"Stand down!" Ethan hollered at Dylan. "This is a personal and family affair. You may wait for me outside."
Dylan reluctantly but obediently withdrew his hand, glowered at Anastasia's parents again, and left.
Anastasia's parents were full of resentment, but they did not dare to get physical with Ethan again as they knew they wouldn't win with him.
Dylan's terrifying gaze intimidated them, and they even had some scruples about Ethan.
However, their worries vanished as they looked at Ethan's cheap clothes and calm expression, which were almost the same as in the past.
"I was overthinking. A good-for-nothing is still a good-for-nothing! What are you doing standing at the door? Hurry up and come in, you disgraceful thing!" Claudia pushed the door open furiously and entered.
Anastasia's father humped coldly, finding Ethan an eyesore.
Ethan followed him and entered the house.
The living room of the Reeds' home was cheerful at this moment, as it was crowded with more than ten relatives.
Upon seeing Ethan, who came in after Anastasia's parents, many who knew who Ethan was looked puzzled.
"Isn't this…that good-for-nothing? Why is he suddenly back?"
"Who? Is this the good-for-nothing you guys mentioned just now? Didn't you say that he already died?"
"Who knows? He's been missing for so many years. And now that Mr. Clay is going to get engaged with Anastasia, he's come scurrying back. Who knows what thoughts he's harboring?!"
"He definitely has evil intentions."
Ethan glanced at the people around him, some of whom used to mock him and some of whom he hadn't met before.
The most striking one was a young man sitting in the center of the couch and gaining the attention of everyone.
He looked around his mid-to-late twenties and was dressed fashionably, his hair gelled back and his under-eye bags slightly puffy. He was obviously an avid drinker and a lustful person.
He reckoned that he was Mr. Clay, the new fiancé that the Reeds chose for Anastasia, whom everyone else was talking about.
Ethan secretly sneered. Are they treating this piece of trash like a treasure?
However, Anastasia was not in the living room, making Ethan, who wanted to see her, feel slightly disappointed.
Visibly annoyed, Claudia said, "Okay, we can't be bothered to talk to you either. The point of today's meeting is regarding Mr. Clay and Anastasia's marriage anyway. You came at the right time. This saves us the hassle of getting your death certificate from the courts. When Anastasia comes home, immediately go get a divorce with her."
Ethan did not utter a single word.
This group of relatives gathered here suddenly began mocking him sarcastically.
"What? You don't want to get a divorce?"
"Of course, he doesn't. It wasn't easy for him to marry the greatest beauty of Emerald Coast County and form ties with the Reeds. Of course, he's going to cling tightly onto her."
"How shameless. Doesn't he realize he can't hold a candle to Mr. Clay? He doesn't have any self-awareness!?
"Look at how shabby he is. He's not even worthy of carrying Mr. Clay's shoes! Hurry up and make yourself scarce!"
Anastasia's father knocked on the table and exclaimed, "I'll be honest. I won't let my daughter suffer together with you! What can a penniless man like you give her? If you still have a conscience, and if you're still a man, have the decency and self-awareness to divorce her. Stop wasting Anastasia's time and holding her back!"
Ethan closed his eyes and looked unusually composed. "If Anastasia doesn't want to be with me any longer, she can let me know herself, and I'll divorce her without another word. But you people have no right to decide for us!" he barked and sneered as he stared at the people around him.
"What? This loser says we have no right?!"
Just as they were about to lose their temper, someone burst into laughter, stopping them from talking.
"Mr. Clay seems to be about to say something. Of course, we have to wait for him to finish!"
Silas Clay was snuggled up on the couch, fiddling with his Patek Philippe watch and large ring while sizing Ethan up.
"You must be that…someone, right? What have you been doing these past few years?"
Ethan said indifferently, "I was just getting by."
Silas chuckled again and clapped his hands as he stood up. "I suggest you don't force me to deal with you the hard way. Anastasia isn't someone a wimp like you deserves. Even a fool knows why you're clinging to the Reeds."
He took out a check from his pocket. "Here's a check for fifty thousand. It's enough to support you for several years. Be smart, grab the money, and go, lest you end up with nothing in the end," Silas threatened.
Ethan reached out to take the check while the others watched in contempt.
"Indeed, he just wants money!"
"A loser is a loser. You've probably never had so much money all your life, huh!"
"Mr. Clay just has to wave his hand, and this piece of trash took the money readily. Tsk."
A crisp sound filled the air, immediately making everyone stop their mockery as they looked at Ethan in disbelief.
This good-for-nothing tore the check!
He tore the fifty-thousand-dollar check!
Is he out of his mind?!
Everyone watched in disbelief as Ethan gently tossed the ripped pieces of the torn check.
"Silas Clay, you're just an outsider. You don't have the right to interfere in our affairs."