Ethan didn't know how to reply. The words stuck in his throat as he tried to process the torrent of emotions the old man, his supposed father, had unleashed. He had no memories of the real Ethan, but the palpable tension between father and son was unmistakable. Nadia's glare bore into him, a mix of suspicion and anger. Yet, when he looked around at the luxury of the villa, and the luxurious surroundings, he made a quick decision.
"I'll stay," he said, his voice carrying a note of arrogance. "But don't expect me to play nice. I have my own reasons."
The old man, caught between relief and exasperation, sighed deeply. "That's all I ask for now. Stay, and maybe we can start to fix what was broken."
Nadia huffed and crossed her arms, clearly displeased. "Fine, but don't expect any special treatment from me."
Ethan shrugged, his mind already racing with thoughts of how he could leverage this unexpected turn of events. If he could understand the dynamics here, maybe he could find a way to benefit from it all.
The old man, whose name he still didn't know, gestured to a maid. "Show Ethan to his room. Make sure he has everything he needs."
The maid nodded and beckoned Ethan to follow. Ethan couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur as they walked through the lavish halls. This place was a far cry from the life he had known, filled with hardships and struggles.
The maid led him to a spacious room adorned with intricate furnishings and a large window overlooking the garden. "If you need anything, just ring the bell," she said, pointing to a small button near the bed.
Ethan nodded absentmindedly, already thinking about his next move. As the maid left, he sat on the edge of the bed, trying to piece together the fragments of his new reality.
Nadia's hostility and the old man's mix of hope and disappointment hinted at a complicated past. He needed to understand more about Ethan's life, the relationships here, and what had caused the rift. Only then could he navigate this situation effectively.
Later that evening, Ethan wandered through the villa, trying to gather information discreetly. He overheard snippets of conversations, caught glimpses of photos and documents, and slowly began to piece together a picture of the family dynamics.
The old man, Gregory, was a successful businessman with a stern demeanor but a soft spot for his children. Nadia was the daughter of a friend. But he still did not understand why she behaved as if she owned the place. She seemed fiercely protective of her uncle and resentful of Ethan for reasons he still couldn't grasp. And then there were the brothers, whom he had yet to meet but knew he would have to confront eventually.
But for now, he was content to stay, to enjoy the luxury, and to navigate this complex web of relationships with as much cunning and patience as he could muster. It had been a whole day yet no one came to talk to him or he was summoned down. He had collected all the information from the maid only.
He took another sip of the rare win in his hands and sighed. The knock on the door broke his attention from the painting.
"Young master, the whole family is gathered for dinner. Would you join them or should I bring your meal here?" The maid, known as Martha, came and asked him in a respectful tone.
Ethan paused. Any wiser man would choose to have dinner in his room, fearing that they might ask questions he had no answer for. But Ethn only nodded and decided to take the gamble.
He followed the old woman out of the room to a grand dining hall where a party of fifty could sit comfortably. But there were only seven people at the large dining table.
They all looked at him with a slight frown on their faces. Their presence was a surprise for them but it was not a pleasant one. It was clear that no one wanted him there.
"And here I thought that you are going to stick to your decision this time." came the cold voice from the left. He must be the eldest brother. He looked to be in his late thirties. A younger woman was sitting beside him wearing a wedding ring. So the eldest is already married.
"Give him a slack brother. He had already endured for years. You can not wish him to live in that rate hole for a lifetime. Right?" the man smiled maliciously.
Ethan looked at the young girl sitting beside him too. The second one is married too. It meant that he was not married so far.
His mother was not there. She was absent or she was no more? He wanted to know but he could not ask directly.
He took his seat without worrying about their glares or strange looks.
"You are accusing me as if it was all my mistake." he sighed and picked up the fork to cut meat. The tender meat was soft and flavorful. "If I was not pushed so much. Would I ever leave my own house?" That was a good way to start. He had not said anything yet he had blamed all of them.
As long as even a few of them would explain, he would know what the matter was. If they still decide to not say anything, then he would use other methods. That Martha looked promising.
Nadia was the first to flinch. She stooped and slammed the table with force. Her eyes were full of hostility and rage while others just shook their heads and did not reply. Which was strange. Did she even qualify to be part of their family?
"Tell me that you are joking!" Nadia glared at Ethan with cold eyes. "You have left with your own choice. How could you say that uncle had forced you to do so?" her different face from before was not cold and glaring.
"Oh come on, Nadia. Be kind to your husband. He had just returned after all."