Claudia was surprised that Ethan could suddenly produce such a substantial amount of money. She came closer, ensuring all are legitimate notes, grabbed the stack of cash, and pulled out a few notes, grumbling, "Where did this useless man get so much money? They can't be fake, can they?"
After confirming the notes were genuine, she looked at Ethan, bewildered. "Where did you get this money? I saw you take it from the car. You didn't take Charlotte's money, did you?"
Charlotte cut her mother off aggressively. "That's enough, Mum. This money is his. Why does it matter where it came from when you've received it? I'm starving. Go make dinner quickly."
Still dazed from receiving twenty thousand dollars for no apparent reason, Claudia wandered into the house. Anastasia sighed in relief and looked at Ethan, holding the joyful Sophia and smiling warmly at her. Unsure of what to say, she led Ethan upstairs, her eyes filled with sadness. She had agreed to let Ethan stay at her house purely for their child's sake.
Sophia's happy laughter soon echoed from the upstairs room. Meanwhile, Claudia, clattering a spatula loudly in the kitchen, grumbled, "She's so noisy. I don't understand what's so special about her father that she loves being with him."
That night, Sophia insisted on sleeping in Ethan's arms. Anastasia, unable to persuade her daughter otherwise, had to arrange an extra mattress for Ethan in her room. Frustrated, she could not sleep and was annoyed by Orion Industries and Ethan. Ethan's heart ached as he held his sleeping daughter, listening to Anastasia's soft breathing nearby. Both lay awake for a long time, lost in their thoughts.
The following day, Ethan woke early and stepped outside to call Boysen. It was barely past six a.m., and Boysen, irritated by the disruption to his sleep, sat up abruptly when he saw the caller ID. "Good morning, Mr. Knight."
"How are the negotiations with potential partners for Orion Industries?" Ethan asked gently.
Surprised by the early call, Boysen quickly responded, "Many companies are keen to cooperate with us, such as..."
"Are there any from the Reed family?" Ethan interrupted.
"What about the Reeds? Oh, yes, indeed. Anastasia Reed came by several times yesterday, but I still need to meet her. After all, the Reeds' company is small and unqualified to work with us."
After silence, Ethan said, "Anastasia Reed is my wife."
Boysen could sense the chill in Ethan's voice over the phone. Panicked, he apologized, "I'm sorry, Chairman! I had no idea. I'm truly sorry. The Reeds..."
"Add them to the list. Send them a contract later, but do not reveal my identity."
"Yes, Chairman!"
Claudia, pretending to yawn as she walked out to buy milk, saw Ethan and angrily asked him, "What are you doing loitering at the door so early in the morning? Are you a thief?"
Ethan ignored her and helped carry the milk into the house.
After breakfast, Ethan accompanied Anastasia to drop Sophia off at kindergarten and then to Spark Enterprises. Anastasia wanted to refuse because the Reeds despised Ethan and would likely betray him if he came to work. However, Ethan insisted. After a long stare, Anastasia reluctantly agreed. "Suit yourself," she said sadly. Anyway, with how Ethan insisted, she could not say no.
When they arrived at Spark Enterprises, Brendan was in the conference room, listening to the raucous conversation. They were mocking Anastasia, whom he had long despised.
"Some people just love to brag despite being incompetent. Anastasia Reed made several trips to Orion Industries yesterday but still needs to meet the general manager. I saw her standing there for ages, nearly in tears. It's pathetic; she couldn't even get in the door! What do we expect from her incompetency then!"
"Haha, does she think she's still the chairperson of Spark Enterprises? Now, she's just a low-level manager. Orion Industries won't be impressed with her. However, she could try using her looks to sell herself. She is quite stunning, after all!"
"Hahahaha, that's right. Too bad her useless husband got away with her..."
Bang!
The conference room door slammed open, crashing against the wall and startling everyone inside. Anastasia stood outside, pale-faced, with Ethan beside her, his gaze rigid and menacing.
"What's going on here? How dare you cause a scene in the Reeds' company?"
Ethan glared at the people in the conference room, ready to issue a warning, but Anastasia pulled him back. "Enough. Don't make a scene here."
Ethan took a deep breath and said nothing.
Brendan and the others were about to sneer and insult Ethan for backing down when a senior executive rushed in. "The Chairman is here with Mr. Wilcon. Prepare all the documents and contracts immediately. Don't mess up!"
Down the corridor, Thaddeus Reed was approaching with a middle-aged, bespectacled man. "Mr. Wilcon, I haven't congratulated you on inheriting your father's estate. You're young and promising! About our partnership..."
Before he could finish, the bespectacled man pointed at Ethan, standing near the door, his face twisted in rage. "It's you?!"