They resumed dinner only after Brendan left, which he had just interrupted. No one brought up the topic again, and they peacefully finished their food.
After washing and cleaning, Charlotte returned to her room while Claudia sat in the living room, watching television and playing with the diamond bracelet she had just received. She was happy with her gift.
Ethan took Sophia upstairs to Anastasia's room and played with her happily.
During this time, Anastasia repeatedly raised her wrist to check her watch. She would also glance downstairs from time to time, seeming concerned. She is worried and waiting for someone to come.
"What's the matter?" Ethan asked softly, placing a drawing book in front of Sophia.
"Oh, this is nothing. I'm just worried about Dad. It's late, and he has yet to return. He also refuses to answer my phone calls. He doesn't normally do this. I'm not sure where he went," Anastasia answered softly.
Ethan pondered it and asked, "Do you want me to send someone to look for him?"
Anastasia knew he was capable of doing so, and he would undoubtedly dispatch a large number of people to search. "That's not required right now. Maybe Dad is at a friend's residence. He might return soon. Let's wait for a little while."
As she talked, there was a loud bang on the door from downstairs, and Charles' drunken ranting could be heard. "OPEN UP! Hurry up and open the door. I said, open the door!"
Claudia then screamed loudly and sharply, "You jerk!" Where did you get drunk before coming home? Why don't you drink yourself to death outside? Your body smells and reeks like booze. I won't help you!"
Then, there were loud sounds of someone falling and objects being destroyed.
"Oh dear!"
When Anastasia and Ethan heard this sound, they immediately dashed downstairs.
Charlotte also unlocked her door and dashed downstairs.
"You damn jackass! You're already completely wasted yet still clutching a bottle of wine. Are you going to murder yourself and leave me a widow? Bastard! Get up! I feel very unlucky to have married a man like you!" Claudia stood by the downstairs door, crying loudly. Cursing to Charles.
Charles had fallen to the ground, and the bottle of wine in his hand was broken. There were shards of glass all over the floor.
Anastasia and Ethan raced to assist him. Anastasia attempted to get the remaining half bottle of wine from Charles. But he abruptly brandished the bottle in his hand and cried, "I-I'm not drunk! One more bottle. Let's drink more."
The sharp bottle nearly cut Anastasia's hand.
"Watch out!" Ethan called out as he reached out to clamp down on Charles' wrist, forcing him to let go of the bottle of wine he was tightly grasping.
In his intoxicated state, Charles continued to mumble continuously. And from time to time, he would flap his arms in an attempt to block Ethan from holding him down.
Fortunately, Ethan was strong enough to hold Charles down and guide him to his and Claudia's room.
"You made such a noise and made a mess in the house as soon as you returned. You might as well not return and perish outside! What an insolent husband you are!" Claudia cursed.
Charlotte could not take it any longer. "Cut it out, Mom! Dad is already very intoxicated. Even if you admonish him, he doesn't hear you. Let's deal with the mess! Anastasia and Ethan will bring Dad to your room. Mom goes to bathe Dad and helps him change his clothes. And I will clean up the glass shards on the floor. We'll split the workload!"
Despite Claudia's persistent yelling, they eventually took care of the drunk Charles and placed him down on his bed.
When Ethan and Anastasia returned upstairs, Sophia quickly entered Ethan's arms. "Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa is... so scary! Boo hoo!"
Sophia had observed Charles ranting loudly and swinging his arms when she was upstairs and was terrified by his conduct. This is the first time she saw his grandfather acting like this, and she was not used to it."
Ethan rubbed Sophia's tiny head, softly comforting her, "It's okay. Grandpa consumed too much alcohol. He will be alright tomorrow. I'm here. Do not be terrified. Sophia eventually nodded. She raised her head and gave Ethan a troubled look. "Daddy, you won't be like Grandpa and drink so much later, right?"
Ethan laughed and quietly added, "No, I won't act like that. Daddy is not like that."
Sophia finally relaxed and lay in Ethan's arms.
Suddenly, someone yelled from downstairs. "Charles Reed, you bastard!" How dare you hit me? "I will fight you!"
Sophia shook and grasped the corner of Ethan's shirt hard. "Daddy... I'm scared." Ethan hurriedly took Sophia into his arms and comforted her.
After hearing the cry, Anastasia immediately went downstairs.
"Who are you yelling at, anyway? You are nothing to me! Claudia Piketty, you are nothing to me! Stop yelling and calling me a loser. What are you then? You were so attached and obedient to me because you knew the Reeds were wealthy back then. Do you think I'm a useless person now?" Charles' eyes were red as he yelled and pointed at Claudia's nose.
"You are a jerk! Bastard! I must have been blind to marry you! Yeah, I decided to be with you because of your money and because I assumed you were Thaddeus Reed's son! Only after our marriage, I've known the truth. So, what? I have the guts to admit it!"
"How about you? You are only an illegitimate son who is not blood-linked to the Reeds and was cast out like a dog! Have I ever lived in luxury during my marriage to you? I was not living the life I imagined when I married you, you bastard!" Claudia exclaimed in a firm tone.
Anastasia approached them and grabbed Claudia's arm, fearing they would fight again. "Dad, you've had too many drinks. You had better get some rest!" "Mom, Dad are simply speaking those remarks in a drunken stupor. Don't come down to his level. He doesn't mean any of what he said to you."
To Anastasia's amazement, when Charles saw her dazed, he flared up and shouted, "You're such a jinx!" Forget it if the firm was taken away; you married such a loser and made yourself a laughingstock! Without you, we would not have been chased away by the Reeds. I'm left with nothing! It's entirely your fault!"
Anastasia was upset and depressed after her father yelled at her, and she burst into tears. "Dad, how could my fault..."
"Stop arguing!" Charles raised a hand to slap Anastasia. "Stop it!" Ethan quickly appeared beside Anastasia. He grasped Charles' wrist and looked at him. "No one is allowed to hit her, including you!"