Ethan stepped out of the building with Cole, and they got into the man’s car.
Cole didn’t drive immediately, merely staring at the wheel. Ethan also remained silent, not saying a thing.
After a while, Cole sighed and said, "Can I take this as a sign that you’re ready to take good care of my sister?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "You can. I plan to correct all... my mistakes. Evelyn didn’t deserve all that."
Cole’s eyes trembled, and his grip tightened on the steering.
"I-Is that so? I’m glad you’re finally back to being yourself."
"Being myself?" Ethan turned, surprised.
Smiling slightly, Cole explained. "I knew you when you were still courting Evelyn. You were practically the best man for her. I’m glad that you seem to be like that again."
Ethan chuckled and said, "Perhaps."
Cole started the car and drove out of the company’s parking lot, intending to drive him back to the market.
"Let’s make a stop at the Feminine Mystique. I want to get something for Nora and her mother."
Cole was quietly surprised, but he just nodded. Still, he couldn’t help but feel weird. Why did it look like he was Ethan’s personal driver?
He brushed off the thought, focusing on the road ahead.
Soon, he stopped at a popular shopping mall dedicated for women. When the two men approached the entrance, the female guards were surprised and stopped them.
"Where are your partners?"
Cole and Ethan glanced at each other, then shook their heads.
"I came here to get something for my wife and daughter," Ethan explained.
Beside him, Cole nodded. "I’m his brother-in-law."
The two guards looked at them suspiciously, then allowed them inside.
"Please behave yourselves on the inside. There are security cameras everywhere."
Ethan nodded with a wry smile as he entered. Did they think he was a pervert who came here to look at ladies?
’Tsk, brats who need to be spanked.’
"What section are you interested in?"
An attendant came up to them, smiling without prejudice.
Ethan smiled back and answered. "Kids section."
"Alright, follow me." The woman nodded.
She led them through several sections of the mall, passing by several other customers—mostly women and young ladies—until they arrived at a relatively quieter section.
"Thank you," Ethan waved her off then turned to the items displayed. There were several toys—mermaid, cartoon figurines, and barbie dolls—including clothes young girls could wear.
"This is surely a lot. Who built this place?" Cole asked himself as he looked around.
Ethan was also amazed, but immediately focused on the reason he had come here. After a few minutes of searching, he reached a place where teddy bears were displayed, and he looked at them in contemplation.
Using his knowledge of Nora’s taste, he picked up a white teddy bear that was slightly expensive.
Cole’s eyes narrowed. "That’s a little expensive. Are you sure that’s what you want to buy?"
Ethan nodded. "She’ll like it, won’t she?"
Cole couldn’t help but agree. Nora liked anything white, after all.
Ethan didn’t stop at buying the bear. He bought a few nice dresses that weren’t too expensive, then picked out two for Evelyn as well.
Standing beside him, Cole smiled warmly, a sense of relief in his heart.
’Please, take care of them properly.’
After making payment, Ethan took only the teddy bear and asked for the rest to be delivered to his home address.
Cole was a little curious about how he could spend so much, and he didn’t think it was Evelyn’s business money either.
’He must have started an online job or something. Maybe he’s a novel writer or a graphic designer.’
Soon, they got back into the car and drove towards the market. The ride didn’t take long, and they finally pulled up at the parking garage of the market.
The two men walked towards Evelyn’s shop, with Ethan carrying the teddy bear in his arms. As they came closer, Evelyn noticed them and her expression brightened.
"Ethan! Big brother!"
She immediately waved at them, hopping like an excited kid.
Seeing her like that, Ethan felt his heart thump slightly.
’Oh...’
He blinked and smiled to himself. They entered the shop and Evelyn immediately welcomed them.
"You’re back. How was it? He didn’t give you guys trouble, right?"
Cole smiled and answered, "Not at all. Mr. Stark is very reasonable and he actually kept his promise. I’m now the project manager—all thanks to your husband."
Evelyn immediately turned to Ethan. "Honey, is that true?"
He nodded with a smile, then turned to Cole. "Congratulations, brother-in-law."
Cole shook his hand with a bright smile, feeling overjoyed. He still couldn’t believe that he had really been promoted just like that.
Evelyn’s eyes moistened, and she buried herself in Ethan’s arms. "Thank you, Ethan. For helping my brother."
[You have completed today’s task!]
[You have received Photographic Memory. Claim reward?]
[Family Happiness: 12.6%]
’Oh? This actually counts as completing the task?’ Ethan smiled and hugged her back as he claimed the reward.
Cole looked at them with a happy smile, then said, "I need to return to work now. See you two later."
The couple waved him off before turning back to each other.
"Wait. You actually bought a teddy bear?"
Only later did Evelyn notice this, and she was surprised. Ethan held it up and looked around. He couldn’t see Nora anywhere.
"She asked for it, so I’m going to give her. Where is she?"
"Ah..." Evelyn gasped slightly. "Cassie took her out on a walk to buy candies. They should be back soon."
Ethan nodded and dropped the teddy bear inside the shop. Then, he came outside to assist Evelyn in selling. As they awaited their next customer, Evelyn asked in a low voice. "Ethan... how did you manage to buy it? It looks... expensive."
She knew he hadn’t taken her money, so she was curious to know where he had gotten the money.
"Do you want a lie or the truth?" He asked mysteriously.
"The truth, of course." Evelyn pouted. "Why would I want to hear a lie?"
Chuckling, Ethan explained. "I had a talk with the boss of the gambling den this morning, and he offered to give me some money out of the kindness of his heart. I would never expect something like that from him."
"Isn’t he nice?"