Evelyn’s business had bloomed greatly. Several people came to buy from her in bulk as her fame grew, forcing her to buy more from the farms.
At some point, she had to open another shop right beside the original one, for the purpose of selling baskets of fruits to those who bought in bulk.
People disliked going to the farms to make deals with the farmers, so they bought from her instead. The increase in fame and progress was so high that Evelyn struggled to control everything by herself.
Thankfully, Ethan was there to help her with the management. He was the one who brought the idea of opening another shop for the bulk buyers so people who didn’t come to buy in bulk could easily access their first shop.
The idea helped a lot, but also made the couple split up as Ethan handled the second shop while Evelyn worked in the other.
Finally, the week came to an end, and Saturday arrived.
Evelyn had already informed her customers that she wouldn’t be opening the shop today, so she wasn’t worried about a potential backlash.
Besides, it was also a chance for her competitors to sell. She didn’t want them to hate her just because her business was booming.
Well, it wasn’t like they didn’t already dislike her anyway.
"Are you ready?" Ethan asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She turned to him with a smile and nodded. "Let’s go."
Ethan nodded and locked the door behind him.
The family of three headed to the streets and boarded a taxi to the area where Evelyn’s parents lived.
The ride was silent as Nora leaned against her mother as she slept. Seeing Ethan busy with his phone, Evelyn glanced at him and asked, "What are you doing? That looks like a chart."
Ethan replied without raising his head. "Forex trading. It’s a little outdated since most people have given up on it, but I know a thing or two about it."
"Ohh..." She nodded in understanding, then turned back to her own phone.
After completing a trade and receiving an increase, Ethan set down his phone and looked at the system message before him.
[Today’s Task: Endure the attitudes of Evelyn’s parents without snapping.]
[Reward: Special Skin Cream]
Ethan was a little curious about the task and the reward itself. After all, he had never received a physical reward before.
’Endure their attitude? As far as I know, they were already against Evelyn’s marriage to Etha—no, me before the breakdown happened. This is going to be a bit difficult.’
He could ignore younger people insulting him and stay silent when older people did. However, when someone around his age—as Victor, at least—insults him, he wasn’t sure he could stop himself from retorting.
Still, he was looking forward to the encounter.
Soon, the taxi came to a stop at their destination and they all got down. Evelyn seemed nostalgic at the sight of the neighborhood while Nora looked around with a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
She had also been here when she was younger, though it remained unknown if she still had her memories as a small child.
"Let’s go." Evelyn smiled.
She led the way down the street to her parents’ house. A few familiar people from the neighborhood greeted her upon recognizing her, welcoming her with smiles.
Evelyn responded warmly to each person, and finally, they arrived at her family house.
"Come."
She opened the gate that remained unlocked, taking her family to her parents’ doorstep.
Knock! Knock!
"Mom, dad! We’re here!"
A young voice responded from the inside, and a few seconds later, the door was opened.
A young girl with black hair and features closely resembling Evelyn appeared, looking at them excitedly.
"Big sister!"
Evelyn smiled and embraced her younger sister who soon released her and turned to Nora.
"Little Nora! Awwnnn, it’s been months since I last saw you."
She hugged the little girl tightly, then turned to Ethan. Seeing him staring at her silently, her smile dimmed, and she forced out a greeting.
"Brother-in-law..."
Ethan smiled and waved at her. "Hello, Sophie. It has been a while."
The young teenager looked at him in disbelief, then turned to her sister. Evelyn smiled and gave her a reassuring nod.
Sophie turned back to Ethan and nodded stiffly. "Yeah. Nice seeing you."
From the inside, they all heard a mature woman’s voice yell, "Sophie! You’re not trying to collect entry fees from them, right? Let my daughter come inside, you brat."
"What?! No!" Sophie cried indignantly, then stomped to the living room. Evelyn laughed lightly and brought everyone inside.
In the living room were her parents, a couple already in their sixties.
They smiled the moment they saw Evelyn and Nora, but their expressions immediately darkened when Ethan appeared behind them.
"What is he doing here?" James, her father, spat as he glared at Ethan.
Beside him, Elena also frowned slightly. "Evelyn, you didn’t tell us you were bringing your husband."
Evelyn awkwardly scratched her head. "Um... sorry about that."
Elena shook her head and sighed. "It’s fine. Come sit here."
She gestured at the couch opposite them, then turned to Nora.
"My little princess. Come here."
Nora smiled and ran to embrace her, causing the woman to smile brighter.
James still looked displeased, but at least he wasn’t frowning. He turned his attention to his daughter alone, looking her over carefully.
"Come have your seat. We have a lot to discuss."
Evelyn was clearly surprised by the seriousness in his voice and quickly sat down. Ethan stood beside her and bent his back slightly.
"Father-in-law, mother-in-law, it’s been a long while."
He greeted politely.
Elena glanced at him and nodded, while James blatantly ignored him.
His gaze remained on Evelyn as he spoke. "Evelyn, I want you to divorce Ethan. I’ve already found someone far more suitable for you."
Everyone except Elena and Nora froze, stunned by the statement. Sophie glanced at her parents, shocked. Was that really the right thing to say... with Ethan present?!
Evelyn’s jaw dropped, and she hurriedly looked at Ethan to see his reaction. He was looking at her father with narrowed eyes, but didn’t say anything.
Sighing in relief, she turned to James. "Dad! How could you say something like that?!"
Again, the room froze. But this time, everyone was looking at Evelyn in shock with the exception of Ethan and Nora.
Things were beginning to get complicated.