Chapter 13: The Smug Sylvia Johnson_1

Ethan Smith was stunned.

He stared blankly at Emily Taylor, as though he couldn't believe his ears.

"You... what did you just say?" Ethan asked tentatively.

Emily simply shook her head and smiled, "Nothing."

Even though Emily didn't pursue the subject further, Ethan's heart pounded violently.

After spending this time with Emily, Ethan couldn't help but feel deeply for her. However, he felt that he wasn't worthy of her.

But if Emily actually meant what he thought she might, then Ethan would give his all—even his life—to make himself good enough!

After Emily left, Ethan's heart still couldn't calm down.

He sat alone in the courtyard, staring at the star-filled sky, and murmured softly, "Was she... teasing me? Or was she serious..."

*Ethan didn't know, but from that moment, his entire mindset underwent a drastic shift.*

...

The next day.

There was only one day left until the Taylor family banquet.

All the major prestigious families had already received their invitations.

But Ethan wasn't concerned about any of that. His mind was entirely preoccupied with finding ways to further improve his skills.

Just then, Ethan's phone suddenly rang.

Picking it up, he saw that the caller was Bill Johnson.

Bill Johnson had always been kind to Ethan and was the only person in the Johnson family who treated Ethan well.

So, he quickly answered the phone.

"Grandpa..." Ethan's voice was somewhat somber.

On the other end, Bill Johnson said with a trembling voice, "Ethan, Grandpa is sorry..."

"Grandpa, it's not your fault." Ethan took a deep breath.

"The entire Johnson family only ever treated me like a human being because of you. But now, I don't want to depend on the Johnson family anymore. I don't want to depend on anyone." Ethan spoke firmly.

There was a brief silence on the other end.

A moment later, Bill Johnson said with a trembling voice, "Ethan, can you come back to see Grandpa one last time?"

After thinking for a moment, Ethan replied, "Alright, I should properly say goodbye to you."

After hanging up the phone, Ethan stood up and headed to the Johnson family home.

At the Johnson family's residence, everyone had gathered.

Ever since Sylvia Johnson received the invitation from the Taylor family, her arrogance had grown even worse.

When Ethan pushed open the door and walked into the house, he immediately saw Bill Johnson sitting in the corner, looking somewhat desolate.

He seemed even older and had clearly lost his former standing within the family.

"What are you doing here?" The moment Brenda Johnson saw Ethan, her face soured.

"Leave right now, or Gary Brown might misunderstand," Brenda scoffed.

Watching Brenda's petty demeanor, Ethan could only sneer.

"I was the one who asked Ethan to come," Bill Johnson beckoned him closer.

Sylvia Johnson said discontentedly, "Grandpa, why did you bring this loser here? I'm already divorced from him—Gary Brown is your grandson-in-law now!"

After speaking, Sylvia even pointed at Ethan and shouted, "Get lost already! Or do you want Gary to come back and deal with you?"

Ethan couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge Sylvia's tirade. He walked directly to Bill Johnson, bent slightly, and said with a hint of apology, "Grandpa, this is probably the last time I'll come to the Johnsons' house."

Hearing this, Bill Johnson's eyes grew misty.

Holding Ethan's hand, Bill said with visible anguish, "Ethan, can't you stay? Even if you and Sylvia are divorced, I still see you as my grandson..."

Though touched, Ethan ultimately shook his head and said, "I can't."

"Ha, Grandpa, you must be senile," Sylvia sneered.

"You always said Ethan could bring good luck to our family. What has he brought us in three years? Other than washing clothes and cooking, he's nothing but worthless!"

"On the contrary, my luck has been much better since divorcing him." Sylvia waved the invitation in her hand and slapped it onto the table.

"Take a good look. This is an invitation from the Taylor family! The Taylor family of the Capital City invited me, Sylvia Johnson!" Sylvia said smugly.

Ethan glanced at the invitation card. It was indeed from the Taylor family.

"With this invitation, it's only a matter of time before the Johnson family ranks among the elite families of River City," Sylvia said with a gleeful smile.

Ethan let out a cold chuckle. "I wouldn't count on it. Have you taken a good look at yourself?"

Sylvia wasn't angered. Instead, she responded mockingly, "Oh, are you jealous? Insulting me won't change the truth!"

"I, Sylvia Johnson, have now earned the favor of the Taylor family!"

"And you? You'll always just be a useless nobody!"

On the side, Bill Johnson slammed the table angrily and shouted, "That's enough out of you!"

"I'm just telling the truth!" Sylvia retorted indignantly.

Bill Johnson grasped Ethan's hand again and said apologetically, "Ethan, don't stoop to her level. She's still young..."

"Still young?" Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at that. *A woman nearing thirty is still considered young?* he thought to himself.

"Ethan, get the hell out of here. Do you hear me? Don't bring bad luck to my family." Sylvia snapped, her face full of disdain.

Ethan shot Sylvia a frosty glance and said, "Don't worry. I wouldn't want to stay here a second longer."

With that, Ethan bowed to Bill Johnson and then strode out of the Johnson family home.

Bill Johnson gazed at Ethan's departing figure, his clouded eyes brimming with tears.

"Sylvia, you're going to regret this..." Bill said sorrowfully.

"Regret? For what? Gary Brown is far better than that loser ever was!" Sylvia said impatiently.

She practically shoved the invitation card into Bill's face.

"Take a good look. The Taylor family invited me! I'm the one with the most authority in the Johnson family!" Sylvia snarled harshly.

Bill Johnson waved his hand dismissively, choosing not to say anything further.

In truth, throughout the Johnson family, no one took Bill seriously anymore.

After all, in their eyes, the Johnson family had already secured the favor of the Taylor family.