Anastasia's father, Charles Reed, winced and grimaced in pain as Claudia's sharp nails dug into his flesh. He couldn't whimper because he felt like he was dreaming! He stared intently at the red gift list, his eyes wide and unblinking, as if the hefty gift list would vanish if he blinked.
Victor instructed the two bodyguards to carry a large box wrapped in red silk from the car and place it in the middle of the courtyard. The crowd couldn't take their eyes off the box.
After completing his task, Victor didn't linger. He subtly winked at Ethan, standing at the end of the crowd before he left. As soon as he departed, the people present immediately unwrapped the box and removed the lid, revealing large wads of dazzling banknotes, a car key, title deeds, and more than ten share certificates.
"Oh, my goodness, the items in this box must be worth more than a few million dollars, right?" one person exclaimed in awe.
"Are you crazy? There's already a million in cash, and Starlight Estate's Exclusive Lakeside Villa is worth several million. Look at the sports car at the door. It costs at least a couple of million!" another responded.
"There are hefty shares with seven stores at Platinum Square Shopping Center. Oh my God! I can't even calculate it! This box is worth at least ten million!" someone else gasped.
Sounds of amazement and the gulping of saliva filled the air.
"They're all mine! Don't touch anything!" Seeing someone reach out to grab something, Claudia pounced on the box and glared at each of them warily.
At that moment, some relatives finally realized that the items in the box didn't belong to them. They instantly looked at Anastasia's parents with fiery gazes and envy in their reddened eyes.
"Uncle Charles, your daughter is so fortunate!" one relative exclaimed.
"I just heard that these are betrothal gifts. Have the Monroe's taken a liking to Charlotte?" another speculated.
"That's the Monroe family, the wealthiest in Emerald Coast County. They're so generous! Charlotte has struck gold this time!" yet another relative said.
"Why didn't I give birth to such a brilliant daughter? Charlotte, when you marry into the Monroe family, don't forget to help your uncle!" another chimed in and chimed one after another.
Charlotte was so agitated that her face turned beet red. Which woman hasn't fantasized about marrying into a wealthy family? Although she wasn't sure when the scion of the Monroes had taken a liking to her, the fact that they had generously sent such hefty gifts to her family's doorstep meant that he was very fond of her! Charlotte's face glowed with shyness and joy.
Looking at her sister's shy expression, Anastasia felt envious but happy for her. At the same time, she also felt a little bitter and cynical, breaking Ethan's heart. He walked towards Anastasia and said gently, "Actually, these are all for you."
"What?" Anastasia didn't hear clearly what he said because she was distracted by the different reactions of her relatives.
Standing at the side, Charlotte seemed to have heard it, and without even thinking of the possibility, she raced and shouted, "What did you just say, Ethan?!"
Charlotte grabbed the key to the sports car and a large stack of title deeds and almost threw them at Ethan's face. "Look! Monroe's scion has merely liked me, yet they've already given such hefty betrothal gifts.
What about you? My sister has been married to you for many years, but have you ever given her anything? Not to mention the betrothal gifts, the expenses for the wedding banquet, and the invitation cards, which were all paid for by my family back then! If you still have some shame, hurry up and divorce my sister!"
Ethan was a little sore with their response and attitude. He had initially prepared the things that Claudia was holding for Anastasia only. Not only had she taken them, but she also mocked him and rubbed salt into Anastasia's wounds. He wanted to make some sarcastic remarks, but Anastasia hurriedly stopped him.
"That's enough. It's Sophia's birthday today and a joyous occasion for Charlotte. Let's continue eating."
Charles instructed the servants to serve a few bottles of wine, eager to celebrate this joyous event with his relatives. However, Silas didn't stay. He had already made a fool of himself by gifting a counterfeit gemstone and being exposed for it.
He was also humiliated by the hefty gifts given by Victor Sable and the Monroe's. Feeling utterly defeated and embarrassed, he sped off in his flashy sports car, his face a mask of fury and shame.
After everyone left, Anastasia's parents called Ethan and Anastasia to the sitting room. Ethan sensed that the actual confrontation was about to begin, his heart pounding in his chest, and he wanted to leave his chest momentarily.
Anastasia's father took a long, deliberate puff of his cigarette, his expression stern and unyielding. "I'm not going to beat around the bush with you. When you got married back then, you were forced into it and had no other choice but to comply because of that scandalous incident.
And there were no feelings between you two. You've been missing all these years, too, leaving Anastasia to fend for herself and look after Sophia, whom we've provided for."
Charles continued, his voice sounding with disdain, "You've been a ghost, a shadow of a husband and father. You left them to struggle, to face the world alone. And now you return, expecting us to welcome you with open arms? It doesn't work that way.
You need to show us that you're worth something and that you're capable of providing for your family. Otherwise, you're just a burden we can't afford to carry."
"I understand your anger, and I don't blame you for it," Ethan began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I know I've made mistakes and have a lot to make up for. But I swear I will do whatever it takes to prove myself to you, to Anastasia, and to Sophia. I won't let them suffer anymore. I'll be the husband and father they deserve, and I'll work tirelessly to earn your trust and respect."
Charles stared at him, his eyes hard and unforgiving. "Words are cheap, Ethan. It's your actions that will determine your worth. You have a long way to go to prove yourself, and we'll watch every step."
"I have no excuse for what happened before. But I swear, I will make it right. I'll be the father and husband they deserve. I won't let them suffer anymore. I promise to give them the life they should have had, to make up for every single day I wasn't there. From now on, they will know what it means to be truly loved and cared for."
"Hmph! Trust you to have the gall to talk about the future!" Claudia rolled her eyes in disdain, her voice dripping with contempt. "What can you possibly achieve with what you have now? How are you going to provide for my daughter and granddaughter? In the future? Really? Are you going to continue to mooch off our family, leeching off us as you've always done?