Chapter 5: The Fish Takes the Bait!

Crestwood City Harmony General Hospital.

Ethan Harper tossed aside the instant noodle cup and walked to the sink.

In the mirror was a somewhat unfamiliar face—a dark complexion, bloodshot eyes, and an overall exhausted appearance.

He slowly raised his hand, touching the bruise near his eye, and a smirk appeared on his lips.

"This is just the appetizer!"

"The first step to ruin one's reputation: good deeds stay at home, but rumors spread a thousand miles."

Soon, Ethan Harper's smirk faded, and his gaze turned icy.

"Unfortunately, we can't witness all of this in person."

"But it's okay; someone will document it for us."

"After all, you get what you pay for."

Ethan Harper took a deep breath, washed his face, and then returned to the hospital room.

Chad was already awake, but his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, occasionally shedding tears.

It was evident that the three granddaughters were not Anderson blood, which dealt him a significant blow.

Ethan Harper stood by the bedside for a moment, sighing softly.

He took a seat.

"Having children who aren't mine is fine. A woman like Vanessa, I don't want any connection with her in the future. Our children don't need such a shameless mother."

Chad's eyes moved slightly as he turned his head, staring blankly at Ethan Harper.

Ethan Harper continued, "In the future, I'll find someone good with open eyes, not necessarily beautiful, just kind and filial. We'll live together without Vanessa. With a monthly salary of over six thousand dollars, I won't need you to collect bottles and cardboard anymore. Of course, if you enjoy doing that, you're free to do it in the storage room downstairs."

Chad blinked.

"Dad, people should look forward positively. If we've taken the wrong path in the past, we should bravely correct it instead of self-pity. You should know that when I saw the paternity test result, I was even more devastated than you. But I came out of it; you don't have to be sad for me anymore."

Chad's eyes turned red again, and he couldn't help but sniff.

Ethan Harper gently patted his shoulder.

Chad was unfortunate, but he was also lucky.

At least his old father and colleagues were on his side, unlike himself...

Ethan Harper suddenly stood up and looked out the window.

Crestwood City was just a small second-tier city that didn't touch his life circle.

But one day, he would return.

With familiar faces, shaking those people to their core from the depths of their souls.

His phone vibrated a few times, and Ethan Harper picked it up to see an investigative email lying in his inbox.

Here it comes!

Opening the email, it was Vanessa's information.

Vanessa's financial status, marital status, the past ten years of relationships with men, and even the information about the men and their spouses were laid out clearly. The compressed file also included well-organized backup big-character posters, video scripts, and a plan.

Ethan Harper couldn't help but laugh after just a glance.

Indeed, using a sledgehammer to kill a chicken.

With this plan, it was enough to ruin a top celebrity.

But...

He didn't mind using a sledgehammer.

Dealing with such a shameless woman required ruthless measures.

Of course, hitting the snake on its seven-inch spot was the most painful.

Ethan Harper's gaze fell on the hamburger restaurant Vanessa secretly opened.

Judging from her actions of beating her daughter several times, her daughter was not her weak point.

She didn't support her family much either, so her family didn't value her much.

As for those men, she changed partners too frequently.

It was this hamburger restaurant, opened ten years ago, still poorly managed, but she kept investing money into it.

Looking at the staff information of the hamburger restaurant, Ethan Harper couldn't help but smile.

Interesting~

Turning around, Ethan Harper looked at Chad, who was gradually recovering.

"Dad, you seem to be in good shape. I'll go out for deliveries tonight."

Chad tried to stop him, "It's too late~"

"Not late; I used to have dinner at this time after work."

Ethan Harper patted his shoulder, "Dad, I'm leaving."

Turning around, Ethan Harper immediately hired a caregiver for an hour, settled the fees, and the caregiver happily nodded.

"Don't worry, Mr. Anderson. I'll take good care of your father and won't let anyone disturb him except for you."

"Thank you!"

Ethan Harper left the hospital and took a taxi back to the rented house. He quickly packed up his things and moved out.

After finishing the task, it was already past eleven o'clock at night.

Ethan Harper leisurely put on a yellow robe, rode his electric scooter, and headed to the hamburger restaurant.

"Here for takeout? But we don't have any orders?" the staff murmured in confusion.

"No, I'm here to buy two burgers for myself."

"...Ah?" The staff looked utterly bewildered.

"Is it rare for someone like me to buy burgers here?" Ethan Harper chuckled, quickly ordered two burgers, paid, and then asked, "Is there only one staff member in your store?"

"There's also a store manager."

Ethan Harper pretended to be curious, "Oh, such a small place has a store manager. Is it the owner?"

The staff laughed and shook his head, not continuing the conversation.

Ethan Harper didn't ask further questions. He waited at the counter for a while, holding two burgers in the not-so-large restaurant and eating them slowly.

Approaching midnight, a middle-aged man with a decent appearance walked in.

He greeted the staff and quickly sat down, focusing on his phone.

Ethan Harper silently sent a message.

Soon, a girl with a uniform and white twin tails rushed into the hamburger restaurant anxiously. "Big sister, someone is following me. Can I hide in the store for a while?"

The middle-aged man quickly raised his head, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

Ethan Harper's lips curled up.

The fish took the bait!