Ethan's family sat in silence as the luxury SUV drove smoothly toward Crescent Ridge. Not because of tension but because they were excited.
They had only seen this kind of vehicle in magazines or rare dreams. Its leather interior was soft and spotless, a level of luxury that felt very far from their everyday lives.
For people accustomed to worn-out buses and the occasional cramped taxi, this felt more like a spaceship than a car.
"Whoa… This car is super comfortable," Lily said, her fingers running across the leather seat as though she couldn't quite believe it was real.
Ethan turned in his seat, smiling at his little sister's awestruck expression. "Do you like it?" he asked, his tone teasing but gentle.
"Like it?" Lily exclaimed, her voice practically bouncing off the plush interior. "I love it!"
"Well," Ethan said with a grin, leaning back with an air of exaggerated nonchalance, "maybe I'll get one of these for us soon."
Lily's eyes sparkled, but the rest of the family exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with disbelief.
A car like this? For them?
It was as unlikely as finding gold at the end of a rainbow.
For years, the Cole family could not afford to buy even a simple car. They walked everywhere—for work, school, and shopping. They relied on their own feet or, when necessary, used public transport.
Visiting family was rare for Elise. It was not just because it was difficult to arrange but also because these visits usually brought tension.
Elise's parents often made her feel judged and ridiculed, especially since they never accepted her marriage to Aaron. They believed it was a huge mistake and made sure to remind her of it.
What her family did not know was that Ethan, with his new wealth, could buy a car like this one and even the company that made it.
If they'd known, their faint smiles of disbelief would have turned to outright shock.
As they drove up to the gates of Crescent Ridge Estates, the atmosphere in the car completely shifted. Aaron, Elise, Jacob, and Lily all leaned forward. They were showing faces similar to the excited kids the first time they saw a carnival or something.
The neighborhood looked unlike anything they had seen before. Neat lawns spread out, perfectly trimmed hedges lined the clean streets, and large houses peeked behind tall, iron gates. The air felt full of quiet luxury.
"Jacob… Look at that," Lily whispered, pointing toward the gated entrance.
Two guards in clean uniforms stood by the gates, looking calm and alert. As the SUV got closer, one guard saluted.
Jacob and Lily automatically saluted back, their movements a bit stiff but sincere. Ethan suppressed a laugh at their expressions, which mixed pride and wonder.
"We've been dreaming of this for so long," Elise murmured, her voice soft as if afraid speaking too loudly might wake her.
Aaron nodded, but his jaw was tight, and his eyes stayed on the road. He kept his thoughts to himself, making his silence speak as loudly as any words.
When the SUV finally arrived at their new home, the family stepped out one by one. They moved slowly and hesitantly as if they weren't sure about what lay before them.
The house was more than just a building—it was impressive. Its modern design shone in the sunlight, and the glass windows reflected the beautiful surroundings.
The front yard was full of color, with flowers and trees arranged neatly to look like art.
"This…," Ethan said, taking a step forward and opening his arms, his voice filled with quiet pride. "This is it. Our new home."
Aaron stepped closer and looked at the house, careful not to blink. "This is nothing like I ever imagined," he said softly.
Elise covered her mouth. She was having trouble controlling her emotions. Her eyes were sparkling with tears. "Yes, Aaron. This is beyond our wildest dreams. It's so beautiful."
They had seen the photos, but seeing the house in person was different. Now that this house belonged to them, it was harder to believe.
Jacob and Lily ran to the front door. They laughed as they looked at everything around them.
"Ethan, is this really ours?" Jacob called back, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes. It is," Ethan said firmly, his gaze softening as he looked at his parents. "Mom, Dad... This is ours."
As they arrived at the house, the front door opened. Jessica, their real estate agent, greeted them with a friendly smile. She combined professionalism with warmth, making everyone feel comfortable.
"Welcome to your new home," she said. Her joyful voice showed that she really meant it.
Inside, the house was as stunning as the exterior promised. They were lucky because the house had been fully furnished according to the style they wished for.
Ethan introduced Jessica with a warm smile, his voice calm but carrying a note of pride. "Everyone, this is Jessica. She's the one who made all of this happen so quickly."
Jessica took a step forward. A genuine smile formed on her face. She reached out to Ethan's parents. "Hi everyone! It's nice to finally be able to meet all of you," she said.
