frosty look, she immediately turned to Ethan with a nervous grin. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Ethan, I—uh, I didn’t know you were Captain Bloom’s brother! Haha, don’t worry, I’ll help you mop in a bit!”
Classic two-faced snob.
Cynthia ignored her completely and gave Ethan a pat on the back.
“I’m heading out. If anyone gives you a hard time, just call me. I might not be good for much, but putting someone in their place? That I can handle.”Lydia Ramirez instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
She hurriedly sent Cynthia off with a smile plastered on her face, then beamed at Ethan as if nothing had happened.
“Ethan! Why didn’t you tell me earlier? If I’d known Cynthia was your sister, I would’ve looked after you from the start!”
Ethan couldn’t stand people like her—always changing sides depending on the wind.
He said nothing, just headed to the restroom to grab a mop.
“Ethan! Ethan, wait!” Lydia chased after him, grin still in place, then casually slung an arm around his shoulders.
“So… I’ve got a friend who got arrested for gambling. Turns out your sister’s handling the case. Could you do me a favor?”
Ethan couldn’t possibly say yes.
He’d only just met Cynthia earlier today.
Asking for this kind of favor now?
She’d definitely get the wrong idea.
He glanced down at her tailored blazer.
“Manager Ramirez, your button’s poking into my shoulder. Kinda uncomfortable.”
She looked around, quickly unbuttoned her blazer to reveal a white shirt underneath, then leaned in again, practically purring, “How about now? Still uncomfortable?”
“Mm, much better.” Ethan had to admit—his shoulder tingled like a weak current had just zipped through it.
The irritation he felt moments ago was… kind of gone.
“Ethan, come on, please? Just lend me a hand, yeah?” she pleaded, still holding onto him.
He scratched his short hair, thinking fast.
“Tell you what, next time I see Cynthia, I’ll ask her about it.”
“Thanks, Ethan! You’re the best!” Lydia was ecstatic.
“Hey, all you need to do is mop the lobby. I’ll have someone else handle everything else. Oh, and I’m throwing in a bonus this month!”
Pulling out her phone, she added, “Actually, scratch that—I’ll send your paycheck and bonus early. Here, here’s a little red packet for now!”
Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle.
No kidding—having the right connections really made life easier.
If you found the right person to lean on, it really was like getting shade under a big tree.
His phone buzzed with a notification.
Five thousand yuan arrived.
He raised an eyebrow—his usual paycheck and bonus?
Three thousand, tops.
That extra two grand?
All from cozying up.
“Ethan, if you ever need anything, just say the word. Gotta run!” Lydia gave him one last squeeze—chest-first—and then sauntered away, hips swinging.
Ethan snorted softly and pocketed his phone.
This woman?
Definitely shameless—but somehow, she made it work.
You had to admit, being able to shamelessly climb the social ladder took talent.
Lydia Ramirez?
A top-tier example.
He walked into the men’s restroom, gave the mop a quick rinse, then got to work in the lobby.
He was mid-swipe when a curvy, wide-hipped woman strolled up to him like she’d spotted a celebrity.
She let out a surprised squeal, “Wait, aren’t you Ethan? I never thought I’d see you mopping floors! Gotta say though—you mop pretty well!”