Elise shook Jessica's hand. "Nice to meet you, Jessica. Thank you so much for helping Ethan to buy this house."
Jessica smiled. She understood well how Ethan's family felt. She had seen their apartment. Her family's house back in her hometown was similar.
If she can buy this kind of home, her family will be very happy too. She then said, "I should be the one thanking Ethan. He had given me a lot of new experience."
Lily, ever curious, leaned closer to Ethan, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "She's so beautiful. Ethan, is she—?"
Ethan's cheeks turned crimson almost instantly. "Lily!" he hissed, glancing toward Jessica as if she might have overheard. His family's barely concealed amusement did little to help.
"Jessica is an amazing agent," he said firmly, shooting a pointed look at his sister. "She's the reason we're able to move in so quickly. You should be thanking her for her skill and efficiency."
Jessica, her own cheeks slightly flushed from the compliment, responded modestly, "I was just doing my job, Mr. Cole."
Jacob and Lily, clearly unfazed by any formalities, grinned and chimed in unison, "Thank you, Jessica!"
Suddenly, they ran past her into the house, laughing as they hurried from room to room.
Jessica smiled and chuckled softly. "They are really happy," she said, watching the siblings with affection.
Aaron and Elise followed their children inside, still moving slowly as if afraid the dreamlike atmosphere might vanish if they walked too quickly.
Aaron paused by the doorway, turning to Jessica with a quiet sincerity. "Thank you," he said simply.
Jessica nodded, her smile unwavering. "It's my pleasure," she replied.
When the doorway finally cleared, she turned back to Ethan, who lingered behind with an amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Aren't you coming in, Mr. Cole?" she asked lightly, though there was an undertone of formality she couldn't quite shake.
Ethan raised an eyebrow at her, the faintest hint of mischief in his expression. "Mr. Cole?" he said, his tone teasing, "I've told you already—drop the formalities. Just call me Ethan."
Jessica hesitated. She felt her professionalism clash with the friendly atmosphere Ethan created. She had used his first name before in calls and texts.
But now, standing in front of him, it felt harder. Even with his friendly demeanor, he had a presence that made casual familiarity seem out of place.
Finally, she nodded, her voice soft but resolute. "I'm sorry. Ethan," she corrected herself, the word feeling oddly intimate.
He smiled and motioned for her to come inside. The house was filled with happy sounds. Jacob and Lily's excited voices echoed as they explored. Their cheerful footsteps echoed on the marble floors.
Aaron and Elise moved with care, taking in every detail. Elise checked out the modern kitchen and felt the smooth countertops.
At the same time, Aaron stopped by the large windows, looking at the backyard pool. Everything felt perfect as if they had stepped into a magazine they hadn't expected to see.
Ethan stood by the doorway, watching his family. Their happiness and excitement filled the house with warmth, making it feel more like home.
Jessica joined him, following his gaze.
"Seeing them this happy makes me happy, too," she said softly. "It feels good to have been part of this."
Ethan nodded, his eyes never leaving his family. "They've given everything," he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "Their whole lives, they've sacrificed. They deserve this. They deserve to have everything."
Jessica studied him for a moment, her curiosity piqued. "You've been incredibly busy these past few days," she remarked. "Two properties this grand in such a short time—it's impressive. I have never seen anyone move this fast."
Ethan laughed and smiled knowingly. "Well, me too," he said, his tone casual but carrying a quiet intensity. "This is only the beginning."
Jessica tilted her head slightly, curious. "What will you do next?" she asked. "It feels exciting to know about it. About what other wonders you'll do."
Ethan didn't reply right away. He was also wondering about plans for NovaTech, his ambitions, and how to secure his family's future. Finally, he gave her a small, mysterious smile.
"Who knows?" he said.
He walked to the large windows in the living room and looked at the security patrols outside. Their steady movements reassured him about the safety he had worked hard to provide. He felt a deep sense of relief.
"For now, I just want them to be safe," he said softly, more to himself than anyone. "They're happy. And I'll make sure it stays that way."
From her spot by the doorway, Jessica watched him quietly. There was something about Ethan that stood out. She couldn't fully understand his plans or what motivated him.
But one thing was clear: Ethan Cole was not ordinary.
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the series and want to see even more polished, top-quality chapters, I'd love your support.
Please consider voting with Power Stones, sending gifts, and dropping some Golden Tickets my way.